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2 | OUR TOWN | JANUARY 2018
Our Town Volume 09 | Number 01 JANUARY 2018
Published by the Community News, Our Town is a monthly news magazine covering the cities of Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, and Olivette. Circulation is 7,000 monthly through over 105 monitored newsstands guaranteeing 100% pickup. Additional issues are distributed online, and a free online subscription is available at www.mycnews. com
N THIS SSUE
Around Town
Creve Coeur recognizes dedicated citizens at annual Holiday Appreciation Event and more.
Nonprofit Profile United Services for Children provides therapy and support for children of all abilities.
PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Mathew DeKinder PUBLISHER EMERITUS/ GENTERAL MANAGER Bob Huneke PRODUCTION Lisa Moran Melissa Nordmann CONTRIBUTORS Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Brian Guerrero, Cindy Moore STAFF WRITERS Brett Auten Charlotte Beard
Our Thoughts Moore on Life author Cindy Moore learns it’s best to leave medicine to the professionals while Avalanche ponders how much stuff is too much.
Feature Creve Coeur 2030 The city of Creve Coeur looks to the future as it implements its Comprehensive Plan for continued development. By Charlotte Beard
Caring Partners Seven tips for managing diabetes.
Lifestyle For advertising information, please contact us at:
info@mycnews.com or
Community News 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366 Ph: 636.379.1775 Fx: 636.379.1632 www.mycnews.com
Copyright 2018 Huneke Publications, Inc. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
A look back at the best films of 2017 in Entertainment. The 2018 Volvo XC90 brings a high level of quality to Automobile Alley. Elegant ideas for a meal worth celebrating in For the Love of Food.
In Depth Great Rivers Greenway pedestrian bridges near completion as part of a trail to connect St. Peters and St. Charles with St. Louis County.
Events Calendar Staff Writer – Charlotte Beard Cover Photo Illustration – Lisa Moran
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AroundTown
Eagles return Save the date this January for the popular Eagle Days at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge festival in 2018. Eagle Days at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge will take place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 13 and 14, 2018. The event is hosted by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Great Rivers Greenway (GRG). Eagle Days is also made possible by a sponsorship from Cabela’s. This free, family event is an excellent opportunity to see bald eagles in the wild and up close during live bald eagle programs presented by the World Bird Sanctuary. During both days, the World Bird Sanctuary program will be repeated every 20 minutes from 10 a.m.-2:40 p.m. Lewis and Clark re-enactors will also present a living history camp on the Missouri side, and demonstrations on the Illinois side. The historic Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is located in north St. Louis off Riverview Drive, approximately a quarter mile south of the I-270 Bridge. For more bald eagle-watching opportunities this winter, go to https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/events/eagle-days
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
Eagle Days at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge returns Jan. 13-14, 2018
Eagle Days at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge festival will return for 2018 on Jan. 13-14. The free event gives visitors the chance to view bald eagles in the wild from the bridge through spotting scopes.
The Arch online Gateway Arch Park Foundation launches new website The Gateway Arch Park Foundation has launched a new website (www. A r c h Pa r k . o r g ) highlighting the renovated spaces at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, Gateway Arch, riverfront, and Kiener Plaza – together referred to as Gateway Arch Park. The new website also highlights public events, the foundation’s membership program and ways the community can support the Arch. While the previous site conveyed the CityArchRiver project and construction updates, the new site focusses on completed park spaces and how the public can enjoy and support the new Arch experience. Visitors can learn about the legacy of the historic CityArchRiver project on an interactive timeline. Popular features from the old website remain, such as the interactive webcams. 4 | OUR TOWN | JANUARY 2018
“As we near the grand opening of the new park, museum, and visitor center, this new website shows the transformed and active Gateway Arch Park in exciting ways,” said Ryan McClure, director of communications and activation for Gateway Arch Park Foundation. “We want folks to see that this is their park to enjoy and use with many activities and events all year.” The website makes it easy for visitors to find events in the Gateway Arch Park area and find information on planning their own event – public or private. Visitors can also support the mission of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation by becoming a Gateway Arch Park Friend or shop for new merchandise on the Foundation’s online store – including two new t-shirts designed by STL Style House. In early 2018, the Foundation, working with the National Park Service, will launch a new section of the website featuring stories from the new museum at the Gateway Arch, which will have a grand opening July 4, 2018.
AroundTown
Citizens of the Year
Have good news to share?
Creve Coeur recognizes dedicated citizens at annual Holliday Appreciation Event
Get your event or good news published in:
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email your information in calendar and article formats to editor@mycnews.com.
Rabbi Mark Shook (center) and David McCoy (center-right) accepted the award for Creve Coeur Citizen of the Year 2017 from Council President Dr. Bob Lawrence (left), Mayor Barry Glantz (center-left) and Council Member Dr. Ellen Lawrence (right).
The city of Creve Coeur recognized Rabbi Mark Shook and David McCoy as Citizens of the Year 2017 for their dedication and service to the community at the annual Holiday Appreciation Event on Dec. 5 at the Creve Coeur Government Center. Mayor Barry Glantz, joined by Council President Dr. Bob Hoffman and Council Member Ellen Lawrence, presented the awards to Shook and McCoy at the event honoring all members of the city’s 14 boards, commissions and committees. Shook, a citizen of Creve Coeur for more than 40 years, has served the Creve Coeur community in a variety of capacities. He has been a chaplain for the Creve Coeur Police Department since 1990 and has served on the Creve Coeur Police and Safety Committee since 2015. He has also served as chaplain for a number of organizations in St. Louis including the St. Louis County Police Department, the Creve Coeur Fire District and the local Federal Bureau of Investigations. He has been the Senior Rabbi at Temple Israel for more than 30 years and serves as an adjunct professor of Jewish Philosophy and International Studies at Saint Louis University. “Rabbi Shook is a shining example of
a person who strives to do the right thing each and every day,” said Hoffman. “His compassion, vision, leadership, kindness and friendship will leave a long and lasting impact on the city, its residents and the employees.” McCoy has served on the city’s Parks and Historic Preservation Committee (PHP) since 2012 where he serves on the Heart to Heart Run committee and works with the planting group in Millennium Park. This past year, he brought the idea of the Dog Easter Egg hunt to the PHP and partnered with Three Dog Bakery to execute this event. In its inaugural year, the event brought over 150 dogs to Millennium Park. McCoy is the Chief IT Enterprise Architect at Boeing, where he has worked for more than 37 years. “David embodies the energy, commitment, creativity, and follow-through that makes our residents so impactful,” said Lawrence. “He has the ability to see problems and solutions at the same time, then does the work to implement those solutions. He embodies all of the elements that help to make Creve Coeur such a vibrant place to live.”
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AroundTown
A magical fundraiser
Advertorial
Byerly RV awarded Top 50 RV Dealer in U.S.
JOEL MARION PHOTOGRAPHY
Over $200,000 raised at JF&CS’ Magical Fundraising Gala
In December, Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&CS) held their Gala: The Magic of Making a Difference. The 378 registered attendees collectively raised over $200,000 for JF&CS programs. This money will be allocated to the Child Abuse Prevention Program, Eldercare Services, Counseling Services, Homemaker Program and the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry, the largest food pantry in St. Louis County. For 146 years, JF&CS has strengthened the St. Louis community through its charitable efforts and services that assist the elderly, help children at risk, and provide food and services for the needy. This donated money will help JF&CS’ services continue their support in the St. Louis area and increase the number of individuals they can help. Lou Albert, CEO of Jewish Family & Children’s Service, was overjoyed with the turnout and fundraising efforts. “St. Louis really is such a giving city. All our attendees freely donated their time and money to help make our community the strongest it can be. We are so thankful for them.” The gala also honored two charitable individuals for their personal philanthropic endeavors – Sidney Guller and Dr. Mary C. Hoke. Guller were honored for being an exceptional community philanthropist and Hoke received the Agency Service Award. The event was emceed by Ben Nordstrom, a nationally recognized actor and entertainer of television and film. The gala took place at the Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel and featured appetizers and drinks, a dinner of hope and celebration, and musical performances by a Washington University A Capella Group, STAAM. 6 | OUR TOWN |JANUARY 2018
BY RUSS PATTON The record number of sales of new RVs in 2017 nationwide exceeded everyone’s expectations. In Missouri through September combined sales of motorized and trailers grew 15.5 percent. Through November Byerly RV’s sales of the same mix grew more than 28 percent! Record sales are good, but can be disruptive. Access, delivery and service have been a challenge. The Byerly group has met the sales challenge while still maintaining good performance in other areas such as rentals, parts and service. Service will continue to be a problem if sales continue at this pace. Byerly, through RVDA, is proposing an initiative to create a new entity totally dedicated to after-market needs. I am proud of the Byerly team’s response. They deserve credit for Byerly’s recognition of being one of the Top 50 RV Dealers in the country for 2017. The award is not based on sales alone. Dealers are nominated and selected based upon the decisions of a peer group consisting of manufacturers, suppli-
e th th Wor ive Dr
ers and industry leaders. The award was presented at the recent RVDA Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. The recognition is sponsored by RV Business, one of the oldest and most respected publications in the RV industry. Our employees enthusiastically interact with our customers throughout the year on a voluntary basis. We closed out the season with our caravan of motorhomes filled with customers through Santa’s Magical Kingdom, a light show at Jellystone Campground. Watch for our monthly RV School in which employees “show and tell” topics related to service and operations of RVs. The Spring Campout will be here before we know it. The next big event is the annual RV Show at St Louis Convention Center, Feb. 1-4. We are proud to announce, after 70 years in business, that Winnebago will become a part of the Byerly Family. More announcements to come! 2018 is here. Byerly is ready. Happy New Year! Check us out at byerlyrv.com and Facebook.
Byerly RV 295 East Fifth St. | Eureka, MO 63025 800-878-3325 | 636-938-2000 | www.byerlyrv.com
NonProfitProfile
United Services for Children provides therapy and support for children of all abilities BY RAYMOND CASTILE
U
nited Services for Children is a nonprofit organization that provides pediatric therapy and early intervention services to children of all abilities, and offers support services for their families. We focus on children ages birth through eight years old. Our center, located at 4140 Old Mill Parkway in St. Peters, serves approximately 150 children annually. In 1975, a team of dedicated parents and professionals searched for a way to ensure children with disabilities would receive services in St. Charles County. They used United Way grants to form a nonprofit organization, incorporating in 1977. This agency grew into what is now United Services for Children, providing therapeutic and educational services that have changed the lives of tens of thousands of children. We offer outpatient therapy through our Uncommon Grace Pediatric Therapy program. Professional therapists deliver physical, occupational and speech/language therapy in group and individual settings for children ages birth through eight years old. Uncommon Grace Pediatric Therapy accepts Medicaid and most major insurance carriers. Our Early Intervention services focus on young learners, children from 18 – 36 months, who have been diagnosed with a developmental disability or delay. Children enrolled in this program get the support they need to develop and grow in social, language, motor and adaptive skills. Our Family Support program ensures that new families feel welcome and at home at United Services for Children, and provides opportunities for family education and training. Small and large group classes for parents, grandparents and caregivers are offered throughout the year. Support groups for siblings of children with disabilities run throughout the school year, meeting monthly in the early evening. Our licensed social worker is available to meet the needs of our families on an ongoing basis.
Reese Sommers, a three-year-old diagnosed with autism, receives instruction from Melissa Vesser, a teacher and behavior analyst at United Services for Children
We invite the public to our sixth annual Exploring the Spectrum autism information fair March 24 at Spencer Road Library Community Commons in St. Peters. There will be guest speakers, workshops and information tables. This is a great event for families of children with autism. Admission is free. On May 18, we will host our 24th annual Fore the Children golf tournament at Bear Creek Golf Club in Wentzville. It will be a four-person scramble, open to men’s
teams, mixed teams and ladies’ teams. Then join us Aug. 25 for our annual gala at Ameristar Casino-St. Charles. There will be silent and oral auctions, dinner and entertainment. This is our main fundraising event, and it is always a fun and rewarding evening. Sponsorship opportunities are available for all of these events. To inquire about therapy, early intervention or our events, please call us at 636926-2700, or visit www.unitedservicesforchildren.org. JANUARY 2018 | OUR TOWN | 7
OurThoughts MOORE ON LIFE BY CINDY MOORE
Three kings of disorient
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Cyberchondriac: a person who compulsively searches the Internet for information on real or imagined symptoms of illness.
Cyberchondriac | H
appy New Year and here’s to your health. Although a word of caution; if you do happen to be in poor health. Say you’re suffering from some peculiar ailment, perhaps an odd rash of unknown origins or a strange twinge in the abdominals, maybe a recurring ache in the scapula; then for heaven sakes do the smart thing. “Make an appointment to see your doctor as quickly as possible,” you say? Heck no! That’ll cost an arm and a leg and lots of money too! Do what I and kajillions of savvy Americans do nowadays, get on the Internet and Google the symptoms first. That way, you’ll be fully educated on the disease and better able to help guide your doctor through the proper treatment. I’ll never understand in this modern time why medical people go to those expensive universities and through years of unnecessary book learning along with tedious lec-
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tures and months of wearisome training when the cutting-edge solution to today’s maladies is just a mouse click away. All that time-consuming education is so prehistoric. For instance, the other day I had a major ache in the base of my neck that wouldn’t go away even after a couple of extrastrength pain pills. Time for the Google Gods to determine what the problem was. After thoroughly researching “head discomfort,” I soon found out that I had an inoperable brain tumor, but not to worry since I also Googled treatment for such a condition. I discovered that I would need to stand on my head for 45 minutes every two hours for the next five weeks. This would cause the blood to rush to the affected area. The pressure on it would eventually melt the growth into a jelly goo-like substance that my body would quickly absorb. Then to keep it away permanently, I would have to add powdered shark cartilage to my ce-
real each morning and boom! Clean bill of health. So I went to the doctor to share my findings and let him in on my treatment. He grunted and rolled his eyes (as expected). He then examined the base of my neck and untwined a hair scrunchie from my ponytail that was too tight. I immediately felt the pressure release and pain leave my head. I wasn’t totally impressed. I’m sure he found that remedy on Google.
Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder.
OurThoughts ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE BY AVALANCHE
The balance between too-much and not-enough stuff only outlet for cold air being a small notch where a creek flowed out of the bowl. I awakened in the middle of the night not quite shivering, but simply locked into a rigid state, tensed against the cold. I stayed that way for the remainder of the night, trying to sleep, but failing, except for a few bouts of restless slumber. My gear did not provide sufficient protection from the temperature in the low teens. Sunrise and its warmth came several hours after first light, as the high peaks surrounding my location blocked direct sun until mid-morning. My small stove provided welcome hot drinks, but seemed to be a meager source of warmth compared with my normal cold-weather woodstove. I didn’t get out hunting much that day, and instead spent several hours recovering from the unexpected cold conditions. The next day I spotted a few elk, which had moved a couple miles to the south. By that time, I was out of supplies and too tired to move camp and continue my pursuit; my hunt was over. One additional pound of insulation would have made my night much more comfortable. With an additional five-to-seven pounds of gear, I would have been luxuriously warm, comfortable and wellfed, and able to hunt for another day or two. During the hike out, I recalled the mechanized convoys on the interstate and felt decidedly less smug and superior than I had upon my initial encounter with them. While I don’t see a need for a kitchen sink, a little more gear would have made a lot of difference. So, next year’s goal is to find that elusive happy medium between traveling light and freezing at night, versus trundling up the mountainside, belching smoke and hauling several tons of gear.
Avalanche is a functional illiterate who left the St. Louis area three decades ago in search of adventure. He enjoys motorcycling and all things outdoors. He lives with his wife and dogs.
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I spent my last motorcycle trip over the mountains weaving my way around various pickup trucks with out-of-state license plates hauling various assortments of outdoor gear. One of the more heavily-laden rigs trundling up the highway pass was a large motorhome pulling a large trailer. On the trailer was an older pickup truck with a tall lifted suspension, and oversized mud tires. Riding in the pickup bed was an ATV decked out with all manner of accessories. Surrounding the truck on the trailer were mountainous piles of other gear, including a generator, freezer, and undoubtedly, a kitchen sink buried somewhere within all the comforts of home. How much stuff does one need to travel, go into the mountains and camp, and perhaps pursue elk? The answer is always a balance between mobility and comfort and security. No matter how much gear one brings - or doesn’t bring - it’s always too much stuff, and not quite enough, depending upon circumstance. A couple weeks later, I had the opportunity to backpack into the mountains to hunt elk. Minimizing weight was a priority, as other obligations had limited my available time to be in the woods, and the inexorable march of time limited my carrying capacity at higher altitude. Temperatures were forecast to be mild, so the tipi and small woodstove stayed at home, and were substituted by a tarp for shelter, and small canister stove to heat drinks and meals. My normal sleeping bag was left behind, in favor of a light blanket. Hiking up the trail to camp, my pack still seemed way too heavy, though it probably weighed 20 pounds less than it did 20 years ago on similar trips. After setting up camp and a doing bit of hiking, I discovered that several large hunting parties on horseback had recently been in the area, which had pushed the elk out of their normal range. I settled in for a night’s sleep, and went to bed toasty. Alas, the official forecast did not apply to my selected campsite, at the bottom of a mountain amphitheater. I was at the lowest point in a natural sink, with the
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CREVE COEUR 2030
BY CHARLOTTE BEARD
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The city of Creve Coeur looks to the With 2018 just beginning, the city of Creve Coeur has its sights set beyond this year and well into the future as it looks to build towards a better tomorrow. In March 2017 the city of Creve Coeur adopted its Comprehensive Plan, Creve Coeur 2030, which guides the city’s land use policies and serves as an update to the 2002 Comprehensive Plan, and entails many early action items for the city’s community. Beth Kistner, Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z), shared some of the challenges that came with the approximately 18-month period of developing the plan. “One of the biggest challenges is wanting to make sure we get the public engaged
in it,” said Kistner. “A comprehensive plan doesn’t necessarily set off a big rush for community involvement, yet we know that the key to success is to have community members there and providing input along the way. I think we did very well with that and we didn’t see a drop-off of interest. I think we had more people at the last one than we had at the first of several scheduled community engagements. But it still is a challenge to get them involved; it’s a little easier to get the businesses because I think they are a little more tuned-in and understand the issues that they are most interested in.” The involvement of both the business and general communities was vital to the process “In the end, I think we [received] good input from both [perspectives]. We were making changes up until the very end
future as it implements its Comprehensive Plan for continued development of the community agriculture technology district master plan began with the partnerships of St. Louis County, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, Monsanto, the Danforth [Plant Science Center] and others. The project will entail constructing a greenway through the district. It also involves restoring Old Olive Boulevard to be a more pedestrian-friendly corridor to connect different parts of the district. Additionally, plans are underway for the Olive/Lindbergh Interchange to establish better connectivity between areas within BIGSTOCK the 39 North plant science and agriculture technology district. Jaggi, who also oversees divisions for building permits and code enforcements, spoke to the development of the storm-
Director of Community Development, Jason Jaggi, who also heads the P&Z division, stressed that the system be available on the www.crevecoeur.org website via the Comprehensive Plan page. It will list the initiatives based on the recommendations of the plan and be maintained to provide update information on the status of each initiative. “The real value,” Jaggi said, “is for the community to see how we are implementing the plan based on their input into this plan and what the city is doing to implement the goals and objectives. It’s good for all of the citizens of Creve Coeur as well as a lot of our commissions and the city council to see how we are progressing and implementing our plan.” An early action item on the plan’s list was adopted June 5, 2017. The adoption of the 39 North plant science and
water ordinance for lots less than one acre, which was adopted Oct. 30, 2017. “We have seen instances in the past where particularly in the field of construction [with] redevelopment of existing homes – the tear down and rebuild… these lots are being developed at a tenser fashion. So, the houses are getting bigger, they’re covering more of the lot than the older homes, a lot of the grading is being altered to accommodate new houses and we’ve seen some consequences of [these redevelopments]. So, to address the compatibility issues and make sure we accommodate redevelopment within residential areas on smaller lots, we [need to] do so in a responsible manner. With that we want to look at the stormwater impact for when these properties go under redevelopment and make sure there are no additional problems that are
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based on input we were getting from our businesses and some of our residential neighborhood groups,” Kistner said. I think the implementation side is just a question of going through and tracking what was in the plan and making sure we took a big step with the [zoning ordinances for residential districts]. [Another component was] finding the time for staff to work through and put together a set of proposed changes and getting it worked into the regular planning and zoning calendar for review and approval.” One initiative of the plan that is intended to keep all stakeholders, including Creve Coeur citizens, engaged is the ongoing outcome reporting and management system to track the progress of each project.
being created as a result.” The process involves submitting a storm-water management plan, a review, and specific requirements for mitigating any additional storm-water run-off from development of properties. Some of the other initiatives in the Comprehensive Plan are as follows: Complete the city’s new police station and enhancement to the Government Center. The station will be immediately north of the Government Center which is located at 300 N New Ballas Road on the same lot in the vacant space. The city is in the process of obtaining bids for a contractor to begin the project. It is slated to open early 2019. Any plans for the Government Center will not commence until the new police station is completed. Construction of greenways to improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity and provide enhanced recreational opportunities. The city is currently looking at the western and eastern ends of town and exploring opportunities to improve the pedestrian experience. The next step is to meet with some of Creve Coeur’s property owners to ensure there is support for the initiatives. Ameren is involved as well due to any concerns involving utilities. Develop and adopt updates for the city’s zoning ordinance for residential districts. The initiative for revising regulations for residential development went through P&Z and it was recommended that it be approved for city council review. Those updates are still at the stage of a “workin-progress.” One of the updates involve how height is measured for “in-field” construction, particularly for tear-downs and rebuilds within established neighborhoods. Kistner, Chair for P&Z shared, “The process [for the Comprehensive Plan] is a big partnership between the community members, the city staff, and the Planning and Zoning Commission. It’s sort of a long journey that you go on together. When everybody is engaged you end up with the best product possible.”
JANUARY 2018 | OUR TOWN | 11
SimonSays
Celebrating the new year & celebrating sobriety Happy New Year! I have found that with writing this column I get to use my voice for the common good or to share a personal story. So that’s what this month is all about…me. I have decided that it’s time I share something with the readers of Our Town magazine. What is it that I would like to share? That I’m an addict. Recovering, but still an addict. We have all heard so much lately of the addiction epidemic that has not only hit our nation, but our local community as well. For me it wasn’t heroin or meth, it was all-powerful alcohol – the 100 percent legal, mindaltering substance that has been tearing families apart, killing trust and causing more fatalities per year than cancer. I guess I get to call myself one of the lucky ones because on Dec. 28, 2017 I celebrated five years of being free of my addiction. It all started in high school when I thought that at the age of fifteen it would be wise to drink at a party. Half a bottle of Jack Daniels later and my head was submerged in a toilet. I still remember that next morning thinking I was going to die but also thinking, that was fun! I look back now and realize that was a huge sign of what I was to come. I had my life all planned out – go to Southeast Missouri State and get a degree in special education. A semester-and-a-half into college I came home. Lonely, homesick and not knowing what I was to be doing or who I was anymore. I kept on chugging the drinks back and finally turned the big 21. I now had the power to get behind the wheel and drive to the bar or to the liquor store and let me tell you that’s exactly what I did, for the next eight years. I was a binge drinker in every sense of the word. By the time I turned 25 I was missing work due to being hungover, I was spending every dime I had at the bar and I had put myself into a very unhealthy relationship that was based on drinking. I had gained over 65 lbs. and had become a shell of a human being. Then that first fateful night came on Dec. 19, 2009. I was attending my work Christmas party and we were all drinking and doing shots and carrying on, with no attention being paid to how anyone of us would get home. I left the bar and put the keys in my ignition and that’s the last thing I remember until I was sitting at the O’Fallon police station under arrest for DWI. My BAC (blood alcohol content) was 0.22 – almost three-times the legal limit. I got my car out of impound and carried out what the judge ordered of me and vowed to never drink and drive again, and also promised myself I would cut back on the drinking in general. But you see that’s the problem with addiction, you can bargain with yourself all you want but eventually I made the choice to continue drinking after a brief hiatus. On June 11, 2011, I decided to get hammered at a reunion and drive home. That was my second fateful night. I was again pulled over for suspicion of a DWI and refused to take the breathalyzer test. I spent another night in jail, lost my driver’s license 12 | OUR TOWN | JANUARY 2018
for one year and had a long court process ahead of me. I was devastated, but I was also an addict. I continued to drink up until my sentencing which included a four-month stint in out-patient rehab. On Dec. 28, 2012 while still in out-patient rehab, the third and final fateful night occurred. I attended the wedding of a family friend and thought to myself that I could surely have one glass of wine to celebrate. Right? Numerous glasses of wine and a few beers later I was unconscious. I was driven to my parents’ home so that I wouldn’t be alone at my own home and thank God because it was my parents who saved my life. I had alcohol poisoning. I was losing control of everything in me and everything that I was, right in front of them. I don’t know how they did it but they stayed with me and got me through the night and kept me alive. Dec. 28, 2012 was the last time I have had a drink or taken a sip of alcohol. (I even select the grape juice at communion.) So why tell you all of this? Why put myself out there? To hopefully help someone. Even if it’s just one person I can get through to, I’ve done my job. I never considered myself an alcoholic. I didn’t start drinking when I woke up and I wasn’t homeless; I was a twenty-something, middle-class girl from the suburbs who just liked to drink. Right? Wrong. I was a twenty-something, middleclass girl from the suburbs who had a severe addiction to alcohol that almost cost me my life. I was broken. I was defeated. But I decided to rise up against my addiction to make sure my family had me around for another Christmas, to make sure that I would live the life I was intended to live, and to finally be truly happy with just being me. It happened to me and it all started at the young age of fifteen, which is why I have spoken at local high schools, colleges, civic groups, court-ordered panels and to anyone who is willing to have me to share my story. Alcohol is a powerful drug that will grab you by the horns and never let go, I know that now. Talk to your kids, your spouse, family members and anyone who is willing to listen about addiction. You never know what someone is going through and maybe, just maybe, your words will be just what they need to get their sobriety jump started. To anyone out there struggling, know that you are not alone. But also know there is help out there and that with the power you have deep inside you to get clean, you too could be celebrating five years sober, just like me. BY LAURIE SIMON
Laurie Simon lives in St. Peters with her husband and toddler son. When not rehabbing her home she enjoys weekends at the lake and spending time with family, friends and her two fur babies.
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CaringPartners
Managing Diabetes Staying healthy can be a challenge, especially for those living with diabetes. Everyone can have conflicts finding the right balance of partaking in healthy habits, such as exercise, eating well and even keeping your teeth and gums clean. From stress to selfcare, life can be up and down when you’re living with diabetes. These seven tips from Dr. Natalie Strand, the winner of season 17 of “The Amazing Race” who lives with diabetes herself, can help you stay healthy and lead a balanced life while managing your diabetes.
1. COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR CARE TEAM. Make sure
you connect with your nurse educator, endocrinologist and dietician. Reach out to them with your questions as they can often help you implement subtle changes to avoid completely overhauling your lifestyle and routine because of diabetes.
2. GET INVOLVED. Get a local group together to fundraise,
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TIPS FOR
4. MAINTAIN GOOD ORAL HEALTH. People living with
diabetes are two times more likely to develop gum disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Colgate Total toothpaste is FDA-approved to help reverse and prevent gingivitis, an early form of gum disease.
5. GET INTO A ROUTINE. Find a routine that works and stick with it. This way you don’t have to make new decisions each day. Anything that can ease the mental burden of diabetes can help. For example, pick a time each year for your annual visits: eye doctor, endocrinologist, renew prescriptions, etc. Picking the same time of year every year can help ensure you don’t forget to take care of yourself.
6. MAKE SELF-CARE A PRIORITY. It can be hard to keep
diabetes care in the forefront. It can be boring, exhausting and also fade into the background. Remind yourself that one of the best things you can do for yourself, and for your loved ones, is stay healthy. Use your family as motivation to exercise daily, eat better-for-you foods and maintain a healthy weight.
vent or just understand each other. Groups such as Diabetes Sisters, JDRF, TuDiabetes and BeyondType1 offer ways to connect with others living with diabetes in person or on social media. Connecting with the diabetes community can be a 7. MANAGE STRESS. Diabetes can be a big stressor. Add powerful way to help ease the burden of living with diabetes. jobs, kids, relationships and it can become overwhelming. Find an easy and effective tool for stress relief and do it often. 3. KEEP DOING WHAT YOU LOVE. Just because you have Even 5-10 minutes of guided meditation daily can have a big diabetes doesn’t mean you have to give up doing what you impact on stress management. love. Make efforts to continue sports, travel and other hobbies, even if there is a learning curve to adapting with diabetes at first.
For more information and ways to lead a balanced life with diabetes, visit OralHealthandDiabetes.com. JANUARY 2018 | OUR TOWN | 13
OurLifestyle
THE UNIQUE STANDOUTS OF 2017
“THREE BILLBOARDS EBBING, MISSOURI” It’s been quite difficult to determine what films were truly the best of 2017. Yet, we’ve seen a group of them manage to outshine others in their own unique ways, never mind the size of their budget or the money they bring in. These are some of the year’s standouts:
BY BRIAN GUERRO
UNIVERSAL PICTURES
GET OUT
SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT
JOHN WICK CHAPTER 2
SCOTT RUDIN PRODUCTIONS
LADY BIRD
BULL PRODUCTIONS
THE SHAPE OF WATER
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OUTSIDE
Frances McDormand is made for roles like Mildred. In fact, the entire cast, along with Woody Harrelson and – especially – Sam Rockwell, are all on point. Do not be surprised if McDormand, Rockwell and, writer/director, Martin McDonagh get Oscar attention for this movie.
“THE SHAPE OF WATER”
“JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2”
Director Guillermo del Toro puts the capital “U” in unique with “The Shape Of Water,” a film that easily looks like a $100 million project that actually cost a little over $19 million – which is incredible to believe. Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is a mute cleaning lady, in a classified science facility, that connects with an amphibian creature (Doug Jones) through signing and eventually attempts to free him from a grim fate. In true del Toro fashion, the weirder the film gets the more glorious it becomes.
“GET OUT”
Other honorable mentions go to the following: “Wind River” as the sleeper hit of the late summer with a serious message written and (another first time) directed by Taylor Sheridan as this year’s “Hell or High Water” type of hit (also written by Sheridan).
It cost 20 million to make the first “John Wick” which grossed over 43 million in the U.S. alone with glowing reviews. “Chapter 2” cost 40 million and grossed over 92 million – also with stellar reviews, if not higher. These numbers alone explain why there will be a “Chapter 3” in the works to conclude the story on a high note. Keanu Reeves is at his physical best making him one of the greatest actors of action (performing all his own stunts) of all time. This horror thriller is very mindful (also in the literal sense) as one of the year’s two films that feature a first-time director (this one written and helmed by comedic actor Jordan Peele) that made the history books over its record-breaking success. To tell you anything further than a story about an African-American man (Daniel Kaluuya) who’s about to meet the parents of his white girlfriend (Amanda Williams) for the weekend will ruin the unimaginable nightmare that can only come from Peele. “Get Out” could be that rare horror film to receive Oscar nominations in major categories.
“LADY BIRD”
This is the other honorable feature debut, this time, from actor turned writer/director Greta Gerwig in what is now arguably one of the highest rated films in history of combined reviews alone. This recordbreaking independent, coming-of-age feature feels like this year’s “The Edge Of Seventeen” (drastically overlooked) except this film is getting the recognition it deserves. This is a milestone for Saoirse Ronan as the film’s lead, Laurie Metcalf as our antagonist’s mother and the expanding career of Greta Gerwig. Expect fierce Oscar attention for this winning picture.
“It” as the multi-record breaking horror film that smashed the box-office back to life - after a miserable month of August – setting a moneymaking standard for how to make bigger-budgeted horror flicks. “The Florida Project” as the hard-towatch, but incredibly sweet, indie film that needs no introduction. Brooklynn Prince will steal your heart and make you cry at the film’s end while it’s looking more and more certain that Willem Dafoe may win that Oscar for his anchoring performance that is nothing short of masterful.
Brian Guerrero is a former resident of Los Angeles and a current resident of New York City with extensive experience in front of and behind the camera for film and television.
VOLVO XC90 OurThoughts
BRINGS A HIGH LEVEL OF QUALIT Y TO THE SUV MARKET
To meet the needs of the fullsize luxury SUV buyer, Volvo Motors is showcasing their popular XC90 for 2018. This contemporary, three-row vehicle can seat up to seven adults comfortably. With a background of a strong European heritage alongside the latest in automotive design, this sport utility vehicle has an emphasis of spirited road dynamics, including a high level of the newest technologies. It’s the perfect vehicle for an activelifestyle family as it represents the next step in Volvo’s future product planning transformation. The overall exterior design element tends to have somewhat of an athletic sculptured, yet timeless, modern and aerodynamic look about it. The outside body design looks muscular and robust as it has a solid and somewhat dominating overshadowing footprint to its silhouette. The body fit and finish along with the paint quality is suburb. The doors opening and closing feel rock solid. Like its siblings within the Volvo product mix, S90 and V90, the XC90 carries the proud and confident face of Volvo’s new design language. Key features include the iconic identifiable hallmark designed front grille assembly and the expressive Volvo emblem trademark badge. XC90’s rear lift gate hatch area is framed by the vehicles signature sweeping lines, prominent tail lamps and the large projecting exhaust tail pipe outlets. The XC90 is the first vehicle to be built on their new global un-
derside architecture. The factory has indicated that this advanced modular chassis platform will further help launch other future products from this highly-developed, multi-use cradle. To help maintain a worldclass drive experience, XC90 can seamlessly adjust steering feel, throttle control, transmission response and ride height with the assistance of countless sensors and breakthrough electronics. This of course helps to provide drivers with a relaxed confidence while driving familiarity across a variety of conditions and road surfaces. The interior is designed to deliver a luxurious user experience from the second you enter the passenger cabin. There is undeniable evidence of a well-balanced interior environment. The cutting edge seat designs are quite comfortable with plenty of engineering focused towards safety as well. The $3,200 premium audio upgrade was one of the finest car audio systems I’ve ever experienced in any vehicle. In the Volvo tradition, safety was paramount and certainly was confirmed with this model. Their City Safety Technology is standard as it combines automatic breaking functionality and collision avoidance systems
to cover a range of potential accident scenarios. Powering the ‘18 version I drove was their 2.0-liter super-charged/turbo-charged, directed injected, 316 horsepower engine. It was equipped with their fuel savings stop/ start technology. Engine performance was thus channeled by way of their eight-speed highly developed automatic transmission and mechanically linked to their all-wheel-drive underside chassis. The EPA numbers reflect 20-MPG city/27-MPG highway, as premium fuel is suggested. The base warranty for this Go-
thenburg, Sweden import is for 48/months/50,000 miles. The model I drove had an MSRP pricing of $74,090 after additional factory luxury options and shipping charges. As XC90 tends to overshadow this specialty segment, it’s generally cross-shopped with competitive products such as the Audi Q7, Acura MDX, Infiniti QX80, Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes Benz GLS, Cadillac Escalade and the Lexus LX570.
David Finkelstein is a Master/Skill Automotive Service Technician, and a shop owner. He’s also invented garage service tools for mechanics and has served on both National and local Automotive Trade Industry Boards. He pioneered “Car Talk Radio” starting out with KMOX/CBS Radio and hosted “Auto Talk” on KFTK/FOX News Radio for 15-years. David tests and evaluates new vehicles weekly and does some consulting with various auto manufacturers.
JANUARY 2018 | OUR TOWN | 15
E
OurLifestyle
xcellent entertaining
Elegant ideas for a meal worth celebrating
Delighting guests in unexpected ways is the hallmark of exceptional entertaining. With a little creative flair, you can elevate your menu to impress guests with every course. A savory appetizer is set off beautifully by fresh, sweet grapes in this Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini. Festive, bright and refreshing, grapes are a versatile ingredient that take dishes to the next level, making them ideal for special occasions. Not only are grapes a smart choice to keep on hand for healthy snacking and everyday eating, the vibrant colors and flavors bring extra life to a ba-
sic protein. For a unique twist on a main dish, try dressing up chicken with an elegant addition like fresh grapes, as in these Seared Chicken Breasts with Grapes and Artichokes. The secret to a winning dessert is presentation, and the vibrant colors of red, green or black grapes lend just the right look to these tasty Mini Pavlovas with Lemon Cream and Grapes. What’s more, the juicy sweetness offsets the tartness of the lemon for an explosion of flavor perfection. Plan your next special occasion with the host of recipes at GrapesfromCalifornia.com.
A Fresh Approach to Décor
Not only do fresh grapes’ lively flavors make for exceptional dishes, their vibrant colors can also enhance your table in other ways. Lend natural beauty to your decor while providing your loved ones with a healthy snack option with these creative ideas: • Arrange grapes in bowls, on platters or draped from a cake plate for attractive and edible centerpieces. • Dress snacking grapes up for the occasion by dipping clusters in liquid gelatin. Roll them in sugar, spices and finely chopped nuts to make a “frosted” finger food with a hint of crunch. • Colorful grapes lend a pretty pop when used as a garnish to decorate serving plates.
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Mini Pavlovas with Lemon Cream and Grapes Serves: 6 Ingredients: 4 large egg whites pinch of salt 1 cup sugar 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon vanilla 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream 1/3 cup lemon curd 1 1/2 cups halved grapes chopped smoked or tamari almonds (op-
tional)
Directions: Heat oven to 350 F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. With electric mixer on medium speed, in large bowl, beat egg whites and salt until firm peaks form. On low speed, add sugar 1 tablespoon at a time until meringue forms stiff peaks. Whisk in cornstarch and vanilla.
Divide meringue into six 4-inch circles on baking sheet. With large spoon, make indentations in middle of each. Place baking sheet in oven and lower temperature to 300 F. Bake 30 minutes then turn off oven and leave baking sheet inside another 30 minutes. To serve, whip cream to soft peaks and stir in lemon curd. Dollop onto meringues and top with grapes. Garnish with almonds, if desired. Nutritional information per serving: 350 calories; 4 g protein; 58 g carbohydrates; 12 g fat (31 percent calories from fat); 8 g saturated fat (20 percent calories from saturated fat); 55 mg cholesterol; 90 mg sodium.
OurLifestyle Seared Chicken Breasts with Grapes and Artichokes Serves: 4
Ingredients:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (8 ounces each), butterflied lengthwise into 4 cutlets salt, to taste pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 leek, white part only, halved and thinly sliced 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano 1 1/2 cups quartered artichoke hearts, frozen, canned or jarred 1/2 cup dry white wine 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest 2 teaspoons butter
3/4 cup green grapes 3/4 cup red grapes 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley Directions: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, to taste. In saute pan over me-
dium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add chicken breasts and sear 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
each breast with sauce. Add grapes and simmer 3-5 minutes, or until grapes are just soft and chicken is cooked through. Stir in fresh parsley and serve.
Add remaining olive oil to pan, along with garlic, leek and pinch of salt; cook on medium heat 2-3 minutes to soften leek. Stir in oregano, artichokes, wine, chicken stock, lemon juice, lemon zest and butter. Simmer 2-3 minutes then add chicken back to pan, basting
Nutritional information per serving: 320 calories; 26 g protein; 23 g carbohydrates; 12 g fat (34 percent calories from fat); 3 g saturated fat (8 percent calories from saturated fat); 70 mg cholesterol; 390 mg sodium; 5 g fiber.
Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini Serves: 8 Ingredients: 2 cups quartered green, black or red grapes (or a mixture) 2 teaspoons lemon juice 2 teaspoons honey 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 16 baguette slices, thinly cut on diagonal 8 ounces fresh goat cheese
Directions: In medium bowl, combine grapes, lemon juice, honey, thyme, salt, pepper and olive oil. Spread each baguette with goat cheese and top with grape mixture. Nutritional information per serving: 200 calories; 9 g protein; 23 g carbohydrates; 8 g fat (36 percent calories from fat); 4.5 g saturated fat (20 percent calories from saturated fat); 15 mg cholesterol; 340 mg sodium; 1 g fiber.
JANUARY 2018 | OUR TOWN | 17
InDepth
BY BRETT AUTEN
Trails continue expansion Great Rivers Greenway pedestrian bridges near completion as part of a trail to connect St. Peters and St. Charles with St. Louis County BY BRETT AUTEN
A
project geared to provide more direct and safer access for cyclists and pedestrians is chugging right along. Work began in mid-March on a mile long pedestrian and bicycle trail that will include separate bridges across Highways 364 and 94, also known as the Page Avenue extension. The project is part of the regional Great Rivers Greenway district and once completed will allow for access for walkers and bicyclists northwest of the two busy highways to an existing trail segment on the other side. According to Seth Treptow, Communications Manager of Great Rivers Greenway, the bridges will be functioning soon. “We’re still doing some landscaping,” Treptow said. “We expect it to open by the end of the year.” The new trail extension will end at Old Highway 94. From there, people will be able to use city streets to bike to Schaefer and Wapelhorst parks in St. Charles and Laurel Park in St. Peters. Plans are afoot for a new trail along part of the route to the St. Peters park. The mission for Great Rivers Greenway is to connect the St. Louis region with greenways so people can explore their rivers, parks, and communities, to make it a vibrant place to live, work, and play. Other greenway segments slated for design and engineering in the 18 | OUR TOWN | JANUARY 2018
next two years include a connection between Olive Boulevard and Creve Coeur Park and Olive Boulevard and the Jewish Community Center in Creve Coeur. “We’re just excited to provide a safe connection that will allow more lives to be enjoyed outside,” Treptow said. “There are so many benefits, including that this is access you couldn’t have before.” The Centennial extension segment is costing about $5 million. In addition to the bridges, the trail extension includes a path between the two spans, a rest area, and landscaping native to the vicinity. The price tag also covers constructing retaining walls, grading and building up abutments. Centennial Greenway: Katy Trail to Heritage Museum is a 2.3-mile paved trail that provides a link between the Katy Trail and St. Charles Heritage Museum Park to the west. It also connects to St. Louis County’s 4.5-mile paved Creve Coeur Connector trail extending from Creve Coeur Park that features a separated lane on the Page Avenue Extension Bridge for people walking or riding bikes to cross over the Missouri River between St. Louis County and St. Charles County. You can walk, run or ride all the way from Heritage Park to Creve Coeur Park or take the Katy Trail to explore
PHOTOS BY RAY ROCKWELL
InDepth
“We’re just excited to provide a safe connection that will allow more lives to be enjoyed outside. There are so many benefits, including that this is access you couldn’t have before.” ~ Seth Treptow Communications Manager, Great Rivers Greenway
historic Main Street in St. Charles and Frontier Park. The master plan for the Centennial Greenway is a 17-mile corridor that stretches between Forest Park in the city of St. Louis and St. Charles County. The greenway will connect the communities of University City, Olivette, Ladue, Clayton, Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights and St. Peters in St. Charles County. A portion of this greenway follows the same route of the 1904 Olympic marathon held in St. Louis as part of the World’s Fair. “There are still lots of pieces that still need to fall into place,” Treptow said. “It comes down to finding the right corridors to work with and that they meet requirements and that the access is right.” The mile-long pedestrian and bicycle trail that will include separate bridges across Highways 364 and 94, also known as the Page Avenue extension, is part of the regional Great Rivers Greenway district. Landscaping work is ongoing and the trail should be completed by the end of the year. JANUARY 2018 | OUR TOWN | 19