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2 | OUR TOWN | JANUARY 2019
Our Town Volume 10 | Number 1 JANUARY 2019
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 announces Citizens of the Year and more.
NonProfit Profile Circus Harmony: hope in one ring.
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
Our Thoughts Moore on Life author Cindy Moore battles cold season while Avalanche recalls his days in law enforcement working undercover.
Feature Reimagining Old Olive Street Road City of Creve Coeur to redesign the thoroughfare to be a more robust commercial district. By Charlotte Beard
Lifestyle The 2019 Kia Forte tries its best to stand out in a crowded marketplace in Automobile Alley. St. Louis film critics announce 2018 award winners in Entertainment. Try the trendiest flavors tonight in For the Love of Food.
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In Depth Local artists who were named winners by the MetroScapes program created by Metro Arts In Transit will be installed at more than 200 MetroBus shelters in the St. Louis region.
Events Calendar
Copyright 2019 Huneke Publications, Inc. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Staff Writer – Charlotte Beard Cover Photo – Submitted
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AroundTown
Good citizens
CITY OF CREVE COEUR
Creve Coeur announces Citizens of the Year 2018
Citizens of the Year 2018 Mike Barzoff (left) and Joe Martinich (center) with city of Creve Coeur Mayor Barry Glantz (right).
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The city of Creve Coeur recognized Joe Martinich and Mike Barzoff as Citizens of the Year 2018 for their dedication and service to the community at the annual Holiday Appreciation Event on Dec. 4 at the Creve Coeur Government Center. Mayor Barry Glantz presented the awards to Martinich and Barzoff at the event honoring all members of the city’s 14 boards, commissions and committees. Martinich and Barzoff were recognized for their effort in creating the Green Business Certification program, a program designed to distinguish Creve Coeur businesses and not-for-profits that are making meaningful efforts to reduce their environmental impacts. Both members dedicated countless hours to researching, planning, designing and implementing this new program, which they hope will bring greater awareness to the benefits of green business practices. “Joe Martinich and Mike Barzoff see Creve Coeur’s potential as an environmental leader,” said Mayor Glantz. “Thanks to their hard work and consideration put into the Green Business Certification program, we are closer to seeing their vision become reality.” Martinich, who joined the Energy and
Environment Committee in 2015, has lived in Creve Coeur for 40 years and, for an equal number of years, has worked at the University of Missouri–St. Louis as Professor Emeritus of Supply Chain Management. “Joe’s leadership of the Energy and Environment Committee has been nothing short of spectacular from the beginning,” said Council Member Alexis Travers, the Council Liaison for the Energy and Environment Committee. “He has encouraged and supported the committee to achieve several great milestones, most recently the guidelines the city is adopting for renovations and new construction.” Barzoff has resided in Creve Coeur for the past 13 years and is the newest appointed member to the Energy and Environment Committee. Previously, he worked for Creve Coeur-based agtech company Monsanto (now Bayer), and later worked for Solutia as Director of Information Technology, Business Applications. “While Mike’s tenure on the committee has been brief, his ideas and dedication have been plentiful,” said Travers. “Mike jumped right in even before he was made an official member and attended the meetings and brought a creative and unique perspective and fresh ideas.”
AroundTown
Local educators win money for schools Vantage Credit Union’s “Impact Education” contest has ended, with five local schools receiving $500 to $2,000 to fund projects in those schools meant to positively affect the students. The five winners were Affton High School; C.A. Henning Elementary in Troy, Illinois; Wydown Middle School in Clayton; Willow Brook Elementary School in Creve Coeur; and East AltonWood River in Wood River, Illinois. The schools each received one of five prizes: two $500 prizes; two $1,000 prizes, and one grand prize of $2,000. “Vantage has had a very close relationship with educators and we regularly hear of the need to enhance learning opportunities, complete projects or obtain training,” said Rachel Parrent, Director of Marketing and Business Intelligence at Vantage. “We’re thrilled at the turnout this year and are proud to be able to present this new opportunity to provide the funding needed for local educational initiatives.” Vantage staff was onsite at each school to present the check to the winners and to learn more about how the winnings will be put to use. Some winners plan to use the funds to directly impact a particular classroom. For Willow Brook Elementary winner and art teacher Dawn Lynn, her idea of take-home art kits for her students had their artistic expression at the forefront. “I want my students to be creative in the way that they want,” she said. “Some students like building with Legos. Some like painting or drawing or sculpting with clay. I’ve gotten some great feedback with the few kits I’ve put together so far, and I’m so excited that they’re spending their time at home creating art instead of glued to television or video games.” Impact Education ran during the month of October and asked local educators to submit 60-second videos explaining how they would use funds to positively impact either their school, their students or their professional development. After the submission period, visitors to vcu.com/impact-education were able to vote for their favorite submission.
SUBMITTTED PHOTO
Willow Brook Elementary one of five schools to win Vantage Credit Union’s ‘Impact Education’ contest
Vantage Credit Union’s “Impact Education” contest awarded $1,000 to Willow Brook Elementary School in Creve Coeur.
JANUARY 2019 | OUR TOWN | 5
AroundTown
A warm gift
Advertorial
The sum of all years . . . and more to come
Daughters of Union Veterans donate quilts to veterans’ home
CHARLENE KONERSMANN
BY RUSS PATTON , OWNER BYERLY RV
(From left) Patti Dickherber stands with Charlotte Shelburne, Candy Buechler, Sharon Michael, Dianne Scheffing, Pat Baehr, Carol Hertensteiner, Diane Wood, Pat Volkmann, Cheyenne Long and Charlene Konersmann.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Another great year has passed in 2018, our 70th year in business! In the 1940s, Walter Byerly began building travel trailers at his home in Kirkwood, Missouri. By 1948 he established his business on Manchester road in Des Peres. In 1967 John Patton purchased the company which, at that time, had only six employees. Now at our third location in Eureka, Missouri, Byerly has over 60 employees. John’s son, Russ, bought the company in 1984 and his son Warren took over the position of General Manager in 2015. Byerly, again in 2018, has been recognized as one of the top 50 RV Dealers in North America. What a year it has been! Focus on quality, supported by experience and committed to-customer service have helped Byerly succeed for three generations. Our employees’ enthusiastic involvement in spring and fall campouts, the monthly RV School, the Santa’s Magical Kingdom shuttle and other events and promotions testify to our Byerly’s quest to be your RV Dealer “for the rest of your life.” We have great expectations for 2019. Come see us at the Midwest Gateway RV Dealer sponsored RV Show in February at the St Louis Convention Center. Thank you for your business and loyal support and Happy New Year. Byerly RV, is located at I-44 and Hwy 109 in Eureka. For more information visit www.byerlyrv.com or visit us on Facebook.
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Byerly RV 295 East Fifth St. | Eureka, MO 63025 800-878-3325 | 636-938-2000 | www.byerlyrv.com 6 | OUR TOWN |JANUARY 2019
On Dec. 1, members of Julia Dent Grant Tent # 16, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861-1865 held their December meeting/Christmas party at White Haven. A short meeting was held and then everyone gathered to enjoy the delicious foods provided by the members. Members also brought items to be donated to the Fisher House. Member Pat Volkmann, PDP brought three quilts to give to Sharon Birt Michael, SVP to be given to the veterans’ home where she volunteers. We Care Ladies Group of Maryland Heights Church of Christ at 107 Midland Avenue made the quilts. The quilt tops were sewn by Faye Kerper, who is a long-standing member of the church.
New tax office St. Louis Tax Assistance Office moves to new location The Missouri Department of Revenue’s St. Louis Tax Assistance Office has moved to a new location at 9445 Dielman Rock Island Industrial Dr. in Olivette. The office is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tax experts are available to provide assistance with business tax registration, no tax due assistance, accepting payments and accepting completed returns. For other services, such as income tax compliance, corporate income tax questions, and lien/garnishment resolution, customers will be connected with a department tax employee in Jefferson City. Although individual income tax preparation services are not available, department employees can help connect customers with the appropriate tax preparation resources. All tax assistance offices are closed on state holidays. Services, hours and location directions can be found at dor.mo.gov/ tax_assistance_office.php.
NonProfitProfile
Circus Harmony: Hope in one ring
C
ircus Harmony is a nonprofit social circus organization, which means they use circus arts to motivate social change. As both an arts education and a youth development organization, they inspire individuals and connect communities with their circus education and entertainment programs. Circus Harmony has a positive impact on the St. Louis area and beyond. Circus Harmony teaches the art of life through circus education. They work to build character and expand community for youth of all ages, cultures, abilities and backgrounds. Through the teaching and performing of circus arts, they help people defy gravity, soar with confidence and leap over social barriers, all at the same time. Through programs like Peace Through Pyramids, Circus in the Parks and Circus Harmony Showcase and Teacher Training, they help children find their strengths while inspiring hope in those who watch the children soar. Circus Harmony is the winner of the 2019 Missouri Arts Award for Arts Education! Of the over 1,400 children a year that they serve in the St. Louis metropolitan area, over 70 percent receive some sort of financial assistance. Their programs teach valuable life skills like perseverance, focus, and teamwork. They train their students to be successful in circus and in life. Learning circus with others teaches trust, responsibility and cooperation. Perhaps the most important experience they give their participants is the opportunity to meet and interact with children from different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds than their own. Circus Harmony believes the path to peace is a path of cooperation and communication. Teaching children from different neighborhoods how to stand on each other’s shoulders may seem like a strange way to take this path. But it’s the technique they use successfully. Circus Harmony promotes peace through pyramids, joy through juggling and harmony through handsprings. Circus Harmony’s renowned youth circus troupe, the St. Louis Arches, perform around town and around the world. They are featured every year with St. Louis’ Circus Flora. Graduates are on tour with Cirque du Soleil, Circa Contemporary Circus of Australia, Les 7 Doigts de le Main, The Flying Wallendas and other companies. This year, their annual January show is a circus spy thriller, “Accelerando,” which will be presented in their little circus ring on the third floor of City Museum Jan.19, 20, 26 and 27. Their spring circus classes for all ages start on Jan. 28. More information on this unique organization, their shows and classes can be found on their website at www.circusharmony.org. Learn how building human pyramids also builds hope!
7 | OUR TOWN | JANUARY 2019
OurThoughts MOORE ON LIFE BY CINDY MOORE
Cold Comfort BIGSTOCK
The first cold of the season has come and gone and it was a brutal one. I lay in bed like a sack of wet laundry unable to move for days. I refused to go to the doctor because I knew the verdict. I would pay a large amount of money to hear a young intern tell me to get plenty of rest and drink clear liquids. I could get that information for free on Google and not have to share a crowded waiting room with people coughing tuberculosis germs into my breathing space. But then the cold moved into my head behind my eyeballs. It felt as though a small fur-bearing mammal had burrowed into my sinuses and decided to hibernate in my nasal passages. I could count on it being there until spring. I bit the bullet. I went to the clinic and sat waiting to hear the verdict. The doctor, who looked a lot like the boy who mowed my lawn last summer, came in and handed me a piece of paper. “Oh joy. A prescription for some lovely cold-curing drugs,” I told myself. “Sorry Mrs. Moore. You have a virus and viruses have to run their course.” “But doctor, isn’t there anything you can do for me?” “Well, there is one thing. It’s a new remedy that I just read about yesterday. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of clear liquids.” “Interesting. And just where did you read about this new remedy?” “On the Internet. In fact, you could have saved yourself a
8 | OUR TOWN | JANUARY 2019
lot of time and money by just Googling it first. Here’s the bill. Pay at the front. ” On day ten of my cold, I trudged into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. A homeless man with stubble stared back at me. Frightening how a few days of not keeping up on one’s hygiene can lead to such a complete metamorphosis. On the lighter side, with a little trimming I could sport a dapper-looking goatee. They’re all the rage right now. I decided a shower might be just the thing to freshen up my dismal appearance. Afterwards, I stood dripping on the bathroom scale when what to my wondering eyes should appear! The scale showed ten pounds lighter! Yes! Not even a week into the new year and I had already reached my goal to lose weight. This called for a celebration at my favorite all-you-can-eat buffet! Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two selfindulgent 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
DRUG DEAL The staging meeting took place in a remote parking lot of a closed business, about two miles away from the police department. Present were several federal agents from various three-letter agencies, four members of a local drug task-force representing six local police departments, Paul, the senior detective from our police department, and I. Having recently been promoted to detective, I was looking forward to the assignment. The plan was for a federal agent to make a purchase of a significant quantity of cocaine, somewhere in the kilo range, at the parking lot of a busy local department store. The agent was wearing an audio transmitter, and a federal dispatcher was assigned to the operation. Another one of the federal agents would also be listening in on the deal, and would keep us locals informed as to what was going on. The decision to make an arrest would be made based upon how the transaction proceeded; it would probably happen at a later time. Once briefed, we all made our separate ways to the area. Paul and I sat down on a bench overlooking the parking lot. An assortment of black SUV’s bristling with antennae repeatedly circled the area, conspicuously enough to lead a casual observer to wonder if perhaps the president was in town. The buying agent arrived, met with the potential seller, and the two got into a ve-
hicle together. During the next few minutes, I saw a male leaning up against the wall of the front of the store, not really looking at anything, but not moving, either. Out of all the people in the area coming and going to and from the store, the only ones who were stationary were this male and two not-soinconspicuous detectives. Paul received a call from one of the federal agents, who told him that the seller was stalling. After a couple more minutes, the male leaning against the wall stood up, and began walking straight across the parking lot. He walked behind a row of vehicles, and turned right, going between two parked cars, walked to the other end of the two cars, turned left, and walked out of the parking lot. Out of all the cars in the lot, he had walked right next to the vehicle the agent and potential seller were sitting in. I thought it would be a good idea to follow, and perhaps ID the guy who had walked right by the car. No one else thought so. Shortly thereafter, Paul received another call that the deal was off. By this time, the agent who had been trying to make the buy was leaving by himself. Paul and I left, and we all met back where we had staged earlier. The agent who attempted the buy said the seller claimed he wanted to make the deal, but didn’t have the merchandise with him. They went back and forth for a couple minutes, then the seller said they should leave
BIGSTOCK
town and drive to a remote area, where he could pick up the coke. (Coincidentally, that remote area is very near where I live now.) The buying agent wisely refused, and the deal was off. I mentioned the male who walked right next to the pending transaction prior to its cancellation, but no one else thought it was important. The consensus was that this was an attempt at a rip-off, by luring the buyer to a remote location. My suspicions about the male whom I believed to be a lookout were pondered, but not given much weight, given my lack of seniority. Whether or not it was a rip-off attempt, or a detected sting operation – or both - with all of us there, plus the other unseen agents and dispatchers, there was well over one thousand dollars-per-hour of the taxpayers’ money being spent, (in 90s dollars) with not much to show for it. It struck me then, and now, a number of years later, that our efforts at curbing the illegal drug trade were about as effective as bailing water out of the ocean with a Dixie cup.
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.
JANUARY 2019
| OUR TOWN | 9
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
REIMAGINING Old Olive Street Road
City of Creve Coeur to redesign the thoroughfare to be a more robust commercial district BY CHARLOTTE BEARD In November 2018, the city of Creve Coeur announced its continuing partnership with The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership in the redesign plan for Old Olive Street Road. Construction on the project is estimated to begin in 2021. “The city of Creve Coeur is doing the planning and zoning portion, the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership is holding the contract for the design and we will probably be the entity that applies for funding to do the construction,” stated Janet Wilding, VP of Major Projects and 39 North. “There is a consultant on board that is drawing up the plan and designing it. It’s a team effort.”
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Jason Jaggi Director of Community Development for city of Creve Coeur shared, “The planning work that we’re doing now is to take it to 30 percent design for construction of the improvements within the existing Old Olive Street rightof-way and then that allows the city to request funding for the improvements down the line. It’s a step towards funding of the improvements.” Wilding shared that this project began due to a larger master plan for an innovation district in St. Louis – 39 North. The district is centered on the agriculture and technology sector. 39 North is a collaborative project between the city of Creve Coeur, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, city of Olivette, Danforth Plant
and Science Center, The Helix Center, Bayer, BRDG Park and Great Rivers Greenway. “One of the priorities that came out of the master plan was that we needed a really dense, robust – kind of an amenity center with restaurants and different kinds of shops; a commercial area that could serve the people that are living and working in this innovation area,” stated Wilding. “Old Olive is that main street in the area that will be rezoned and (somewhat) reconfigured to service that street and that commercial area.” Public feedback for the master plan started in 2016 and was published in 2017. “We did lots of public engagement on the master plan,” stated Wilding, “but then we did specific public engagement on Old Olive in particular, just to get citizen feedback on what they would like along Old Olive. I think we had a lot of positive feedback on wanting to have a street that was fully configured over Lindbergh.” Jaggi, shared, “We had a consultant team who conducted an open house in October to solicit feedback on the preliminary design for the Old Olive Street corridor. It consisted of new decorative street lighting, a new multi-use path throughout the whole corridor, a reconfiguration of the Old Olive/Lindbergh
intersection among other improvements (such as) a landscaping/gateway features to create identity for the district. I think we had about 70 people attend that and overwhelmingly the responses were positive to the changes in the corridor.” Jaggi explained that the city wants to start with the Old Olive Street rightof-way to enhance the experience with new decorative street lighting throughout the whole corridor. The multi-modal pathway will link Old Olive west of Lindbergh to the Danforth Center and other businesses east of Lindbergh. This will accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists and other types of users. The path will also incorporate distinctive landscaping design. There will be signage at each of the entry ways to Old Olive that will identify the area as the 39 North District as part of a larger district initiative. “One of the recommendations was to convert Old Olive Street Road into more of a main street type corridor,” stated Jaggi, “that would support mixed use development as well as improve accessibility throughout the district. And one of those key objectives was to have multi-modal crossing at Old Olive and Lindbergh; currently you cannot cross Lindbergh when you are on Old Olive.” Wilding detailed some of the physical appearance the community can expect after the redesign. In addition to
the sidewalks being widened to enable more room for pedestrians, there will be a bicyclist lane separate of the street for safety measures. The landscaping will consist of a natural prairie palette along the streetscape. The vehicular lanes will be reduced to one lane going east and one lane going west with turn lanes at designated spots. The speed limit is expected to be between 30 – 40 miles an hour. Plans are underway to assess total cost estimates of the project. That information will allow application for other funding needs to complete the construction. “County transportation is paying $450,000 and The city of Creve Coeur is paying $50,000,” Wilding stated of initial funds for the master plan. Jaggi states that the public right-ofway in the area being looked at for improvement is under MODOT’S jurisdiction. “The plan would be that upon completion of the Old Olive Street plan as well as investigation into the cost, it would be transferred to the city,” shared Jaggi. “The improvements that are being planned right now and designed for the Olive and Lindbergh Blvd interchange, that needs to take place before MODOT would be willing to transfer Old Olive Street Rd. to the city. That is where we think we are going with all these things.”
JANUARY 2019 | OUR TOWN | 11
OurLifestyle
KIA FORTE
2 0 1 TRIES ITS BEST TO STAND OUT 9 IN A CROWDED MARKETPLACE
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ith a base retail price point $17,690, Kia Motors is offering their redone Forte compact sedan with a number of improvements for 2019. Forte tends to compete in a very crowded segment with the likes of the Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, Nissan Sentra, Honda Civic and V W Jetta. This model received a number of exterior upgrades and sheet metal changes impacting the sedan’s frontend design as well as the car’s rear assembly. It takes on a more modern look with some styling cues adopted from their popular Optima. At times, when testing out a new vehicle, I try and gauge the “curb appeal” or reaction from others. It’s sort of an unscientific analysis to use as an indicator on how the general public acknowledges what I’m driving. That said, I honestly didn’t get that much response to share while behind the wheel of the redone Forte. This imported five-passenger, four-door automobile is offered in four trim levels for 2019. FE, LXS, S and their top end EX with their model designations. All versions come with a 2.0-liter four cylinder DOHC, multi-port fuel injected 16-valve engine. It’s rated at 147-horsepower and 132 lb. ft. of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is offered on the FE model, as is an optional continuously variable automatic (CVT). The CVT is standard on the other trim levels. Depending on options, the EPA fuel consumption numbers run from 31-mpg city, to 41-mpg with highway driving. With its 14 gallon gas tank, the driving range is quite extraordinary. The car is only pro12 | OUR TOWN | JANUARY 2019
duced with a front-wheel-drive layout, constructed on a unibody steel underside platform. An actual spare tire is included on their EX models, while the other versions only have an inflatable electronic air pump. That’s where their 24/7 roadside assistance service might be handy! It’s included for a period of five-years/60,000 miles. Interior room is on par with other models in this category, seating comfort is exhibited throughout. The dash controls and gauges are fairly easy to interrupt and effortless to navigate. Steering, breaking and road drivability is quite adequate. Acceleration is spirited, even with four adults on-board. Also included as standard with the ‘19 Forte is Bluetooth wireless handsfree technology, rear camera display, forward collision avoidance with lane departure warning, USB/Auxiliary input jack, dual 12-volt power outlets, steering wheel audio and phone controls, tilt and telescopic steering column, trip computer, remote keyless entry, dual zone automatic temperature control, twin overhead map lighting and sunglass holder as well as a lengthy list of safety improvements at no extra cost. Their EX premium model has a base pricing of $21,990 - shipping and destination charges would have to be added, which come out to be $895. It’s manufactured at their newly built plant located in Mexico, and the vehicle itself comes with a 10-year/100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty. At roadtest, the 2019 EX I drove had a sticker price of $26,515 after options.
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
2018 ST. LOUIS FILM CRITICS AWARD WINNERS NAMED St. Louis film critics spread the love as 15 different films receive recognition over 20 award categories. Spike Lee’s “Blackkklansman” and Alfonso Cuarón’s “Roma” lead the pack with three awards each as “Vice” comes in a close second. Notable awards include: The tragic romance “A Star Is Born” gains the coveted “Best Picture” award, while Spike Lee’s rousing biopic wins “Best Director” for “Blackkklansman.” In the acting categories Ethan Hawke’s turn as soul-searching Reverend Ernst Toller wins “Best Actor,” and Toni Collette’s memorable performance as Annie, a bereaved daughter discovering her family’s horrible heritage wins “Best Actress.” Richard B. Grant earns “Best Supporting Actor” for his role as Jack Hock, a supportive ne’er-do-well in “Can You Ever Forgive Me?,” and Regina King’s emotional and heartfelt turn as Sharon Rivers captures the coveted “Best Supporting Actress” award. Eligible films include those that opened in St. Louis during the 2018 calendar year, including foreign-language films that may have been released to qualify for awards the year before, but were not made available to membership until this year. A film, slated for a January 2019 release in St. Louis, is considered eligible if a screening/screener/screening link is made available to all members. The following is a complete list of the winners:
2018 ST. LOUIS FILM CRITICS AWARD WINNERS BEST PICTURE A Star is Born
BEST SCREENPLAY-ORIGINAL Adam McKay-”Vice”
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”
BEST DIRECTOR Spike Lee “BlackKklansman”
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Alfonso Cuaron- “Roma”
BEST COMEDY “The Favourite”
BEST ACTOR Ethan Hawke- “First Reformed”
BEST EDITING Hank Corwin-”Vice”
BEST DOCUMENTARY “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
BEST ACTRESS Toni Collette- “Hereditary”
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN Hannah Beachler - “Black Panther”
BEST FOREIGN FILM “Roma”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Richard E, Grant- “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
BEST MUSICAL SCORE Terence Blanchard- “BlackKklansman”
BEST SCENE Ocean scene in “Roma”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Regina King- “If Beale Street Could Talk” BEST SCREENPLAY-ADAPTED Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Kevin Wilmott, and Spike Lee“BlackKklansman”
BEST SOUNDTRACK “Bohemian Rhapsody” BEST VISUAL EFFECTS “Avengers: Infinity War” BEST ACTION FILM “Mission Impossible: Fallout”
BY MATHEW DEKINDER
Mathew DeKinder is a film critic and member of the St. Louis Film Critics Association, and also serves as the publisher of the Community News.
JANUARY 2019
| OUR TOWN | 13
OurLifestyle
Try the trendiest flavors tonight New seasonings make it easy
Exotic flavors common in the Middle Eastern region of the world like harissa, za’atar and shawarma are having a moment, appearing on restaurant menus and in popular make-at-home recipes. Now is the perfect time to give these flavors a try. Thanks to new global seasonings from McCormick Gourmet, the spice combinations are already blended for the ultimate taste and simplicity. Made from high-quality herbs and spices, the seasonings are USDA-Organic certified and Non-GMO Project verified so you can feel good about the ingredients used in your cooking.
Grilled Chicken Shawarma Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 16 minutes | Servings: 8
Za’atar: This traditional Middle Eastern blend of spices including thyme, oregano and sesame seeds is perfect for sprinkling on flatbreads, roasted vegetables, nuts or popcorn. It can also be mixed into hummus or oil for dipping. Harissa: A spicy flavor found in North African cuisine, this seasoning is made from a combination of chilies, warm spices and mint. Add it to meat and veggies before roasting, stir it into cooked rice and grains, mix it into yogurt to make a dip or combine it with roasted bell peppers and oil to turn this spice into its namesake sauce. Shawarma: Often associated with the slow roasting of meat, this Middle Eastern street food favorite is made with cinnamon, coriander, cardamom and more. Use this seasoning to flavor an easy marinade for chicken, pork or steak. Look for these flavors as well as new Peruvian and Berbere seasonings in the spice section of retailers nationwide. Find more recipe ideas at McCormickGourmet.com. 14 | OUR TOWN | JANUARY 2019
I ngredients: 1 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, divided 5 teaspoons shawarma seasoning, divided 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon gourmet Sicilian sea salt 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast 4 pita pockets, halved 1 medium seedless cucumber, thinly sliced 8 lettuce leaves
Directions: In small bowl, mix 1 cup yogurt and 1 teaspoon shawarma seasoning. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. In small bowl, mix oil, lemon juice, remaining yogurt, remaining shawarma seasoning and sea salt. Reserve 2 tablespoons of mixture; set aside. Place chicken in large re-sealable plastic bag or glass dish. Add marinade; turn to coat well. Refrigerate 1 hour, or longer for extra flavor. Heat grill or skillet to medium heat. Remove chicken from marinade. Discard remaining marinade. Grill or saute 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165 F, brushing with reserved marinade. Slice chicken into thin strips. Serve in pitas with cucumber, lettuce and yogurt dressing.
OurLifestyle
Za’atar Labneh
Prep time: 5 minutes | Servings: 8 (2 tablespoons each) I ngredients: 1 cup labneh (yogurt cheese) 2 teaspoons Za’atar seasoning, divided 1 tablespoon olive oil pita bread, for serving (optional) pita chips, for serving (optional) sliced fresh vegetables, for serving (optional) Directions: In small bowl, mix labneh and 1 teaspoon seasoning until well blended. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with remaining seasoning. Serve with fresh pita bread, pita chips or sliced fresh vegetables, as desired.
Shaved Carrot with Pomegranate Salad Harissa Dressing Prep time: 20 minutes | Servings: 5
I ngredients: 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint 3 tablespoons pomegranate juice 1 tablespoon honey 2 teaspoons harissa seasoning 1/2 teaspoon Sicilian sea salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, coarse ground 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 pound multicolor carrots, washed and peeled 1/2 cup shelled roasted pistachios 1/2 cup dried cranberries 3 cups baby arugula 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Directions: In large bowl, mix mint, pomegranate juice, honey, harissa seasoning, sea salt and pepper. Gradually add oil while mixing with wire whisk until well mixed. Set aside. Trim carrot ends. Slice each carrot lengthwise into ribbons with vegetable peeler or
mandoline. In medium bowl, toss carrots with 1/4 cup prepared dressing. Stir in pistachios and cranberries. Arrange arugula on serving platter. Drizzle with remaining dressing and top with carrot mixture. Sprinkle with feta before serving. JANUARY 2019
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InDepth PHOTO COURTESY VALERIE SONNEVELDT
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Jefferson Elementary School fifth grader Tyler Carlis stands with her portrait of Maya Angelou. The portrait was one of the winners of the MetroScapes contest.
ARTon the move Local artists who were named winners by the MetroScapes program created by Metro Arts In Transit will be installed at more than 200 MetroBus shelters in the St. Louis region BY CHARLOTTE BEARD
Since 2013, riders of public transportation have had the opportunity to view artwork that was created by members of the visual arts community. This opportunity is made possible by a program called MetroScapes created by Metro Arts In Transit (AIT). This year there were 10 winners in the program among 175 art submissions, and they 16 | OUR TOWN | JANUARY 2019
ranged from fourth/fifth grade artists to a retiree. It is stated that this year’s winning artists are the most diverse group since the program began. All except four participants are from the St. Louis region. Samuel Avery’s “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop” piece features a vivid Koi fish, which is known for swimming upstream against all odds, including being known to swim up waterfalls. It celebrates the resiliency of the Koi.
InDepth Noah Ennis’ “Sandy Shores” work creates a sense of movement by incorporating certain color combinations. The high school senior from Union, Missouri just began to paint in March 2018. Rachel Linn’s drawing entitled “Hand” is dedicated to the role our hands have in everyday life, especially art. It is her first piece in an art show. This year is Barnhart, Missouri native Joyce McClain’s second time being a MetroScapes winner. Her “Ducklings” piece is a replication of a photograph. The “Happy Party Hamster” artwork made Rosa Nevarez another one of the two-time winners. Erik Thompson of Wildwood entered a piece that is part of a series. His “Letter Bending 1” explores the art of text. One of the youngest contributing winners in the program was Jefferson Elementary School fifth grader Tyler Carlis. North County’s Carlis did a portrait of the famously known Maya Angelou. Eliyah Grimes-Jackson, who is currently nine years old, created her “Cakes” artwork when she was in the second grade. “I was surprised,” stated Grimes-Jackson about her winning. “Like ‘oh my goodness I have made it this far…to the top! I was excited, I was happy, I was proud of myself. I love to draw and paint.” Grimes-Jackson, who also attends Jefferson Elementary School, shared that her inspiration for art comes from things she may encounter on television, such as a cartoon, other show or movie. She desires to be a famous artist when she grows up. Tim Judge, an engineer retiree of Washington, Missouri, is an example of how some passions never die, as exemplified with his “Sunflowers.” He came across the MetroScapes project while doing an internet search on calls for art submissions. “In the background I was drawing and painting,” stated Judge, “but I didn’t spend a lot of time (doing it) until I retired about three years ago. I had a little bit of talent when I was younger and that’s what kept me going. I’ve just always loved art.” “I used to ride the transportation system a lot,” stated Ballwin winner Jessica “Jesi” Fox. “So, I’ve sat at a lot of MetroBus stops and ridden the MetroLink. I think it’s awesome to have art from a lot of different people to inspire riders.” Fox’s winning submission is “Organized Chaos.” On Nov. 16, the winning artwork was made available for public viewing along with meeting the artists at a free exhibition and reception at Third Degree Glass Factory located at 5200 Delmar Blvd. The artwork will be installed at more than 200 MetroBus shelters in the St. Louis region and remain on display for a year. Funding for placement of the artwork is supported by the Regional Arts Commission. Shelter locations for placements
On Nov. 16, the winning artwork was made available for public viewing along with meeting the artists at a free exhibition and reception at Third Degree Glass Factory located at 5200 Delmar Blvd. The artwork will be installed at more than 200 MetroBus shelters in the St. Louis region and remain on display for a year.
of the artwork is not decided by Metro Transit. Placement will be determined by Direct Media’s advertising professionals. David Allen, Director of Metro Arts in Transit and one of the three jurors on a panel of artists and professionals shared how the MetroScapes program originated due to Metro Transit’s inability to place advertisement at transit shelters. “We had bus shelters with extra space, so we just thought to do some artwork that would go (in the shelters). Upon thinking about it, this was the opportunity to do a competition, and provide some prize money, attracting a lot more interest in the project and a lot of more potential images. It grew over the years and became pretty popular in the visual artist community here regionally.” Allen shared that MetroScapes announces the acceptance of submissions in July of each year via artsintransit.org and normally keeps it open for six weeks to two months. “We are hopeful that our riders will be engaged in the experience of seeing these images. We also include an artist statement on these posters that give a little bit of context to the viewer as to what they are looking at and why. We are hopeful that we’re elevating the experience of taking public transportation.” Judge stated, “I just want people to stop and smell the coffee. A poster is just a snapshot of what’s out there. I am kind of a realist for what I paint.” Judge went on to explain that with his painting he wants people to take time to look at the sunflowers and enjoy the experience of thinking about what they are viewing. The 24x30 posters are available for sale online. For more information about MetroScapes, and to view this year’s winners and selected artwork, visit artsintransit.org. JANUIARY 2019
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