LET YOUR BUSINESS MEET OUR READERS
READER SURVEY RESULTS
of our readers purchased from our advertisers in the past 90 days.
For advertising
636-379-1775 info@mycnews.com
2 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2020
www.MYCNEWS.com www.mycnews.com
Follow us on
Our Town Volume 11 | Number 10 OCTOBER 2020 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 Gateway Arch National Park reopens Tram Ride to the Top and more.
Feature PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Mathew DeKinder PUBLISHER EMERITUS/ GENERAL MANAGER Bob Huneke PRODUCTION Becky Brockmann Melissa Nordmann CONTRIBUTORS Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Cindy Moore STAFF WRITERS Brett Auten Charlotte Beard
For advertising information, please contact us at:
Pumpkin picking in a pandemic Thies Farm in Maryland Heights works to comply with COVID-19 requirements during the busy fall season By Charlotte Beard
Our Thoughts Moore on Life author Cindy Moore thinks we’re in a bad Stephen King novel while Avalanche witnesses firefighting in the mountains.
Lifestyle 2021 Lexus LC500 luxury Sports Coupe is both captivating and stunning in Automobile Alley. Remembering ‘Brian’s Song’ and other classic TV sports films in Entertainment. Take the fear out of trying unfamiliar produce in For the Love of Food.
4
10 12 14
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 2019 Huneke Publications, Inc. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
In Depth The Objective Reporter, a student-led nonprofit organization based in St. Louis, seeks to educate and inform voters across Missouri about politicians at all levels of government.
Events Calendar
Staff Writer – Charlotte Beard Cover Photo – Submitted
18 20
AroundTown
A good read 42nd Annual St. Louis Jewish Book Festival announces keynote speaker
www.treesbywoody.net
4 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2020
Barry Sonnenfeld will be the Keynote Speaker for Opening Night of the St. Louis Jewish Book Festival on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. A film and television director, Sonnenfeld will speak about his new book “Call Your Mother: Memoirs of a Neurotic Filmmaker,” a laugh-out-loud memoir which traces his idiosyncratic upbringing in New York City, his breaking into film as a cinematographer with the Coen brothers, and his unexpected career as the director behind such huge film franchises as “The Addams Family” and “Men in Black,” as well as “Get Shorty.” Sonnenfeld will be interviewed by comedian writer Alan Zweibel, an original Saturday Night Live writer who has won multiple Emmys and award for his work in television which includes Curb Your Enthusiasm, and The Late Show with David Letterman. During the 2020 Festival more than 15 additional authors will present their latest titles, including two New York Times best-selling authors: novelist Sara Paretsky with her book “Dead Land” on Nov. 7, and Bruce Feiler with “Life is in the Transitions” on Nov. 8. News personality Joan Lunden and her book “Why Did I Come Into This Room: A Candid Conversation about Aging,” will be featured as a pre-festival event on Oct.25 with an interview by KSDK News Anchor Kay Quinn. Now in its 42nd year, the Jewish Book Festival, is nationally recognized for both its excellence and its size – it is one of the largest in the country, with more than 10,000 audience members annually. People from all backgrounds and faiths come to festival events to hear premier authors on topics such as history, music, politics, cooking, family, religion, sports and more. This year the festival will be presented all online in a virtual home edition format featuring special guest interviewers and Q&A discussion with attendees. Festival-goers can take advantage of the Fall Virtual Pass, which allows access to Opening Night and all Jewish Book Festival virtual events in 2020 for $95 per household. Passes are on sale and can be ordered by visiting stljewishbookfestival.org. Tickets to Opening Night with Barry Sonnenfeld are available for $30. Books can be purchased online at www.mainstreetbooks.net. The festival, which runs Nov. 1-8, is a program of the Jewish Community Center.
AroundTown
The best of Creve Coeur Creve Coeur Economic Development Committee announces 2020 business awards winners The City of Creve Coeur Economic Development Committee recognized the winners of the fifth annual Creve Coeur Business Awards during a ceremony on Sept. 17, at the Creve Coeur–Olivette Chamber Membership Luncheon. The winner for each category was announced, including: Heart of the Community Award 2020 – Robin’s Angels The Heart of the Community Award honors a Creve Coeur business or organization that has demonstrated a commitment to the community by making a positive impact in Creve Coeur. Margaret Collins first noticed a need for more caregivers in the community after a family member became sick with cancer. Her solution was to start her own business called Robin’s Angels in 2016 that provides at-home healthcare to the elderly and disabled. She now employs 26 caregivers and two nurses, who work to serve the Greater St. Louis area, including St. Charles, Lincoln, Pike and Warren County. Collins had always pictured herself as a CFO, not CEO—but now, as a business owner, she enjoys having the freedom to spend more time with the caregivers and families she serves. Robin’s Angels also goes above and beyond to give back by hosting annual appreciation events for her staff, clients, families and friends. Most Innovative Business Award 2020 – Food Raconteur The Most Innovative Business Award honors a Creve Coeur business or organization that has demonstrated innovation, unique achievements or significant advancements in their field. This year’s winner started his business in 2016 after he quit his high-level marketing job to “follow his heart” and become a private chef. Whether it’s a meal for two or two hundred, Chef Ashok Nageswaran of Food Raconteur uses flavors from around the world to create custom catered meals that tell a story, ensuring that each guest knows the uniqueness and effort behind each dish. To date, Chef Nageswaran has prepared meals featuring cuisine from
over 73 countries. But it’s about more than just the delicious food—he uses food to bring people together, creating conversations over a shared experience. Although the pandemic has limited the number of big catering events this year, it has also brought new opportunities for Food Raconteur, which has recently began hosting virtual cooking lessons that are gaining global popularity. Green Business Award 2020 – Markwort Sporting Goods Company The Green Business Award recognizes a Creve Coeur business that has made sustainability an integral part of its business practices. Markwort Sporting Goods Company has a strong history of environmental initiatives. One of their biggest achievements to date has been a packaging redesign for one of their best-selling products, a softball safety mask. They took on the difficult task of redesigning the packaging to remove all use of plastic, creating a new packaging design that instead uses a single piece of recyclable cardboard. Reducing waste is important to this business, which is why they continue to explore new ways to package their products in an environmentally friendly way. Their warehouse also uses smart thermostats and LED lighting in order to reduce their overall energy use. Markwort Sporting Goods Company was also one of a handful of businesses to receive Green Business Certification from the City of Creve Coeur earlier this year. Favorite Restaurant Award 2020 – Anis Hyderabad House Nominated by its customers and selected by popular vote, the Favorite Restaurant Award honors a Creve Coeur restaurant with outstanding food and service. This year’s winner specializes in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes with South Indian, North Indian, Tandoori, IndoChinese, and Mughlai traditional homestyle cooking. Anis Hyderabad House is known for its efficient and friendly service, providing a “home away from home” for its guests. Their welcoming environment combined with their delicious and au
thentic cuisine keeps customers coming back for their most popular dishes, such as chicken tikka masala, reshmi kabab and chilli paneer. Since opening in Creve Coeur in 2013, Anis Hyderabad House has been applauded and recognized by the community, receiving a five star rating at the St. Louis Festival of Nations and receiving “Best Bite” recognition at the Taste of St. Louis Festival. “Now more than ever, it is vital that we support local businesses as they navigate the new challenges brought on by the pandemic,” said Creve Coeur City Council President Heather Silverman. The annual Creve Coeur Business Awards program recognizes local businesses for their outstanding innovation and contributions to the Creve Coeur community. More information about the Creve Coeur Business Awards is available at www.crevecoeurmo.gov/BusinessAwards.
Housekeeping, meal prep, transportation, linen changes, laundry, kitchen cleaning, doctors and more...
Disabled & Seniors Transfer & Call Now
(314)222-0052 ext. 8
HOURS: MON - THURS: 9 A.M. - 4 P.M. FRIDAYS TIL 2:30
OCTOBER 2020 | OUR TOWN | 5
AroundTown
Helping the most vulnerable Emerson Charitable Trust donates $75,000 to support pandemic recovery efforts for unsheltered youth
WWW.FOREVERCLEANGUTTER.COM
6 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2020
Emerson Charitable Trust has made a donation to Covenant House Missouri. The $75,000 gift will provide critical support to help the community recover physically, emotionally and economically from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Covenant House Missouri supports youth ages 16 to 24 by providing transformative solutions that help youth live successful, sustainable and independent lives. While overcoming challenges and obstacles is not new, the COVID-19 pandemic has placed additional barriers that Covenant House youth must overcome. Within the past four months Covenant House has seen the call for services increase over 30 percent with a majority of new residents seeking services for the first time. Additionally, there has been a dramatic increase in youth unemployment since March. “Through Emerson’s charitable trust, our company strives to help address the needs of underserved and at-risk populations in the communities where we operate,” said Dave Rabe, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at Emerson. “Amid the current challenges and economic hardships, Covenant House Missouri helps meet young adults’ basic needs and then supports them as they work toward achieving independence. We’re proud to support local non-profit organizations like Covenant House Missouri that share our dedication to the long-term betterment of our communities.” The investment from Emerson Charitable Trust will support efforts to stabilize the toll this pandemic has had on the youth that Covenant House serves. In a time of unprecedented unemployment and economic hardships, Covenant House is working to support young adults by not only having their basic needs met, but to continue working towards achieving independence. CEO at Covenant House Missouri, Jessica Erfling, shares that, “When an organization invests in the same community where it operates and where its employees live and work, the impact is remarkable. By supporting our youth on their path to independence, they are supporting a future local economy of informed and engaged consumers.”
AroundTown
Opening the Arch Gateway Arch National Park reopens Tram Ride to the Top Beginning Sept. 1, Gateway Arch National Park began entering Phase II of reopening. The highlight being limited access to “The Tram Ride to the Top” of the Gateway Arch open to the public with reservations. “We are excited to reopen more of the key experiences of Gateway Arch National Park in a safe, responsible and efficient manner,” said Gateway Arch National Park Superintendent Mike Ward. “The Tram Ride to the Top is a unique experience most of our visitors are looking for, but while we are still responding to the coronavirus pandemic, it has required many changes to ensure visitor and employee safety. We will start with very limited availability to assess operations and make any additional modifications so that we can continue increasing the number of people who can go to the top of the Arch each day as we enter into Phase II of reopening the park.” In addition to previously-announced health and safety protocols that have been implemented throughout the Arch facility (which are outlined online at nps.gov/jeff), Gateway Arch National Park has made the following modifications to the Tram Ride to the Top. These modifications are subject to updates in later phases. Bi-State Development, which operates the tram, requires face coverings for all tram riders ages nine and up. • Disposable face coverings can be purchased for $1 at The Arch Store. • Guests with preexisting health conditions who are unable to wear a mask/face covering for medical reasons are exempt. • Tram cars and observation deck windows will be assigned by family/ group. • Solo visitors will be assigned their own tram car and windows. • Time limit in Arch observation deck (no more than 10 minutes). • In order to maintain directional flow and ensure one way in and one way out of the observation deck, one tram will transport visitors to the top, while the other tram will transport visitors to the ground level. Tickets are subject to availability, based on reduced facility capacity. It is strongly recommended to reserve your tickets in
advance. Reservations should be made at gatewayarch.com or by calling 877-9821410 before arriving to ensure you can enter the facility. Capacity is temporarily limited to help maintain social distancing and safety protocols. To enter the Arch Visitor Center, the NPS is temporarily requiring a free timedentry ticket. Tickets for the Tram Ride to the Top are required and must be purchased online or by phone. For individuals needing assistance with making reservations, contact the call center at 877-982-1410. Staff will be available to answer questions in the west entrance plaza in front of the Arch Visitor Center during facility hours of operation. Visitors to the Arch must enter the monument at the new glass west entrance, which faces the Old Courthouse. The Arch legs are exits only, providing great opportunities for photo ops with the Arch structure and direct access to the park grounds. Entrance to the Gateway Arch Visitor Center and Museum is free but will temporarily require a reservation and timed-entry ticket. Gateway Arch National Park does not have designated on-site visitor parking. A list of parking locations near the park can be found at getaroundstl.com. Metered street parking is also available around the park. The Old Courthouse remains closed at this time. Outdoor spaces at Gateway Arch National Park remain accessible to the public in accordance with the latest federal, state and local health guidelines. The health and safety of visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. Gateway Arch National Park’s operational approach continues to be centered on examining each facility function and service to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and are regularly monitored. The park continues to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public areas and workspaces are safe and clean. The NPS encourages visitors to plan their visit by checking the park’s website and social media for current conditions and travel
tips. Gateway Arch National Park asks the public to partner in recreating responsibly by following CDC and state and local guidance, social distancing and wearing a face covering when social distance cannot be maintained. Updates on park operations will be posted on the website at nps.gov/jeff and social media channels (@GatewayArchNPS).
OCTOBER 2020 | OUR TOWN | 7
ACCEPTING NEW RESIDENTS ASSISTED LIVING. MEMORY CARE. SKILLED NURSING. INDEPENDENT LIVING VILLAS.
1101 Garden Plaza Drive Florissant, MO 63033 (314) 501-5653 | GP-Life.com
COLLIER’S F H
A full service funeral home offering: • Traditional & Nontraditional Services • Cremation Services • Memorial Services • Anatomical Donations G • Prearranged Funeral Plans N L B S. A, M colliers@colliersfuneralhome.com www.colliersfuneralhome.com
AroundTown
A helping hand St. Louis Cardinals pitcher donates masks to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher Jack Flaherty, Dennis Chang and SDL Synergy donated 1,000 masks to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis youth and employees to use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Flaherty mentioned that growing up with a single working mother who gave him access to after-school care helped him understand the importance of the programs that Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis offers and wanted to give back. Flaherty says of the donation, which is the beginning of what he hopes will be a long term partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs, “We wanted to donate the masks to a place where we knew they would go to good use. The Boys & Girls Club seeks to enable children
to reach their fullest potential across the country and also stresses inclusion of all children which is something we need at this time in our country. We just feel lucky to be able to be involved with such a great organization and I’m honored to help in any way possible. I look forward to spending time with everyone at the Boys & Girls Club in the future.” BGCSTL President, Dr. Flint Fowler says of the donation, “We are so thankful to Jack who thought of and remembered our youth, especially during these challenging times. This partnership also reflects the great relationship we have with the St. Louis Cardinals that started our founding.”
Champions of tranist The region’s transit advocacy organization, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) recently celebrated the incredible efforts of organizations and individuals for their exemplary commitment to championing transit in the St. Louis area. During its 36th Annual Meeting, held virtually on Sept. 17, CMT presented the 2020 Service Award to Don C. Musick, III; the 2020 Chairman’s Award to the Maplewood MetroBus Transformation Project; and the 2020 New Initiatives Award to both The Metro Landing Project and Mission: St. Louis. Don C Musick, III, of Musick Construction and the DCM Group, was recognized with the 2020 Service Award for his time and selfless commitment to CMT. He has been a member of CMT’s Board of Directors for two decades, serving as the chair of the organization for five years. His vision and leadership have played a key role in CMT’s ongoing efforts to help maintain a safe, integrated and affordable public transportation system for the St. Louis region. While retiring from the board, Musick plans to continue providing strategic counsel. In partnership with AARP in St. Louis, CMT honored the city of Maplewood and Citizens National Bank with the 2020 Chairman’s Award for their commitment to the Maplewood MetroBus Transformation Project. This effort succeeded at transforming the MetroBus Stop – located at the southwest corner of Manchester Rd. and Marshall Ave. – into a newly renovated space that encourages active play, cultivates community and increases transit use. The ADAaccessible stop now boasts vibrant colors, green spaces, artwork, a hopscotch game, a glider and bench, new shelters, better lighting and more to improve visibility, safety and security. This year, CMT presented the 2020 New Initiatives Award to both The Metro Landing and Mission: St. Louis. Bywater Development Group, the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority, The Village of Swansea and the Illinois Housing Development Authority were recognized for collaboratively bringing to life the new senior 8 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2020
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Citizens for Modern Transit recognizes ‘Champions of Transit’
Mission: St. Louis was one of the winners of the 2020 New Initiatives Award from Citizens for Modern Transit.
housing development in Swansea, Illinois, known as The Metro Landing. It serves as the Metro East’s first transportation-oriented development. Mission: St. Louis works to empower people to transform their lives, families and neighborhoods. Its EACH1 community health and workforce development program helps people access the resources they need to achieve sustainable employment, live healthy lifestyles and create real change in their lives. Mission: St. Louis started including CMT’s Try & Ride Program, which provides complimentary passes and assistance navigating the transit system, as part of its EACH1 program offerings beginning June 1. This partnership removes the transportation barrier to job access and workforce development.
AroundTown
A new lease on life At an event with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the completion of site cleanup at the Carter Carburetor Superfund Site in St. Louis. EPA and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis entered into a Prospective Purchaser Agreement to transfer ownership of the former Carter Carburetor site property. Upon transfer of ownership, the club will partner with Gateway PGA Reach to develop a youth golf training facility at the site. “I couldn’t be prouder to sign this Prospective Purchaser Agreement because it opens up a tremendous future for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Few imagined a polluted, former carburetor plant could be transformed into a golf training center for the youth of St. Louis. But with vision and teamwork it happened.” “Cleaning up the Carter Carburetor site was no small task given the multiple contaminants, including PCBs, TCE, asbestos, and others,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Gulliford. “The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, the community leaders and partners worked tirelessly with EPA to see this through; and, now that the site has been cleaned up the community can move forward in redeveloping the property into a tremendous community asset.” “I am grateful to the U.S. EPA, U.S. Department of Justice, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the city of St. Louis, Thompson Coburn LLP and the American Car and Foundry Company for coming together to promote the growth and development of children in the St. Louis region. BGCSTL relies on the generosity and support from a variety of public and private benefactors to help young people realize their potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Today we are witnessing the power of partnership,” said Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis President Dr. Flint Fowler. The Carter Carburetor site is a large former manufacturing facility, where operations over decades resulted in contamination from polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and trichloroethylene (TCE). The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis is located next door to the site and prior to EPA’s cleanup, the Carter Carburetor site was the subject of significant community concern regarding the site’s condition and the potential exposures to area children and residents. In 2013, EPA entered into a $35 million settlement agreement with ACF Industries, Inc. to pave the way for the site’s cleanup, building demolition and ultimately productive reuse. Cleanup of the site began that year with the removal of asbestos and hazardous debris from buildings on the property. Demolition and removal of the buildings began in 2015. Additional waste removal work, on-site waste treatment, and other cleanup work continued into 2017. The completed cleanup will allow the property in one of St. Louis’s oldest neighborhoods, a designated Environmental Justice area, to be redeveloped and returned to productive use for the community. EPA and ACF Industries, Inc. completed site work in May 2020. As a part of site cleanup, ACF conducted removal actions to ad-
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis celebrates Carter Carburetor Superfund Site cleanup completion
At an event with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the completion of site cleanup at the Carter Carburetor Superfund Site in St. Louis.
dress dilapidated buildings onsite that were heavily contaminated with PCBs and asbestos. The site will be acquired and redeveloped by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, which has long stood in the shadow of this site. In partnership with the Gateway PGA Reach organization, they will build a golf training facility for inner city youth on most of the site property. The St. Louis Land Reutilization Authority owns part of the site (including an area where PCBs are buried and capped, which it acquired through tax default), which it hopes to develop into a pollinator park, urban prairie feature or community garden to support the surrounding reuse. The site was placed on the Administrator’s Emphasis List in the fall of 2019. Established in December 2017 in response to recommendations from EPA’s Superfund Task Force, the list is comprised of sites identified by Administrator Wheeler and EPA regional offices that will benefit from the Administrator’s immediate attention or action to move site cleanups forward. It serves as a mechanism to address site-specific issues that may cause delays in a site’s cleanup progress. The milestones for the Carter Carburetor Site have been achieved and the site qualifies for removal from the list. EPA remains dedicated to addressing risks at all Superfund sites, not just those on the Administrator’s Emphasis List. The Superfund Task Force Recommendations are aimed at expediting cleanup at all Superfund sites. EPA continues to accelerate progress at Superfund sites across the country.
OCTOBER 2020 | OUR TOWN | 9
PUMPKIN
PICKING in apandemic
Thies Farm in Maryland Heights works to comply with COVID-19 requirements during the busy fall season BY CHARLOTTE BEARD Thies Farm in Maryland Heights is officially kicking off its fall season with Pumpkinland on Oct. 1 through Oct. 31. Pumpkin pickers are required to make reservations for a two-hour time slot prior to visiting Pumpkinland. “We’re giving preferential treatment to reservations,” stated Darrell Thies, Owner. “If we only have 150 (reservations) and we (have) room for 50, we will let in 50 people without a reservation. But it is like flying second class; you do not know if you are going to get in or not if you do not have a reservation. We are not automatically turning people away.” To help comply with COVID-19 requirements, Thies states that they are accepting reservations for a max of 200 people for their two-hour time slots lasting 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, which is 50 percent of the farm’s maximum volume for visitors. For each of the four time slots, guests will be given a colored wristband representing their time slot. “We don’t have all the schools like we normally have because there are no field trips,” stated Thies. “So, there are a lot of openings during the week, especially in the mornings. That is when all the schools came all the time.” Thies Farm is also following safety measures by requiring all guests ages five and older wear a mask. No one will be admitted without one. “We have masks available at the check-in that (people) 10 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2020
can purchase for $1,” stated Thies. “If they forget their mask, they can get one from us really quick.” According to Thies, the farm would normally have parties, food, and cooking activities on the weekend. Due to COVID-19 they have eliminated activities that would encourage prolonged crowd gatherings. Though Thies Farm does have drinks and snacks in the market, this year there is no popcorn or tamale vendor. “We’re trying to be good citizens. (Financially) we know we are not going to do what we normally do. But October usually is our busiest month of the year. We just wanted to do something; we are just trying to be safe and go about it the right way.” Pumpkinland has a giant play area for all ages, which includes a straw castle, gliders, swings, a slide, tunnels, pirate ship and corn maze. “Pumpkinland is actually bigger than the corn maze,” stated Thies. “We’re trying to spread people out a little bit more. We did eliminate a few things where there was congestion. We are not offering a wagon ride this year around the farm because you can’t social-distance on the wagon ride and give everybody a ride. We made the corn maze bigger. There are a few (added) things in Pumpkinland. There are sanitizing stations – at least six to sanitize your hands before you use an activity and afterwards. But we do not sanitize everything because we are all straw – you cannot do that. So, we are trying to get people social-distanced, (help) keep their hands clean, and wearing a mask.” For those who may be particularly looking for Halloween festivities on Oct. 31, Thies stated that the farm just has a special interest in the fall season. “We’re about having fun in the month of October. We left (Halloween) for other people to take care of activities. We’re here that day, but when it’s time for trick-or-treating we close.” To book reservations for Pumpkinland call 314469-7559. For admission pricing and other information visit the Thies Farm website: https://thiesfarmandmarket.com/.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
OCTOBER 2020 | OUR TOWN | 11
OurThoughts MOORE ON LIFE BY CINDY MOORE
King of terror 2020 is turning out to be a bad script from a Stephen King novel…a reeeee-ally bad script! So bad that if Pennywise, his demonic clown, had read it he would laugh hysterically and not just because he’s a demonic clown, but because it would be so ridiculously funny. Clown: “Come on man, you really expect people to believe this? Murder hornets AND a toilet paper apocalypse. You’re losing it Stevie!” Let’s uncrumple the discarded draft and take a peek, shall we? Once upon a time… (Really Stephen? That’s so overused.) … Earth was sucked into a wormhole which created so much friction that it caused an enormous fire Down Under. The only things to escape were flying swarms of locust. Soon they arrived in America. Evil Mr. Peanut from his lofty lair saw the citizens of the country in chaos. They were running hither thither (not a scary word Stephen) and terrified of the giant grasshoppers landing in their hair. Peanut noticed how this scared the citizens so much that they had to visit the restroom repeatedly. “Aha, now’s my chance to profit from the pandemonium!” (cue maniacal laughter). The villain then sent his minions off to snatch up all the toilet paper. This caused immense shortages, much panic and hygiene issues on a colossal scale. With no tissue on hand, the planet tailspinned into dystopia. (typical Stephen). The evil peanut overlord then impeached the President and continued his merciless reign of terror. He plucked his enemies off from the street and seated them in large vacant movie theaters forcing them to watch nonstop reels of Tiger King (no relation to Stephen). No one could survive this inhumane torture so people started 12 | OUR TOWN | SEPTEMBER 2020
wearing face masks to hide their identity. When Peanut cancelled the Olympics and took away all sports, the people bravely stood for it. But when bacon threatened to disappear, that was the tipping point. The citizens rose up and rioted in the streets which in turn caused worldwide earthquakes and the stock market to plunge. Prince Harry and Meghan Markel heard of the unrest and immediately abdicated the throne and flew in onboard a massive murder hornet bringing reserves of meat which they purchased with Euro banknotes because there was a coin shortage. They promptly sprayed Mr. Peanut with their hand sanitizer squirt guns. He died. They shelled him and made a creamy butter out of him, which they spread on their cucumber sandwiches and swallowed down with tea. “Wasn’t it lovely of us to save the planet,” Megs said. “Achoo,” replied Harry, not sneezing into his elbow properly and releasing a world-wide pandemic which destroyed the universe. The end. Unbelievable Stephen!
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
Helicopter
DROP
“Are you aware of the fire on the mountain?” my neighbor asked when I answered a late evening phone call. A sense of dread accompanied my negative reply. We had just received a little under an inch of rain in the last two days, seemingly breaking the record heat and drought’s stranglehold on our region. How could there be a fire on the mountain? The mountain in question is just a couple miles away from our neighborhood. We had been out walking the dogs at dusk, and we saw a few lightning bolts in the area. Staci saw one that one had seemingly touched down close by just below treeline. Apparently, when it touched down a few trees caught fire and continued to burn. My neighbor told me that the sheriff and Forest Service were aware of the fire. Further information was unavailable. The small fire was visible from our back patio; the flickering glow was about a thousand feet below treeline, in a steep, rocky portion of the mountain. Prevailing winds would push the flames away from us, should the small fire become a larger problem. The view through binoculars showed the flames dancing in a stand of trees, sometimes settling down, sometimes reaching over the treetops. We went to bed late and dozed fitfully, waking frequently to look up at the mountain and confirm that the fire had not exploded into a major event. We felt slightly reassured that our trucks and a trailer were still packed with clothes, food, tools and other possessions that would be nice to keep. I had recently commented that it would probably be safe to
put some things back in the houses after the recent rains. Staci had disagreed, and pointed out that major fires were still raging in the area; the fires weren’t done with us yet this season. The flames dancing less
than two miles away settled the argument quite effectively. More stuff got put into bags, ready to grab at a moment’s notice. The Canyon fire was still raging twenty miles away, and had nearly 800 firefighters and all manner of equipment dedicated to fighting that blaze. Fortunately for us, such large incidents have quick-reaction teams as part of the incident, since conditions are always ripe for other fires to break out in nearby areas. We were up early the next morning, and saw that the fire was still smoldering, though
the flames seemed to have died down. As the day warmed, the winds picked up and the flames became larger. Smoke was increasing as well. By mid-morning, a small helicopter began flying in the area in a grid-shaped pattern over the fire. A small plane also circled the area from a higher elevation. Both aircraft departed the area, and a short time later a larger helicopter circled the area and left, though we could still hear the rotors thumping over the river not far away. It returned, with a large water-filled red bucket suspended by a long cable beneath the aircraft. The pilot flew in a figure-eight pattern over the fire, then slowly pulled up directly over the flames and released the bucket full of water, causing a large cloud of smoke and steam to rise above the fire. The pilot repeated this ritual another halfdozen times that morning, until no more smoke or flames were visible. Our neighborhood breathed a collective sigh of relief and we went about our business, grateful for the Type 1 incident team’s prompt and effective response. By nightfall, a small glow could be seen with binoculars where the fire continued to smolder. The next morning, as I was getting ready to call dispatch to report my observations of the still-burning fire, the small helicopter from the previous day returned and conducted the grid-shaped flight pattern, followed by the larger helicopter conducting another seven water drops. That second effort finally put an end to the now two-day fire, which burned in a mostlydamp landscape. ********* During the last 48 hours, the temperature dropped from a high of 90 degrees to a low of 33 degrees. Dirty, smoke-tainted rain fell for a few hours, followed by a dump of several inches of heavy, wet snow that broke branches on leaf-covered trees. The local fires are now much smaller and in their final days. We’re unpacking the trucks and sleeping a lot better now, relieved that this year’s fire season seems to have subsided.
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.
SEPTEMBER 2020
| OUR TOWN | 13
OurLifestyle
2021 Lexus LC500 luxury Sports Coupe is both captivating and stunning
With an enticing footprint, alluring and contemporary body lines and an inviting and interesting interior, the 2021 Lexus LC500 luxury Sports Coupe is one of the most captivating and stunning new vehicles I’ve experienced in recent memory. It’s designed with a harmonious, unique blend of emotional and well-thought-out engineering. It offers up commanding and rapid acceleration with the 471-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8 engine featuring 0-60 MPH in just slightly over four seconds. In part, the 25-MPG highway figures are achieved with an advanced 10-speed automatic transmission. It is set up on a rear-wheel-drive refined chassis. The LC coupe receives a number of key upgrades for 2021, further cementing the bond between the driver and the machine itself. Exterior styling of the LC500 is futuristic looking. It’s a serious head turner from pedestrians and other motorists alike. I suspect that the aviation industry was an inspiration to the designers. This Lexus represents the most passionate expression of the Lexus brand itself. This eye-catching coupe displays a unique mesh grille that spreads across the front of the car. It has a large glass panel and blacked-out rear pillars that create a floating roof appearance. Chrome plated moldings along the edges helps set this coupe’s silhouette, making it appear to be in motion. An optional carbon fiber reinforced roof is offered for an even more exotic look. One of the most stunning aspects of the LC 500 is its unique light signature at night. The tail lamps were inspired by the glow of 14 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2020
a jets “three dimensional” red afterburners. While the ultra-compact, triple projector LED headlamps are not only striking, they are half the size of conventional headlamps on other vehicles in its class. The LC emphasizes a balance between function and comfort, sporting intent and luxury. Also featured is an impressive 10.3 inch high resolution split-screen multimedia display that provides immediate, simultaneous access to audio or climate controls and various systems. The low instrument panel position, hood line and narrow body side pillars give the driver a commanding view of the road. To build a sense of continuity, the flowing lines of the door panels serve as an extension of the exterior that flows from the hood and through the windshield. This four-passenger sports car comes with exclusively engineered front seats that certainly feel as good as they look. Components in the shoulder area help secure the driver firmly while in cornering maneuvers. Back seat leg room is a bit short as is the trunk cargo capacity. However, the quality finish of the upholstery, trim materials and detailing reflect world-class craftsmanship and attention to detail. It can certainly be seen as well as felt in the hand stitching on numerous components. The Lexus Safety System+ comes standard on every model. It features Lane Departure Alert with Lane Keep Assist, PreCollision System with Pedestrian Detection as standard and includes features such as Frontal Collision Warning, and Automatic Emergency Braking. All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control is also included, as
is Intelligent High Beam that will default to high-beam mode when the road ahead is clear but will temporarily switch to low beams when headlamps or taillamps are detected. Breaking and steering is positive as well as its remarkable/balanced road dynamics. Lexus also offers this exciting automobile in a hybrid version as well as in a convertible. The base pricing starts at $92,950. This vehicle is in the class of the Chevy Corvette, BMW 8-Series and the Porsche 911. Lexus’ unlimited passion for valiant automotive design, confident imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables this luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing benchmark breakthroughs. It was back in 1989 when Toyota’s Lexus premium division began its amazing journey with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury car shoppers in more than 90 countries. BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN
David Finkelstein is a Master/ Skill Automotive Service Technician and a shop owner. He’s also invented garage service tools for mechanics and has served on both National and local Automotive Trade Industry Boards. He pioneered “Car Talk Radio” starting out with KMOX/CBS Radio and hosted “Auto Talk” on KFTK/FOX News Radio for 15-years. David tests and evaluates new vehicles weekly and does some consulting with various auto manufacturers.
OurLifestyle
‘BRIAN’S SONG’
and other classic TV sports films On Sept. 23, Gayle Sayers, the former Chicago Bears running back and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, passed away at age 77. Sayers was an accomplished football player and was portrayed by Billy Dee Williams in the 1971 ABC TV Movie of the Week “Brian’s Song.” The film focused on the relationship between Sayers and Brian Piccolo (James Caan) that began while they were both rookie members of the Bears in the 1960’s. Sports movies have been around for over a century, with one of the earliest examples being Charlie Chaplin’s 1915 comedy “The Champion.” With characters based on real people, “Brian’s Song” showed the other side of this genre. Gayle Sayers and Brian Piccolo became roommates, teammates and friends on-and-off the field as they supported each other in good times and bad. Some critics even call it one of the best of the made-for-TV movies. In 1975, actress Susan Clark played Mildred Ella “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias in the telemovie “Babe.” An outstanding athlete, Zaharias was skilled at many sports including basketball and baseball. During the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, for instance, she won two gold medals and one silver medal for track and field. Zaharias was best known for golf, however, and, in 1950, she completed a “Grand Slam” by winning the U.S. Open, the Titleholder’s Championship and the Women’s Western Open. “Babe” focused on her career and numerous athletic accomplishments. Then known as Bruce Jenner, Caitlyn Marie Jenner starred in the 1981 TV movie “Grambling’s White Tiger.” Jenner played Jim Gregory, the first white quarterback at Grambling College (now Grambling State University). Set during the 1960’s, the story focused on racial tensions and acceptance during a turbulent time
in American history. The cast also featured LeVar Burton (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”), Dennis Haysbert (“Major League”) and Harry Belafonte as Coach Eddie Robinson. In 1988, a real-life high school teacher and football coach became the subject of the TV movie “Quiet Victory: The Charlie Wedemeyer Story.” Portrayed by actor Michael Nouri, the story examined Wedemeyer’s career and his refusal to give up coaching even after a diagnosis of Lou Gehrig’s disease. Pam Dawber also starred as Lucy Wedemeyer, the coach’s steadfast wife who helped him communicate with the players on the field. Big screen sports comedies such as “Bull Durham,” “Dodgeball” and “The Ringer” are quite plentiful but I always loved those madefor-TV movies about real life sports figures. “Brian’s Song” is especially poignant now following the recent death of Gayle Sayers. “Babe,” “Quiet Victory” and “Grambling’s White Tiger” also provide examples of courage in the face of challenging circumstances. If you come across any of these films on YouTube or other streaming services, they are worth a look.
BY STEVE BRYAN
Born and raised in South St. Louis, Steve Bryan is now based in Anaheim, California, and has been allowed access to movie and television sets to see actors and directors at work. Though his writing has taken him far from St. Louis, Steve is, at heart, still the same wide-eyed kid who spent countless hours watching classic movies at neighborhood theaters. OCTOBER 2020
| OUR TOWN | 15
OurLifestyle
Scary Good Introducing kids to unfamiliar flavors doesn’t have to be a frightful experience. Getting creative and taking cues from some beloved characters may be all it takes for families to explore produce in a new way and discover how delicious, satisfying and enjoyable fresh fruits and vegetables can be. A passion for produce may begin with America’s favorites, like bananas, apples, citrus, celery, carrots and broccoli, but that’s just the beginning. Whether it’s their angry names and tough exteriors, or simply a fear of the unknown about taste and preparation, dozens more diverse and exotic fruits and vegetables like dragon fruit, horned melon and Brussels sprouts are often the sources of produce paranoia. An initiative from Dole, in collaboration with Disney and Pixar’s Monsters, Inc., is helping to take the scare out of specialty fruits and vegetables and widen America’s produce horizons. That’s because, like a good book or the characters in a beloved film, you can’t judge a fruit or vegetable by its appearance; nature’s true beauty often lies within. The campaign offers character-
Take the fear out of trying unfamiliar produce
inspired recipes, serving suggestions, digital and social activations, familyfriendly activities, fun trivia and influencer partnerships that celebrate the not-so-scary world of the planet’s more unusual fresh bounty. One easy way to introduce new flavors is by trying a variation of a familiar fruit or veggie. For example, there are more than 500 edible banana varieties in the world. You might sample a red banana or a Manzano, or even an ice cream banana, with a taste resembling vanilla custard. These fun and kid-friendly Green Slime Nacho Cups feature plantains, for example, a member of the ba-
Slippery Slimy Smoothie Prep time:10 minutes | Servings: 2 (8 ounces each)
nana family with a different taste and texture than everyday yellow bananas – more firm and starchy like a potato. Increase your family’s produce intake even further with a Slippery Slimy Smoothie and Chicken Stuffed Roz Heads, which call for green grapes, celery, avocados, strawberries and blueberries. Find more recipes and other notso-scary fun at dole.com/Disney, and follow #Dole and #DoleRecipes.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup spinach 1 banana, peeled and frozen 1/2 cup green grapes, frozen 1/3 cup cucumber, diced 1/2 cup pineapple
1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt 5 ice cubes
Directions: In blender, blend spinach, banana, grapes, cucumber, pineapple, almond milk, Greek yogurt and ice cubes until smooth.
Pour smoothie into two glasses and serve.
16 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2020
OurLifestyle Chicken Stuffed Roz Heads Prep time: 15 minutes | Servings: 3 Ingredients: 1 cup cubed, cooked chicken breast 1/2 cup green grapes, halved 1/4 cup chopped celery 1/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 1/2 avocados, halved, pitted and peeled 6 whole-wheat pretzel twists 18 whole-wheat pretzel sticks 1 strawberry, sliced 3 dried, sweetened blueberries Directions: In bowl, stir together chicken, grapes, celery, yogurt, salt and pepper.
Scoop three equal portions onto serving plate. Shape each into oval. Top each with upside down avocado half.
Decorate each avocado half to resemble Roz’s face. Using sharp paring knife, trim each pretzel twist to create horn-rimmed glasses lens by cutting off double loop section of each pretzel twist and discarding or enjoying as snack, keeping single loop portion, which will become one lens. Two lenses are needed per Roz Head.
Green Slime Nacho Cups Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4
Place two pretzel lenses on each avocado to form glasses. Add pretzel stick to each side of avocado to form arms of glasses. Push four pretzel sticks into top of each avocado to form hair. Add strawberry slice, trimmed to look like lips for her mouth, and place blueberry on lower left side of face to form mole.
Ingredients: 1 green starting to turn yellow plantain, peeled and thinly sliced on bias 1 1/2 teaspoons canola oil 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1 1 1 1/2
avocado, halved, pitted and peeled tablespoon lime juice clove garlic, minced cup thinly shredded purple cabbage
Directions: Preheat oven to 375 F. Toss plantain slices with canola oil and season with pinch of salt. On parchment paper-lined baking sheet, arrange slices in single layer with no overlapping.
Bake 18-20 minutes, or until crispy and lightly golden. Cool completely and set aside. Using spoon, scoop flesh of avocado into small bowl and mash, reserving one half avocado shell. Stir mashed avocado with lime juice, garlic and remaining salt. Stir in slaw, reserving some for garnish. Scoop into reserved avocado shell and smooth top with back of spoon. Stick reserved cabbage shreds out of avocado mixture to look like hair. Serve slime nacho cups with plantain chips.
OCTOBER 2020
| OUR TOWN | 17
InDepth
Reaching out to young
oters
The Objective Reporter, a student-led nonprofit organization based in St. Louis, seeks to educate and inform voters across Missouri about politicians at all levels of government
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
BY CHARLOTTE BEARD
(Clockwise from top left) Josh Antony, Rahul Jasti, Ziyaad Raza, and Thomas Champer 18 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2020
While the quarantine of 2020 has birthed new money-making ventures for some people amid job losses, it has also birthed ventures to promote change. Such is the case of The Objective Reporter, a student-led nonprofit organization based in St. Louis that seeks to educate and inform voters across Missouri about their politicians at all levels of government. The Objective Reporter was established by four high school students from John Burroughs School, a private, non-sectarian preparatory school with 631 students, during the early stages of the shut-downs in St. Louis. The founders – Ziyaad Raza, Josh Antony, Thomas Champer, and Rahul Jasti – have since been joined by other team members from Ladue High School, Clayton High School, Parkway West, Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School (MICDS), and Whitfield. “We started on this project during the early months of quarantine,” stated Raza. “It took us about two months to get the website up and running. One of our teammates was the main person building the website while the rest worked on research, creating content, and managing other tasks. During this time, we also filed all our legal paperwork, assembled a board of directors, launched our media platforms, and sought donations.”
InDepth According to Raza, The Objective Reporter exists of more than 30 volunteers and so far, all donations have been used to purchase publicity advertisements for the organization on Facebook and Instagram. In addition, donated funds were used to file legal documents such as its 501c3. “Eventually we would like to spend our future donations on marketing for our new teams in Dallas and Atlanta,” stated Raza. “They are just starting out, so getting their name out to their respective large cities is going to be a good challenge.” One of the driving forces behind the four high school friends beginning this particular type of venture stemmed from information they discovered about their peers – that “only 10 percent of Americans between 18 and 24 have met a standard of ‘informed engagement’ for the past election cycles.” “During the months of the pandemic and the protests after the death of George Floyd,” stated Raza, “we noticed that much of the younger generation was very involved in social activism. We also found many statistics including this one that showed that voter turnout amongst this age group, 18-25, was lower than any other age group and that (most) voters in this group were not properly informed for elections. We knew that this generation was capable of creating social change through protests and media, but we wanted to also facilitate political change through our content and resources.” The Objective Reporter website (https://theobjectivereporter.com/) not only accommodates searches on politicians at the federal, state, and local level (individual policies, historical facts
on the politician, and contact information), it also provides videos of one-onone interviews between politicians and members of The Objective Reporter team. These interviews address current issues and policies. “The first politician I interviewed was Luke Barber, who is running for state representative,” stated Raza. “It was a very rewarding experience because I got to know him personally, hear his story, some of his accomplishments and challenges, and hear him expand on many of his policies. The experience also opened my eyes to the fact that these politicians are just people – people who have their own stories and who
I could relate to on a personal level. Rather than reading a list of legislation he passed or his stances on policies, I actually got the chance to understand his voice and his mission.” While many adults may believe that youth and young adults are solely driven by uninformed passions, there are those in the younger generation who are aiming to change the narrative. “People of our age/generation feel that the best way to make change is to pick up a sign and protest or post articles on Snapchat or Instagram stories in order to gain awareness of the country’s problems,” stated Raza. ‘But I feel that the best way to create change is through knowledge. If we can get more people to take their anger out by voting, I believe we will see a huge change in the way our country is run. But to
go along with that, I want people not to just make any vote but an informed vote. They should know what each candidate’s views are on the major issues. If you believe in pro-choice and you do not realize the candidate that everyone told you to vote for is pro-life, then you are not doing anything to support your own cause. If you believe that our government is not doing enough to protect the black community in this country, go out and vote for the candidate that has made it a top priority to deal with that issue. On our website, you will be able to get those key positions from each candidate.” The Objective Reporter desires that everyone benefit from the content they provide, but stresses that the focus is to influence the youngest generation of voters. “ H i g h school students, who cannot vote yet, should be politically informed whether to have political discourse, influence other people in their community, or just to wait until they turn 18,” states Raza. “The youngest voters, 18-25, are involved with activism and many want to see change, but they also have the lowest voter turnout. Whether this is because of the difficulty of finding information on local candidates or the complex language of legislation, we hope that through our content we can ease this process and increase everyone’s political knowledge so that they are confident and passionate enough to go to the voting booth and cast an informed vote – not just for federal representatives or the President, but for state and locally elected officials who can make meaningful change in their area.”
OCTOBER 2020
| OUR TOWN | 19
October 5
Child Health Day
9
Leif Erikson Day
12
Columbus Day Indigenous People’s Day
13
Navy Birthday
15
White Cane Safety Day
16
Boss’s Day
17
Sweetest Day
31
Halloween