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Our Town Volume 9 | Number 10 OCTOBER 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 Becky Brockmann Melissa Nordmann CONTRIBUTORS Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Cindy Moore STAFF WRITERS Brett Auten Charlotte Beard

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N THIS SSUE

Around Town

Missouri’s statewide ‘ShakeOut’ earthquake drill coming up and more.

Our Thoughts Moore on Life author Cindy Moore encounters terror near the litter box while Avalanche encounters an overabundance of warnings and instructions in the world today.

Feature Open season City of Creve Coeur changes deer hunting policies to encourage more hunters to help curb the local population. By Charlotte Beard

NonProfit Profile A tradition of excellence: St. Louis Jewish Book Festival celebrates 40 years.

Lifestyle 2018 Volvo XC60 hits the road as one of the safest SUV’s ever built in Automobile Alley. “A Star Is Born” gets reborn in Entertainment. Nutritious meals on busy school nights in For the Love of Food.

In Depth Hearing-impaired McCluer North student takes her love of dance to the Muny stage and beyond while gaining national acclaim

Events Calendar

Staff Writer – Charlotte Beard Cover Photo – Bigstock

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AroundTown

Looking for talent

Fighting hunger

Ninth Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition announces call for entries

Operation Food Search serves over 92,000 meals during summer program

The Ninth Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition registration is free and is now open online at foxpacf.org for all performing arts high school students in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Students will be vying for more than $40,000 in college scholarships, cash awards, and prizes as well as performance opportunities. Contestants must be enrolled in the ninth, 10th, 11th or 12th grade in the 2018-2019 school year and must attend a high school/home school within a 50-mile bi-state radius from the Arch. Registration is open through Dec. 1. Performing arts categories include (but are not limited to): Singer, Actor, Musician, Dancer, Band, Comedian, Magician, Circus Act or Specialty Act--which may include up to six students performing as a group and can perform original or published material. “We hope students who are passionate about the performing arts will register for the competition,” said Jim Weidman, President of the FoxPACF Board of Directors. A “What It’s All About” pre-registration seminar will be held in October of 2018 to provide an overview of the entire experience for anyone interested in competing. Once registered, students will also have access to pre-competition workshops that delve deeper into the auditioning process, audition techniques, etiquette, song choice, attire, etc. Registration for all workshops is available online at foxpacf.org. The Preliminary Round will be held in early February 2019 and the Semi-final Round will be held in March 2019. The final competition on April 13, 2019 at The Fabulous Fox is a professionally staged production, adjudicated by both St. Louis and national performing arts professionals. This final event is free and open to the public. “We have been thrilled with the response to this event from students, parents, arts organizations and the community. The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation is uniquely positioned to provide the opportunity for students to perform at the Fox and on other stages around St. Louis. We are pleased that we are able to put talented young people in the spotlight,” said Mary Strauss, creator of the competition.

4 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2018

Operation Food Search recently served over 92,000 meals during its Summer Food Service Program.

Operation Food Search (OFS), a nonprofit hunger relief organization, recently served over 92,000 meals during its Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The program was funded by the USDA to ensure children ages 18 years of age and younger continue receiving nutritious meals when school is not in session. The summer meal program provided mobile and stationary service Mon. through Sat. between the hours of 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In 2012, OFS sponsored SFSP at a single location and served 5,000 meals to children. In the summer of 2016, the introduction of the mobile meals concept proved successful in breaking down transportation barriers and increasing access to healthy food. This year there were 30 stationary meal service locations, and the mobile meal vans served 33 locations via three routes. “This year’s record-breaking success happened thanks to our many partners,” said Operation Food Search’s Executive Director Sunny Schaefer. “Our agency’s mission is to answer the needs of our community, and we believe we did an excellent job this year.” Schaefer added that, while OFS made huge strides this summer, “we still have plenty of work to do since Missouri ranks among the top 10 states with the highest percentage of households classified as food insecure or having very low food security.” Since summertime is over, the organization has shifted its focus and is now accepting applications for its afterschool meal program through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Qualifying organizations can work with OFS, which will provide nutritious “super snacks” to fuel the minds and bodies of children at the end of each school day. Visit the agency’s website for further details att http://www.OperationFoodSearch.org.

AroundTown

Helping animals around the world Protection of animal life in the Galápagos Islands getting major boost with support of two iconic St. Louis institutions – UMSL and Saint Louis Zoo The Galápagos Islands became famous through Charles Darwin’s explorations of their unique biodiversity, which were foundational in the building of his theory of evolution by natural selection. More than 175 years after Darwin first published “The Voyage of the Beagle,” St. Louis has emerged as an unexpected but vibrant center for conservation in the Ecuadorian archipelago. Building local capacity to support research of pathogens threatening native species in the Galápagos Islands has been a goal of researchers from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and the Saint Louis Zoo since 2001 and continued with the 2004 launch of the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Center for Avian Health in the Galápagos Islands. August provided a moment worth celebrating when the government of Ecuador’s Agency for Biosecurity Galápagos (ABG) opened the Galápagos Biosecurity Laboratory on Santa Cruz Island. It marks a significant step forward for Ecuadorians providing their own expertise to this critical conservation work, not only with birds but with all animals, wild and domestic, living on the islands. It is the result of nearly 20 years of collaboration – both in St. Louis and with Ecuadorian partners. “From our perspective, this is a giant breakthrough toward a commitment on the part of Galápagos to control the arrival of new pathogens and stay ever alert to monitoring,” said Patricia Parker, the E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor of Zoological Studies at UMSL and senior scientist at the Zoo. “They can now respond quickly to any reported disease outbreak without having to send for international help or go through the bureaucracy involved in exporting samples, all of which adds costly time, thereby limiting their ability to respond effectively. It marks a huge step forward in being able to protect this irreplaceable environment.” UMSL and the zoo both provided training to technical staff members along with guidance in designing the new expanded facility. Dr. Marilyn Cruz, a longtime collaborator of Parker’s and now the director of ABG, reached out in 2016 to facilitate that support. A team of researchers from UMSL and the University of Missouri–Columbia visited the Galápagos in 2016 and assisted with recommendations for better management of livestock on farms to prevent the spread of disease. Then a team of lab technicians and

veterinarians from the Galápagos visited St. Louis last year. They divided their time between Parker’s lab at UMSL and the Saint Louis Zoo Endangered Species Research Center and Veterinary Hospital. They also spent a week at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbia, Missouri, where they visited local farms as well as the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. They took their new knowledge and experiences back to the Galápagos and used them when designing the new facility.

Get your event or good news published in Our Town: email your information to editor@mycnews.com.

OCTOBER 2018 | OUR TOWN | 5

AroundTown

A lifetime of service

Missouri’s statewide ‘ShakeOut’ earthquake drill coming up Oct. 18

Sister hands over CEO position after 35 years at Marygrove

Registration is now open for the 2018 Great Central U. S. “ShakeOut” earthquake drill on Oct. 18. More than one-half million Missourians participated in last year’s ShakeOut, which teaches people how to protect themselves during an earthquake. More than 300,000 are already registered for this year’s drill. Missouri is one of 14 participating central U.S. states that could be impacted by a New Madrid Seismic Zone earthquake. “It’s important for Missourians to participate in the ShakeOut drill,” State Emergency Management Agency Director Ernie Rhodes said. “Their safety is our priority and earthquakes occur without warning. It’s essential that people know what to do immediately as an earthquake hits, and that means learning to drop, cover, and hold on.” At exactly 10:18 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18, participants will practice the “Drop, Cover, Hold On” technique: • Drop to your hands and knees; • Cover your head and neck with your hands and arms under a table or desk if you can; and • Hold on until the shaking stops. Experts say Drop, Cover, Hold On is the best way to protect yourself from falling debris, which is the most likely cause of injury during an earthquake in developed nations with modern building standards. To sign up for the ShakeOut, visit www.shakeout.org/centralus. Schools, businesses, community organizations or any other group can register, in addition to families and individuals. Once registered, participants receive regular updates on the drill, as well as information on earthquake preparedness and safety. The ShakeOut website also includes many resources, including manuals, videos, audio drill broadcasts and earthquake scenarios. The New Madrid Seismic Zone, centered in southeast Missouri, is one of the most active earthquake zones in the country, averaging more than 200 small quakes per year. In 1811 and 1812 this zone produced some of the largest earthquakes in U.S. history. Another major earthquake in this area would be felt throughout Missouri and the Midwest, and cause damage in much of southern and eastern Missouri, including the St. Louis area. To learn more about earthquakes in Missouri and how to prepare, visit www.sema.dps.mo.gov/earthquake_preparedness. 6 | OUR TOWN |OCTOBER 2018

SUBMITTED PHOTO

A whole lot of shakin’

Attending the dedication of a new building named for Sister Helen Negri were (from left) board member Samuel Jenkins, Sister Helen Negri and board president Tim Drury.

BY OLIVIA HOLLER Marygrove is a nonprofit organization that helps children and teens learn to overcome abusive past or other challenges they may meet. Staff members at Marygrove work and guide the kids where they need to be for a brighter future. Former CEO, Sister Helen Negri guided and inspired many throughout the 35 years working at Marygrove. “We started off with not much money in the bank, four girls and 11 staff members and now there are over 200 girls and Marygrove has grown and has met needs of ones who need help.” Negri said. She began her career at Marygrove with seven teenage girls and grew the agency into a multifaceted therapeutic residential care program for more than 200 children with behavioral health problems served daily including therapeutic foster care, a transitional living program, crisis service, an independent living program and a school. Throughout her work at Marygrove, she was dedicated- working long hours and making sure children got exactly what they needed. “There’s a lot of memories. Watching kids graduate, buy an apartment or car, handle money on their own; things like that are very fulfilling.” Negri said. While she has put all her time and efforts into this program, Negri is retiring and a building is named after her. It is a recognition of the many people she inspired and how she was selflessly devoted to the kids that were in the program.

AroundTown Negri passed down the CEO role to Joe Bestgen. He just started a few months ago. “I am new to the organization and so right now I’m still in the learning stage.” Bestgen said. Bestgen is responsible for managing the overall operations of the organization and helps with providing the resources the children and young adults need while staying at Marygrove. He hopes with his efforts with the program that it will continue to grow and flourish. Even during retirement, Negri still plans to help Marygrove by introducing people to it and help raise money for the programs. For more information about the program visit marygrovechildren.org.

Public input requested on Old Olive Corridor The Old Olive Corridor is a key project in 39 North, the new innovative AgTech District located in Creve Coeur. Currently, the project is in conceptual design and project partners are seeking input from Creve Coeur residents and business community. A public design party will be held on Thursday, Oct. 11, to give community members the opportunity to hear about the Old Olive Corridor project in 39 North, as well as provide feedback to project partners. The event is from 3:30-7:00 p.m. at the parking garage upper deck at Old Olive Street Road and Pavilion Drive. Food will be available for purchase. The Old Olive Street Road project, head-

ed by landscape architectural firm Christner, is looking at how improvements can support the needs of businesses, commuters, visitors and residents who will enjoy and benefit from an enhanced street - a street that supports people, cars and bikes. The 39 North District Master Plan, completed last year, sets a vision for access and circulation in the district, with the city of Creve Coeur, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, city of Olivette, Danforth Plant Science Center, BRDG Park, Helix Center, and Bayer being key partners. More details about the meeting and additional project news can be found at www.39northstl. com.

Advertorial

What symptoms may indicate a heart attack? toms, leading them to believe they are experiencing stomach, back, or indigestion symptoms,” said Azrak. “Therefore, they tend to deny themselves or delay timely care for their symptoms.” The best advice? “When you experience symptoms that are unusual for your state of health, such that they cause discomfort or malaise, especially if these symptoms cannot be explained by an existing condition, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible,” Elie Azrak, MD, cardiology said Azrak. To lower your risk of a heart attack, choose to make lasting healthy changes. Those changes can go a long way in reducing your risk. Azrak encourages eating a balanced diet and managing meal portions to reduce levels of cholesterol and body weight, walking at least 30 minutes a day for most days of the week, quitting smoking, and a healthier attitude toward life-related stress. Azrak encourages you to know your numbers and how they may affect your heart health. Blood pressure and cholesterol can be early indicators of a problem. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Healthy lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk of a heart attack You’ve heard it before. Heart attack symptoms can differ for men and women. So what should you watch for and how can you distinguish between symptoms of a heart attack and something else? First things first. What exactly is a heart attack? Eli Azrak, MD, SSM Health DePaul Hospital cardiologist explained that a heart attack is caused by a sudden interruption in the blood flow to part of the heart muscle, usually due to a blood clot in the location of a cholesterol blockage of the coronary artery. With interruption in blood flow, the heart muscle starts to die away. “As blood flow to the heart muscle is interrupted and the muscle begins to become starved for oxygen, nerve signals are released from the starving cells,: said Azrak. This starvation can cause a variety of symptoms, including but not limited to, chest discomfort, neck, jaw or arm discomfort or tightness, sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness and even fainting. “Unfortunately, it is not known why men and women often experience different symptoms,” Azrak. “Women may experience less typical symptoms, leading to lower recognition of a heart attack.” This can make it dangerous to ignore even the mildest discomfort or atypical health problem. “Women may be deceived by the lack of the typical symp-

12303 DePaul Hospital St. Louis, MO 63044 314-344-6000 | www.ssmhealth.com/locations/depaul-hospital-st-louis OCTOBER 2018 | OUR TOWN | 7

OurThoughts MOORE ON LIFE BY CINDY MOORE

MOORE ON LIFE BY CINDY MOORE

Terror tale There are two kinds of terror First is the blood curdling kind of scare; the kind of scare when you come face to face with a startling creature. I have experienced this type when facing myself for the first time in the fitting room mirror during spring swimsuit sales. Many a security guard has been sent into my dressing cubicle after hearing my gasps and screams expecting to find murder and mayhem only to be chased out wearing a coat hanger around his Adam’s apple. Then there’s the other kind of terror; the kind you get when something you least expect to happen…happens. Such as, when I want to impress my family with homemade rolls and remember I know nothing about homemade or rolls. I then rely on the pre-packaged kind, also known as: explosives-in-a-can. I have lost consciousness, a few heartbeats as well as control of my bladder because a biscuit bomb went off in my face before I fully unwrapped the can. Recently I experienced yet another kind of least-expectit terror. I had just made the rounds cleaning up a few things around the house and needed to put away some towels in the cat’s bathroom. Don’t judge. They have their food, water and litterbox in there so we’ve branded it, the cat’s bathroom. Only in the U.S.A. can a pair of overindulged, fat furry felines get their own bathroom. God bless America! But I digress. As I shut the linen door and prepared to leave, I spied a kibble on the floor that had somehow escaped the cat food dish. “Dang fur babies can’t keep anything in order,” I mut

8 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2018

tered to myself. I reached down and snatched it up in a tight finger lock. That’s when the feelings in my digits transmitted immediately to my brain that all was not right. “Mayday! Mayday! Nerve endings sensing inaccuracy.” My mind sent down further flashes of information. “Kibble should remain firm and inflexible. Abort! Abort! Misidentified!” “Huh?” Said my slow-witted self. “Kibble should never…squish!” “Ooo-o-oh,” I said finally putting two and two together. The horror finally kicked in. I gasped, I gagged, I screamed, I tripped over the rug to the sink and flicked and soaped and scrubbed and plunged my fingers under scalding water. Moral: beware when your brain puts two and two together; it might actually be poo and poo.

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

SOME ASSEMBLY

AVALANCHE

REQUIRED

The item is a single piece of molded plastic, three feet in diameter and six inches deep; as simple of a contraption as it can be. Lime green in color, the kiddie wading pool purchased by Staci the other day for the Newfy puppies, came festooned with an assortment of warning stickers and a plastic pouch containing “Assembly Instructions.” Curious as to how one could “assemble” a one-piece wading pool, I carefully perused the multi-page instructions in hope of enlightenment. There was a large assortment of sternly-worded warnings that admonished the owner of the new pool that this was an incredibly dangerous piece of equipment, and numerous risks were attached to the possession and/or use of said item. Severe injury, death, and everything from hangnails to halitosis were all possible consequences of simply having this thing in the yard, empty or full. If all the warnings, cautions and “DANGER!!!” hysteria weren’t enough, a full paragraph instructed the now-terrified purchaser of this liquid-filled Sword of Damocles to be sure to consult with their local building code enforcement officer before “installing” or using the device, as apparently, no one can do anything these days without the approval of Someone in Authority. Of course, all these warnings and prohi-

bitions were helpfully printed in multiple languages, to promote diversity and inclusion. Apparently, people are pretty stupid the world around. I ignored all of the foregoing, and simply set the pool on the ground, filled it with water, and my Newfy puppies frolicked in the pool. They expressed their gratitude by chewing on the edges, reflecting the happiness of amphibious dogs living dangerously. My inner curmudgeon was triggered by the multitude of intelligence-insulting warnings, and I remembered back when I was a kid (a long time ago) we had these pesky things called “parents” who somehow managed to keep us from drowning in pools much larger than the footbath now out in my front yard, all without pages of instructions. Heck, even my dogs, not known for their great intelligence (except when they want to manipulate Staci and I into feeding them extra treats) have been able to play in the pool without mishap. However, in our modern age, such “assembly instructions” are now the norm, and probably a requirement, aside from legal reasons. For example, one of the big-box home improvement stores is now teaching a class on how to use a tape measure, as the use of such seems to no longer be self-evident. Our local sheriff is now helping to teach

prospective backcountry hikers and climbers how to not get lost, or fall off mountains and become search-and-rescue clients, something that has happened with increasing regularity. One form of instruction that used to be common here in the mountains, and is more necessary now than ever, is how to perform toilet functions in the backcountry, where there is no toilet. (Hint… Bury It!!!) Local outdoor shops used to give away a small booklet called “How to S*** in the Woods,” and it did wonders in keeping the forest tidy. Alas, with many, if not most outdoor gear purchases made online, such basic knowledge seems to have been lost on newcomers. One has to wonder, at what point does this nanny-state micro-management finally plateau, and begin to subside? It’s hard to say, but when toilet paper and tape measures require instructions, we’re probably a long way from the peak.

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.

OCTOBER 2018

| OUR TOWN | 9

OPEN SEASON

City of Creve Coeur changes deer hunting policies to encourage more hunters to help curb the local population 10 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2018

BIGSTOCK BY CHARLOTTE BEARD The city of Creve Coeur resumed its bow hunting season for deer Sept. 15, which runs through Nov. 9 and again from Nov. 21 through Jan. 15, 2019. The schedule runs in line with protocols of the Missouri Department of Conservation. Though the city has allowed hunting by trained archery hunters since 2011, this year they have made some changes to their regulations. Captain Tim Koncki of Creve Coeur shared that the city’s analysis of past years’ deer population revealed that there has been a significant drop in the number of deer sightings. Koncki also shared that the previous liability insurance requirement discouraged hunters from wanting to participate. Proper credentials, including licensing, is now enough to hunt within the city limit. Below are the other changes to the city’s regulations: • Allows for hunting on or near a church, school, or playground provided the owner of such property has provided express written consent to hunt during specified dates and time periods. • Maintains that no hunting is authorized on tracts

of land under one acre in area, except that adjacent property owners may combine their parcels to satisfy the one acre minimum. Specifics of the Deer Control Policy and Hunting Regulations are under ordinance 5600. The city will create and maintain a list of bow hunters on its government website that private property owners can access to contact a hunter. Administration is currently securing rights to release the contact information. Creve Coeur recommends owners facilitate their own process for selecting a hunter from the list or other sources. Koncki shared that city officials are planning a public meeting with trustees to answer general questions about hunting or the logistics for requesting a professional for personal property. Koncki encourages all trained archery hunters to participate in the city’s deer hunting season. An application is available on the city’s website for both the property owner and hunter. For more information visit www.crevecoeurmo.gov/Deer or call 314274-2109. OCTOBER 2018 | OUR TOWN | 11

NonProfitProfile

A tradition of excellence:

St. Louis Jewish Book Festival celebrates 40 years

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

12 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2018

The St. Louis Jewish Book Festival is an annual celebration of premier authors, books, and ideas during the first two weeks of November, with additional bookend events year-round. The range of author topics is vast: fiction, history, music, politics, cooking, family, religion, sports and more. Now in its 40th year, the festival is nationally recognized for both its excellence and its size – it is one of the largest in the country with more than 10,000 audience members annually. People from all backgrounds and religions come to Festival events to hear premier speakers, share their thoughts, and ask questions. Peter Sagal from NPR’s “Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” will kick off the 2018 season with a Keynote Presentation on Nov. 4. More than 30 additional authors will present their latest titles through Nov.16. Festival favorites such as Martin Fletcher (“Promised Land,” Nov. 5), Sarge (Nov. 10), Rebecca Rosen (“What the Dead Have Taught Me About Living Well,” Nov. 12) and Marilyn Rothstein (“Husbands and Other Sharp Objects,” Nov. 13) will be returning to St. Louis this year. Additionally, the Festival is excited to introduce the community to some new authors, such as Izzy Ezagui (“Disarmed,” Nov. 7), Stephen Flatow (“A Father’s Story,” Nov. 9), Beck Dorey-Stein (“From the Corner of the Oval,” Nov. 14) and Nell Scovell (“Just The Funny Parts,” Nov. 15). The St. Louis Jewish Book Festival is honored to not only have such talent during November, which is Jewish Book Month, but that so many exceptional writers will appear throughout the year. In January, a community-wide program will feature author Sam Graham-Felsen whose first novel, “Green,” has received critical acclaim. The story of two middle school boys in 1992, “Green” explores a cross-racial friendship embracing one of our essential American stories. Graham-Felsen will moderate a discussion with leaders from local schools about education, class, and modern day civil rights. Festival-goers can take advantage of the Premier Pass, which allows entry to all Jewish Book Festival Events (through June 2018) for only $110. Passes can be ordered by calling 314-442-3299. Student tickets are free for any author event with a valid student ID at the door. Nearly all Jewish Book Festival Events take place at the J’s Staenberg Family Complex at 2 Millstone Campus Drive in Creve Coeur. The core festival, which runs Nov. 4-16, is a program of the Jewish Community Center. More information can be found at stljewishbookfestival.org.

OurLifestyle 2018

VOLVO XC60

HITS THE ROAD AS ONE OF THE SAFEST SUV’S EVER BUILT Volvo Motors is answering the needs of luxury SUV buyers seeking a comfortable five-passenger, mid-size, all-wheel-drive vehicle with the introduction of their 2018 XC60. Regardless of your viewing angle, this newest version has an outer body design that’s modern and attractive. The 2018 replaces Volvo’s highly-successful original/out-going version. Worth noting, in the nine years since XC60’s launch, it became the best-selling premium mid-sized SUV in Europe, with nearly a million units sold globally. The vehicle today represents some 30 percent of Volvo’s total global sales overall. “We have a strong heritage in designing stylish and dynamic SUVs that offer the latest in technology. The new XC60 will be no exception. It’s the perfect car for an active lifestyle, and it represents the next step in our transformation plan,” said Hakan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive, Volvo Car Group. Honestly, it’s fair to suggest that most car company ad campaigns tend to boast on how safe their vehicles are. To that point, the new XC60 is also one of the safest SUV’s ever built and thus needs to be included under this safety canopy. Without question, this world-class vehicle is fully-loaded with a legendary list of welcomed standard features. The short list includes: large panoramic moonroof, front power seats with massage and ventilation, LED front and rear lighting, under floor rear hidden storage, 9-inch center dash touch screen, front and rear parking assist feature with back up camera plus a sophisticated chassis that helps convey a connected driving experience that’s sure footed and precise. To take this to yet a higher level, their op13 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2018

tional four corner air ride suspension system not only helps to comprise an ecstatic driving experience, it automatically can lower the vehicle some two inches in order to assist with cargo. Volvo’s unique Steer Assist feature for ‘18 has been added to their ground-breaking City Safety system. Additionally, a new safety breakthrough referred to as Oncoming Lane Mitigation uses steer assist to help alleviate head-on collisions, while Volvo’s Blind Spot Indication System now uses Steer Assist functionality to reduce the risk of lane-changing collisions. I will admit that the automatic steering assist does take some time to get accustom to. It’s almost as if an invisible co-pilot is taking over control of the car’s steering in order to help keep the vehicle between the driving lanes. The factory’s Pilot Assist enhancement is further defined as Volvo’s advanced semiautonomous driver abatement system. Besides addressing the vehicles steering, it’s also linked to the car’s overall acceleration and braking componentry. This option is designed to function on well-marked and defined roads up to 80 MPH. On the otherhand, when driving on pavement in which the center lane markers and/or right side shoulder paint striping was sun faded, Pilot Assist appeared to be somewhat “electronically puzzled” in making the correct driving assist maneuvers. Focused towards XC60’s interior, it’s a solid illustration of a masterful and well thought out architecture, with the use of beautiful materials such as real wood, chrome inserts and the very latest in technology. Pricing runs from $41,500-$45,300 however, if you choose their 400-horsepower T8

plug-in Hybrid, it has an MSRP of $56,700. The pricing excludes the factories $995 destination and shipping charges. At roadtest, I drove the Inscription T6 with AWD. It had their 2.0-liter turbo/supercharged engine rated at 316-horsepower. The EPA numbers reflected 21-mpg city/27-mpg highway. It had a sticker price of $63,290 after option packages. The base warranty is for 48-months/50,000 miles and also included is regular scheduled maintenance for 3-years/36,000 miles. The new Volvo XC60 is produced at their Torslanda Plant, located in Sweden.

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

Cooper and Gaga shine in

“A Star Is Born”

PHOTO COURTESY WARNER BROS.

“A Star Is Born” is an old story. So old, in fact, it was first told in 1937 and then again three more times. The reason this story stays evergreen is because the glories and horrors of fame and fortune continue to play out in places like Hollywood, Nashville and New York City again and again and again. The 2018 version of “A Star Is Born” is notable because it contains some impressive “firsts” for two of our galaxy’s brightest performers. Pop star Lady Gaga is outstanding in her first turn onscreen as a leading lady, while her co-star Bradley Cooper shows off his chops behind the camera in his directorial debut. So if this saga of love, loss and fame has slipped past you in the last 80 years, allow me to get you up to speed. Cooper plays Jackson Maine, a gritty, soulful rocker whose career is on the backside of a high peak. Even though he is sweet and often unassuming, Jackson has his demons – most prominently his raging alcoholism. After one gig and in desperate need of a drink, Jackson drops into the first bar he can find. It is there where he meets Ally (Lady Gaga), a frustrated singer/songwriter who is ready to cash out on her dream, outside of an occasional performance as the only female singer in a drag show. Ally catches Jackson’s eye, but it’s her tal-

ent that captures his heart. The two begin a whirlwind courtship that includes Jackson bringing Ally on stage where she shines under the bright lights in front of huge crowds. It is at this point that Ally’s career as a solo artist begins to take off, just as Jackson’s drinking gets worse and worse to the point that it threatens to derail both of their careers and their relationship. While “A Star Is Born” has more than its share of rough and raw moments, it is at its heart a love story and the chemistry between Gaga and Cooper is undeniable. When stripped of the artifice of her pop persona, Gaga is able to bring a blue-collar edge to her performance as Ally. She certainly has the chops to command the screen and seeing her nab some award nominations for this role would be no surprise. As convincing as Gaga is as an actress, Cooper is almost equally convincing as a musician, singing respectably in a gravely, earthy voice that sounds like he is impersonating Sam Elliott. This turned out to be intentional as Cooper cast Elliot as Jackson’s older brother and road manager. Cooper brought in an excellent supporting cast for this movie, including notable turns by Andrew Dice Clay as Ally’s father and Dave Chappelle as one of Jackson’s childhood friends. “A Star Is Born” is at its best when Coo-

per and Gaga share the screen, particularly when they are onstage. Cooper does an excellent job of putting the audience onstage with the performers and gives us all a tiny taste of what a thrill it must be to be a rock star. And the songs aren’t half bad either. Cooper is very intimate with his camera work, featuring a lot of close ups and lingering on Gaga’s face in the moments where Jackson is the most enamored with her. “A Star Is Born” can’t be accused of breaking new ground, but it does show the value of taking a familiar story and doing it very, very well. Don’t be surprised if this movie lingers into awards season and maybe even walks away with a trophy or two. “A Star Is Born” is rated R for language throughout, some sexuality/nudity and substance abuse. For up to the minute reviews, columns and all things entertainment go to www. matsentertainment.com 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.

OCTOBER 2018

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OurLifestyle OurLifestyle

NUTRITIOUS MEALS for busy school nights

When school is back in session, the real test for parents is not in the classroom, but in the kitchen. Between breakfast, lunch and dinner – not to mention snacks – meal planning seems endless and daunting. With convenient options like canned ingredients on-hand, parents can have the makings of a wholesome homemade meal right at their fingertips. Canned foods not only help cut down on prep time in the kitchen, but also deliver nutritional benefits. In fact, kids and adults who use six or more canned foods per week are more likely to have diets higher in 17 essential nutrients, according to a study published in “Nutrients.” Plus, cans provide year-round access to seasonal fruits and vegetables, and keep food fresh and flavorful without the need for preservatives and additives. From on-the-go breakfasts like Vegetable Frittata Minis to hearty dinners like this Beef and Vegetable Soup and everything in-between, a well-stocked pantry – or your “cantry” – full of canned proteins, fruits, vegetables and soups can help busy parents get through the week with creative meals they can feel good about serving their families. For more information about the nutritional benefits of cooking with canned foods and to find flavorful recipes for the back-to-school season, visit CansGetYouCooking.com. 15 | OUR TOWN || OCTOBER 2018

Gluten-Free Pumpkin & Chocolate Chip Bread Recipe courtesy of Cans Get You Cooking | Servings: 20 (2 loaves)

I ngredients: 4 cups oat flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg pinch of salt 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 2 cups granulated sugar

4 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin 2 cups chopped walnuts 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar 1 tablespoon milk

Directions: Heat oven to 350 F. Grease two 8-by-4-inch loaf pans. In large bowl, combine oat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. In large bowl using mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add vanilla, oat flour mixture and pumpkin; beat until just blended. Stir in walnuts and chocolate chips. Spoon mixture into prepared pans. Bake 50-55 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely. In small bowl, stir confectioners’ sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle mixture over pumpkin bread.

OurLifestyle Tuna Sliders with Green Chilies Recipe courtesy of Cans Get You Cooking | Servings: 12 I ngredients: 1 can (5-ounce) tuna, packed in water, drained and flaked 1 can (4.25-ounce) chopped green chilies 1/4 cup diced celery Directions: In large bowl, combine tuna, green chilies, celery, red onion, mayonnaise and chopped cilantro; toss to mix well.

1/4 cup diced red onion 1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley Top bottom half of each roll with lettuce leaves; top with some tuna mixture and top half of roll.

Beef and Vegetable Soup Recipe courtesy of Cans Get You Cooking | Servings: 6 I ngredients: 1 cup cooked egg noodles 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 pound lean ground beef 1 medium onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) lowsodium beef broth

1 1 1 1

can (14 1/2 ounces) sliced carrots,drained can (14 1/2 ounces) cut green beans can (14 1/2 ounces stewed tomatoes teaspoon dried basil

Directions: In 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, in hot oil, cook ground beef until well browned on all sides, stirring frequently. With slotted spoon, remove beef to bowl.

Vegetable Frittata Minis Recipe courtesy of Cans Get You Cooking | Servings: 36 I ngredients: Nonstick cooking spray 8 large eggs 1/2 cup milk 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon dried basil 1 can (8 ounces) mixed vegetables, drained 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

In drippings remaining in saucepan over medium heat, cook onion and garlic until tender-crisp. Add beef broth, carrots, green beans, stewed tomatoes, basil and ground beef; over high heat, heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10-15 minutes to blend flavors, stirring occasionally. Stir in cooked egg noodles.

Directions: Heat oven to 375 F. Spray mini muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray. In large bowl, beat eggs, milk, salt, pepper and basil to blend well. Stir in mixed vegetables and Parmesan cheese. Fill prepared pans with egg mixture. Bake until egg mixture puffs and is just set in center, about 8-10 minutes. With rubber spatula, loosen frittatas from muffin cups and slide onto platter. OCTOBER 2018

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InDepth

Daring to dance Hearing-impaired McCluer North student has taken her love of dance to the Muny stage and beyond while gaining national acclaim BY CHARLOTTE BEARD

ew people can say they’ve had the opportunity to perform before thousands of people at The Muny and travel outside of St. Louis to participate in dance programs in New York City and San Francisco. One McCluer North High School student has managed to catch the attention of professionals in the dance industry to do all of this and more. Cici Gregory, a 16-year-old dancer who trains at COCA, has a unique story for how she began her journey. When Cici was born prematurely it caused her a lot of health challenges. Montoya Gregory, Cici’s father, said that Cici was less than two years old when she was diagnosed with hearing loss in both ears at the Moog Center for Deaf Education. She then began wearing hearing aids in both ears until she was five-and-a-half years old, at which time she was implanted on one side with a cochlear implant. Cici’s father and mother – Latisha, shares the difference between her phonak hearing aid and the implant. The cochlear implant has an internal electronic implant that requires surgery and the outer piece, the processor, which sits externally behind the ear. Sound that is detected by the processor travels to the internal implant which stimulates the cochlear and auditory nerve allowing these signals to reach the brain to produce hearing. The cochlear implant can filter sounds at specific frequencies to allow the detection of increased sound and better quality of sound or speech. Her mom emphasized that unlike some prescription eyeglasses that correct vision, the cochlear implant does not correct hearing. However, it does improve her access to sound and speech quality. In regards to the hearing aid in the other ear, it makes sound louder but it doesn’t improve the quality of sound or speech for Cici. Montoya gave the example of a radio station. When listening to an AM radio station if there is static as you’re listening to what someone is saying, to hear the speaker you might simply turn up the volume on the radio, but at the same time, you’re also increasing the static. This is similar to what Cici would have with just the hearing aid. Her parents share, “The reason Cici continues to use both is because the hearing aid on one side, although she has 17 | OUR TOWN | OCTOBER 2018

PHOTO COURTESY VALERIE SONNEVELDT

Cici Gregory, a 16-year-old dancer and McCluer North High School student, trains at COCA and has performed before thousands of people at The Muny and traveled to participate in dance programs in New York City and San Francisco.

severe hearing loss in that ear, is because it helps her with sound localization depending on the frequency and it allows her to hear bass (low frequency) sounds in dance which can be important for rhythm depending on the type of music. Her cochlear implant really helps with higher frequency where speech occurs. By having both devices, it allows her to participate in dance, but also learn to talk and communicate orally.” Cici’s journey in dance began after her toddler years of enduring occupational and physical therapy due to being born a severe preemie. She started with gymnastics when it was recommended that she join dance or gymnastics to continue improving her gross motor skills. A year later when Cici didn’t want to do gymnastics anymore, she was enrolled in a dance studio where her cousin attended. By the age of four, Cici started the beginner combo class of tap, ballet and jazz. Cici who was born weighing one pound and 11 ounces said, “I needed that to be stronger too because I was a little bit weak.” Cici’s first dance competition was at the age of six or seven years old with Underground at CAC dance studio and she competed at Starpower National Dance Competition for regionals. Latisha shares, “We were so nervous the entire time, con-

cerned that her devices would come flying off or that she’d forget the dance and panic. She did an amazing job and won an award. She qualified for Nationals, which was held later in the dance season in Orlando. She traveled to Orlando for competitions and again had an amazing performance.” Cici gained her opportunity to train at the Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York City after auditioning at the COCA sponsored Regional Summer Intensive Auditions in January 2014. She received a partial scholarship. The dancer got her chance to perform with The Muny when she was 13 years old in dance ensembles due to encouragement from Mr. and Mrs. Lara Teeter after one of their workshops. They noticed her dance skills and encouraged her to take voice lessons to give The Muny audition a try. She landed in “Hairspray.” “It was so much fun,” stated Cici. “It was very eye-opening for me. Now I’m into more musicals. The environment in (The Muny) community was very, very open and very loving and welcoming.” Later that summer she received an invitation to perform in their production of “Beauty and the Beast.” In July 2018, Cici participated in a summer dance program in San Francisco – “Alonzo King Lines Ballet” due to a selection process from a January 2018 audition in Atlanta. The opportunity was part of their national audition series. “When I got to the audition,” stated Cici, “there were maybe 30 kids in there. So, I was like okay…I’ll do my best. I was (positioned) in the back corner. I was (thinking) ‘I’m very short so I’m gonna’ have to really do the best I can.’ The teacher walks around and I’m trying to make sure I know what I’m doing but also give my artistic vibe. Then we had to do improv. That (was) the first time I did improv ever in an audition. I was really trying to improv, trying not to look too crazy. Then the teacher wanted us to portray ourselves as animals. I was trying to be like a little snake. I’m trying to do something different…something

risky but I don’t want to be too risky where it just knocks me out (of the running). So, I kinda’ keep it cool. When I left the audition I (thought), ‘I don’t think I’m going to make it. These kids are too talented.’ I did my best, but I didn’t think it was enough to surpass the other kids. So, I said (to my) mom, ‘I appreciate you having me go all the way to Atlanta to do this audition. I don’t know if it’s going to be worth it.’ Three days later (I got notice), ‘Welcome Cici, you got a full scholarship.” Montoya shared that one of the most impressive things about this selection of his and Latisha’s daughter is that she was auditioning among 30 kids at the highest skill level from across the nation. Cici opened-up about her challenges with performing in the dance industry while deaf. “Before the ‘Alonzo King Lines’ program, I would kind of be constantly on myself. I want to stand out more but also want to make sure I’m fulfilling what they want and try to make sure I’m on time with the rhythm and counts. But after ‘Lines’ I felt more competent and a lot more peace with myself instead of worrying so much about those things. Also, throughout the program I learned more about the rhythm. So, I understand more about how to find the rhythm in the music. I just [must] calm myself, listen to the beats, count it and go over and over it. Yes, the process of doing that will take me longer to get [what I need] than other people but I know soon I will be able to master it. I feel like now I am doing much better in terms of handling different situations with given instructions at a fast pace. Yes, I will ask questions like, ‘Hey can you say that again? I didn’t hear what you said. Will you please repeat that for me?’ I’m not as nervous anymore, I’ll just step up and ask questions.” Listening to Cici, Montoya shared that he has often wondered how she knows to transition in music with her dance. Cici shared that she feels she hears sounds that no one else hears

PHOTO COURTESY FRESH ARTS PHOTO

InDepth

and uses her process of counting with those sounds to navigate her performances. She also has been able to find a physical connection in syncing with sounds and rhythms. In addition, for collaborations Cici learns some of the movements of others to use as her queue for when there should be a start or change in her own routine. By doing this, if someone misses or makes an error in their routine she knows the timing for following with her own. On occasion, Cici has found herself ‘faking it until she made it’ when her processor for the implant has fallen off during a performance. “While all of that is happening in my head, Cici shares, “I also have to find peace because if I over work I get a little bit frustrated with myself if I don’t get it. So, I have to calm down, find peace, and start all over again. It’s a process.” Cici desires to keep dancing into her adult years as a professional. She encourages others, especially youth, to be themselves and follow their dreams.

OCTOBBER 2018

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October 1 Child Health Day 6 Document shredding event The Creve Coeur Police Department, in collaboration with the Creve Coeur Joint Crime Prevention Partnership will be offering an opportunity for residents to safely destroy documents containing personal information. This event will be held at the Creve Coeur Farmerâ€™s Market in the parking lot of the Westgate Shopping Center located at Olive Blvd. and Tempo Dr. Document shredding services will be on a first come, first serve basis and limited to the capacity of the commercial-sized shredding truck. Items no larger than staples and paper clips may be attached to the papers. This event is not for business documents, it is only for documents that contain personal information that could lead to identity theft. For more tips on how to protect your identity, visit our identity theft prevention website. To find out more about the free document shredding event, contact the Crime Prevention Officer at 314442-2075.

8 Columbus Day 9 Leif Erikson Day 13 Navy Birthday 15 White Cane Safety Day

16 Bossâ€™s Day 20 Oktoberfest Gather your family and friends for a free fun fall afternoon in Vago Park, at 2700 Fee Fee Rd. at the intersection of Midland Ave. and Fee Fee Rd., from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Activities include: live music by Jake Gill, face painting, the Bubble Bus, various games, paint-a-pumpkin station, food trucks and a family-friendly Halloween Contest. Yard games, including corn hole toss, washers, and giant-sized Jenga and Connect 4, will be available for pick-up games. Food trucks will also be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

27 Drug takeback event The Creve Coeur Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to the Creve Coeur Police Department located at 300 North New Ballas Rd. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Please note, the DEA will only accept pills or patches. They cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps.

31 Halloween