CNSTC: Nov. 16. 2011

November 16, 2011

Vol 13

No 46

July 13, 2011

Vol 13 No 28

Winter Weather Awareness Day in Missouri on November 16 is a reminder to be prepared for snow, ice and cold.

Get Ready!

Information courtesy of Missouri’s State Emergency Mangement Agency

IN this Issue

Missouri has experienced a wide range of hazardous weather throughout 2011, and as cold temperatures return, the threat for severe winter storms is on the horizon. In preparation, the National Weather Service, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the State Emergency Management Agency and Missouri’s local emergency managers are joining forces to promote November 16 as Winter Weather Awareness Day in Missouri.

“The severe winter storm that began January 31 and deposited up to two feet of snow in some areas of Missouri is a reminder of the importance of being preparing for heavy snowfall and ice and the problems they can create,” said State Emergency Management Agency Director Paul D. Parmenter. “We got a fresh reminder late last month, when parts of the Northeast U.S. were hit by an early snow storm that cut off power for days.

I encourage Missouri families to review their emergency supply kits with winter weather in mind.”

The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has released its outlook for the upcoming winter. Meteorological winter is considered to be the months of December, January, and February. According to CPC, there are equal chances of above, below, or near normal temperatures. There are also slightly higher chances for above normal precipitation centered over the Ohio River Valley, with the western extent covering much of Illinois and far southeastern Missouri. This is typical of the weak to moderate La Nina pattern Around Town . . . . . . . . . . 2-6 Lincoln County Life . . . . . . . 7 School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9

Photo courtesy of MoDOT

over the central United States.

Recommended preparations include creating a winter car kit for the trunk of your car, making sure fireplaces and generators function properly, exercising caution when shoveling snow or pushing a car out of snow banks and avoiding unnecessary travel when driving conditions are poor.

It is also important for people to keep up to date on weather forecasts and to understand key National Weather Service terms: • Winter Storm Watch indicates that severe winter weather may affect your area within 12-48 hours.

• Winter Storm Warning indicates severe winter weather is in the area or expected immediately and can be life threatening.

• Ice Storm Warnings are issued for ice accumulations of a quarter-inch or more.

• Blizzard Warning is issued when sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 miles per hour or greater and considerable amounts of falling or blowing snow Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Christmas Traditions . . . . . . . . 11-13 Learn & Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

(reducing visibility to less than a quarter below freezing temperatures are expectmile) are expected to prevail for a period ed. of three hours or longer.

• Freezing Rain is rain that freezes • Frost/Freeze Warning is issued when See WINTER page 3

MOVIE PEEK

See MOVIE page 15

“J. Edgar” - Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Movie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Editorials/Recipe . . . . . . . . . . 16-17 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 What’s Happening . . . . . . . 20-21 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23

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2 • November 16, 2011 • Community News - St. Charles County

Fire Ops 101

By Skip Stephens On Saturday, November 5, the firefighters of Cottleville Fire District hosted the St. Louis’s area’s first ever Fire Ops 101. It was a one-day opportunity for local politicians, community leaders and decision makers to experience what it is like to be a professional firefighter. The purpose of Fire Ops 101 is to educate participants about the rigors and challenges of being a firefighter through hands-on training scenarios.

Participants were given some fundamental training and then turned loose perform vehicle extrication, search and rescue, fire extinguishment and aerial tower operations in five separate pre-arranged scenarios. The 13 participants started bright and early (6:30 a.m.) Saturday at Cottleville Fire Station #1, with a light breakfast before learning about the basics of firefighting.

Their first scenario was aerial ladder operations. After a short Power Point presentation, the participants prepared the aerial ladder for deployment, dragged hose, and climbed the 100’ladder. Weldon Spring Alderman Bruce Robb described the ladder truck as, “much more versatile than I would have thought. People think of ladder trucks as providing ladders to go up in the air to rescue people out of buildings, but it is capable of a lot of other things.”

Mike Reiter, Board Member of Cottleville Fire Dis-

trict commented on the importance of adequate staffing on the ladder truck by stating, “the biggest thing is the amount of manpower it that takes and the timeframe.”

Reiter said four on a truck gives precious minutes, versus the three that are now on the ladder truck.

After the first scenario, the participants were taken to Ameren UE Fire School in Welston, where they performed the next four evolutions. Typical of actual firefighter training, crashed automobiles and live fires were used to attempt to simulate real life emergency situations. In one scenario, participants donned SCBA’s (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus), stretched and advanced fire hoses into a smoke filled two-story training building, where they were tasked with crawling through smoke and finding and fire victims. Upon exiting the fire building, Kathie Conway, Missouri State Representative of the 14th district commented, “I don’t know how you guys do it, honest to God. It is hot.”

She went on to comment about the importance of equipment and training in the fire service, “It is very important. Firefighters need to have the tools to help people, and training is everything.”

After performing auto extrication, Father Joe Post from St. Joseph’s Parish in Cottleville emphasized the importance of maintaining top equipment by saying, “It’s a matter of life and death. You guys need as much of the newest equipment as you can get. I don’t know if there is newer stuff on

the market, but if there is, you guys should have it.”

Throughout the event, safety and teamwork were emphasized. Proper personal protective equipment usage and safety precautions were ensured. Between scenarios, participants were provided a rehab while paramedics checked them for signs of medical distress.

Fire Chief Rob Wylie stated, “Although just a snapshot of what our firefighters face everyday, Fire Ops 101 gave the participants a good idea of how important training, personnel and equipment are in the fire service.”

Participants included Father Joe Post of St. Joseph’s Cottleville; Kathie Conway, Missouri State Representative; Bruce Robb, Alderman of Weldon Spring; Will Klein of W Klein Realty Group and Executive Director of Cottleville Weldon Spring Chamber of Commerce; Mike Ficken of the Knights of Columbus; Brian Beseda, owner of Beseda Flooring; Brian Hall, owner of B Halls Family Grill; Lynn Macjewski of Enterprise Leasing; and the five-member Board of Directors of Cottleville Fire District, Ken Brooks, Steve Dubois, Mike Reiter, John Remstedt and John Walsh.

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Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County will present its 11th Annual Celebration of Trees Gala, Friday, November 18, 2011 at the St. Charles Convention Center in St. Charles, Mo. This year, Habitat will host the first ever Morning With Santa from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at the St. Charles Convention Center.

This year’s Celebration of Trees will be a dinner gala event that showcases beautifully decorated trees, a live and silent auction, as well as live entertainment. The event will also have a volunteer and sponsor recognition presentation. This year, Habitat’s first ever Morning with Santa will feature Santa, of course! Along with a train display, guests will enjoy seeing the beautifully decorated Christmas trees, arts and crafts for children, pictures with Santa and hot cocoa and cookies. Both events will help to showcase the mission of Habitat for Humanity as well as help to build one home for a deserving family in St. Charles County.

Community News - St. Charles County • November 16, 2011 • 3

WINTER from Cover when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees, and power lines.

• Sleet is rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground.

Missourians can prepare for winter by: • Creating a family emergency plan and creating an emergency kit with bottled water and canned and dried food that can be prepared without cooking in case of a power outage.

• Adding the following supplies to your disaster supply kit: rock salt to melt ice on walkways; sand to improve traction; snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.

• Securing an alternate fuel source such as firewood or a generator. Make sure your fireplace functions properly. If you have a generator, make sure you have fuel and that it functions properly. Only operate the generator outdoors. Keep a fire extinguisher on hand.

• Creating a winter car kit in the trunk of the car. This includes: windshield scraper and small broom, flashlight, blanket, spare radio with batteries, snacks or energy-type food, water, jumper cables, flares and matches, shovel, sand or shingles to give tires traction, extra hats, socks and mittens, first aid kit, fluorescent distress flag.

• Learning how to shut off water valves in case a pipe bursts.

What to do during a severe winter storm • Listen to radio, television, or NOAA Weather Radio for weather reports and emergency information.

• Wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves. Wear a hat. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs. Protect your lungs from extremely cold air by covering your mouth when outdoors. Try not to speak unless absolutely necessary. Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly.

Watch for signs of frostbite. These include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose.

If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately. Watch for signs of hypothermia. These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion.

• Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack – a major cause of death in the winter. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside and take frequent breaks.

• Drive only if absolutely necessary. If you must drive, consider the following: Check the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Web site for road conditions: www.modot.mo.gov or call the Missouri Road Condition Report line at 800.222.6400. Travel in the day, don’t travel alone, and keep others informed of your schedule. Stay on main roads, avoid back road shortcuts. If you need assistance while on the road, or need to report and accident, broken down car, or vehicle off the road, call the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Emergency report line by dialing *55 on your cell phone. It connects you to the nearest MSHP troop headquarters. From a land line call 800.525.5555.

• If a blizzard traps you in the car: Pull off the highway, turn on hazard lights and hang a distress flag from the radio antenna or window. Remain in your vehicle where rescuers are most likely to find you. Do not set out on foot unless you can see a building close by where you know you can take shelter. Be careful: distances are distorted by blowing snow. A building may seem close, but be too far to walk to in deep snow. Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm. When the engine is running, open an upwind window slightly for ventilation and periodically clear snow from the exhaust pipe. This will protect you from possible carbon monoxide poisoning. In extreme cold, use road maps, seat covers, and floor mats for insulation. Huddle with others in the vehicle and use your coat for a blanket. Take turns sleeping. One person should be awake at all times to look for rescue crews. Drink fluids to avoid dehydration. Be careful not to waste battery power. Balance electrical energy needs - the use of lights, heat, and radio - with supply. Turn on the inside light at night so work crews or rescuers can see you. If stranded in a remote area, stomp large block letters in an open area, spelling out HELP or SOS and line with rocks or tree limbs to attract the attention of rescue personnel who may be surveying the area in the air. Leave the car and proceed on foot - if necessary - once the blizzard passes.

• If you do not have heat in your residence temporarily close off some rooms and remain in one area of the residence. Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid a build-up of toxic fumes. Refuel kerosene heaters outside and keep them at least three feet from flammable objects. Eat regularly and drink ample fluids, but avoid caffeine and alcohol. If the pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers of newspapers and wrap pipes in rags. Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold (or where the cold was most likely to penetrate).

Hospice Volunteers Needed BJC Hospice needs volunteers to visit patients sounds like a fit for you and you’d like to set up in the home – especially in St. Charles County an interview to find out more, please give BJC and beyond. You will give the gift of friendship Hospice Volunteer Services Coordinator Eileen to terminally ill patients in homes and extended Spinner a call at 314.273.0762. care facilities and relief to those caring for them. Visits are social - spending time talking, reading or watching television together.

No medical care is required. Volunteers in the home may help by allowing caregivers to run errands or do something they have www.midwestagency.com not taken the time to enjoy.

Volunteers are thoroughly trained by BJC Hospice staff before undertaking the visits.

Hours are flexible. You may also share a talent such as photography, scrapbooking or beauty care with the patient.

If this type of volunteer work

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4 • November 16, 2011 • Community News - St. Charles County

O’Fallon Police Officer Receives Missouri Medal of Valor Sergeant Steven M. Landsness of the O’Fallon, Mo. Police Department recently received the Missouri Medal of Valor from Governor Jay Nixon in Jefferson City, Mo. Sergeant Landsness was one of six St. Louis area law enforcement officers who received the medal.

The officers received the medals for extraordinary acts of bravery and heroism in 2010 that saved the lives of Missourians. Sergeant Landsness received the medal for his actions while off-duty at a park in Florissant, Mo. Sergeant Landsness heard a woman in the nearby river calling for help and risked his own life to swim out and bring her back to shore.

Landsness was one of five law enforcement officers to receive the Missouri Medal of Valor from the governor.

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Residents Encouraged to Support ‘Scouting For Food’ Campaign Children will help feed a growing number of hungry children throughout our region as more than 30,000 Scouts participate in the 27th annual “Scouting for Food” canned goods drive in November.

Scouts from throughout the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, distributed more than one million bags on Saturday, November 12. The Boy Scouts will collect the filled bags on Saturday, November 19. More than 500 food pantries throughout the region rely on Scouting for Food and the generosity of the community to help stock their shelves before the holiday season and cold winter months. Scouting for Food donations provide up to a four-month supply for some pantries.

As unemployment rates remain high and challenging economic conditions persist, many pantries report an unprecedented amount of requests for food. The demand for food isn’t isolated in urban areas. A recent report from the Brookings Institution found that 80 percent of suburban nonprofits are seeing families with food needs more often than one year prior.

The St. Louis Area Foodbank and Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization, recently released a study, “Map the Meal Gap: Child Food Insecurity 2011,” that revealed 172,000 children in our region are struggling with hunger. Nearly one in four children in our area experience food insecurity—they do not have enough nutritionally adequate food for an active, healthy life.

“The strain on the St. Louis Area Foodbank’s network of pantries is reaching an all-time high,” said Frank Finnegan, president and CEO of the St. Louis Area Foodbank. “The group most affected by the need for food assistance is children. Nearly one-fourth of the children in our service territory struggle with hunger. This community has continually stepped up to make the Scouting for Food drive not only the largest in the nation, but one that hundreds of local food pantries depend on to stock the shelves during the holidays and the onset of winter. Given the number of people coming to their doors, I know the food pantries are counting on this year being the most successful drive yet.”

When Scouts in the city of St. Louis and St. Louis County collect the donated food, they take it to one of 46 fire stations where it is sorted and boxed. (Food collected outside of the city of St. Louis and St. Louis County is taken directly to food pantries in those communities.)

“Thousands of Scouts, parents and leaders are ready to work together for an important purpose— feeding the less fortunate in our community,” said Ron Green, Scout Executive of the Greater St. Louis Area Council. “We are providing assistance to those in need, but this drive also teaches young people the value of helping others.”

For the eighth consecutive year, Sunset Transportation, Inc., will transport the food from the fire stations to the St. Louis Area Foodbank. Sunset Transportation will move 55 truckloads of food in cooperation with dozens of truck drivers who donate their time, use their own trucks, and pay for their own fuel. Wells Fargo Advisors is this year’s campaign sponsor.

City of Cottleville and Weldon Spring Adopt Local Primary Seat Belt Ordinance The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety is pleased to announce that the City of Cottleville and Weldon Spring have each adopted a local primary seat belt ordinance. This means that law enforcement in this area can and will stop vehicles with unbuckled drivers or passengers. www.stcharles.rightathome.net

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Officers do not need to find another violation to justify the stop. The City of Cottleville is now the 22nd municipality in Missouri (17th in St. Louis metropolitan area) to join this seat belt enforcement effort to help save more lives.

“Having this local seat belt ordinance now provides our police department the opportunity to reinforce to motorists that seat belts can and do save lives” said Scott Lewis, chief of police for the City of Cottleville.

Despite evidence proving the benefits of wearing a seat belt, nearly one in four Missouri motorists are still not making it click. Seven out of 10 Missourians killed in traffic crashes are unbuckled.

For information on Missouri seatbelt usage, visit www.saveMOlives.com.

Community News - St. Charles County • November 16, 2011 • 5

Local Youth Emergency Preparedness Program Receives National Award The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently announced that the Mid America TEEN CERT program was named runner-up in “Outstanding Achievement in Youth Preparedness” for the 2011 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Award.

The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago came in first for the award.

In January 2011, Mid America was named by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as one of the top three emergency response and preparedness programs in the nation for its productivity and initiatives in the area of youth preparedness. The program is being highlighted in a FEMA-produced how-to guide for “Implementing a Youth Preparedness Program,” and recently, one of the program’s graduates was recognized after she saved an elderly neighbor from a house fire using the skills that she had learned taking the TEEN CERT course.

The specialized training provides students the skills necessary to perform under pressure by developing multi-functional response teams that supplement community emergency services during major disasters. With the help of firefighters, paramedics, doctors, and other qualified instructors, the program teaches medical, fire safety, and search and rescue. In addition, the Mid America program has a crisis counselor who teaches the psychology aspect of an emergency to the participants.

Mid America TEEN CERT is made up entirely of volunteer citizens and is more than 370 members strong and continues to grow. School districts, church groups, special needs groups and other groups and organizations request the assistance of the TEEN CERT program. The team portion of the curriculum is stressed and expanded on to allow the students a chance to build trusts and share ideas. This may also help individual schools with trained TEEN CERT program graduates to determine if they want to incorporate the program into the school’s

Emergency Operation Plan (EOP) as a team or simply for individual student’s education.

While many people will respond to others in need without any training, one goal of the TEEN CERT program is to help these citizens do so effectively and efficiently without placing themselves or others in unnecessary danger. With the mandatory 22 hours of training, students learn to manage utilities and put out small fires, and treat the three medical killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock. TEEN CERT also trains students how to provide basic medical aid, search for and rescue victims safely, organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective, and collect disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts.

Because the Mid America program is not based within any particular city or municipality, but rather trains students around the region in St. Charles, St. Louis, Warren, Jefferson and Lincoln counties in Missouri (as well as Monroe and St. Clair counties in Illinois), the TEEN CERT program does not qualify for state funding or Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grants through the St. Louis Area Regional Response System (STARRS). However, the program is free of charge to anyone wanting the training and operates entirely without a budget or funding. The popularity of the program has grown and is out-performing many of the city, police and fire department sponsored programs that receive local, state and private funding and grants.

The Mid America TEEN CERT program is open to anyone 12 years and older, including adults. It is the same program as the adult CERT course, but includes a great deal more information and emphasis on team building and emotional health. For information about TEEN CERT, please contact the program’s director Mark Rosenblum at 314.680.0791 or mark. rosenblum@juno.com.

Old Time Country Dance Ever wonder what dancing was like in the 1800s? Enjoy and old time country dance from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, November 19 at the O’Fallon City Hall Gymnasium. Tickets are $10 (high school age and older) and covers the music, dance caller and refreshments (no alcohol). There will also be a silent auction and a 50/50 drawing. The dance caller will give instructions on each dance before the music begins. Tickets are sold at the door, and all proceeds will benefit the O’Fallon Historical Society.

O’Fallon Family YMCA 2012 Strong Community Campaign The O’Fallon Family YMCA has kicked off its annual 2012 Strong Community Campaign. The Campaign raises funds to support scholarships for individuals and families who live in our community. The Y will turn no one away due to an inability to pay.

The Y brings families closer together, encourages good health and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun, and shared interests and promotes youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y nurtures the potential of kids, promotes healthy living, fosters a sense of social responsibility and ensures that every individual has access to the essentials to learn, grow and thrive.

In order to continue on its Mission, the O’Fallon Family YMCA is seeking the support of the local community. This year’s goal is $73,000. For more information on how you can make a donation or apply for a scholarship, please contact the O’Fallon Family YMCA at 636.379.0092 or visit www.ymcastlouis.org/ofallon.

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Treats for Troops

Heritage Elementary Nurse Yvonne Mahan has collected over 50 pounds of candy for Operation Gratitude. In addition to donating their leftover Halloween candy, students wrote letters and drew pictures for the care packages that are being sent to American troops overseas. Photo by Shannon Ham-Beene.

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6 • November 16, 2011 • Community News - St. Charles County

St. Peters Kicks Off Holiday Season with Annual Tree Lighting

O’Fallon’s Tree Lighting Ceremony is November 16 O’Fallon residents and visitors are invited to join in the official start of holiday festivities at the City of O’Fallon’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, which will be held from 6–8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16, at O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall), 100 North Main Street, O’Fallon, Mo., 63366.

Admission is free and low-cost concessions will be available. The highlight of the event will be the countdown to the annual Lighting of the Tree in the City Hall Rotunda by Mayor Bill Hennessy and the arrival of Santa. Free entertainment throughout the evening includes crafters selling holiday gifts and merchandise, live choral music, and kids’ games and crafts. After the tree is lit, kids can visit with Santa, free, and parents are welcome to bring their cameras.

Although admission is free, people are asked to bring donations of canned or boxed food and personal care items for the Cornucopia of Care Food Drive for local pantries. The first 100 families to donate will receive a free City ornament. People are also invited to decorate the “Giving Tree” in the lobby with warm winter hats, gloves, mittens, scarves and socks, which will be donated to the Salvation Army.

Call 636.379.5614 for more information.

Wentzville’s 11th Annual Turkey Trot Kick off the holiday season with Wentzville’s Annual Turkey Trot! The event begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 19 at Wentzville’s Rotary Park.

Before you begin eating your way throughout the holiday season, why not engage in a healthy activity? Best of all, this event isn’t just for fitness buffs and athletes. The Turkey Trot offers a fitness activity of all levels to include everyone. This event includes nine age groups participating in either a 5K or one-mile walk/run. The

first 150 entrants receive an official Wentzville Turkey Trot shirt. Participants are also entered to win a turkey for their Thanksgiving Feast.

Winners of the 5K run in each of the following age groups receive awards: 10 & under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & over. The top three overall males and females also receive awards, but are not eligible for winning their age group.

Race day registration is $25. For more information, please call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Department at 636.332.9236.

Area residents are invited to St. Peters City Hall and Cultural Arts Centre for the city’s annual Tree Lighting ceremony on Friday evening, November 18. The annual event begins the holiday season in St. Peters and will once again provide holiday entertainment from talented local groups. The event begins at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

“This is always such a fantastic community event, enjoyed by so many people each year!” said Mayor Len Pagano. ”I always look forward to the smiles and laughter at the Tree Lighting ceremony, where people of all ages can share a joyous evening together before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.”

Come enjoy holiday-themed musical performances from the Lindenwood Voices Only a capella group, the St. Peters Choral Society and Fort Zumwalt East High School Orchestra. Residents will be greeted at the City Hall doors with the sounds of the Victory Choir singing beautiful carols of the season.

Mayor Len Pagano and the Board of Aldermen will lead the countdown to the annual lighting of the tree. Plus, kids can visit with Santa Claus and watch a holiday movie. This year, enjoy a free showing of “The Muppet Christmas Carol.”

St. Charles Kiwanis Club News

The St. Charles Kiwanis Club recently presented a check for $5000 to the St. Charles Boys & Girls Club. The funds were raised at the Kiwanis & Big A’s annual Golf Tournament. Pictured are Kiwanis President Doug Meyer, Kiwanis Golf Chairman Bob Davis and Gary Steinhoff, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club.

In other Kiwanis Club news, St. Charles Kiwanis Past President Bruce Sowatsky recently presented the Kiwanian of the Year Award to Tanya Muhm for her outstanding service to the club and community.

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Community News - St. Charles County • November 16, 2011 • 7

Students Visit Mooney Marketing

Recently, Tony Mooney, owner of Mooney Marketing in Troy, hosted the Digital Design students from Pike-Lincoln Tech Center.

Students spent the morning asking questions and learning about Mooney’s 25 years of graphic design, advertising, and marketing experience.

Mooney Marketing and F3 Inc. of Troy have partnered with the students to provide them the opportunity to work on a real project. The students will design this year’s Christmas card for F3. Students were provided F3’s logo, a selection of photos, copy, and design and layout instructions. Each student will submit a design, with only one being selected for print.

Students are shown with Tony Mooney of Mooney Marketing and Pike-Lincoln Digital Design Instructor Suzanne Hall. PikeLincoln serves all school districts in Pike and Lincoln counties. Students shown are from Troy, Silex, Elsberry, Winfield, Bowling Green, Louisiana, and Clopton.

Adopt A Senior With LCCOA The Lincoln County Council on Aging will be holding its annual revenue-raising campaign through the month of December. LCCOA relies on community support to continue helping local seniors. All monies raised will be used to provide nutrition, transportation and other programs and services that enhance the quality of life for older persons in Lincoln County.

Contributions of any size are appreciated and can be made in person at 1380 Boone Street in Troy or mailed to the same address. All donations are tax deductible. If you have any questions, regarding the campaign, setting up yearly endorsements or creating an endowment, please call Sarah or Donna at 636.528.7000. For more information about LCCOA, please visit www.lincolncountycoa. com.

TBHS AG Issues Team Places at Nationals Members of the Troy FFA Chapter in Missouri were one of 36 teams participating in the National FFA Agricultural Issues Forum Career Development Event (CDE). The event was held in conjunction with the 84th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. Stephanie Barton, James Copher, Andrew Folta, Kayla Hoelting, Allyson Lacy, Jennifer McCord, and Kelli Portwood competed with 207 other members from across the country. The team, led by advisor Rob Calvin, was awarded Pictured L to R: Troy FFA Advisor Rob Calvin, Stephanie Barton, Jimmy Co5th place and a Silver emblem award. pher, Andy Folta, Kayla Hoelting, Ally Lacy, Jenn McCord, Kelli Portwood and The National FFA Agricultural Issues Fo- Tom Stevens of Elanco Animal Health. multiple viewpoints of a contemporary agriculrum CDE is a competitive activity that tests students’ knowledge of agricultural issues and tural issue and present it to a number of audievaluates how well they can apply classroom ences in their community. For the national event, knowledge to real-life situations. To qualify for they present a portfolio based on their local audithe National Agricultural Issues Forum CDE, ences’ feedback and deliver their presentation to teams must design a presentation that addresses a panel of judges.

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School

8 • November 16, 2011 • Community News - St. Charles County

Fort Zumwalt R-II School District Honored Fort Zumwalt R-II School District is one of fewer than 400 public school districts in the nation being honored by the College Board with a place on the Second Annual AP® Honor Roll, for simultaneously increasing access to Advanced Placement coursework while maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP exams. Achieving both of these goals is the ideal scenario for a district’s Advanced Placement program, because it indicates that the district is successfully identifying motivated, academically-prepared students who are likely to benefit most from AP coursework. Since 2009, Fort Zumwalt R-II School District increased the number of students participating in AP from 8 students to 175 students, while improving the percentage of students earning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher from 25 percent in 2009 to 59 percent in 2011. The majority of U.S. colleges and universities grant college credit or advanced placement for a score of 3 or above on AP exams.

“I am pleased the College Board has recognized the district’s effort to improve student scores on AP exams. The number of students scoring 3 or higher has increased significantly along with the number of students taking the exams. We think this is a major indication that district academic initiatives are beginning to pay off,” said Dr. Bernard DuBray, superintendent of the district.

The Second Annual AP Honor Roll is made up of only those public school districts that are simultaneously expanding opportunity and improving performance. The list includes 367 school districts across 43 states and Canada.

Pennsylvania led all states with 34 public school districts named to the Second Annual AP Honor Roll, followed by Massachusetts and New York, both with 30.

“Participation in college-level AP courses can level the playing field for underserved students, give them the confidence needed to succeed in college, and raise standards and performance in key subjects like science and math,” said College Board President Gaston Caperton. “The AP Honor Roll districts are defying expectations by expanding access while enabling their students to maintain or improve their AP Exam scores.”

Many U.S. school districts have focused on expanding access to AP courses as part of a strategy to improve college readiness. While these efforts

No “I” in Team

have resulted in more students earning scores of 3 or better, these efforts also have resulted in more students earning scores of 1 or 2. Accordingly, there has been a slight decline since 2001 in the percentage of AP students scoring a 3 or better, a decline that can be expected in any program attracting a broader cross-section of students.

Helping more students learn at a higher level and earn higher AP scores is an objective of all members of the AP community, from AP teachers to district and school administrators to college professors. Many are experimenting with a variety of initiatives and strategies to determine how to expand access and improve student performance simultaneously.

“This school district has achieved something very remarkable. It managed to open the doors of its AP classrooms to many more students, while also increasing the percentage of students earning high enough AP Exam grades to stand out in the competitive college admission process and qualify for college credit and placement,” said Trevor Packer, the College Board’s senior vice president of Advanced Placement and college readiness.

Inclusion on the Second Annual AP District Honor Roll is based on the following criteria: 1. Examination of three years of AP data, from 2009 to 2011; 2. Increase in participation in/access to AP by at least 4 percent in large districts, at least 6 percent in medium districts and at least 11 percent in small districts; 3. A steady or increasing percentage of exams taken by African American, Hispanic/Latino and American Indian/Alaska Native students; and 4. Performance levels maintained or improved when comparing the percentage of students in 2011 scoring a 3 or higher to those in 2009, or the school has already attained a performance level in which more than 70 percent of the AP students are scoring a 3 or higher.

School districts in which low-income and/or underrepresented minority students (African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/ Alaska Native) comprise 30 percent or more of the AP student population have been highlighted on the Achievement List to recognize significant improvements in equity and quality among the nation’s historically underserved student populations.

The complete Second Annual AP District Honor Roll may be found at www.collegeboard.org.

The “No ‘I’ In Team” 5K Fun Run/Walk & Health Fair took place on October 15 at Westhoff Elementary School. The northside schools involved with the planning of this event were Westhoff, Mount Hope, and J.L. Mudd Elementary Schools with Jennifer Climer, PE teacher, serving as the race director. There were 150 participants and the event raised over $1,570. The donations were split evenly between two charities, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). The health fair allowed attendees to get their blood pressure checked, their glucose levels checked, and much more. Pictured are participants getting prepared to start their run.

New Superintendent

The City of St. Charles School District is proud to announce that Dr. Jeff Marion has been selected to become the next Superintendent of the District.

Marion is currently in his fourth year as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for the District. Prior to his employment with the City of St. Charles School District, Marion worked for eight years as a high school principal in the Pattonville School District. His 23year career in education includes a total of 19 years of administrative experience and four years of teaching experience.

Linda Schulte, president of the Board of Education, said, “We are pleased that Dr. Marion has been selected as our next superintendent! The overwhelming support for him from the staff, administration, Board of Education and the community during the interview process was evident. We look forward to his leadership and commitment to providing a strong educational format for the students of St. Charles.”

Marion holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia, a Masters Degree from Lindenwood University and an Educational Specialist Degree and a Doctoral Degree from St. Louis University.

Marion, his wife, and family live in St. Charles County and he expressed his excitement about the new position.

“The opportunity to lead such a proud and successful district is an unbelievable honor,” he said.

“There is nowhere else that I’d rather be. I want to thank the Board of Education, staff, and community for the confidence and trust they have shown in me…and promise to do all I can to provide the leadership needed and expected.”

Marion will assume his new duties on July 1, 2012, following the retirement of the current Suwww.amantejewelers.com perintendent.

School

Community News - St. Charles County • November 16, 2011 • 9

Wentzville School District Again Named College Board AP Achievement District The Wentzville School District has been named an Advanced Placement (AP) Achievement District for 2011-12 by the College Board. Wentzville is one of only 367 school districts nationwide to achieve the distinction this year, one of only 82 to win this award for two consecutive years, and the only district in the state of Missouri to be recognized in each of the past two years. The WSD was named to the 2nd Annual AP Honor Roll for increasing the number of AP courses offered in high school while simultaneously improving student performance on the AP tests.

Since 2009, the WSD has increased the number of students participating in AP from 90 students to 197 students, while improving the percentage of students earning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher from 69% in 2009 to 79% in 2011. The majority of U.S. colleges and universities grant college credit or advanced placement for a score of 3 or above on AP exams. “We have made a concerted effort to increase rigor in our district, and we are proud of the educational opportunities we can now offer our students and what our students have been able to accomplish,” said Wentzville Superintendent Dr. Terry Adams. “We are always seeking ways to improve instruction in the district, and being recognized for two consecutive years is a testament to our continued gains in both curriculum and student achievement.”

Advanced Placement classes enable students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school.

Each AP course culminates in a rigorous exam, providing academically prepared students with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement or both. AP exams are graded on a scale of one to five, with a score of three or higher being the typical standard for earning college credit.

In 2008, there were five AP courses offered in the District, and in 2009 that number doubled to 10 AP courses. For the 2010-2011 school year there were 15 AP courses, and this year that number increased again to 17 AP courses offered for eligible high school students.

Collecting Jump Ropes for Joplin

The Fort Zumwalt School District elementary physical education teachers are in the process of collecting jump ropes for the Joplin School District. Mrs. Charlene May, physical education teacher at Mount Hope Elementary, will be presenting the jump ropes to American Heart Association representatives from the southwest Missouri region so they can pass along to the Joplin schools. Pictured is Mrs. May and Mrs. Melissa Knoll, Mount Hope Elementary office clerk, with the Show Me Jumpers displaying the jump rope collection.

Doin’ it Right

Kickball Tournament Held On October 5, 2011, the Hope High School Leadership Class held its Alumni Kickball Tournament in O’Fallon’s Civic Park. The purpose of the tournament was to raise money to place a bench and tree in Civic Park. The students exceeded their fundraising goal and were able to purchase the bench and two trees.

The tournament was special to Hope High because every spring and fall the students play kickball at Civic Park.

They determined that this tournament would be a great way to include the alumni in giving back to the community park system. Students wrote letters to local businesses asking for donations for the event. The community responded and donations were received by Stephanina’s Restaurant, A Better Pizza, Olive Garden, WingStop, Mr. Goodcents, Penn Station, Bonzai - The Sushi Place, and Fazoli’s.

The Hope High Leadership Class is a course at the school that teaches students the qualities of a leader and the importance of service learning. Each year, the class researches, plans, and implements a service learning project. This year they were hoping to beautify their local park and when they found out about the Memorial Bench & Tree Program, they decided it would be a great way to accomplish that goal. They also decided to commemorate the bench and tree in the memory of Austin Dawid, a Hope High alumni.

Hope High School is the Fort Zumwalt alternative school, located on 307 West Pitman Street in O’Fallon. All of the students that attend Hope High are from other Fort Zumwalt high schools.

If you would like more information on Hope High School or its Leadership Class, contact the school at 636.379.5300.

The “Doin’ it Right” program visited St. Peters Elementary School in the Fort Zumwalt School District on November 2. Fredbird and Smokey Joe Cunningham spoke to the students about safety, health, playing sports, and staying drug free. The school was adorned in Cardinal red and the students were extremely excited to see Fredbird on the heels of the World Series win.

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Business

10 • November 16 2011 • Community News - St. Charles County

EPC Offers Free Recycling for General Public EPC, Inc., the largest professional electronics recycler and IT asset management firm in Missouri and one of the biggest in the country, has announced a new, ‘free’ recycling policy for the general public. Up to three items of electronic scrap at a time may be brought by

individuals to EPC’s headquarters facility in St. Charles, where they will be taken free of charge and handled for recycling. Each consumer also will receive a $5 coupon good towards any used item in EPC’s retail store at its headquarters at 3941 Harry S Truman Blvd.

All EPC recycling processes adhere to the Basel Action Network (BAN) ESteward guidelines for environmentally sound recycling practices.

Because re-use is the most environmentally-friendly form of recycling, all equipment received by EPC is tested by technicians to discern remain-

ing value for refurbishment or remarketing. All datastoring devices and hard drives are completely wiped to NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) specifications or destroyed to ensure protection of personal data.

All materials processed by EPC are segregated and demanufactured, with harvested raw materials directed to “downstream” vendors for use in new finished goods, preventing the release of harmful elements and hazardous toxins into the environment. Nor are any unprocessed materials sent overseas to underdeveloped countries.

For more information, please contact EPC at 636.443.1999 or visit www.epcusa.com.

Vaughn Joins St. Charles Staff as Director of the Finance Department Kelly Vaughn has been named finance director for the city of St. Charles. Vaughn will fill a previously established position on the city’s leadership team; her appointment with the St. Charles finance department is effective November 28, 2011.

“I am extremely pleased Kelly has agreed to join our staff,” said Mayor Sally Faith. “Given her previous professional background at the helm of the finance department in Chesterfield, Kelly brings a high level of fiscal management experience to the city of St. Charles. She comes to us with extensive expertise having some 14 years combined experience in managing governmental, non-profit and public accounting entities,” she said. “In addition to central accounting system and general and subsidiary ledgers background, Kelly has operations experience managing municipal court functions. She will be a perfect fit in the city of St. Charles.”

As a long-time financial manager, Vaughn has worked for the city of Chesterfield since 2007, previously serving in the capacities of accountant, assistant director of finance and administration, and acting director of finance and administration. She has held the finance director position in Chesterfield since November 2008.

“I am honored and humbled to be selected to lead the Finance Department for the city,” Vaughn said. “This is an exciting time to be a part of St. Charles given its outstanding staff, visionary leadership and strong partners in St. Charles County and throughout the St. Louis metropolitan region.”

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www.ymcastlouis.org

Community News - St. Charles County • November 16, 2011 • 11

12 • November 16, 2011 • Community News - St. Charles County

SAINT CHARLES Christmas Traditions Welcome to St. Charles Christmas Traditions!

Christmas sparkles each year in historic St. Charles,

Missouri during our one-of-a-kind Christmas Traditions festival. While you’re making holiday plans, escape to an old-fashioned Christmas with storybook characters, Victorian carolers, and Santas from around the world.

There’s no better place than Main Street during a Christmas festival for a holiday stroll with your loved ones. Underneath a canopy of twinkling lights, stroll a while. Duck into a shop or two for a little holiday shopping. Then, take a break at one of the many restaurants, dessert cafes or coffee houses.

For a complete schedule, please visit www.stcharleschristmas.com.

And when Santa has to leave on Christmas Eve, join us for the Santa Send-Off at 1:30 p.m.

We’ll bid Santa goodbye during this last parade of the season and wish him the best as he heads back to the North Pole.

Opening Day Join us at the Gazebo at 400 S. Main Street (Kister Park) at 11 a.m. for the Opening Ceremony. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive via horse-drawn carriage, escorted by the Lewis & Clark Fife & Drum Corps and the rest of the Legends of Christmas.

The traditional “hanging of the greens” takes place to symbolize the beginning of the Christmas Traditions Festival. Festivities continue all day with caroling, vendors, the Legends of Christmas, and Santas from around the world, as well as old-fashioned evening shopping until 9 p.m.

The lighting of the Saint Charles’ official Christmas tree will take place at 5 p.m. in Berthold Square (200 block of S. Main).

As a special treat, one of the AnheuserBusch Clydesdales will join the festivities from 2 to 4 p.m. (weather permitting) on Saturday, November 26 in the 200 block of N. Main. Bring the family for a special photo opportunity.

Information from www.stcharleschristmas.com

The Complete Works of Christmas!

November 27, December 4, 11 and 18, 2011 Someone has killed the Grinch and now Santa’s on Trial! Who can imagine the jolly old elf with a belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly could ever be a murderer?

Come help us discover the real killer. Tickets are $62.50 and reservations are required. But hurry! Only a limited number of tickets are available.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner is served at 6 p.m. Parking is free on the street and nearby lots.

To order tickets, contact the Greater Saint Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau at 636.255.6155 or via email at KGodfrey@historicstcharles.com.

Breakfast with Santa November 26, December 3, 10 and 17 Come enjoy breakfast at the beautiful Mother-In-Law House Restaurant for an up-close-and-personal visit with Santa. Bring your holiday wish list. Plus, don’t forget the camera to capture all the holiday fun.

Doors open at 9 a.m., and breakfast is served at 9:30 a.m. Parking is free on the street and nearby lots.

Tickets are $15 and reservations are required. But hurry! Only a limited number of tickets are available.

To order tickets, contact the Greater Saint Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau at 636.255.6155 or via email at KGodfrey@historicstcharles.com.

The Santa Parade The highlight of any visit to Historic Main Street has to be the Santa Parade. On Opening Day, as well as every Saturday and Sunday, the Santa Parade starts at the corner of Boone’s Lick and South Main at 1:30 p.m. and features more than 40 costumed Victorian Carolers and Legends of Christmas who all come together for this magical event.

The Santa Parade is led by the Lewis and Clark Fife and Drum Corp and culminates at the corner of South Main Street and First Capitol in Berthold Square where you will be treated to a short show featuring the talented Lewis and Clark Fife and Drum Corp as well as all the rest of our International Christmas Characters.

After the show don’t miss out on the opportunity to interact with all the Santas as well as collect their Character Cards.

Decorations

www.stcharlesconventioncenter.com

Saint Charles is one of America’s great Historic Districts.

There is no other place quite like South Main Street, which features 10 blocks of historic buildings, some dating as far back as the late 1700s.

For Christmas Traditions, we pull out all the stops to create a festive setting the whole family can enjoy. With more than 10,000 feet of fresh greenery, 150 wreaths, 1,200 hand-tied red velvet bows, and thousands of white lights in the trees and on the buildings, you just can’t help but get caught up in the holiday spirit.

In the daytime, the crisp reds and greens provide a colorful

Community News - St. Charles County • November 16, 2011 • 15

SAINT CHARLES Christmas Traditions

All photos courtesy of Karen Godfrey

backdrop as you walk the brick streets enjoying all that Christmas Traditions has to offer. And in the evening, the white lights make a nighttime stroll or drive down Main Street one of St. Louis’ best free light displays.

The holiday decor on Main Street is just one more way that Christmas Past Comes To Life in Saint Charles during Christmas Traditions.

Photos with Santa Capture memories of your family’s visit to Saint Charles in a special photo with Santa. Set against a classic holiday backdrop in lower level of the Tourism Center at the corner of Main Street and First Capitol Drive, our Victorian Santa will bring a touch of class to this treasured memento, all at a greater value than mall photos.

Photos are $12 for the first and $8 for the second. They are 5 x 7 and come in a lovely gold foil-trimmed frame. You may also purchase more photos with Santa in varying sizes online or by visiting The Tintypery at 510 S. Main Street.

Photos with Santa will be open the Friday after Thanksgiving and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

Carriage Rides Take a break from the hustle and bustle of shopping and enjoy a relaxing, complimentary carriage ride down Main Street!

Our complimentary carriage shuttle will be available (weather permitting) during Christmas Traditions on Wednesday and Friday Nights, as well as Saturdays and Sundays.

The carriage rides are courtesy of the SBD and the Greater Saint Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau.

To reserve a carriage for a special event or evening during the holiday season, please call 636.398.4123.

Trains on Main Be sure to visit Trains on Main located at the “North Main Train Station” at 222 N. Main Street. This year’s display will include a Victorian winter scene, a circus scene, Katy coal train, Union Pacific Big Boy, Polar Express, and so much more. Features HO, O, N and G gauge trains.

Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children ages 3-12. Children under 3 are free.

Proceeds benefit the Frenchtown Heritage Museum.

Trains on Main is open during regular festival hours.

For more information, call 636.724.2106.

Las Posadas 2011: Saturday, December 3 During the day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. the normal Saturday Festival takes place.

At 6 p.m. a beautiful re-enactment of the Spanish tradition of Las Posadas finds Mary and Joseph looking for shelter as they process down South Main Street with thousands of visitors carrying luminaries and singing carols. The procession begins at the corner of S. Main Street and Boone’s Lick Road.

Las Posadas culminates along the riverfront in Frontier Park with a re-telling of the Christmas Story in narrative and song, a live nativity scene, and carols sung around the Yule Log bonfire.

Learn & Play

14 • November 16 • Community News - St. Charles County

Statepoint Crossword Theme: On The Go

Oldest Pick: “Wonder Struck”

Community News is proud to offer our readers “Book Buzz.” This column will feature great books for children in three categories: Youngest Pick: early childhood to the first or second grade, Middle Pick: elementary school children, and Oldest Pick: middle school children. Enjoy!

Reprinted with permission, Missourian Publishing Company. Copyright 2011.

ACROSS 1. Joanne Woodward's character Eve had three 6. Bag in French 9. SAT, e.g.

13. Positive electrode 14. Taxing job 15. *_____-cross bicycling 16. *Take one up or down 17. Mentally quick 18. Tapestry 19. *Usually illegal while driving 21. *Drive-_______ 23. One of Sinbad's seven 24. Bluish green 25. London's Big ___ 28. Musician's time to shine

30. Large, colorful parrot 34. Bear's hang-out 36. Pluribus 38. Policeman's club in India 40. Sky bear 41. Receive, as in debt 43. Daytime drama 44. Helen in Russian 46. To mark for omission 47. Charlie "Bird" Parker's sax 48. Parent's demand 50. Cribbage pieces 52. Acid 53. Italian car maker 55. "For what ___ worth" 57. *It now often costs extra 61. *Share a ride

Threads of two stories, about two very different characters, converge in New York City with miraculous results. You won’t want to miss “Wonderstuck” by Brian Selznick and neither will the adults in your life.

Selznick, who won a Caldecott award for “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” which debuts in movie theaters this month, as “Hugo,” has done it again – created a picture book novel sure to wow readers 9 to 90.

The book opens in Minnesota in the 1970s with young Ben Wilson grieving the loss of his mother who has just died, leaving him orphaned. Ben doesn’t know who his father is, and his life is further complicated because Ben is deaf.

The only hint he has regarding his dad is a box of items left behind by his mother – inside there’s a note with a New York City address. Finding that note sends Ben on a quest to the city to find his dad.

As Ben’s story is told in words, another tale is revealed in drawings, one that’s quite mysterious. Rose, a deaf girl in New York City in the 1920s, also is suffering familial loss. Her parents are divorced and her mother, an actress, wants little to do with her. Rose has one island of comfort, a loving brother who works at the American Museum of Natural History.

At that museum, the missing puzzle pieces of Rose and Ben’s lives fall into place. Both end up finding what they have longed for in a multi-themed novel that will leave you starry-eyed with wonder.

65. Boredom 66. Charlotte of "Facts of Life" fame 68. This bird gets the worm 69. Dangerous trick 70. Under the weather 71. Type of simple protein 72. Salad prep 73. Unagi 74. Same as mesotron DOWN 1. *Type of food 2. "Up the ____" 3. Sweet talk 4. Changes, as in written word 5. 7-game ______ in baseball playoffs 6. Slang for heroin 7. *Often free on smartphone

8. Like malicious remark 9. Novice 10. Very light brown 11. Ore smelting by-product 12. Comedy Central's "____.O" 15. Relating to the body 20. Campbell or Watts 22. One looking for attention 24. Sometimes difficult to grasp 25. Down in the dumps 26. Between Marquess and Viscount, pl.

27. One born to Japanese immigrants 29. "____ ho!"

31. Home in Spanish 32. Coral reef island 33. "_____ up?"

35. Goes with rave 37. Christmastime

39. *Comes in nano and shuffle versions 42. Roman king's abode 45. Up to date, French 49. Slob 51. Flow, as in video 54. Eagle's nest 56. "Star Trek's" final frontier 57. For fear that 58. To, archaic 59. African migrants 60. "The ____ of Navarone" 61. *Most are now smart 62. Scraps of meal 63. Dish of stewed meat 64. Country singer-songwriter Loretta 67. Type of brew See Answers page 13

Learn a Language:

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Fall

Leaves

Chilly

Spanish: otoño

Spanish: hojas

Spanish: frío

French: Automne

French: Feuilles

French: Froid

German: Herbst

German: Laub

German: Kühl

Polish: Jesień

Polish: Liście

Polish: Chłodny

Russian: Осень

Russian: Листья

Russian: Холодно

Italian: Autunno

Italian: Foglie

Italian: Freddo

Greek: Φθινόπωρο

Greek: Φύλλα

Greek: Ψυχρός

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MOVIE

Community News - St. Charles County • November 16, 2011 • 15

“J. Edgar” Clint Eastwood tackles challenging and controversial subjects in his films, such as the real life inspiration for “J. Edgar.” Eastwood takes some artistic license while filling in the blanks and he leaves the viewer with more questions than answers.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays J. Edgar Hoover at various stages of his life, beginning with Hoover as a fledgling government agent in his early 20’s. Stubborn and brash, Hoover pushes for a centralized library of fingerprints at the Bureau of Investigation, which was a new and unproven technology at the time.

After being named the first director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Photos courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Hoover molds the agency to his own specifications, pushing for more funding for forensic laboratories.

By Steve Bryan

(R)

Hoover also eliminates agents who aren’t physically fit and those who are not willing to devote their lives to the FBI. While telling this story, Eastwood has Hoover dictating his memoirs to a series of agents, which leads into a long sequence of flashbacks. These moments explain the nature of Hoover’s relationships, especially with longtime secretary Helen Gandy (Naomi Watts).

Although Gandy refused his marriage proposal, she stayed in his service until his death in 1972.

Hoover’s relationship with his mother Anna (Judi Dench) also is shown as the one that shapes his career and his outlook on life. Eastwood even sheds some light on Hoover’s sexual preferences, especially when it came to Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer), the man who served as Hoover’s companion for decades.

In light of today’s economic woes, it’s also interesting to take a look back at the Great Depression of 1930’s, complete with colorful gangsters. After FBI Agent Melvin Purvis

brought down John Dillinger, Hoover became jealous and wanted to get his name and face in the paper capturing other notorious criminals.

In the title role, Leonardo DiCaprio turns in an effective performance that, while not his best, is entertaining to watch. Thanks to some creative makeup, DiCaprio plays Hoover from age 24 through his death.

DiCaprio’s performance honors Hoover, but it does not gloss over some of the more offensive things that he allegedly did while in government service.

Armie Hammer is especially impressive as Hoover’s longtime companion Clyde Tolson. Historical accounts differ on the amount of intimacy present between Hoover and Tolson, but Eastwood shows them bickering at times like an old married couple. Naomi Watts also adds some interesting dimensions to Helen Gandy, a woman with a reputation for being stern and cold in real life.

“J. Edgar” is an interesting piece of filmmaking but, as a historical piece, it is not as informative as it could have been.

“J. Edgar,” rated R for some language, currently is playing in theaters.

www.mycnews.com/Piglowski.pdf

Cottleville Fire 8x5

Editorial

16 • November 16, 2011 • Community News - St. Charles County

“Over the Fence” Karaoke R Us A 42 year-old man in New York drew a 2½ year prison sentence for punching a 72 year-old man that was singing in a Karaoke bar. I’m told it’s highly illegal to punch anyone over 65 no matter how badly they sing. Does this mean it’s legal to punch singers under 65? Perish the thought.

I’ve been around bands all my life and even played in a few so perhaps I’m too critical. However, after hearing some elderly gents wearing red slacks, golf shirts and white shoes trying to sing Frank Sinatra hits, I can better understand the hostility. But then, most Karaoke bars eventually draw these wrinkled “Rat Pack” groupies that drive Cadillacs and try to sing. They usually embarrass everyone but their wives who discovered the numbing effects of multiple martinis.

One of my favorite pubs with weekend entertainment was owned by a friend.

His weeknight business was bad so he was thinking of having Karaoke on Wednesday nights. I threatened to stay home if he did. He was a great musician and singer himself and I accused him of ‘selling out’. He had Karaoke despite my threats and sure enough, a geezer in red slacks and white shoes showed up in a Cadillac to sing Frank Sinatra songs while his wife slugged martinis. I remembered seeing him several years before in a Karaoke bar over 50 miles away. Perhaps he moved around to keep Sinatra’s bodyguards from finding him.

I never thought Karaoke would get off the ground but apparently many folks long to be singing stars and it gives them a way to make believe they are. It remains a mystery why listeners applaud drunks singing loudly in the key of screech but hey, tolerance is a fine quality. Earplugs help too.

Sometimes it’s pleasantly surprising when someone stands at the mike who can

actually sing. I once heard a huge, obese, shabbily dressed man sing a Righteous Brothers song better than the Righteous Brothers. He received standing ovations and amazed looks from the crowd, including me. Obviously, handsome doesn’t always accompany talent.

Usually, when Karaoke starts, I’m inclined to leave and probably miss some good singers but all too often, the bad singers overload forbearance levels. Combine this with Karaoke providers who turn the volume up to earsplitting and the nearest exit beckons. One such incident was at a bar/restaurant where a woman who apparently thought she was Tammy Wynette howled Country & Western songs badly out of tune with the sound turned up enough to dissolve moon craters. She reminded me of a Beagle I once had that got hung up in a fence. Before I could leave, a beer bottle sailed across the room and crashed on the wall behind her head. It was a perfect spiral. The applause was overwhelming.

An acquaintance said he once offered to buy a woman drinks for the rest of the evening if she stopped trying to sing. I would think this is better than punching somebody although it didn’t work. She returned to screech into the mike out of spite and cleared the place.

Vaudeville is said to have used a long hook to drag performers off the stage that didn’t measure up. Karaoke providers aren’t allowed this luxury. Too bad. On the other hand, perhaps they should be ejected with their amplifiers if the Karaoke volume liquefies brain cells. Who do they think we are, teenagers?

I forgave my friend and continued patronizing his pub. After all, friends are precious and earplugs are cheap.

17th Annual Taste of St. Charles The Rotary Club of St. Charles is hosting the popular “Taste of St. Charles” from 6 – 9 p.m. on Thursday, November 17 at the Columns Banquet Center in St. Charles, MO. Glazer’s Distributing will provide delectable adult beverages along with 36 restaurants that will be providing plentiful samples of their delicious specialties. These participating restaurants include; Adeline’s Kitchen, Ballyhoo Restaurant & Bar, Bogey Hills Country Club, Braddens Restaurant, The Column’s Banquet Center, Concetta’s Italian Restaurant, Deters Frozen Custard, Donatelli’s Bistro, Frankie Tocco’s Pizzaria, Grappa Grill, HAM’S Deli, Kym’s Confections, Lewis and Clark’s Restaurant, Little Hills Winery & Restaurant, Llywelyn’s Pub, Odilia’s Café at St. Joseph’s Health Center, Madison’s Café, Magpies Café, McAlister’s Deli, Miss Amiee B’s Tea Room, Padavan’s NY, Picasso’s CoffeeHouse, Piggy’s Bar BQ, Pio’s Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge, Qdoba Mexican Restaurants,

Quintessential Nightclub, Rosciglione Bakery, R T Weiler’s, Sherlock’s Steak and Seafood, St. Charles Convention Center, River City Catering/Stumpy’s BBQ, The Vine Wine Bar & Bistro, Tony’s on Main, Trailhead Brewing Co, Whitmoor Catering and Yellow Farmhouse Winery.

A silent auction consisting of 25 great items and baskets, including St. Louis Cardinal’s memorabilia, will provide some wonderful holiday gifts for the highest bidders!

Most importantly, net proceeds raised from this event will benefit local charities that serve adults. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Checks can be made payable to Rotary Club of St. Charles Charitable Fund.

Tickets can be purchased at the following banks: Citizens National, Enterprise, New Frontier, UMB, Commerce, First State, & First National, all in St. Charles or can be purchased online at www.tasteofstcharles.com.

Helping Hands for the Holidays Planning is now well underway to host Helping Hands for the Holidays, a selfpromoted charity event, at the Saint Charles Convention Center. The event will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 15. Helping Hands for the Holidays aims to help those in need by offering a warm holiday buffet, health care services and screenings, distributing canned food, personal care items, and winter clothing, and creating a nice holiday environment with carolers and photos with Santa.

“Last year, more than 1,000 people from St. Charles County and the surrounding area attended the event,” said Joe Capitanelli, marketing manager for Global Spectrum at the Convention Center.

Donations are now being accepted to be distributed at the event. Canned food, personal care items, and winter clothing may be donated to the Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday -Friday in the administration office.

Community organizations involved in the planning of the event and who are donating services include Crider Health Center, Molina Healthcare, Our Lady’s Inn, City of St. Charles, Community News, and St. Louis Life.

For more information, please call 636.669.3000.

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Editorial

Community News - St. Charles County • November 16, 2011 • 17

Save those receipts!

I purchased a brand new pair of cross-training shoes a few months back, but kept them in the closet until my old pair really gave out (kind of like men do with underwear and socks), but a little voice called out one afternoon from my over-stuffed closet.

“Take me to the gym!” the shoes beckoned from beyond the wooden doors. “Take me!”

“What the heck,” I thought to myself as I threw the shoes into the gym bag.

I arrived at the gym 20 minutes earlier than my normal 1 p.m. aerobics class. It must’ve been my pride. But life always seems to know when to knock you down a notch or two when you’re feeling particularly proud.

I sat myself on the floor (I really have to stop doing that. It gets harder and harder to get up off the floor by myself!), and with a song in my heart unzipped my gym bag and pulled out my new shoes with more than a little flair.

It took a couple of seconds for me to realize exactly what had happened. I was dumbfounded! How could this be?

I’ve always known that I have two left feet, but two right shoes? My bubble was burst, and in front of my step aerobics class.

Oh, the shame! The humiliation! The laughing!

I promptly returned to the place of purchase with my shoes in a garbage bag (don’t laugh, it was clean).

Recipe:

But I had not only thrown out the receipt, I’d watched happily as the recycling truck took the new shoebox out as well.

The sales people were very gracious, and helped me scour the clearance table for another pair. I was beginning to think they weren’t going to believe my painful story, when one sales lady found a box with two left shoes.

I was in luck!

So, at 3:30 this afternoon, I drove back to the gym.

The shoes went back on and triumphantly I stepped onto the treadmill. I started walking faster than I had in a long time. It was the new shoes, I just knew it. They put an extra spring in my step and sent my spirit soaring.

They gave me a really bad pinching feeling in my toes! Augbbbh! I had to get off the treadmill after just three-quarters of a mile.

Pride is a foolish thing. Imagine, me thinking I could get away with a shoe a half-size smaller than I usually wear.

My spirit broken, my self-esteem now totally shot, and my feet in real pain, I sat down (on the floor again!

Will I ever learn?), and gingerly removed the shoes and placed them back in my bag.

As I zipped the bag up those shoes called to me again, but with a much different tone than they had called with this morning. They were mocking me.

The Main Event — A Hearty Helping of Holiday Flavor

(Family Features) Whether you’re a first time host or seasoned pro, there are certain secrets to help ensure a holiday meal that is both elegant and effortless. For more holiday tips and recipes, visit www.CampbellsKitchen.com.

Herb Roasted Turkey with Pan Gravy Ingredients: - 1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds) - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1 carton (26 ounces) Swanson Chicken Stock (Regular or Unsalted) (about 3 1/4 cups) - 3 tablespoons lemon juice - 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves, crushed - 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed - 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

“You thought you could reverse your shoe size, hmm?” my shoes sneered. “Just because you drop a couple of pounds and an inch or two, doesn’t mean your feet will shrink, too.”

Humiliated, but not defeated, I slipped on my sandals (flat, kind of like flip-flops with brown leather, and of course, less than 20 bucks) and finished my workout.

I don’t want the fitness experts going berserk here, all I did was grab a mat and worked on toning the outer and inner thighs, no weight lifting in sandals or anything.

Before dinner, I took my shoes back to the store for a second time. I put my hair in a ponytail and a frown on my face. With my head hung low, I asked to exchange the shoes for a size 10.

Thank goodness for sweet, accommodating sales­ people. The clerk cheerfully exchanged the shoes, and I promptly checked them out to make sure my two left feet would have a right and a left shoe that fit.

Whew! After a day like that, I pretty much talked myself into a dessert that was completely void of nutrition. It’s days like these I thank heaven for Twinkies.

Directions: 1. Remove giblets and neck from turkey cavity. Rinse turkey with cold water and pat dry with paper towel. Tie ends of drumsticks together.

2. Place turkey, breast-side up, on rack in roasting pan. Brush turkey with oil. Insert meat thermometer into thickest part of meat, not touching bone.

3. Stir stock, lemon juice, basil, thyme and black pepper in large bowl. Reserve 1 3/4 cups stock mixture for the gravy. Pour

Green Bean Casserole

Prep: 15 minutes • Roast: 3 hours • Cook: 10 minutes • Makes: 12 servings remaining stock mixture over turkey.

4. Roast at 325°F for 3 hours, or until thermometer reads 165°F, basting occasionally with pan drippings. Begin checking for doneness after 2 1/2 hours roasting time.

5. Remove turkey from pan, cover and keep warm. Spoon off any fat and pour off all but 1 1/2 cups pan drippings.

Prep: 10 minutes • Bake: 30 minutes • Makes: 12 servings

Ingredients: - 2 cans (10 3/4 ounces each) Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (Regular, 98% Fat Free or Healthy Request) - 1 cup milk - 2 teaspoons soy sauce - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper - 8 cups cooked cut green beans - 2 2/3 ups French’s French Fried Onions Directions: 1. Stir soup, milk, soy sauce, black pepper, beans and 1 1/3 cups onions in 3-quart casserole.

2. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes or until bean mixture is hot and bubbling. Stir bean mixture. Sprinkle with remaining onions.

3. Bake for 5 minutes or until onions are golden brown.

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Sports

18 • November 16, 2011 • Community News - St. Charles County

Sports You See... With Gary B. Smash to EMCEE the 25th Guns ‘N Hoses Wednesday November 23 At Scottrade Center Asher Benrubi, affectionately known as Sir Smashington, local radio personality and bandleader, will be the announcer sitting ringside again. His job is to excite the crowd – usually more than 18,000 – in order to help the boxers in the ring to give all they got. He is excellent in that role.

Of the 17 bouts slated between police and firefighters, there are three that will feature females. The only local contestant is Laurie Taylor of Pattonville Fire Protection District.

Go to www.STLGunsandHoses.com for all the details. ~~~Great cause aiding families of our heroes that have perished Cardinals Name Matheny as Skipper The Next Era For 16 years Tony LaRussa was at the helm for all the players wearing the birds on the bat. When he started he wanted number 10 on his jersey since that would be the next numbered World Series that STL strived to attain. LaRussa led the Cards two times to that title.

2012 will see Mike Matheny as the manager of the 2011 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals.

Critics say he has no managerial experience, but he has been in the Cardinal organization for many years around the organization’s minor league system. He played catcher for the club and earned four Gold Gloves for his excellence behind the plate. ~~~Promoted within High School Softball Player Signs Sarah Williams Heading to Joplin Timberland pitcher and infielder Sarah Williams has committed to play college softball for the Missouri Southern State University Lions in Joplin, Mo. With her mother, Betty, and her father, Tom, by her side, the right hander signed her National Letter of Intent at Timberland High School.

“I felt really comfortable there, it felt like home, and the softball program is pretty good too,” said Williams. This year she was selected 1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All-District. On the mound she led the team in wins with a 12-8 record and a 1.61 ERA with 138 strikeouts, and at the plate she hit .351 and led the lady Wolves with 4 HR and 30 RBI. While at MSSU she plans on pursuing a degree in nursing or elementary education. ~~~Study and play hare Rams Notch Second Victory Rams 13-Cleveland Browns 12 The victory gave the St. Louis club its first win on the road this season.

The game again saw several players go down and some may be out for the season.

Too early to know who will be out for next week’s home game.

Highlights from the WIN…nice to hear that: - Running back Steven Jackson’s rushing for 126-yards is his 30th time over 100 yards and the fourth time in his career that he has put together three consecutive 100-yard rushing games.

- Quarterback Sam Bradford threw for 155 yards, completing 15-of-26 passes, and one touchdown. He was sacked one time.

- The special teams unit notched a turnover when Donnie Jones punted to Browns WR Joshua Cribbs in the fourth quarter, LB David Nixon stripped the ball from Cribbs and LB Ben Leber recovered at the Cleveland 27-yard line. The turnover resulted in a 34-yard field by Josh Brown to gain the lead, 13-12.

- Defensive end Chris Long sacked the Browns QB marking Long’s fifth fourthquarter sack this season. Going into the game, he was tied for first in the NFL for fourth quarter sacks.

NEXT RAMS HOME GAMES: November 20: 3:05 p.m. - against the Seattle Seahawks November 27: Noon - against the Arizona Cardinals Check the latest news at www.stlouisrams.com ~~~Bradford playing pretty good injured

Thanksgiving Food Safety Information from the St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment It just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a table full of food and the delicious aromas of turkey, mashed potatoes and pie. However, this treasured meal can become a lasting memory for another reason, if food safety isn’t one of the key ingredients.

Food borne disease infections continue to be a serious health issue in the United States, causing an estimated 76 million people to become sick each year.

Food borne diseases can be associated with meat, poultry and fish (Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli), as well as with produce (E. coli, norovirus, and Hepatitis A). Most people become sick by eating contaminated foods or beverages or by coming in contact

with someone who has a food borne illness.

Being “food safe” during the holidays involves four basic steps:

Clean - Be sure to wash all food and surfaces regularly. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with warm, soapy water before and after handling all foods and utensils. Rinse and scrub produce thoroughly.

When finished, wash all utensils and counter tops with hot, soapy water.

Separate - Be sure to keep raw and cooked food apart, so as not to allow bacteria to spread from one food to another. Use separate cutting boards for raw meats, produce, and carving stations.

Cook - Meats must be brought to a proper internal temperature, while casseroles and stuffings must be kept warm after desired doneness. Use a food thermometer to check that poultry reaches 165°F, beef and lamb to 145°F, and “pre-cooked” ham to 140°F. It’s also necessary to bring sauces and gravies (especially when reheating) to a boil to eliminate all bacteria.

Chill - Keep cold things cold and refrigerate promptly. Certain perishable fresh fruits and vegetables should be stored in a clean re f r i g e r a tor at

a temperature of 40ºF or below. If you aren’t sure whether an item should be refrigerated, ask your grocer. Meal leftovers should be put into the refrigerator within two hours of serving. Also, when thawing the turkey, keep in a refrigerator and do not thaw at room temperature.

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Health

Community News - St. Charles County • November 16, 2011 • 19

WOMEN’S HEALTH: NOW Is the Right Time to Quit Smoking For people who smoke, kicking the habit is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself. Cigarette smoking kills about 178,000 women each year in the US, shaving an average of 14.5 years off the lives of female smokers.

Each puff of cigarette smoke exposes users to 2,500 chemicals and cancer-causing agents, including nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide. Smoking causes 87% of lung cancer deaths and increases the risk of developing cervical and other cancers. Smokers are more likely to experience heart attack, stroke, emphysema, bronchitis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cataracts, and infertility than non-smokers are.

Pregnant women who smoke put their babies at a higher risk for preterm birth, low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome, poor lung function, asthma, and bronchitis. The harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke are also passed through breast milk to babies.

Smokers who quit can stop or reverse the damage caused by cigarettes. In the days and months after

you quit, your heart rate and blood pressure drop to healthier levels, and your breathing, circulation, and sense of smell and taste may improve. Heart attack risk decreases by 50% within the first year after quitting, and the chances of developing lung cancer, heart disease, and other ailments fall to nearly that of a nonsmoker in the first few years.

Nicotine withdrawal and cravings derail 70% to 90% quit attempts. If you are thinking about quitting, nicotine replacement products – such as patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, and nasal spray – or doctorprescribed medications, such as bupropion or varenicline, can help curb cravings and may increase your chances of quitting successfully.

Smokers can call 800-QUIT-NOW, a free national smoking cessation hotline, to speak with trained counselors who will help develop individualized quit plans. Support groups, such as Nicotine Anonymous, and other local smoking cessation resources may also be a great place to start.

Set a quit date when you will throw away all your cigarettes and clean your clothes to get rid of the smoky smell. You may want to schedule your quit

By James N. Martin, Jr, MD President, The American Congress date for November 17, of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 2011, to coincide with the Great American Smokeout. Keep busy on your quit day – exercise, go to the movies, take a long walk, etc. – get plenty of water, and ask your friends and family to help keep you honest.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 75% of women say they want to stop smoking.

It takes most smokers several tries to finally quit for good. If your first attempt is not successful, don’t get discouraged. Get some help and get back on track. For more information on smoking cessation, go to www. cancer.org.

Holiday Eating Survival Guide The holiday season is at time to enjoy social gatherings along with many wonderful foods. Here are some tips to make the memories stick with you but not the pounds of weight.

Set reasonable goals over the holidays. It may be more realistic to maintain your weight through the New Year rather than lose weight. Keep up your exercise routine even though schedules get busy. A shorter workout would be better than none at all.

Plan ahead. While shopping for gifts or running errands to host a party, start by eating a healthy meal or Tina Bowen MS, RD, LD snack before leaving your house. Keep easy snacks in Registered Dietitian O’Fallon Family YMCA your purse or car if errands will take all day. Plan where you are going to have lunch instead of going to the closest restaurant that may not have healthier food options.

Balance is the key. Make sure to have a light snack before going to a holiday party. Don’t skip meals and starve yourself only to overeat and indulge at a party. It is better is eat light meals during the day and balance healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables with favorite high calorie holiday dishes. When you arrive at a gathering first greet people, then find a low calorie drink and initiate a good conversation away from the buffet table. If you have a small snack before you arrive, you won’t have to rush and get a plate of food.

SSM Urgent Care Giving Free Seasonal Flu Vaccinations SSM Urgent Care at St. Joseph Medical Park is offering free seasonal flu vaccinations for anyone ages 3 and older. Vaccines will be given by appointment between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Saturday, November 19. Call 1.866.SSM.DOCS (776.3627) to schedule an appointment. Since the available vaccines are injection only (no Flu Mist), attendees are asked to wear appropriate clothing for easy access to their upper arms. There is a limited supply of preservativefree vaccines for pregnant women only.

The 2011-2012 flu vaccine, which is good for one year, will protect against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be the most common during the flu season. For community members who have not yet received a seasonal flu vaccination, the SSM Urgent Care clinic may be one of the last opportunities to get a free vaccination. SSM Urgent Care at St. Joseph Medical Park is located at 1475 Kisker Road, St. Charles, MO 63304.

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Make a healthier food option for guests to choose, whether you are hosting a party or bringing a dish. For example, a pumpkin pie with fewer calories than traditional pie. Watch your caloric intake from beverages. Eggnog may have 380 calories in a one cup serving. Drink water between higher calorie drinks to save on calories. Don’t overindulge in everyday foods such as chips or cheese cubes. Save your calories to try new foods.

Finally, watch your portion size. One easy way to accomplish this is to eat from a smaller plate. Even eating a large amount of low calorie foods can add up at the end of the night. Try only making one trip to the buffet table and slow down your eating. It takes 20 minutes for your brain to recognize that you are full. One way to slow down is to put your fork down between bites. Hopefully with these tips you will build some wonderful memories, and not your waistline.

20 • November 16, 2011 • Community News - St. Charles County

CHURCH Every Thursday at 7 p.m. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Friends and Family Support Group Open to anyone who has a loved one suffering from any kind of addiction. Held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 66 Oak Valley Drive, St. Peters. For more information, email ARP-stln@ hotmail.com.

Operation Backpack - United Methodist Church, Wentzville Food search program to provide food to at-risk children

over the weekend when they don’t have access to free breakfast & lunch at local schools.

There is a monthly financial need. It costs $5.40/child per week to provide backpack full of nutritious food. $200 provides a child w/enough food for a year. Contact: 636.327.6377.

and December 15.

November 17: Job Connection Group Seminar 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Morning Star Church, Loft 5, 1600 Feise Road, Dardenne Prairie, Mo. 63368. Networking, support and resource group to assist local residents in job search process. Free. Call 636.561.5680.

Group also meets December 1

EVENTS

November 19: Concert 7 p.m. at Fairmount General Baptist Church, 2299 St. Peters-Howell Road, St. Peters, Mo. 63376. “Full Circle” Southern Gospel group will perform.

Free. Info: 636.498.4475.

November 17-20: Apparel Sale FHN Knightline dance team is sponsoring an official Nike apparel sale, including Cardinals, Mizzou & other collegiate wear.

All items priced at 50% off retail. At Francis Howell North High School (2549 Hackmann Rd., St. Charles, MO 63303) Nov. 17, 3-8; Nov. 18, 12-8; Nov. 19 9-3; Nov. 20, 9-1. Info: Brenda at 636.288.2443.

November 19: Christmas Bake Sale for the Troops 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at St. Andrews Mini Mart, 2000 Campus Drive, St. Charles, Mo., 63301.

All proceeds purchase gifts for the troops. Info: Marty Antoine at 636.697.5431.

November 19: Kid’s Night Out at the O’Fallon Family YMCA 7-10 p.m. Ages 6 & up. $10/child in advance, $15/child at the door.

Let us entertain the kids while you enjoy a night out! Concessions available. Contact 636.379.0092 for more.

December 1: O’Fallon Family YMCA Teen Leader’s Club 7-8 p.m. Join today and make new friends while becoming a leader in your community.

Club meets twice a month for one meeting & one or more service projects in the community and through the YMCA. Ages 13-18, free to join! Contact Andrea Humphries 636.379.0092 x 249.

December 1: Town Hall Meeting 7 p.m. at Mike’s Pizza (128 Triad Center West, O’Fallon, MO.) with Representative Kurt Bahr. Guest speakers will be from Ameren Missouri and Cuivre River Electric.

December 2: Trivia Night 6:15 p.m. at Duchesne High School. Hosted by St. Charles Kiwanis, O’Fallon Kiwanis and St. Peters Rotary. Cost is $200 for table of 10. Register by November 29. Mail registration to: Duchesne High School, c/o Aleece Vogt – Director of Advancement, 2550 Elm Street, St. Charles, MO 63301.

December 2: Recycled Kids Toy/Home Sale & Food Drive At the St. Charles Convention Center. Gently used and new toys and home goods for the holiday season. You are welcome to consign and make some extra money. We are also hosting a food drive for St.

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Joachim and Ann Care Center.

Please drop off canned goods, dry items & toiletries during our event. Free admission. Visit www.recycledkidssale.com for more.

December 2: 180 Project Meeting 9:30 a.m. at Calvary Church, 3998 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, St. Peters, Mo., 63376. State agencies, volunteer groups, faith groups and local government agencies work together to help ex-offenders re-enter society successfully. Attorney Vincent Johnson will speak about barriers in trying to find housing. Info: Karleen Rogers at krogers@sccmo.org.

December 3: Our Lady’s Inn Birthday Party for Jesus Luncheon 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. O’Fallon Family YMCA. $5 per person. Lunch, beverage, dessert, activities & a reading of “The Christmas Story.” Reservations at www. ourladysinn.org or call Tammy D. at 314.351.4590.

December 4: Patt Holt Singers 12th Annual Dinner Show 4 p.m. at St. Peters Parish Center, First Capitol and Third Streets in St. Charles. $15 per person. Dinner at 5 p.m. and the show begins at 6 p.m. Cash bar. Reservations required.

Info: 636.947.0120.

December 4: LSL Mothers Club Annual Holiday Homes Tour 5-8 p.m. Lake St. Louis homes will be decorated and displayed. Tickets are $10 at www.lslmothersclub.com, the Wharf Pharmacy (2175 W. Terra Lane) or The UPS Store (6290 Ronald Reagan Drive) prior to the tour. Tickets may also be purchased the day of at any of the tour homes. Info at 636.219.6117 or www.lslmothersclub.com.

Through December 5: 2011 Fall Art Show The Oak Leaf Artist Guild “Fruits of Our Labor” show at the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre (1 St. Peters Centre Blvd. - city hall). 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday. Info at www.oakleafartistguild.org.

December 17: Cribbage Card Playing 1 – 4 p.m. at Bandana’s Bar-BQ in Wentzville (I-70 at Exit 208 on S. Service Road). Play 4-handed partner games. Fun and relaxing play. Register by email 512barbore@centurytel.net, or call Bud Arbore at 636.463.2978.

Community News - St. Charles County • November 16, 2011 • 21

Crossroads Cribbage Club Every Wed. at 12 p.m.

Meets at Rizzo’s Bar & Grill, Wentzville, MO. Every Thurs: Active Older Adults Game Day at the O’Fallon Family YMCA

10:00 a.m - noon. Free. Join us every week to play your favorite board games, cards or dominos. Bring a snack and your favorite stories to share.

Contact Diana Kannady at 636.379.0092 x230.

Every Tues: Quilting Guild at the O’Fallon Family YMCA 1-4 p.m. Free. Join us every week to work on quilts “One Stitch at a Time” for local charities. Anybody welcome, no sewing experience required.

4th Tues.: 6:30 p.m. O’Fallon Garden Club.

Meets at Sunrise Methodist Church, 7116 Twin Chimney Blvd. More info call Barb at 636.978.5930.

3rd Wed.: O’Fallon Family YMCA Prayer Breakfast 7:30 a.m. The Y has always been nonsectarian, accepting of all faiths. We encourage you to come as you are and join members and guests of our community for prayer and fellowship on the third Wednesday of every month.

Contact Diana Kannady at 636.379.0092 for more information.

Every Wed. 6:45 p.m. Charity Bingo VFW Post 5077 sponsors, at VFW Hall, 8500 Veterans Mem. Pkwy., O’Fallon. Cash prizes awarded. Support Vets & other worthwhile charities.

Now a non-smoking facil-

ity. 636.272.1945 or www.vfwpost5077.org for more info.

Every Thurs., 11:45 a.m., Kiwanis Club of O’Fallon.

Meets at JJ’s Restaurant in O’Fallon. More info at www. ofkiwanis.com.

Every Fri.: 3–8 p.m. VFW Fish Fry VFW Post 2866. 66 VFW Lane.

Call Bill Sams, 636.724.9612.

Every Weekend: Orchard Farm Radio Controlled Flying Club Bring your family to watch flying model airplanes. Directions: www.orchardfarm.com Info: 636.300.1480.

HEALTH December 28: Free Mammograms 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. St. Luke’s Mobile Mammography Unit will be at Reliance Bank Wentzville Ladies 40 years old and older are eligible (for those with little or no health insurance). Register at 636.332.3640.

12 Step Support Group for Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Meets in 4 locations in the metro St Louis area. Can email for further information: metrostlouissia@gmail.com.

• 1st and 3rd Monday: 9:30-

11 a.m.

500 Medical Dr in Wentzville; doctors dining room of St Joseph Hospital; contact 636-5611407.

• 2nd and 4th Tuesday: 6:30-8 p.m.

2 Progress Point Parkway in O’Fallon, MO; 4th floor conference room of Progress West Hospital; contact 636-5611407.

Progress West HealthCare Center is proud to offer the following events to the community, FREE unless otherwise noted.

To register or get directions, please call 636.344.

CARE(2273) or visit www. progresswesthealthcare.org. *Middendorf-Kredell Library (MK): 2750 Hwy K. 636.272.4999. *Progress West Healthcare Center (PWHC): 2 Progress Point Pkwy. 636.344.2273 or 363.344.1000.

Every Mon.: 7 p.m. Tobacco Free for Life Support group. Free. St. Peters City Hall. 636.947.5304.

1st Mon.: Better Breathers Club Those w/chronic lung disease.

St. Joseph Health Cntr., 300 1st Capitol Dr., St. Charles.

Free lunch. 636.947.5684.

4th Tues: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Diabetes Support Group At HW Koenig Med Bldg, St Joseph Hosp. West.

636.625.5447 Last Tues.: 7–8:30 p.m. HOPE (Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Support Group) Sponsored by SSM St. Joseph Health Cntr & SSM, at Harvester Christian Church, Rm CH–104, 2950 Kings Crossing. 636.928.7651, x. 115.

3rd Wed. 6:30–8 p.m. KidsCan! Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hosp., 150 Entrance Way, St. Peters. Support children 4–12 w/parent/significant caregiver w/cancer.

1st Thurs.: 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Conquer Support Group for adults w/ cancer. Siteman Cancer Cntr, Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hosp., 150 Entrance Way, St. Peters. Call 636.916.9920.

2nd Thurs.: 4 p.m. Support Group for Alzheimer’s Delmar Gardens, 7068 S. Outer 364, O’Fallon. Call: Jennifer Krpan, Ralph Covinsky

636.240.6100.

4th Thurs.: 6:30–8 p.m.

Breast Cancer Support Group Siteman Cancer Cntr, BarnesJewish St. Peters Hosp., 150 Entrance Way. 636.928.WELL (9355) or 800.392.0936. http:// siteman.bjsph.org.

3rd Sun. 12:45-1:45 p.m. Alzheimer’s Meeting Morning Star Church, 1600 Feise Rd., O’Fallon. Faithbased for caregivers, family of those w/memory loss.

1.800.272.3900.

Gateway to Hope Program The Gateway to Hope Program arranges care for individuals diagnosed w/breast cancer who are either uninsured or underinsured & reside in Missouri. Gateway to Hope serves as a breast cancer lifeline for those who do not qualify for government sponsored programs & are unable to afford treatment. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with breast cancer & cannot access treatment call Gateway to Hope at 314.569.1113 or visit our Web site at www.gthstl.org.

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Crossword Solutions from page 14

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY STRONG COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN ST CHARLES DISTRICT YMCAS This year the St. Charles District YMCA’s will assist more than 700 individuals.

Donate today and join us in building a Stronger Community!

Giving is as easy as visiting one of the websites below. www.ymcastlouis.org/ofallon ymcastlouis.org/ofallon ymcastlouis.org/stcharles www.ymcastlouis.org/stcharles ymcastlouis.org/tricounty www.ymcastlouis.org/tricounty

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22 • November 16, 2011 • Community News - St. Charles County

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Billy Hoelscher SERVICES

regarding Mary’s Food Shop.

FOR SALE

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FOR SALE

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Great weekend retreat or rental property!

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PRAYER TO ST. JUDE May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world, now and forever.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pray for us.

St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, Pray for us.

St. Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, Pray for us.

Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days, then publish. Your prayers will be answered. It has never been known to fail.

Thank you, St. Jude.

R.J.H.

Classified Special!

For Garage Sales, Moving Sales, Yard Sales, or Sale of Items priced less than $200.

15.00

$

per week for two Wednesdays, or 19 for one Wednesday. $

2x2 c with color

Call Brooke 636.697.2414

For a two-county circulation.

Your ad will run in both St. Louis County and St. Charles County at the same time, at no extra charge.

And when you buy two Wednesdays your ad will run in three newspapers, including the O’Fallon Community News, O’Fallon’s largest circulation paper.

Call

636-697-2414

Community News - St. Charles County • November 16 2011 • 23

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F R E E E S T I M AT E S 636.465.3735 St. Charles 314.921.5218 St. Louis

Denny Fowler

2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Drive O’Fallon, MO 63366

St. Charles

Combined

cnews@centurytel.net ofcnews@centurytel.net www.mycnews.com

St. Louis

St. Louis

-

St. Charles

St. Charles

Combined

Combined

ON C RAZY

Inside...C OUP

y for 86 Years 1921 - Weekl Established & Operated ies Family Owned & St. Charles Count Louis Serving St.

ws.com www.mycne

Annual The 16th Fair Women’s , Fit will be Fun us! and Fabulo

Fair Women’s

By Shelly A.

U FAB

Voluntary refers to a circulation method where readers “voluntarily” choose to pick up a publication to read. This method is powerful because locations are carefully chosen and newsstands are monitored for 100% pick up. Community News has developed a network of over 650 convenient locations including every major supermarket chain. Our voluntary method is powerful for three reasons: 1 QUALITY READERS A voluntary reader is an interested reader, actively outside of the home, in stores, seeking out information about the community 2 TOTAL UTILITY 100% pick up assures no wasted papers. Every paper reaches an interested reader, yielding a full value for the entire print run.

3 EXPANDING SET Every print run reaches a unique group of readers, because the majority of voluntary readers are occasional readers.

Over time, these unique groups add up to a readership size about three times greater than the print run.

!

toes: floodwa ter and perman If you believe mosquitoes. ent water Floodwater ing problem you have a mosquito breedmosqui their eggs on damp soil where toes lay sure, please on your property, but will occur are not call the Departm flooding or, in some munity Hea ent of Comcases, above water line lth and the the in tree holes, Environme tainers, or nt. Ofartificial con- ficials will make an inspecti other small on and evaluabodies of water. tion appointment, When rain and then recomm fills these areas (ARA) and floods the possible solution. end a - National St. Charles County resident Friendship stages, broods greatest can upload s have the prevention of mosquitoes Day is Aumethod fingertips. a two-mintoes are mainly Proper maintens right at their gust 5 and - propert of the ance ute video pest y is the first variety, and the first to of the in light of emerge in the are step toward describ ing mosquito spring months prevention. All trash Many of these a recent and refuse that . mosquitoes how a close ers and may are strong flycould survey that range up to propert friend lights ten miles or more drained y should be adequately i n d i c ate s up their life graded and , to prevent a blood meal women any pools or to lay .....................3 water that may to www.ra puddles of r story............. eggs. last place high Cove County mosqui ten days or longer. diance ribtheir eggs directly ....................6 to v a control ider.... l u e McCauley lists on the water bons.com. officer Barry Shelly Schne several things 9 on , surface, their may do to homeowners cies in this Florissant ..........8 friendships, group do - their summekeep mosquitoes from test closes Old Olay is offering venture ruining theirTown r: breeding sites. not ..10,far11from a chance to Aug. treat themsel women Charles.........

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Classifi topics to ercial Dr. the spirit.

Valley Comm sessions (threetime frame) 2139 Bryan Seminar MO 63366 during each O’Fallon, a.m., and 1:30 choose from 636-379-1632 s a.m., 10:40 9-1775 • FX: t begin at 9:30 P: 636-37 centurytel.ne 1:15 p.m.

E-Mail: cnews@ and runs until - 2007 at 11:45 a.m. 8:30 a.m. page 17 Wonderland at Christmas in the lunTAINMENT Doors open Film Group’s See ENTER feature duringigh-energy Electra in Yari Carmen and h A special a e Chris Kattan lin. year will b cheon this Dan Cough by author page 3 presentation N’S FAIR See WOME

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22

COMMUNITY NEWS - St. Charles County

OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

Published bi-monthly, Our Town is direct mailed to all business addresses in its service area, plus online subscribers. It is a unique business-to-business magazine featuring chamber of commerce news plus articles on the economy, technology, human resources, and marketing.

www.mycnew

s.com

2011 May/June

COMMUNITY NEWS

First published in 1921, Community News is the longest published weekly newspaper in the St. Louis metropolitan area and has established a large audience of loyal readers.

Community News circulates across a broad geographic region with newstands, home throw and online subscription.

Vol 9 No 28

er

FOUR GREAT PUBLICATIONS Copyright: Huneke publications, Inc. copyrights all advertisements produced by its staff.

Our publications use a combination of online subscription, Huneke Publications, Inc. offers four Duplication without written permission publications: two weekly newspapers is prohibited. direct mail, home delivery, and voluntary circulation methods. and two news magazines, each covering a unique market segment within St. Louis County and St. Charles County. As a member of the Missouri Press Association, all of our publications feature verified circulation and an earned credibility among our peers.

July 11, 2007

Missouri is home to about mosquitoes.

Some live less 50 species of while others than may live several a week, months.

Community Health and ment states the Environ it is only the female mosqui that “bites” and she does to so blood meal needed to lay to obtain the viable eggs.

While mosqui more than drive toes usually do little the family from doors to the the outindoors, they carriers of are sometim dangerous es d i s ea may contrac t malaria, yellowses. Humans gue, and encepha fever, denlitis; and dogs heartworm. may get Most of these the exceptio diseases, with n of canine heartwo human encephalitis and rm, have been eliminated fairly well from Health officials the entire United States. said outbrea to borne encepha ks of mosqui litis have periodic occurred in ally Missou “Canine heartwori. rm is an problem, with endemic costs to animal ers escalatin owng each warned. “Effecti year,” health officials measures includinve mosquito control g the elimina swamp areas, tion of to keep road and maintenance efforts ditches clear have done and much to control water free mosquito for disease transmission.”

S LOU

Schneider

C o o li n g It

Shelly A. Schneid

FIT!FUN!

o busy, e it gets to to dies, befor is the time corner. La for you. Now ovement and take a day impr se for selffun in the set a cour and to have s self-awareness n will find the answer process! Wome health, family, career, ns on at the 2007 to questio more , and image, fashion – Fun, Fit, and FabuSt. Fair Nov. 17, at Women’s ay, for Saturd . lous – set unity College Charles Comm in partnership the college St. Joseph sented by ey and SSM take with JCPenn -Hospital West, will StuHealth Center a.m.-3 p.m. in the 8:30 Campus, 4601 place from on the SCC ille. dent Center in Cottlev Mall Drive the area Mid Rivers throughout reWomen from day of education, for a will gather and fun, includfood, laxation, prizes,eminars, a fashion show than 50 ing nine mini-s r, and more speake e ts and serand keynot ing produc vendors display vices. a continental seminars and exhibits and a fashion tickets include urse cial $20 VIP speaker, and full-co e in show, keynot Grappa Grill and catered by luncheon st, exhibits, the breakfa consecutive addition to For the fourththe lunchtime seminars. ey will host ages year, JCPenn with styles for all fashion show,

Follow the se tips to kee p your family and pets safe from mosquitoes .

Mosquito Sea son By

IN THIS ISSUE

St. Louis

P 636.379.1775 F 636.379.1632

r 14, 2007 Novembe 46 Vol. 86 No.

Published weekly with a powerful circulation combination of newsstands, home throw, and online subscription.

The St. Charles County edition features countywide coverage including the cities of: St. Charles, St. Peters, Cottleville, Weldon Spring, O’Fallon, Dardenne Prairie, Lake St. Louis, and Wentzville, plus Troy.

This monthly lifestyle magazine covers the fast-growing Wentzville and Lake St. Louis areas. It is direct mailed with additional copies available in newsstands, plus online subscribers.

Our FREE publications are available in over 700 convenient locations, including every Dierbergs, Schnucks and Shop ’N Save.

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7/5/11 3:30 PM

24 • November 16, 2011 • Community News - St. Charles County

Toy Safety: Purchasing Safe Toys for the Correct Age of Girls and Boys There are thousands of toys on store shelves to choose from, but making sure a toy is safe and age appropriate for a child is well worth the search to prevent injury or even death.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2010, there were an estimated 140,700 emergency room treated injuries related to toys among children. Strict safety standards are regulated through the CPSC requiring toy manufacturers to label certain toys that could be hazardous to young children, and provide a recommended age of child to be using the toy. But it is up to the purchaser to ensure the toy is safe and the correct age level for the child.

There are some guidelines that shoppers should follow to keep children safe during their playtime. Remember though; use your own judgment as you know the child’s maturity level and can best decide if the toy is suitable or not.

Top toys to take into consideration • Non-motorized scooters and riding toys – Riding toys, skateboards, and even shoes with wheels go fast

By Paul Stab

and falls could easily cause injury at any age. Helmets and safety gear, including elbow and knee pads, should be worn properly at all times and be sized to fit the child.

• Small balls, coins and toys with small parts – Government regulations specify that toys for children under the age of three cannot have parts less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long as these small objects can pose a choking risk. Any ball with a diameter of 1 1/4 inches or less should not be given to a young child.

• Balloons – Deflated or broken balloons are another choking risk. Deflated balloons should be kept away from children younger than eight years old and broken balloons and the balloon string should be immediately discarded.

• Art materials – Crayons, paint and other art items should not be given to children under the age of three.

Make sure art supplies are non-toxic and marked ASTM D-4236 to indicate the product has been reviewed by the American Society for Testing and Materials. Products that conform to D-4236 have been tested for toxicity. However, this does not mean they are non-toxic, but rather any toxins contained within the product are listed on the packaging.

• Chargers, batteries and adapters – These items can pose electrical and burn dangers to children of all ages. Special attention should be given to instructions and warnings for these items. Some chargers also lack mechanisms to prevent overcharging so do not leave the home when charging.

• Play swords, guns and other weapons www.facebook.com/mycnews – These toys should be given only to ma-

www.westcommunitycu.org

ture, grade school age children.

They should be bright colors so they are easily differentiated from real weapons and should not be sharp or come to a point.

• Flying toys – Toys that are meant to be airborne can result in serious eye or head injury if not used properly. It is recommended that children under eight not play with projectile toys.

Shopping Tips • Be aware of the store where you are purchasing toys. Second hand stores and yard sales can be spendsavvy places, but second hand toys may be broken or defective, becoming dangerous. Also, without original packaging, age guidelines and warning are not available. Examine each toy carefully looking for cracks, paint chippings or even leaking battery fluid.

• Be aware of what toys are made of as some products have dangerous substances that can be harmful when ingested.

• For toys that produce sound, look for toys that have a volume level to protect children’s hearing. A noise rating may also be listed on the product. If there is not a rating listed, you can contact the toy manufacturer and request this information. An extremely loud toy for children is 90 decibel.

Remind children to properly put away their toys because if they are left out, they can become a tripping hazard for everyone. Proper supervision of children at play will also result in a safer playtime.

Consumers can find up-to-date toy recalls and report dangerous toys and injuries caused by a toy on the CSPC website, www.cpsc.gov/.