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2 | OUR TOWN | JULY 2018
Our Town Volume 09 | Number 07 JULY 2018
Published by the Community News, Our Town is a monthly news magazine covering the cities of Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, and Olivette. Circulation is 7,000 monthly through over 105 monitored newsstands guaranteeing 100% pickup. Additional issues are distributed online, and a free online subscription is available at www.mycnews. com
PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Mathew DeKinder PUBLISHER EMERITUS/ GENERAL MANAGER Bob Huneke PRODUCTION Lisa Moran Melissa Nordmann CONTRIBUTORS Avalanche, David Finkelstein,
N THIS SSUE
Around Town
Connecting the Arch to Forest Park and more.
NonProfit Profile The Mission of Merk 331 to help motorcycle accident victims was born out of personal tragedy.
Feature Connecting our trails New Fee Fee Greenway extension is a paved path that connects Maryland Heights Community Center, McKelvey Woods and Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park By Charlotte Beard
Our Thoughts Moore on Life author Cindy Moore wonders if people will ever leave their homes in the future while Avalanche reflects on the trials and tribulation of moving day.
Cindy Moore STAFF WRITERS Brett Auten Charlotte Beard
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Lifestyle The 2019 Kia Sorento gets a new look and some serious upgrades in Automobile Alley. “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” does just enough to keep dino-fans happy in Entertainment. Encourage healthy eating habits in For the Love of Food.
In Depth For more than 60 years Women of Achievement has honored women in the St. Louis region for contributions to the community
Chamber Corner
Copyright 2018 Huneke Publications, Inc.
Events Calendar
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
Connecting Forest Park to the Arch Stoss Landscape Urbanism team selected by Chouteau Greenway Design Competition jury
The Chouteau Greenway Design Competition partners and jury have selected the team led by Stoss Landscape Urbanism to refine their conceptual plans for a new greenway to connect Forest Park and the Gateway Arch. Four teams were chosen in January to compete and were given 90 days to develop conceptual plans for the Chouteau Greenway. Teams submitted their plans in early April for public feedback and presented their ideas to the jury and community in May. “The teams’ responses to the design and community goals indicate their understanding of the complexity and transformative nature of the project to St. Louis,” said Don Stastny, Competition Manager. “Their receptivity to the community concerns and interests was apparent and will be important in the next steps of design refinement.” In the deliberations that followed, the Stoss Team was unanimously chosen as the team to participate in the next stage of the competition. The jury provided comments about each team, suggestions for refinement of the chosen team’s concept and overall recommendations; the full jury report is available online. “The team has gusto – not just talent, but
also passion for the project,” said the jury. “Their successful response to the goals is due to their strong team, clear framework, and flexibility to work with the project partners, the community and also institutions. The outcomes in their presentation are not solutions but provide a starting point for dialog and design.” Through a series of workshops, the Stoss team will review the community input gathered thus far and work with project partners to further refine their conceptual plans. This phase is expected to take several months and will provide the opportunity to develop specific greenway corridors, connections and concepts. Once the overall plan is in place, projects will undergo further community engagement, feasibility and alignment studies, design work and engineering before beginning construction. “Thank you to the partners, stakeholders and community members for bringing fresh ideas and momentum to this project,” said Susan Trautman, Chief Executive Officer of Great Rivers Greenway. “The work to hone the concept and design a framework for equitable implementation is just beginning; we cannot wait to work with the Stoss team and our region to create a dynamic, world-class greenway that can transform our city and create common ground. This effort is another great example of how both the public and private sectors can work together to enhance the quality of life for all St. Louisans.”
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email your information in calendar and article formats to editor@mycnews.com.
AroundTown
Fighting skin cancer Blackout Melanoma will host ninth annual Beca’s 5k Fun Run/Walk at Creve Coeur Lake Blackout Melanoma will be hosting their ninth annual Beca’s Five (5K) Fun Run/ Walk for metastatic melanoma awareness on Saturday, July 21 at Creve Coeur Lake at Sailboat Cove located at 13725 Marine. Blackout Melanoma is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, advocating and providing resources to secure a generation free of melanoma. In a continuing partnership with Washington University Division of Dermatology, Blackout Melanoma is helping to provide the muchneeded funding for melanoma research. Registration/T-shirt pickup is at 7 a.m. and the race begins promptly at 8 a.m. Cost for the event is $25 per participant (includes t-shirt) on or before July 14 and $30 after July 15. (If you have a group of eight or more registration is $20). The vision for the Beca’s Five benefit walk and fun run is that it may serve as a special opportunity where people can gather to, as Beca would say, “be aware, take time to
share, show that you care”. This inspiring young lady envisioned a society where no one else encounters the dangerous diagnosis of metastatic melanoma skin cancer – a melanoma free generation. There is no known cure for metastatic melanoma. However, through awareness and early detection, metastatic melanoma skin cancer can be prevented. Founder and President of Blackout Melanoma, Aneta Campos, said, “Every hour melanoma takes another life. Melanoma kills an estimated 9,710 people in the US annually. If melanoma is recognized and treated early, it is almost always curable. Our hope is to one day blackout melanoma. Blackout Melanoma would like to thank all of the sponsors and donors who make this possible. Please join us in our fight.” For more information or to register for this event visit Blackout Melanoma’s website www.blackoutmelanoma.org.
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Troop support Christmas in July to support our troops It will be Christmas in July at West Community Credit Union who is hosting a drive to support our troops and military families throughout the month. West Community Credit Union has partnered with H.E.R.O.E.S. Care to collect and distribute supplies to the troops overseas, as well as items needed for military families here at home. West Community will have collection bins at each of their branches, including Florissant, O’Fallon, Lake Saint Louis, Brentwood and Kirkwood. Everyone is invited to donate individually-sized packaged supplies for troops overseas. H.E.R.O.E.S. Care requests packages of nuts, individually wrapped beef jerky, batteries, and personal care items such as deodorant, foot powder, Chap Stick, first aid supplies like cough drops and band aids. Military families need non-perishable
food items such as peanut butter, jelly, boxed mac and cheese, cereal, uncooked dry pasta, hamburger helper, canned fruit, etc. A complete list can be found in the branches and at www.westcommunitycu. org. West Community can also accept cash donations to help H.E.R.O.E.S. Care purchase much needed items. Thanks to the relationship between H.E.R.O.E.S. Care and the regional food banks, non-perishable food items can be purchased at an average of 10 cents per pound. A gift of only $10 provides 100 pounds of food for a military family struggling to make ends meet. Please visit one of their locations to drop off your donation during regular business hours during the month of July. Contact 636-720-2400 or www.westcommunitycu. org with any questions.
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AroundTown
Fighting summer hunger Operation Food Search launches Summer Food Service Program to help feed children during the months when they are out of school and most vulnerable Many children are attending a local area camp this summer or they are fortunate to enjoy an out of town vacation with their parents. However, for many other parents, those are expenses they cannot afford. More importantly, many parents have difficulty handling an increased food budget due to the summer break from school. A nonprofit hunger relief organization, Operation Food Search (OFS), is currently providing a remedy to both the shortage of food for children and lack of some activities. On June 4, OFS and area partners launched the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). SFSP is funded by the USDA and feeds children 18 years of age and younger. The program runs until Aug. 11. OFS has a goal to serve 100,000 meals this summer. Meals are provided every day except Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Saturday service is an additional service for 2018. OFS launched its first SFSP in 2012 at a single location and served 5,000 meals to children. In 2016 they added the mobile meals concept which increased the access to healthy food. Executive Director Sunny Schaefer shared that there was an assessment conducted to determine what service was needed. “One of the barriers for the children in getting the meals is transportation,” Schaefer stated. “So, by using the mobile meals we can take it right into the neighborhoods where there is high need.” At the June 4 kickoff, 35 stationary sites were presented as well as 28 mobile sites. OFS hires staff during the summer months to provide the mobile service. The stationary sites include nine St. Louis County libraries and various partnering locations. The mobile sites include five St. Louis Public libraries, various parks and other locations. For details text ‘FOOD’ to 877-877 or visit: www.operationfoodsearch.org/summermeals-locations. For free summer activities and enrichment, Schaefer shared that there will also be age-appropriate reading books for children, arts and crafts, games, kickball, 6 | OUR TOWN |JULY 2018
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
BY CHARLOTTE BEARD
On June 4, Operation Food Search (OFS) and area partners launched the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). SFSP is funded by the USDA and feeds children 18 years of age and younger. OFS has a goal to serve 100,000 meals this summer.
various athletic activities and STEM projects. Both stationary and mobile participants will be able to take part in these offerings at the participating food service locations. AmeriCorps volunteers will provide educational interaction and entertaining activities. Through an offering of the St. Louis Reading Council, children will be allowed to select a book of their very own each time they visit the Food & Fun Club. The St. Louis Daily Council is providing educational materials for children to take home each day. Vroom, a program of the Lume Institute, will focus on learning opportunities for children five and under. Each Friday, families can expect a pop-up along the mobile routes called the Food & Family Fun Club. At these pop-ups, shelfstable family meal kits will be distributed to parents in addition to fresh fruits and vegetables. The pop-up will also include a cooking demonstration and recipe tasting conducted by OFS’ nutrition team highlighting the produce that is distributed for the day. Schaefer stated, “We offer a one-step solution for organizations to focus on what
they do best while we provide the outreach, educational services and vendors to provide food. This program complements our mission to end childhood hunger and combat the toxic stress that threatens our area’s youth, and we look forward to serving our communities during the upcoming summer.” OFS, founded in 1981, has a strategic focus aimed at ending childhood hunger that empowers families with a range of programs and services to reduce what has become termed as “food insecurity” and increase access to healthy and affordable food. At their kickoff to the SFSP on June 4, Child and Family Nutrition Director, Brian Wieher and Community Engagement Director, Trina Ragain shared with attendees the wide spectrum of their programs to serve their vision throughout the year. OFS provides after school meals during the school year as well as conducts their “Operation Backpack.” Wieher shared that the schools decide via application whether they desire to participate in the weekend backpack program.
AroundTown Advertorial
Inventory: never so high, prices: never so low
BY RUSS PATTON At the school level, determination is made regarding which students will receive the service. “We would talk to you,” stated Wieher, “and determine how many bags you need each week, how we would get them to you [or] how you would get them.” Other programs shared by Ragain were: the six-week nutrition education course which trains others to provide the demos at their own facility, emergency food distribution in which $30 million worth of donated food is dispersed through partnership with pantries and meal programs, a fresh food prescription program for expecting and new mothers in collaboration with Missouri Baptist Medical Center, the Breakfast in the Classroom program funded by the Walmart Foundation and their advocacy to prevent a decrease in SNAP for families with school age children. SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Wieher stressed the importance of the public’s awareness that what OFS is providing in collaboration with partners, especially for the current SFSP is available to all children. “One thing that gets lost in a lot of this is that at any location where food is available it’s available to any child 18 or under. It doesn’t matter their background, where they live, their socio-economic status…if food is available it’s available to anyone and everyone.” Operation Food Search’s headquarters is located at 1644 Lotsie Blvd. in St. Louis. For more information, call 314-726-5355 or visit http://www.OperationFoodSearch.org.
Summer is here! We have been waiting as anxiously as you have. 2017 was a record year for Byerly RV. 2018 marks our 70th year in business. Our general manager, Warren, and sales manager, Pat, spent the end of last year planning for a huge celebration. They ordered early and ordered big to avoid the coming price increases. Our inventory has never been so high and our prices so low. Rebates of $1,000 to $5,000 in addition to our regular discounts apply to all 2018 travel trailers, fifth-wheels and motorhomes in stock. Another reason for fireworks in July! This may be the season of high temperatures, but it’s the season of low prices at Byerly RV. 70 years! It has been a slow and steady climb. Three generations of new and repeat buyers is a tribute to our quality-based foundation. We couldn’t have become No. 1 in Missouri and a Top 50 RV Dealer in North America if we were a high-priced dealer, as some competitors try to claim. We shop as hard as our customers to find the highest value for the lowest price. If we look like we are a high-priced store it’s because we reinvest so much in our business to offer better sales and service. PRICE + QUALITY = VALUE
PRICE + ? = ?
Shopping for value is one of the pillars of our model for success. We can offer the top brands and models, such as Allegro/Tiffin, Thor and Winnebago motorhomes and Passport (No. 1 lightweight travel trailer in the country) and its sister entry level brand the Hideout. In all we offer over 20 brands of RVs including six brands of fifth-wheels including sport utility models. Using price alone to compare is risky and usually influences first-time buyers. That may explain why we usually have such a good selection of traded in, late model entry level models sold by mass merchandisers. If you really want to save money, check out our selection of “like-new” trade-ins. The true measure of satisfaction comes after the sale when the purchase either lives up to or fails to live up to your expectations. If you feel pressured and rushed during the buying process, take a break. Come see us. See why Byerly has become known as the “Center of the RV World.”
e th th Wor ive Dr
Byerly RV 295 East Fifth St. | Eureka, MO 63025 800-878-3325 | 636-938-2000 | www.byerlyrv.com JULY 2018 | OUR TOWN | 7
AroundTown
Providing support
Music in the Lou
Jewish Family & Children’s Service launches new program to address invisible epidemic
Largest lineup yet announced for LouFest 2018
A recent study of the St. Louis Jewish community revealed that over 17 percent of households seeking support for a family member with a disability found it “very difficult” to get the help and support they need. These community members must navigate healthcare appointments, bills, job training programs, and educational opportunities for a loved one living with a disability amongst the rising cost of healthcare access and a pervasive lack of transparency from insurance groups. For some community members, this difficult process has become insurmountable. Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&CS) heard the stories of these local families and is tackling the issue head-on with the launch of its new Jewish Disability Care Connect program. This program provides each family or individual with one-on-one staff guidance from a trained and licensed professional, who will evaluate their needs and connect them directly to the programming and services best suited for them, from housing, to education, to life care planning, to social support groups. The best part is, the program is free of charge, allowing all community members to get connected. JF&CS has provided free and sliding-scale health and human services to community members of all ages, abilities, and religious backgrounds for over 147 years, but this program marks a new direction in its efforts. As access and affordability are debated at the state and national level, JF&CS will focus on providing a holistic approach to community healthcare and human services. Programs like Jewish Disability Care Connect create a single point of entry for community members to address all of their health needs, from free nutritious food, to counseling services, to religious engagement, to financial assistance. JF&CS recognizes that a healthy person, and a healthy community, are created through treatment of the “whole person” and their unique needs, not piecemeal. For those interested in the Jewish Disability Care Connect program, please contact Elisa Garland, Jewish Disabilities Care Manager, at egarland@jfcs-stl.org or 314-812-9348 for more information.
LouFest 2018 has announced its largest lineup ever, with legendary rock artist Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters headlining the festival, which will again include a diverse range of artists from indie rock to hip-hop to country on Sept. 8-9. Musicians from St. Louis will be featured heavily – including veteran Michael McDonald and several local jazz, heritage, roots and blues bands from the Kranzberg Arts Foundation artists in residence program who will perform on a fourth stage. The 2017 event was a sell-out with more than 60,000 attending over the two days. It was held on the Upper Muny Grounds and Festival Plaza, and will again in 2018, as Forest Park’s Central Fields remain under renovation. LouFest U, produced in partnership with the St. Louis Regional Chamber, is a Friday night event exclusively for area university students. It will feature its own entertainment to be announced soon. “We couldn’t be more excited about the size and depth of the 2018 lineup,” says Mike Van Hee managing partner with Listen Live Entertainment. “St. Louis loves the rock legends as much as the modern innovators and LouFest 2018 delivers on both more than ever before.” Major sponsors include Enterprise, AB-InBev, Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Express Scripts and the Kranzberg Arts Foundation. Beer and cocktail lovers will have more options to quench their collective thirsts as the festival expands “BrewFest,” a collaboration with the Brewers Guild featuring locally crafted beers on tap. St. Louis’ larger independent brewers – 4 Hands, Schlafly and Urban Chestnut – will host enhanced experiences and festival inspired offerings. Introduced last year, Fizz & Folly will return featuring the handywork of the area’s best craft cocktail mixologists. The guest experience will include the popular VIP, LouKidz, Noshpit and Market Square zones with their own events, food and merchandise. The festival is family friendly, with kids 12-and-under free with a paying adult.
Movie time Returning for its sixth season, Silver Screen Series announces new monthly movies For the first time since its debut six years ago, the Silver Screen Series will host a series of film viewings and discussions over the course of three months — September, October and November. The free series is hosted by Maturity and its Muse, along with the city of Creve Coeur Arts Committee, and will focus on films that explore positive aging themes. Each film will conclude with an optional discussion 8 | OUR TOWN |JULY 2018
between attendees and filmmakers, academics, and artists. In previous years, the film screenings were held during three back-to-back weeks in September. Starting this year, the Silver Screen Series will instead present the aging-positive films on the third Monday of each month — Sept. 17, Oct. 15 and Nov. 19. All film screenings will be held at AMC Creve Coeur 12 at 10465
Olive Blvd. from 1 - 4 p.m. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. The three selected films and discussants will be announced this summer. For more information on the series, please contact Lynn Hamilton at lynn@ maturityanditsmuse.org or 314-4201444 or Melissa Orscheln at morscheln@ crevecoeurmo.gov or 314-442-2081.
NonProfitProfile
The mission of MERK 331 to help motorcycle accident victims was born out of personal tragedy BY GREGG MERKEL In 2011, I had become a large man and went on the HCG diet. Settling at 700 calories a day and the HCG drops, this affected my blood sugar and blood pressure. On March 31, 2012, myself and a longtime friend Andy headed to the lake for the weekend. Due to these health issues, I blacked out in the middle of a turn on the southeast side of Lake of the Ozarks and hit a culvert head on. Andy saw it all, I hit the culvert, flew eight feet in the air and landed on my back with my head hitting the road. When he got to me, my eyes were rolled back in my head and I was gurgling out of my mouth. Andy finally was able to wake me. A local farmer happened to drive by as Andy had no idea where to tell 911 where we were. Paramedics arrived and immediately called for Life Flight. Once loaded for Life Flight to University of Columbia trauma center, highway patrol shut the road down to do accident reconstruction as they were not sure I was going to survive. Andy departed the site and had a horrible two-hour ride to the hospital not knowing if he would see me alive again or not. Trauma center assessment was a lacerated spleen, ruptured lung, four broken ribs, a pie shaped piece of my pelvis broke out, shattered hip socket, severe dislocation of all bones in the left foot, all ligaments/tendons in the right knee were significantly torn or severed. Later they determined I also had a full blown abdominal hernia. The next two years included 11 surgeries, four months in a wheel-chair and I had to learn how to walk again with nearly two years of physical therapy. The medical expenses were over $1 million. Everyone even
OUR MISSION To assist motorcycle victims and their families after a traumatic injury remotely close to me, all stepped in to help in any way they could. In addition to the medical expenses, I had a Life Flight charge of over $40,000 that was “out of network” that I personally was responsible for. I had the honor of working for a great company at the time, I had good insurance and deductibles but due to the “out of network” thing, I was on the hook for over $40,000. After seven months of dispute, my company paid that bill in full. I am very blessed at the support I had. This was my trigger for wanting to give back and is how MERK 331 began.
MERK stands for Motorcycle, Emergency, Relief and Kinship and the mission is to assist motorcycle accident victims and their families after a traumatic injury. The community can help by visiting merk331.org, liking our Facebook page and you also can make monetary donation on the website. We also would like introductions to local motorcycle clubs and dealers as well as any motorcycle clubs specifically related to first responders as they are a huge part of my survival. We would like to partner with the biker community to help our fellow bikers. JULY 2018
| OUR TOWN | 9
Connecting our trails
New Fee Fee Greenway extension is a paved path that connects Maryland Heights Community Center, McKelvey Woods and Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park
BY CHARLOTTE BEARD
10 | OUR TOWN | JULY 2018
On Jan. 18, 2017 Great Rivers Greenway hosted an open house for the community to commence the second phase of the Fee Fee Greenway project and community members were very receptive to the expansion. Emma Klues, VP of Communications and Outreach shared that many expressed the interest in accessing the Katy Trail as well as other areas between Creve Coeur Park and the Maryland Heights Community Center. June 14 marked the official opening of the $6.1 million 2.2-mile extension. Unfortunately, due to unexpected weather conditions the ribbon-cutting ceremony and community celebration had to be postponed until a later date. However, the new greenway is open for everyone to enjoy and explore. Those who venture out on the greenway can expect to see a 78-foot-long pedestrian bridge over Fee Fee Creek and a “living wall� almost 1,000 feet long. The living wall was created to help capture the storm water that drains off paved surfaces, reducing the impact on nearby creeks and streams. It is also stated to provide habitat for wildlife and insects. In addition, hundreds of new native trees, shrubs, sedges and flowers
PHOTOS COURTESY GREAT RIVERS GREENWAY
were planted along the new extension. The completion of this project extended the $1.5 million 0.8-mile paved greenway that opened in 2014 between the Maryland Heights Community Center and McKelvey Woods. With the joining of the Creve Coeur Park to the Maryland Heights Community Center, links have been created to the Creve Coeur Connector Trail, Katy Trail and Centennial Greenway (which links the communities of Clayton, University City, Ladue and Olivette). “The expanded Fee Fee Greenway is an incredible asset, not only for the people who live and work in Maryland Heights, but also for our entire region,” said Tracey Anderson, city of Maryland Heights Director of Parks and Recreation. The extension has provided the ability to cross over Highways 364 and 94 in St. Charles County. The various connections made possible by this greenway for both bikers and walkers has opened doors for
access to various community amenities. Those without a car in the surrounding areas can access places such as the Crystal Springs Quarry Golf Club, St. Charles County Heritage Museum, Dogport, a place for grilling in McKelvey Woods Park, and a place for swimming at the Aquaport, just to name a few. Susan Trautman, CEO of Great Rivers Greenway stated, “This project is a powerful example of how greenways connect us to our rivers, parks, communities and each other. By extending the Fee Fee Greenway just two miles, we’ve created a vital link between existing trails and amenities, so people can get exercise and fresh air while exploring a wonderful natural area.” Great Rivers Greenway makes the St. Louis region a more vibrant place to live, work and play by developing a regional network of greenways. Great Rivers Greenway is the public agency collaborating
with partners and communities to build, care for and bring to life your network of greenways, creating healthy habitats and watersheds along the way. With 117 miles built and counting, visit www.GreatRiversGreenway.org for more information.
TRAIL AMENITIES The Fee Fee Greenway is located near the intersection of I-270 and Dorsett Road in Maryland Heights. If you live nearby, you may be able to walk to the greenway.
PARKING
RESTROOMS
PLAYGROUND
TABLES
SHELTER
DRINKING WATER
TRASH
JULY 2018 | OUR TOWN | 11
OurThoughts MOORE ON LIFE BY CINDY MOORE
BIGSTOCK
Home bodies Yet another big chain store has closed down in our neighborhood. It wasn’t surprising. It so happens people aren’t going to stores as much as they used to. Instead, they’re sitting on their big patoots and shopping on their computers – especially at that ginormous online retailer. You know…the one that starts with an “A” and ends with lots of $$$ signs. My husband is one of those people who like to sit in a chair while he shops. He’s helping to make the brick and mortar stores a thing of the past, much like the mastodon; which just happens to be a word that rhymes with that online store. Coincidence? I think not! I suppose it’s not that big retailer’s fault that everyone’s choosing to stay hunkered down under their roofs. Pretty soon we’ll all be self-incarcerated. Our only connection to the outside world will be to go collect the mail – junk mail, since hand-written letters have been replaced with texts and emails. 12 | OUR TOWN | JULY 2018
Bills don’t even come in the mail anymore. We can pay them online, too. Of course, this prevents me from making an extra trip to my favorite department store to load up on more stuff I don’t need. Thanks favorite department store! That sure was a dumb marketing idea! Much seems to be causing us to stay indoors. Think about it. Groceries can now be ordered online and delivered to our doorstep. There certainly is no need to go to the library with every book imaginable jammed into our Kindle. The library is now just a place where little old men gather to read newspapers, whatever those are. And there’s no need to go out to a show with Netflix available. But just in case you want to get out of the house for an adventurous date night; there’s always Red Box rentals. Stay put. Now someone will come and change your oil or fix your car right at your home. I don’t think that service will last very long because soon we won’t be
chauffeuring ourselves around. Cars are already self-driving. Soon they’ll be taking off for our vacation with a Go Pro attached to the roof. After a week or two, they’ll return so we can view our trip without the annoyance of leaving our living room. Ahh, how refreshed we’ll feel. Funny how we all used to stay hunkered down because of that crazy North Korean dictator, now technology is imprisoning us.
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
MOVING
DAY
ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE BY AVALANCHE BIGSTOCK
M
oving day. The thought conjures up strong emotions – a bit of excitement for a new location and/or direction in life, and a great deal of anxiety and frustration regarding the task at hand. Once the move is planned, the purging begins. “Do we really need to move all this stuff?” The answer is always “yes”; your possessions will either be moved into your new place, into a dumpster or perhaps the second-hand store. Frequent moves keep the clutter from accumulating too deeply. Staci and I moved something like 20 times in as many years. Most of those moves were on our terms; better/cheaper/closer places to live. Once we were able to buy our own place, the moves decreased in frequency, and the stuff began to accumulate. We’ve been in our current residence now for about 15 years; the stuff is stacked pretty deep. Though we’re not looking to relocate anytime soon, today’s mantra is “everyday throw something away.” We’ve got a long way to go. After the initial purge, the boxing up of possessions consumes much time. Purging continues, but at a slower pace, and frustrations mount as the things you need today are packed away in a box buried somewhere in a corner. The more urgent the need for the item, the more boxes you have to move to get to it. Once moving day arrives, the real fun begins. It usually begins with a rented
truck that is only marginally roadworthy, and has suffered the abuses of many frazzled, frustrated movers. Arguments with family and friends who reluctantly (and now regretfully) agreed to help begin in earnest. Things get broken, dropped and misplaced. Voices get raised. The overhead door on the moving van is finally forced down over a massive load. Stuff is still in the house to be vacated. A second (or third or fourth) trip will likely be necessary. Once the overloaded, abused truck is in motion, Mr. Murphy usually comes along for the ride. Mechanical problems are common, as are minor collisions caused by a distracted driver unfamiliar with operating a vehicle of this size. Mountainous terrain contributes to the fun, with steep, narrow roads and driveways, frequently covered with snow and ice. Unloading all the stuff comes with its own drama, as that favorite couch simply won’t fit through the front door. Taking the door off the hinges reveals a broken door frame, caused by the last tenants going through the same process. The simplest of tasks takes twice as long as it should. Once in the new place, unboxing all your worldly possessions continues throughout the coming weeks and sometimes months. When the time comes to move again, any remaining unpacked boxes are first in line to the dumpster.
My own misadventures in moving have come at the price of, among other things, a totaled pickup truck, and later, a demolished stereo system (remember turntables and cassette players?) that fell out of the replacement truck during a subsequent move. Things never go smoothly during these exercises. I recently saw a rented moving van in the driveway of a nearby home that’s been unoccupied for a while. Getting the truck into the overgrown driveway apparently dislodged some landscaping rocks and some branches overhanging the driveway were broken. I didn’t linger in the area, for fear of being pressed into service. Right now there are a couple of homes in the neighborhood that are under contract to sell. I’m going to try to be somewhere else when those deals close; no need for me to become involved in someone else’s misery, as I’ve had plenty of my own moving days.
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.
JULY 2018
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OurThoughts
2019 KIA SORENTO GETS A NEW LOOK AND SOME SERIOUS UPGRADES If you want to attract new SUV buyers in this competitive global industry, you’ve got to basically keep reinventing this customary vehicle. That said, it’s evident that Kia Motors got the message as they’re now featuring their heavily refreshed Sorento for the 2019 model year. Manufactured with a number of new exterior and interior upgrades to help raise the bar with refinement and sophistication, all trim levels for the ‘19 model year now include three row seating with passenger accommodations for up to seven individuals. The five trim grades include: L, LX, EX, SX and SXL. This more refined, rugged and roomier sport utility vehicle remains capable; regardless if you’re focused on using it as a city/daily driver vehicle or to elevate your weekend outdoor adventures. With it having a reworked front and rear fascia assembly, Sorento makes a more premium presentation with its initial appearance. The interior cabin environment was designed to be more upscale. To expand a bit more with respect to the vehicle’s exterior, this newest version adds a hint of eye candy to its modern and refined appearance. As a foundation, it is inspired by the completely redone Sorento that was introduced back in 2016. With this tasteful facelift, it now gives this popular SUV a welcomed emergence. The revised front-end is highlighted by a more artfully detailed radiator grille, flanked by a new headlamp configuration. Sorento’s front fascia now includes a newly sculpted bumper design to achieve a more aggressive expression. The rear fascia has been enhanced with a new bumper design, sleeker taillamps (LED bulbs for EX trim and higher), revised liftgate and a sportier exhaust tail pipe outlet tip. Built-in, front-wheel-drive powertrain 14 | OUR TOWN | JULY 2018
configuration and an optional all-wheeldrive setup is offered, plus two different engines are available. Their standard 2.4-liter, four cylinder gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine is a proven and reliable power plant. For added acceleration, their 3.3-liter V-6 GDI is also in the product mix for ‘19. The V-6 produces 290 horsepower, while matched to a 8-speed automatic transmission. EPA numbers range from 19MPG city/26-MPG highway, as it depends on the engine and the powertrain setup. To achieve a more personalized driving experience, the Smart Shift & Drive control feature automatically activates the optimum drive mode – Eco, Sport or Smart – based on your driving style, or can be selected with a center-mounted control switch. Sorento’s cabin certainly reflects a premium look and feel. Countless upgrades are in view as well as a revised instrument cluster with improved, easier-to-read graphics. Additional improvements were included with the gear shifter, air outlet vents and the center console housing. The seating system is designed to offer optimum comfort, coupled with the second and third row seats designed to fold forward. The end result is seating positions to fulfill the needs of every occupant and needed cargo. Sorento’s solid and strong construction reflects an incredibly quiet interior
cabin along with outstanding ride quality. The suspension geometry and responsive steering system provide a car-like driving experience. Pricing ranges from $25,990 - $46,490, excluding destination and additional option packages. The 2019 Sorento is currently available at Kia retailers nationwide. 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
‘JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM’ does just enough to keep dino-fans happy
I’m not the most objective critic when it comes to the “Jurassic Park” franchise. The original movie came out when I was 15 as my lifelong fascination with dinosaurs and Steven Spielberg coalesced into blowing my pubescent mind. I saw it seven times in the theater. I freely admit that the bulk of the subsequent movies aren’t exactly great works of western cinema, but as long as they check that basic box of dinosaurs eating people, I will happily and eagerly show up to watch. The franchise got a shot in the arm with “Jurassic World,” which surpassed everyone’s expectations and became a massive hit thanks primarily to Chris Pratt’s charm and Bryce Dallas Howard’s high heels. And let’s not forget a host of nameless extras running around the island waiting to become dino-kibble. Naturally, success breeds sequels as Pratt and Howard return for “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.” This time the action is driven by the fact that the island where the dinosaurs roam is under threat from a dormant volcano that has suddenly become active. The gang returns on a mission to rescue the dinosaurs, but as you would expect, things don’t go exactly to plan.
“Fallen Kingdom” was directed by J.A. Bayona, a Spanish director with a highlyaccomplished track record with films like “The Impossible” and “A Monster Calls.” Here he keeps the action coming as the movie bounces from thrilling set-piece to thrilling set-piece. Pratt and Howard have a good chemistry and do a fine job of keeping us emotionally invested in all of the computer-generated dino-carnage on the screen. By all metrics, “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” meets my very low bar of sitting and watching dinosaurs run around eat people in new and exciting ways. Beyond that, what’s interesting about this movie is that it actually throws out some complicated themes surrounding technology and morality which takes it into much
deeper waters than your typical summer blockbuster dares to tread. “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” proves that in the right hands, even a 20-year-old franchise can find something new and interesting to say. In the end this is some well-trod territory, as even the T-Rex has to be wondering how many times he can conveniently show up to save the day. But if we have to be sequeled to death as every drop of originality gets drained from every successful franchise, I choose to march down the path to creative extinction with my dino-buddies. They at least know the way. “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sciencefiction violence and peril.
BY MATHEW DEKINDER
Mathew DeKinder is a film critic and member of the St. Louis Film Critics Association, and also serves as the editor of the Community News.
JULY 2018
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OurThoughts OurLifestyle
Encourage healthy eating habits Of the many challenges parents face daily, encouraging healthy eating habits for their children can be one of the most vexing. While the consumption of nutritious foods like vegetables is good for kids while they’re young, it can also serve an important role in encouraging lifelong healthy habits. One strategy for achieving that goal is to pair familiar foods with vegetables and prepare them in interesting ways. This tactic – pairing foods kids already enjoy with the foods you want them to start eating willingly – is called “associative conditioning,” and can help encourage children to try the new food, according to research conducted by Elizabeth CapaldiPhillips and Devina Wadhera and published in the “Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.” For example, prepared beef products like hot dogs, deli roast beef, salami and summer sausage provide sources of nutrients like protein, zinc and vitamin B12. In addition to the direct benefits, these meats can also be used in recipes like Green Bean Twists and Salami-Babs to help encourage the consumption of vegetables. Easy-to-make recipes such as Jerky Trail Mix, Fried Bologna Cups and Beefy Lettuce Cups also provide simple snacking solutions for kids that include the nutritional benefits of both beef and veggies. Find more family-friendly recipes and tips to encourage nutritious eating habits from the North American Meat Institute, a contractor of The Beef Checkoff, at meatpoultrynutrition.org.
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Green Bean Twists Recipe courtesy of The Beef Checkoff Yield: 16 twists
Ingredients: 8 16
ultra-thin slices roast beef, about 2 ounces, cut in half lengthwise green beans, trimmed, blanched and chilled
Directions: Wrap one slice roast beef around each bean, creating spiral, arrange on plate and serve.
Salami-Babs Recipe courtesy of The Beef Checkoff Yield: 8 kebabs
Ingredients: 6
8 4 16 4
ounces beef salami or summer sausage, cut into 3/4-inch chunks bamboo skewers (8 inches long) ounces cheese (cheddar or swiss), cut into 1/2-inch chunks small broccoli florets baby carrots, cut in half crosswise
Directions: Thread pieces of meat onto skewers, alternating with cheese, broccoli and carrots. Arrange on plate and serve. Note: To prevent choking, children should be seated while eating, especially when a recipe involves toothpicks; encouraged to take their time and thoroughly chew their food; and should be carefully supervised.
OurLifestyle Fried Bologna Cups Recipe courtesy of The Beef Checkoff Yield: 8 bologna cups
Ingredients:
Vegetable oil spray
8 slices beef bologna
Potato-Vegetable Filling (enough for on bologna cup): 1/4 1/4 1
cup mixed vegetables cup mashed potatoes tablespoon grated cheddar cheese
Apple Salad Filling (enough for one bologna cup): 3
tablespoons chopped apple 2 teaspoons minced celery 1 teaspoon golden raisins 2 teaspoons light mayonnaise 1 teaspoon plain, low-fat yogurt
Directions: Spray large, nonstick skillet with vegetable oil spray. Set skillet over medium heat and lay bologna slices in pan, as many as will fit in one layer. Let bologna fry until it cups. Transfer cups to serving plate and fry remaining bologna in same fashion. To make Potato-Vegetable Filling: In small, microwave-safe bowl, stir together vegetables and potatoes; microwave until hot. To make Apple Salad Filling: In small bowl, stir apple, celery, raisins, mayonnaise and yogurt. Spoon desired filling into each cup. For cups with Potato-Vegetable Filling, top with grated cheese.
Jerky Trail Mix Recipe courtesy of The Beef Checkoff Yield: 4 cups
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups kettle corn with no added sugars
1 cup mini unsalted pretzels 1/2 cup unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts
1/2 cup beef jerky, broken or chopped into 1/4-inch bits 1/2 cup golden raisins Directions: In large bowl, stir kettle corn, pretzels, peanuts, beef jerky and raisins together. Seal in sandwich bags or serve in bowl.
6 Strategies to Encourage Nutritious Snacking With an abundance of prepared-in-advance snacks available that likely come along with unnecessary salts and sugars, it can be difficult to encourage kids to eat snacks with healthier ingredients. Quick recipes that include beef and veggies may not be the first snack idea that comes to mind for kids (or parents), but it’s not impossible to instill better decision-making in the kitchen. Skip the chips and improve your children’s snack habits with these simple ideas for influencing healthier decisions: • • • • • •
Enhance the visual appeal of foods by piercing them with decorative toothpicks. Offer a variety of colorful foods on a plate. Create color contrasts with foods on a plate or in a bowl. Arrange foods in an orderly way using a bento box or divided plate that helps keep them separate. Involve kids in preparing their meals. Pair nutritious foods, like fruits and vegetables, with well-liked or familiar foods.
JULY 2018
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InDepth
Photo courtesy Tom Tussey
Women of Achievement Class of 2018 are (bottom row, from left) Risa Zwerling Wrighton, Kim Hutton, Judy Preddy Draper, Tammy Iskarous, Marilyn L. Ratkin, (top row from left) Rachel Ebeling, Victoria Dolan, Shannon Marie Diekemper, Teka Childress and Karen D. Anderson.
Honoring ‘Women of Achievement’ For more than 60 years organization has honored women in the St. Louis region for contributions to the community BY CHARLOTTE BEARD
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The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis serves as a celebratory luncheon location every year to honor the achievements of women around St. Louis. These women are known as Women of Achievement. This year the organization honored and welcomed 10 new women on May 15 at its annual luncheon. The nominated and selected honorees span the areas of: civic responsibility, community betterment, humanitarian concerns, caring and compassion, multicultural awareness, music therapy advocacy, family empowerment, social enterprise, social justice, and impactful leadership. This year’s new members are: Karen D. Anderson, Teka Childress, Shannon Marie Diekemper, Victoria Dolan, Judy Preddy Draper, Rachel Ebeling, Kim Hutton, Tammy Iskarous, Marilyn L. Ratkin and Risa Zwerling Wrighton. Dr. Gwendolyn Packnett, who has a two-year tenure for president of the organization, shared more about the background of the 10 new members.
InDepth
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zation meets each fall, and in the months leading up to the next event. “Once we have the selections we [form our] two-tier committee,” shared Packnett. “The initial selection committee is comprised of all former Women of Achievement [honorees] and the president. We narrow over 100 nominations down to 25. The initial selection committee is given a week to read each of those nominations. [Each of them] then [submits] their choice of 25. A meeting is held to determine who the top 25 are based on the responses from the initial selection committee. That list goes to the second selection committee comprised of community leaders, some of our sponsors as well as former Women of Achievement.” Packnett went on to explain that each of the latter committee members receive a list of the top 25 nominees and each of the members are given the opportunity to make their selection of
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“The 2018 Women of Achievement honorees are exceptional. They have dared to tackle timely issues of our day, while aptly modeling the change they wish to see. Compassion is the hallmark of their volunteer service and they continue to transform the lives of those often found in the shadows. Their impactful leadership provides renewed hope for so many, and further frames the important dialogue worth having. The Women of Achievement organization is honored to have these 10 outstanding women a part of the sisterhood.” Each honoree receives a silver tray engraved with their name, title (optional), and recipient year. Additionally, they are given a gift from Neiman Marcus and the retail giant hosts the luncheon in their honor where their achievements are highlighted. The Women of Achievement organization also presents each honoree with a Women of Achievement necklace.
The 2018 Women of Achievement honorees are exceptional. They have dared to tackle timely issues of our day, while aptly modeling the change they wish to see. ~ Dr. Gwendolyn Packnett, president
Women of Achievement began as an awards program in 1955. Organizers believed that the community benefited greatly from the volunteer service of women. They also believed that there should be public recognition to celebrate them and inspire others. In 1993 the program was established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization by former recipients who desired to ensure its existence for future generations. To date there are over 600 members due to the annual honors and the organization’s website lists over 700 nonprofit organizations that are represented by past honorees. Its officers and board of directors consist of only Women of Achievement members. Anyone can nominate a woman who they believe deserves this honor. Packnett stated that people are encouraged to initiate their nomination online for the sake of ease in the process though there is the option to print the form for completion and mail. The criteria for nomination, form and instructions are available online at www.woastl.org via the menu item for honorees and the ‘Nominate’ option. Following the annual May event, the organi-
the top 10. The top 10 honorees for the year are determined during a final meeting by this group. “We all have in common this passion to see community betterment,” stated Packnett. “And therefore, work to transform things and shape things within the St. Louis metropolitan region. We are intentional about diversity at every level; that is reflected when we honor our women.” Packnett shared that the organization believes in reflecting an array of age ranges; their oldest member is believed to be over 100 years old. “We have a significant number in their 70s, 80s, and 90s. I feel honored to be in their presence. They are just dynamic women with vision and they dare to follow their passions and they dare to follow their hearts in making a marked difference in this community in real significant ways.” The next 10 women will be honored May 14, 2019 at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. Visit the website for details on the acceptance of 2019 nominations and more: www.woastl.org.
JULY 2018
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ChamberCorner
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July 4 Independence Day
12 Free concert
The Creve Coeur Recreation Department is proud to offer its fifth summer of free, family-friendly concerts in Millennium Park, 2 Barnes West Drive. Pack a picnic basket or purchase a snack from a food truck as you enjoy live music under the stars. Bring chairs or blankets for seating. All shows begin at 6 p.m., but come early to get a good seat! My Friend Mike will perform.
13-14 Family overnight Get your camping gear ready and come to Stacy Park in Olivette for Family Overnight. Cost is $12 per person or $39 for a family of four. “Camping” for families who want to give the great outdoors a try...and not drive far to do it! Provided will be dinner, family activities, a campfire program and breakfast. Bring your own tent and sleeping bags. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Register at the Olivette Community Center or call 314-991-1249.
14 Bastille Day 21 Free child identification kits The Creve Coeur Police Department will be offering free child identification kits at the Farmer’s Market. The Creve Coeur Summer Farmer’s Market is in full swing every Saturday through Oct. 6 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Westgate Shopping Center at 12320 Olive Blvd. Shop the market for locally produced meats, dairy, vegetables and fruits, as well as crafts, jewelry, art home decor and more.
22 Parents’ Day 27 National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day