OurTown: November - December 2014

November/December 2014

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November/December 2014

Contents 4 finance Flexible Spending Accounts, Commuter Benefits Cut Your Taxes

By Jason Alderman

5 expert advice

North County is a resilient place. I know, because I grew up here. After my

grandfather

first

started

The Self-employment Surge and How Professionals can Best Prepare

the

Community News in North St. Louis in

6 County Business NEWS

1921 the paper has continued to publish

Greater North County Chamber of Commerce Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce North County Incorporated, Regional Development Association

every week for the past 93 years. I remember delivering the paper house to house as a young boy in North County when my dad and his brothers were intensely involved in running the

12 The Medical Memo Know The Risks and Signs of Stroke - FAST!

paper. They knew local merchants

By Amer Alshekhlee, M.D.

well and my dad was involved in many business and community organizations.

As a boy, I became familiar with many of

13 HEALTH DEPARTMENT

the names of North County business

Fall Foot Health Made Easy

owners, and was introduced to several when they visited my home. When I became publisher of Community

14 HOLIDAY TIPS Holiday Shipping 101

News in 1991, after more than 20 years living far from St. Louis, I became reacquainted with the local business

15 FUN FOR ALL Thanks for Giving

community of North County. Although

By Dave Welborn, Executive Director KEEN St. Louis

the names had changed, I found them to be the same group of honest, hard working, value based people who just wanted to make a living and maybe a little extra. These local small business owners are the core of what makes North County strong. And they are the reason why this issue of Our Town magazine offers a cover story about

16 Business is Good in Maryland Heights Groups Reinvest in North County

Many area groups are rising to the occasion in attempts to aid small businesses in North County

By Shawn Clubb

19 Calendar of Events

the business community caught up in the turmoil in Ferguson. We in North County are fortunate to have organizations like North County Inc. helping lead and coordinate with the Regional Business Council to develop the Recover St. Louis Coalition. Read about it in this issue of Our Town and see why North County is a resilient place.

Thank you for reading Our Town.

Robert Huneke Publisher

VOL 5 / NO6

Our Town is a Community News publication. It is published every other month and directmailed to 7,150 business executives in North and Northwest St. Louis county, plus online circulation.

Online subscriptions are FREE and available at www.mycnews.com For advertising information please contact: Community News 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Drive | O’Fallon, MO 63366 | 636.379.1775 | www.mycnews.com Publisher - Robert Huneke Editor - Andrew Tessmer Staff Writer - Shawn Clubb Contributing Writers - Jason Alderman | Amer Alshekhlee, MD | Dave Welborn Photographer - Ray Rockwell Art Director - Chris Oth Cover Photo - Courtesy of Bigstockphoto Copyright 2014 Huneke Publications, Inc. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of the publisher.

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Finance Flexible Spending Accounts, Commuter Benefits Cut Your Taxes

By Jason Alderman

For millions of Americans, 2015 open enrollment for employer-provided benefits is right around the corner. While it may be tempting to simply opt for the same coverage you have this year, doing so could cost you hundreds–or thousands–of dollars in tax savings.

ble expenses related to care for your child, spouse, parent or other dependent incapable of self-care. Eligible expenses include: • Fees for licensed daycare and adult care facilities.

• Amounts paid for services provided in or outside your home so that you and your spouse can work, look for work, or attend school full-time.

Have I captured your attention?

Find out if your employer offers flexible spending accounts (FSAs).

They let you pay for eligible out-of-pocket healthcare and/or dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis–that is, before federal, state, local and Social Security taxes have been deducted from your paycheck.

Also look for a commuter benefit plan, where you can pay for certain workplace mass transit and parking expenses with pretax dollars. By contributing to an FSA or commuter plan to cover expenses you would have paid for anyway, you reduce your taxable income by that amount, which in turn lowers your tax bill.

Here’s how it can add up: Say you’re married, jointly earn $90,000 a year and contribute 5 percent to a 401(k). If you contribute $2,000 to a healthcare FSA and $4,000 for dependent care, your resulting net income, after taxes, would be roughly $1,700 more than if you had paid for those expenses on an after-tax basis. Use the FSA calculator at www.dinkytown.net to evaluate your own situation.

And, with a commuter plan, you can use pretax dollars to pay for up to $130 a month in transit expenses (bus, train, vanpool, etc.) and $250 a month in qualified parking expenses and reap the same kind of tax benefit.

You can use a healthcare FSA to pay for any IRS-allowed medical expenses not covered by your medical, dental or vision plans. This includes deductibles, copayments, orthodontia, glasses, prescription drugs, chiropractic, smoking cessation programs and many more. Note: Over-the-counter medications, except for insulin, require a doctor’s prescription to be eligible. (See IRS Publication 502.)

Dependent care FSAs let you use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligi-

4

• Before- and afterschool programs for dependents under age 13.

• Babysitting by relatives over age 19 who aren’t your dependent.

For some lower-income families, the federal income tax dependent care tax credit is more advantageous than an FSA so crunch the numbers or ask a tax expert which alternative is best. Note: You cannot claim the same expenses under both tax breaks.

Keep in mind these FSA restrictions: • The IRS limits employee contributions to healthcare FSAs to $2,500 a year.

• The dependent care FSA contribution limit is $5,000 if you’re single or married filing jointly.

• Healthcare and dependent care account contributions are not interchangeable.

• Outside of open enrollment, you can only make mid-year FSA changes after a major life or family status change.

• You must re-enroll in FSAs each year.

You’ll also need to estimate planned healthcare FSA expenses carefully or risk having to forfeit your unused account balance. Employers may choose to either: offer a grace period of up to 2 ½ months after the plan year’s end to incur expenses; or allow you to carry over up to $500 to use in the following year.

With commuter plans you can change contribution amounts throughout the year whenever your needs change; you can also carry over unused funds from month to month. OT Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs.

Our Town

Expert advice The Self-employment Surge and How Professionals can Best Prepare One in two American workers are projected to be self-employed by 2020, according to MBO Partners. While the shifting economy has surely pushed some people into independent work, many have chosen it.

Career goals for contemporary professionals are changing and given how quickly this trend is taking hold in the United States, today’s employees who aspire to be tomorrow’s contract workers need to prepare now to navigate this changing landscape.

To help professionals effectively transition to contract work, the Career Advisory Board, established by DeVry University, worked with MBO Partners, Inc., to conduct a new study, The Future of Work: Preparing for Independence, which examined the attributes and skills of those who are gainfully self-employed to help aspiring contractors get and stay ahead in this ever-changing work environment.

According to the study, professionals are choosing self-employment in order to control the type of work assignments they pursue (67 percent), to have a greater sense of flexibility and work-life balance (64 percent), and to follow a passion (59 percent).

“While they are young, millennials should be proactive in taking advantage of intrapreneurship and training opportunities, as well as acquiring transferable skills like project management, budgeting, sales, and marketing, in an established organization,” says Alexandra Levit, career advisory board member. “This will be the

ten does not generate income. In fact, just 6 percent said social media outreach led to paid project work. Therefore, create strong profiles on sites like LinkedIn and Google+, but refrain from spending too much time on these networks and make sure you still build in face time. Seek in-person meetings, attend events and workshops, and be visible to your future clients beyond your social media accounts.

foundation of a viable contract career in the future.”

Based on the research findings, the Career Advisory Board recommends the following strategies to help professionals excel in independent employment: • Take off the blinders: Being your own boss may sound enticing, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Survey respondents said that in addition to having solid expertise in a particular field, successful contract workers must be selfstarters who have the ability to cope with uncertainty, including an unpredictable income stream. Many contactors work remotely, have multiple clients to report to, and have to juggle multiple projects at once. Assess your strengths and weakness before jumping into contract work, make sure you have an organized action plan to help you start off on the right foot, and always keep an open mind and be able to adapt quickly.

• In-person networking still trumps social media: The survey pool reported that while social media is important for contractors’ branding and reputation, it of-

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• Start small and look local: Although technological advances allow many self-employed professionals to offer their services globally, the majority of the respondents still obtain most of their work assignments from within their immediate metropolitan area.

While it’s a good long-term goal to think about how you might leverage a larger and more diverse pool of potential clients, aspiring contractors should first embark on being visible in their local communities. It is also a good rule of thumb to start small with only one or two clients until you master the craft of contract work.

“As independence is becoming more desired in today’s economy, professionals need to stand out by building strong networks in their communities and being visible to local employers that use contract work,” says Gene Zaino, president and CEO, MBO Partners. “Use your time wisely—stay focused on your core, billable expertise and find ways to outsource other non-essential functions.”

For additional career advice and to view The Future of Work: Preparing for Independence executive summary, visit, www. careeradvisoryboard.org. OT

County Business NEWS GNCC Seeks Nominations for Business Person of the Year The Greater North County Chamber is seeking nominations for the 2015 Outstanding Business Person of the Year.

This person should embody the best qualities of community leadership through the combination of business, civic and community activities. This award is open to all Greater North County Chamber members.

All nominations should include the person’s personal and educational background, business accomplishments, and civic and community activities.

Nominations can be mailed to: Greater North County Chamber of

Commerce, 420 W. Washington St., Florissant, MO 63031, or nomination information can be emailed to GNCC President Carolyn Marty at carolyn@greaternorthcountychamber.com. The deadline for nomination submissions is Nov. 7.

The selection committee—chaired by 2014 Business Persons of the Year Pat and Lora Click of Click Heating & Cooling in Old Town Florissant—will select the award recipient. The recipient’s name will be announced at the GNCC’s Nite of Stars Gala on Dec. 5.

For more information, call the GNCC office at 314.831.3500. GNCC

GNCC to host Holiday Nite of Stars The Greater North County Chamber of Commerce will kick off the holiday season with its Nite of Stars, presented by Christian Hospital, on Friday, Dec. 5.

The Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce hosted a luau-themed business after hours event on Aug. 27 at Pheasant Run Apartments, 2050 Lakerun Court in Maryland Heights.

GNCC invites its members, staff, family, friends and community residents to join the festivities from 7 pm to midnight at the Paul Detrick Atrium, 11133 Dunn Rd., on the campus of Christian Hospital.

Guests were supposed to mingle outside by the pool, but were forced inside by a downpour of rain. The clubhouse at Pheasant Run Apartments was sizeable enough to accommodate the more than 30 guests in attendance. There was plenty of Hawaiian-themed food and drinks to go around while guests networked and played a round of limbo. MHCC

The holiday gala will feature hors d’oeuvres and desserts served throughout the evening, along with an open bar, silent auction, live auction, a DJ and dancing.

MHCC to Present November Luncheon and Business Leader of the Year Awards

The cost is $75 per person, which includes a chance to win cash prizes—one of which is $2,500. Additional tickets for the cash drawings are available for $25 each.

Rain forces attendees indoors during Pheasant Run Apartments luau-themed after hours event, but the fun and networking continued in the clubhouse. Photo courtesy MHCC

MHCC hosts Business After Hours Luau

The Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce will host the Seventh-Annual Business Leader of the Year Awards in conjunction with its November membership luncheon.

The awards ceremony, which will showcase Maryland Heights’ business achievements and excellence, will be hosted from 11:30 am to 1 pm Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Orlando’s Event & Conference Centers, 2050 Dorsett Village, Maryland Heights.

Nominations are being accepted to recognize people who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the business community. The award categories are: Business Leader of the Year Award, Business Investment Award, Corporate Commitment Award, Public Service Award, Rookie of the Year Award, Service Award and Volunteer Leadership Award.

Nomination forms can be found at www. mhcc.com or requested at 314.576.6603. MHCC 6

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Also available is the opportunity to purchase a V.I.P. table for $750. This includes eight tickets to the event, priority seating, champagne for eight, recognition at the event, and auction dollars—$20 per person for a total of $160 per table to spend on the auction.

To purchase tickets or for more information on sponsorship packages, call the GNCC office at 314.831.3500. The deadline to purchase tickets is Nov. 28. GNCC

County Business NEWS GNCC Music Trivia Night big hit with Crowd The Greater North County Chamber recently hosted its first Music Trivia Night at the JFK Community Center in Florissant.

Many of the guests embraced the theme of music with their costumes and table decorations. Greg Horta with Big Papa G Entertainment emceed the event, created the categories, and provided the accompanying music.

Sponsors included Presenting Sponsor Hospice Advantage; Round Sponsors Christian Hospital, Paul Cerame Auto Group, Gary’s Automotive Service, Schaefer Auto Body Centers, Goldkamp Heating and Cooling, and the City of Florissant; Bar Sponsor Ahleim & Dorsey LLC; Lottery Tree Sponsor US Bank; and VIP Table Sponsor Stygar Florissant Chapel.

Special thanks go to volunteers Ricky Hopkins Sr., Melissa Rakers, Loretta M. Davis, Eric Hansen and Arthur Williams. GNCC

TOP:Team members from Stygar Florissant Chapel enjoy dressing up for Music Trivia Night at the JFK Community Center.

ABOVE LEFT: The Bridge at Florissant shows its team spirit at Music Trivia Night at the JFK Community Center.

ABOVE RIGHT: Greg Horta with Big Papa G Entertainment gets the crowd moving at Music Trivia Night at the JFK Community Center.

Photos courtesy Debbie Wright

MHCC Hosts Ribbon-cutting Ceremony at U.S. Bank Maryland Heights

The Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new U.S. Bank Maryland Heights in conjunction with its grand opening on Sept. 18 at the new location at 11532 Page Service Drive.

U.S. Bank, the fifth largest bank in the United States, has more than 100 offices in St. Louis with a new location at the northwest corner of Ball Drive and Page Avenue. U.S. Bank provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers and businesses. For additional information, visit www.usbank.com. MHCC

Take it from

Barbara

Chamber members, community members and bank personnel celebrate the grand opening of the new U.S. Bank Maryland Heights location at a recent MHCC hosted ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 18. Photo courtesy MHCC

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30 Leaders in their thirties NCI Salutes 30 Leaders in their Thirties North County Incorporated, Regional Development Association (NCI) has named this year’s NCI Salutes 30 Leaders in their Thirties Leadership Award recipients. This group of up-and-coming professionals and volunteers, all of whom are making a significant difference in the North County area, were recognized at the NCI Salutes 30 Leaders in their Thirties reception on Friday, Sept. 26, at 11:30 am at Norwood Hills Country Club.

Alicia Acklin is resident of the Spanish Lake community in North St. Louis County, her career as a health care business analyst keeps her busy. She oversees the Medicaid eligibility from start to finish, assisting people who need help. Alicia educates people in enrolling for the Marketplace Exchange Insurance as a certified application counselor through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

She is a member of the Cover Missouri Coalition in their efforts to raise awareness around expanding affordable health insurance coverage options. Alicia has served as a mentor each summer in the St. Louis Internship Program.

Alicia has received two FACES awards for her efforts in assisting people with selection of Marketplace insurance. FACES stands for Friendly, Available, Caring, Efficient and Safe. The Spanish Lake Community Association and St. Louis County are members of North County Inc.

Anise Braggs is a co-owner of Once Upon a Bash. In this role with her business, Anise plans and oversees children’s parties and events. Through Once Upon a Bash, she organizes monthly fundraisers to help nonprofit organizations raise money and spread the word about their cause. Anise founded Cameron’s Smile, a support group that assists families of children with Brachial Plexus Injuries, a condition with which her son was born, which causes paralysis of the arm. Though Cameron’s Smile, she mentors families at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Anise serves as co-vice president of the United Brachial Plexus Network, a nationwide organization that strives to inform and support families affected by Brachial Plexus Injuries. Anise is director of a worldwide camp for children, adults and their families affected by Brachial Plexus Injuries.

Tim Barrett is city engineer for the city of Florissant. He administers the city’s right-of-ways, floodplain, sewer lateral program, and G.I.S. program, and advises the administration on technical matters. Tim has helped the city achieve Class 8 status in FEMA’s community rating system, which allows policyholders in the city to receive a 10 percent premium reduction on their flood insurance which saves approximately $32,000 annually. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Public Works Association, Engineers’ Club of St. Louis, and Association of State Floodplain Managers. Tim has been active with the Confluence Trash Bash, which is a watershed cleanup event that takes place annually in March. He helped the city start up and manage its own registration and cleanup sites as part of the regional event. Tim serves on the Trash Bash Steering Committee. The city of Florissant is a member of North County Inc.

Doug Bray is director of communications and community services for the Ritenour School District. In his position, Doug ensures that all district communications reflect Ritenour’s mission, vision and values. This year, he helped organize community groups in the district to make sure every child had access to a lunch over the summer. Doug has earned public relations awards from the Missouri School Public Relations Association and was named among the “Top 35 Under 35” public relations professionals by the National School Public Relations Association in 2012. Doug is a member of the Board of Directors for the Ritenour Pride & Promise Foundation, and a member of the Northwest Chamber of Commerce, the Northwest Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, the Overland Business Association, and the Ritenour Legislative Advocacy Committee. He is a school volunteer at Sacred Heart School and Eucharistic Minister for Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Florissant. Doug volunteers with the Florissant Fish Swim Team and St. Mark’s Mini-School. Ritenour School District is a member of North County Inc.

Jessica Bitting is K-8 English language arts content leader for the Ferguson-Florissant School District. Jessica oversees the design and implementation of K-8 English language arts curriculum. She has led the adoption and implementation of a district-wide K-8 balanced literacy curriculum, and transformed the district’s approach to full-day professional development. Jessica is a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the St. Louis Area Curriculum Coordinators Association. She sponsors the National Junior Honor Society to help grow future leaders, and works with middle school students to coordinate fundraisers to provide resources and volunteer time to the community. Jessica volunteered for eight years as an emergency medical technician with the Pattenburg (N.J.) Rescue Squad, and four years as an EMT and firefighter with the William Cameron Engine Company in Pennsylvania. Ferguson-Florissant School District is a member of North County Inc. Kelly Bracht is assistant principal of instruction at McCluer High School in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. Kelly oversees the Communication Arts and Social Studies departments, focusing on curriculum and instructional leadership. She oversees academic school improvement plans and maintains focus on McCluer’s student achievement and data related to McCluer’s accreditation.

As chair of the District Evaluation Revision Committee, Kelly has overseen the selection and district-wide implementation of new evaluation systems for certified staff. Kelly created a process to use student data to determine which students were in need of extra time and support in the areas of reading and math, and put intervention classes in place at McCluer to address those needs. Kelly is a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, and St. Louis Association of Secondary School Principals. Ferguson-Florissant School District is a member of North County Inc. 8

Susan Bushnell is state director of the March of Dimes. Susan’s responsibilities include financial management, fund development, volunteer development, communications, programming, and public affairs. Susan advocates for children through work at various organizations to ensure that all children receive quality care to meet their needs. In her role at the March of Dimes, Susan seeks partnerships with businesses and organizations to ensure that programs help moms-to-be in North County have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies. In 2013, Susan joined the March of Dimes and advocated for the passage of Chloe’s Law, which ensures that every baby born in Missouri is screened for critical congenital heart disease at birth. Susan is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals – St. Louis Chapter, St. Louis Regional Chamber, Northwest Chamber of Commerce, and Midwest Health Initiatives Partnerships for Healthier Babies. Susan received the Rookie of the Region award in 1999 from the American Cancer Society, and the Platinum Award for Fundraising Excellence in 2007 from Autism Speaks.

Dr. R. Charles Callison is director of neuroendovascular services for the SSM Neurosciences Institute at SSM DePaul Health Center. A talented young physician, Charles plays a vital leadership role with the SSM Neurosciences Institute. Charles was key in DePaul Health Center being awarded a Comprehensive Stroke Center designation by the Joint Commission, a national health care accreditation body. DePaul Health Center is one of only two Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Centers in Missouri.

Charles recently was named to the national steering committee for a national, multicenter clinical trial and he is conducting three FDA clinical research studies at DePaul Health Center. Charles is making huge contributions to the innovative patient care that DePaul Health

Our Town

30 Leaders in their thirties Center provides to the community. SSM DePaul Health Care is a member of North County Inc. Kiyoko L. Clark is clinical director at SSM DePaul Health Care. Kiyoko oversees the operations of three nursing units with different specialties and a total of 83 beds. Kiyoko is responsible for coaching and mentoring three direct reports. She is also responsible for employee, physician and patient satisfaction, and financial accountability. Kiyoko is proud to have advanced in her career in a short time since becoming a nurse in 2006. Kiyoko is a member of Grace Church in Maryland Heights and has volunteered for the prison ministry and the angel tree. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Kiyoko was a volunteer at DePaul as a high school student and completed an internship there before being hired. Kiyoko is a former member of the DePaul Foundation, and has volunteered for the annual DePaul Auxiliary Golf Tournament and community flu shot clinics at DePaul. As a previous team leader in women services, Kiyoko assisted with the organization of bi-annual open houses for pregnant patients in North County. SSM DePaul Health Care is a member of North County Inc. Derek Craig is branch sales manager at Regions Bank in Florissant. Derek works to provide financial education to the North County community and leads a team of financial professionals.

Derek is a faculty member at the University of Phoenix, where he teaches weekend and evening classes for the School of Business, both in Earth City and in downtown St. Louis. Derek’s service to the community has included providing financial literacy training to schools, churches and community organizations, including the United Way. He believes that it is important to understand what good money management is even at a young age. Derek is a member of the Florissant Rotary Club and has been a Junior Achievement volunteer since 2002.

Annamarie Davis is principal of St. Ferdinand Catholic School.

Annamarie has worked to establish a welcoming environment for students, families, faculty and staff, and to establish an open, professional relationship with faculty and staff in order to promote quality ownership of curriculum and school-wide growth and development. Annamarie supported the start of a parish organization to assist in maintaining reasonable class sizes for the students at St. Ferdinand. The St. Ferdinand Today, Tomorrow & Forever Fund is helping the school maintain intimate class sizes. Annamarie worked with teachers and parents to establish an archery program in physical education, open a science lab, dedicated music room, upgrade technology in every classroom, and establish the Alumni Partnership Program. She continues to work to establish a full-day preschool program expected to open in Fall 2015. Annamarie is a member of the Northeast Deanery Federation of Catholic Schools. She volunteers with the American Red Cross. The Northeast Deanery is a member of North County Inc. Rachel Giffhorn is general manager of The Bridge at Florissant.

Rachel oversees all operations management of the villas and assisted living community in the heart of Florissant. In 12 months, under Rachel’s leadership, The Bridge nearly tripled its occupancy level, increasing job offerings in the North County community. The Bridge has been a great supporter of many local professional, business and civic organizations including North County Inc., the Northwest Chamber of Commerce, the Greater North County Chamber of Commerce, Valley Industries, Rotary, and the City of Florissant. Rachel is a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary Club International, and serves on North County Inc.’s Board of Directors. Rachel lists among her accomplishments four years serving seniors in North County and a total of 15 years in health care. The Bridge at Florissant is a member of North County Inc. Addie Govero is principal at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School. Addie helps with marketing and school enrollment, supervises, serves as a religious and educational leader for the faculty, serves as the school and family school board member liaison, serves as curriculum coordinator, and supports and advises students, staff and families on school-related issues. Addie works with fellow principals in the Northeast Deanery with their professional learning teams that are coming together 9

from area Catholic schools. They are placing focus on developing teacher leaders so that the PLTs are effective for their teachers. Addie is a member of the Federation of Schools for the Northeast Deanery. Her school has strong ties to the city of Ferguson. She puts great effort into promoting the Ferguson Youth Initiative with the students and the numerous events held by the city. The city of Ferguson and the Northeast Deanery Federation are members of North County Inc. Chauncey Granger is principal of Hazelwood School District’s Southeast Middle School Chauncey is the instructional leader, oversees operations, provides for the safety of students and staff, and communicates with community members. He takes pride in the community outreach events his school has sponsored in the Spanish Lake community, including the HarvestFest, the Southeast College Step Exhibition show, the Father Daughter Dance and the Rachel’s Challenge Anti-bullying Community Event. Chauncey is a member of the Spanish Lake Community Association, Spanish Lake/SEMS football club, and Emerging Young Leaders. Under Chauncey’s leadership, Southeast Middle has contributed to the WISE (Women’s Initiatives that Strengthen and Empower) program, which helps people in developing countries. In May 2014, Chauncey received the AKAdemy Award for contributions made to the Emerging Young Leaders program, sponsored by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Hazelwood School District is a member of North County Inc. Michele Hoeft is executive director of the Christian Hospital Foundation. Michele leads philanthropic awareness and support of Christian Hospital by creating lasting relationships in the North County community on behalf of the hospital and foundation. Her contributions include completing a $1.7 million capital campaign to construct a hybrid suite that combines surgical and cardiac cath lab procedures at Christian Hospital for enhanced patient care. Michele implemented the Heart of a Hero program to recognize the work of physicians, nurses, housekeeping, volunteers and other hospital staff. Michele is a member of the Florissant Rotary Club, a board member of the Spanish Lake Community Development Corporation, and an advisory board member of USO of Missouri. Michele takes pride that her work providing philanthropic support of community benefit programs helps serve more than 10,000 people annually, and that her work helps provide advanced technology and medicine to the community through the support of donors.

Christian Hospital is a member of North County Inc. Darius Kirk is principal of the Riverview Gardens High School.

Darius oversees academic, cultural and operations systems.

Darius takes pride in his work mobilizing stakeholders to partner with the school. Darius is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. He has coordinated and attended various meetings with community leaders, parents and students in an effort to maintain peace and promote prosperity in the community. He supported teachers in developing the “Green the Block” campaign to beautify the high school and community surrounding the school, and in that effort, mobilized more than 250 volunteers. Darius’ recognitions include Riverview Gardens High School receiving the highest Maximum Performance Index (MPI) score in science and the highest MPI score in English for the 2013-2014 school year. He was named 2010 and 2011 Educational Leader of the Year in Tulsa, Okla., and 2006 Teacher of the Year in Tulsa. Riverview Gardens School District is a member of North County Inc. Scott A. Kratzer is a teacher at Garrett Elementary School in the Hazelwood School District (HSD). Scott teaches fifth-grade science and is a Hazelwood elementary science curriculum writer.

He has worked in partnership with the HSD and Washington University in writing curriculum that is being used in the HSD and surrounding districts to meet requirements of new national standards to help prepare students to become college and career ready in the 21st century. Scott believes this work has made his teaching more effective and has aided in the continual increase in student performance. Scott is a member of the National Science Teachers Association and Science Teachers of Missouri. In 2012, he was named Outstanding Elementary School Science Teacher by Science Teachers of Missouri, and received the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award. Hazelwood School District is a member of North County Inc.

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30 Leaders in their thirties Carla Leggett is principal at Lemasters Elementary School in the Riverview Gardens School District. Carla is responsible for developing and implementing policies, programs, curriculum, activities and budgets to promote the educational development of students and the professional development of staff members. Carla is a doctoral student at Missouri Baptist University, and a member of the Xi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the Association for Curriculum and Development, and the American Educational Research Association.

Carla has initiated a fifth-grade Leadership Academy and P.A.W. program that has been recognized with the 2014 National and International Promising Practices in Character Education award. Under her leadership, Lemasters Elementary has been recognized with Riverview Gardens School District’s Attendance Award. Carla has received the Riverview Gardens’ Next Generation Rookie of The Year Award.

Riverview Gardens School District is a member of North County Inc. Kori L. Logan is a math and engineering teacher at Hazelwood East High School. Kori is the only female high school engineering teacher in the Hazelwood School District. She recently entered her newly formed robotics team in the US FIRST St. Louis Regional Competition.

Kori serves on many district committees including the Hazelwood Next Technology Committee, which is tasked with giving students in the Hazelwood School District the most relevant and up-to-date technology to enhance their educational experience, the Hazelwood STEM Committee, and Assessment of Literacy and Math Curriculum committee. She has been Teacher of the Quarter, an honor bestowed upon her by the students of the Hazelwood East High School. Kori also serves at the cheerleading coach. She is also a member of Southern Mission Missionary Baptist Church, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and Kappa Delta Pi International Educational Honor Society.

Hazelwood School District is a member of North County Inc. Mike Lorenz is the art teacher, Student Council adviser and assistant football coach at Lutheran High School North. As Student Council adviser, Mike assists the students in planning and running a variety of activities, service projects and spirit events.

Mike takes pride in helping young people bring their ideas to life. Whether it is working with a student on a submission for an art show or guiding Student Council members through the process of planning and executing a new student activity, Mike loves seeing kids have a chance to maximize their potential. He organizes and curates an art show for North Side Lutheran elementary students, and has participated in the Missouri Special Olympics Polar Plunge for the last 7 years with Student Council members. Mike has received the 10 year Student Council Adviser Award from the Missouri Association of Student Councils. Lutheran High School North is a member of North County Inc. DeAndria Marie Player is a special education administrator for the Special School District. DeAndria plans, organizes, directs, coordinates and implements the operations and programs in Jennings in the area of special education. DeAndria has participated on the interview committee to hire educators, where she has contributed to North County by helping bring in teachers who are positively impacting student achievement as well as actively participating within the community. DeAndria has also provided high school students with information and resources that will prepare them for college. DeAndria serves on the Board of Directors for Kids Under Twenty One, as a member of the St. Louis Association of Black Administrators, and as a parish council member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church. She volunteers at community back-to-school events, works on food pantry and clothing drives, and tutors students with special needs. DeAndria received the 2008 Special Ambassador Award from the Special School District.

Andrea Purnell is communications and artistic director at the Missouri Institute of Mental Health at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where she uses her background in the arts to educate the community on matters related to mental health.

Andrea previously had a successful career as an actress, writer, director and stage manager. Andrea directed UMSL: 50 Years of Fulfilling the Dream. Her writing credits include, Depression, 10

Whose Disease Is It Anyway, which she produced for the stage in a program designed to match the actor and the mental health professional in addressing mental illness. Andrea’s volunteer work includes community theater performances at the Florissant Valley Terry M. Fischer Theatre. Andrea was named to the 2014 ALIVE Magazine Buzz List, and received the Grand Center Visionary Award for Emerging Artist in 2013. Andrea is pursuing a certification in sign language with an emphasis in deaf theater. The University of Missouri-St. Louis is a member of North County Inc. Melissa Rakers is branch manager for the New Halls Ferry office of Neighbors Credit Union. Melissa works toward the financial success, direction and growth of the branch while maintaining optimum service. Melissa is responsible for community involvement to develop new business, and enrich the communities the credit union serves. She works hard to instill the credit union philosophy “people helping people” in her employees. Melissa serves as a board member and on committees for the Greater North County Chamber of Commerce, and serves on the Business and Financial Management Advisory Committee for North Technical High School. Melissa’s contributions include giving high school presentations and providing a financial literacy program to teach youths the importance of making good financial decisions. Melissa works with North Technical High School and conductes mock interviews with students to help them sharpen their job search skills. Melissa is currently seeking her degree in Business Management from Lindenwood University. The Greater North County Chamber, Lindenwood University and North Tech High are members of North County Inc. William R. Ray, Jr. is special assistant to the St. Louis County executive. William works with officials to establish relationships and develop policies, offers support to governments and non-profit organizations, and assists business owners in working with local government. He managed much of the community relations effort around the Bridgeton/Westlake Landfill issue, and helped enlist county services to remove debris from tornados in 2013. William is chairman of the Berkeley Economic Development Sales Tax Commission, a commissioner on the TIF Commission for St. Louis County, and a board member of St. Louis Jefferson Solid Waste District Commission, North County Inc., and North County Churches United. William serves as a member of the UMSL Community Advisory Committee, Clear Channel Advisory Board, MoDOT Community Advisory Group, and Division of Youth Services Advisory Board. He received the Young Leader Award in 2013 from the St. Louis American Foundation. William has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and with Division of Youth Services. St. Louis County is a member of North County Inc. Miriam Roccia is assistant dean of student affairs at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Miriam is responsible for providing oversight and direction for campus life initiatives including new student programs, student life and organizations, residential life and housing, and the Millennium Student Center, and auxiliary services. Her work coordinating student community service initiatives on campus includes ongoing relationships with Beyond Housing and Girls Inc. Miriam is proud that her work has given UMSL students the chance to make a difference in the community outside of the campus. She is a member of the Association of College Unions International and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. In 2011, following the tornado that struck Berkeley, Miriam assisted with a drive on campus to collect goods needed for cleanup, and gave her efforts to clean up debris. University of Missouri-St. Louis is a member of North County Inc. Nathan Sykes is branch manager at the U.S. Bank Jennings location. His duties include managing the daily sales, service and operations. Realizing the economic disparity and lack of community involvement between residents and small business owners, Nathan and his team have focused on helping foster a relationship between the two. His contributions include the promotion of small businesses in the North County community with the Small Business Partner of the Month/Week Table display. The table allows small business owners to showcase the products and services they offer. Nathan is a member of the Greater North County Chamber of Commerce, and is involved with United Way. Nathan

Our Town

30 Leaders in their thirties volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, which allowed him to have a direct impact on families in need, and he donates time reading to local grade school children and participating in Junior Achievement. U.S. Bank is a member of North County Inc.

in the St. Louis Heart Walk. Keetra was the second recipient of the Cathy Behlmann Volunteer of the Year Award for outstanding dedication and service to the Greater North County Chamber of Commerce.

Stephanie Szoko is director of human resources at Hidden Lake, a Lutheran Senior Services community. Stephanie oversees the day-to-day needs of 160 employees, including benefits, compensation, employee relations, recruiting, and talent development. Stephanie helped launch the Assisted Living Memory Care household on Hidden Lake’s campus. She helped lead employees to better health through the LSS Wellness program. Stephanie is a member of multiple committees within the workplace including safety and wellness. She also serves on a taskforce to implement a new HRIS system within her organization. Stephanie has served as a member of Pi Lambda Theta, an education honor society and professional association for educators. Stephanie is involved in P.E.O. Chapter LR, an organization that raises money for women in education. She is a member of Human Resource Management Associates and Society for Human Resource Management. Stephanie volunteers at Hidden Lake Oktoberfest, and participates in Lutheran Senior Services’ annual charity golf tournament. Hidden Lake is a Member of North County Inc.

Terry L. Wilson, Sr., is the Pagedale Family Support Center manager for Beyond Housing and president of the Jennings School District Board of Education. Terry manages all youth programs at Beyond Housing. As Board of Education president, Terry is responsible for the policy and legislative authority for the Jennings School District. He has contributed toward the improvement of the Jennings School District as a whole and the district’s improvement toward full accreditation this school year. Terry also has contributed to awareness of colon cancer in the community by raising money for the Colon Cancer Alliance of St. Louis. He serves as a youth mentor to the people of Jennings and takes pride in the implementation of the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School Program. Terry is a member of the NAACP, the Missouri School Board Association, the National School Board Association, Jennings Neighborhood Watch, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. The Jennings School District and the City of Jennings is a member of North County Inc.

Keetra T. Thompson is owner and lead event producer for Life is a Party, LLC, in Florissant. Keetra plans and executes private and corporate events. She served on the Board of Directors for the International Special Event Society St. Louis Chapter as vice president of membership and director of membership. Keetra serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater North County Chamber of Commerce, and as a member of Soroptimist International and the International Special Events Society. She volunteers at Barrington Elementary School in the Hazelwood School District as chairperson of three book fairs to raise funds for the school. A stroke survivor, she annually organizes the Stroke of Genius team to participate

Jessica Young is creative director for the Northwest Chamber of Commerce. Jessica is a vital part of the team at the Chamber, where her duties include graphic design of all Chamber materials, Chamber emails, managing the Chamber website, event planning, support for North County ribbon cuttings. Jessica takes pride in her work to create PowerPoint presentations for Chamber membership luncheons that are fun and engaging and that go along with the flow of the meetings. Her skills also enable her to create eye-catching flyers that convey the personality of the Chamber. Jessica’s dedication and hard work contribute to the success of the chamber and the success of their members. The Northwest Chamber of Commerce is a member of North County Inc.

MYCNEWS.COM

www.byerlyrv.com 11

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By Amer Alshekhlee, MD

Know The Risks and Signs of Stroke - FAST! Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in America

and one of the leading causes of adult disability. No matter what age, race, or gender a person is, anyone can have a stroke. The good news is that 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.

A stroke occurs when an artery that carries blood to the brain either bursts or becomes blocked. These arteries carry life-sustaining oxygen and nutrients so when they fail, the brain begins to die.

Your risk of having a stroke can fall into one or both of two categories – modifiable and uncontrollable. Modifiable risks can be controlled by making lifestyle changes, such as lowering your blood pressure or cholesterol, and quitting smoking.

The uncontrollable risks can’t be changed. These include your age, genetics, race, and gender. (While stroke is more common in women than in men, more deaths from stroke occur in men.)

FAST is an easy acronym to remember the warning signs of a stroke.

F – FACE: Ask the person to smile. If one side of their face droops, they might be having a stroke.

A – ARMS: Ask the person to raise both of their arms. If one arm

drifts downward, they might be having a stroke.

S – SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. If their

speech is slurred or strange, they might be having a stroke.

T – TIME: If you observe any of the signs, call 9-1-1 immediately!

Time is one of the critical factors in how a stroke patient is treated and how they recover.

The earlier you recognize these characteristic symptoms and get to an emergency room, the greater the chance you have to reduce or even reverse the effects of stroke. OT Dr. Amer Alshekhlee is an interventional vascular neurologist and is the Stroke Director with SSM Neurosciences Institute at DePaul Health Center. His offices are located at 12255 DePaul Drive, Suite 200. He can be reached at 314.355.3355. For more information visit www.ssmhealth. com/neurosciences.

www.windowworld.com

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health dept

Fall Foot Health Made Easy The days of summer living and relaxing are over and

it’s time to get back on your feet! Whether you are exploring orchards, raking leaves or dodging rain puddles, autumn keeps you on your toes. The changing of seasons is the perfect time to remember the importance of foot health. Simple steps you take today can help keep feet healthy and comfortable so you don’t miss a beat this fall.

Savvy shoe shopping You’re never too old for back-to-school shopping! With the summer heat dying down, it’s time to return to the classic shoe or boot. Did you know that two feet are seldom the exact same size?

Always remember to buy for the larger foot. Ill-fitting shoes can aggravate feet and can be a source of foot pain. When shopping for new shoes this fall, look for ones with good arch support and a padded outsole made from slip-resistant material. Try shopping for shoes at the end of the day when feet tend to swell and be at their largest, and always wear socks or nylons when shopping if that’s how you will wear the shoes on a daily basis.

Give custom-fit orthotics a try Orthotic inserts are often overlooked, but might be the answer to your foot problems. Inserts slip into shoes to relieve tired, achy feet and eliminate discomfort immediately. Orthotics can be designed for your unique foot type and work by putting feet into a more supported position. Custom Fit Orthotic Inserts can provide all-day relief for tired feet so you can enjoy each day to the fullest ... even if they are getting shorter.

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Dampness dangers Rainy days, wet piles of leaves and puddles can create obstacles that make it difficult to keep your feet dry. Damp feet can cause discomfort, so when the weather is damp, be sure to wear footwear made from water-resistant material or treat your favorite shoes with a protective water-repellent spray. Always use warm socks made from breathable material, and for extra dryness, sprinkle a small amount of foot powder inside your shoes and socks to absorb excess moisture so your toes stay warm and dry.

Fall back to basics Just because your open-toed shoes have been tucked away for the season doesn’t mean you should neglect your feet. Taking care of your tootsies makes them look great on the outside and ensures they stay healthy inside as well. Keep your nails trimmed by cutting straight across to reduce the likelihood of ingrown toenails. Never cut cuticles; soften them in a warm bath or with moisturizer and gently push back with a rubber cuticle-pusher.

Wash feet regularly with soap and water and always scrub between the toes. While you’re at it, give yourself a quick foot rub to help them stay healthy and warm.

Brisk fall days can be the perfect reason to get outside and enjoy an autumn activity. Remember to be smart when shoe shopping, give Dr. Scholl’s Custom Fit Orthotic Inserts a try, watch out for dampness, and continue to keep your feet looking and feeling great! Kick start the fall season on the right foot and don’t miss a step during months to come. OT

Our Town

Holiday Shipping 101 If one of your holiday tasks is shipping gifts to family

and friends across the nation, knowing a few tips and tricks will ensure your packages get to them in time for the festivities.

From shipping deadlines to packaging, there are many factors to consider when sending gifts, especially during a busy time like the holiday season. Fortunately, there are dozens of resources available to help make shipping holiday gifts more convenient than ever.

“Priority Mail is a convenient and affordable shipping option for holiday gifts,” said John Budzynski, consumer advocate at the U.S. Postal Service. “It offers features like package redirect, free package pickup and text update alerts.”

Budzynski offers this advice to help make your holiday shipping simple and stress-free.

Take advantage of services that make shipping more convenient.

For example, the U.S. Postal Service lets you order free Priority Mail shipping supplies from usps.com and delivers them right to your door–from boxes to envelopes and stickers.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Afzal for U.S. Postal Service

Be informed about policies for handling fragile gifts or items that may be hazardous, such as perfume, cologne and other liquids.

packing peanuts, newspaper or bubble wrap, and tape it closed with strong packing tape.

• Always include a return address. It tells the shipper where to return the package if it can’t be delivered.

• Print postage at home using Click-N-Ship from the U.S. Postal Service at usps.com/clicknship. It not only saves time, but money too; you can receive up to an 11 percent discount by buying postage online.

• Pack smart. Pick a strong and sturdy box, cushion contents with

• Don’t get caught in the holiday rush. Schedule a free package pickup from your home or office.

• Stay updated on the status of your package. Use Priority Mail to receive tracking to monitor your package’s progress toward its destination. You also can sign up for text and email alerts through my.usps.com to help you track package delivery.

• Check key shipping dates to ensure your package arrives in time for the holiday. The U.S. Postal Service provides these deadlines to help you plan ahead for delivery by Dec. 25: Box in this info/cal Dec. 2 – International First-Class Mail Dec. 2 – Priority Mail International Dec. 10 – Priority Mail Express International Dec. 15 – Standard Post Dec. 17 – Global Express Guaranteed Dec. 20 – First-Class Mail Dec. 20 – Priority Mail Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express Note: Priority Mail Express postage refund eligibility is adjusted for shipments mailed December 22-25.

“The U.S. Postal Service prepares all year for the holidays,” Budzynski said. “This is our season. We are ready to help customers ensure their packages are packed, tracked and delivered with ease.”

For more shipping tips and online tools, visit usps.com. OT

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FUN FOR aLL THANKS FOR GIVING

By Dave Welborn, Executive Director, KEEN St. Louis

“After the verb “To Love”...

“To Help” is the most beautiful verb in the world.”

- Bertha Von Suttner, Nobel laureate The end of the year is a great time for all of us to sit down and reflect on the all of the blessings we have re-

ceived throughout the year while giving thanks to all those who have helped us along the way.

While there are many individuals, groups and organizations that deserve our thanks this Holiday season, there is one particular group of individuals who not only risk their lives to protect us each day, but take time away from their families and friends on their off days to go the extra mile to lend a hand.

The Cottleville Firefighters, like many firefighters, have a long history of helping those that are less fortunate. For many years, this group has raised thousands of dollars for nonprofit organizations (a record $20,000+ for the Muscular Dystrophy Association this year alone), adopted needy families during the holidays, and contributed to coat drives and other charitable initiates. The Cottleville Firefighters are part of the Cottleville Fire Protection District (CFPD), which serves Cottleville, Harvester, Weldon Springs, O’Fallon and St. Peters. In 2008, to further organize and broaden its charitable activities, the Firefighters established Cottleville Firefighters Outreach, or CFO, a nonprofit, charitable organization. CFO is funded by community events and is 100 percent volunteer run, operating out of the CFPD’s Station #1 in Cottleville.

“We are a mix of firefighters, fire chiefs, other district employees and community members that share a common interest in achieving our mission to make our community a safer, healthier and happier place to live and work,” said CFO Executive Director, Captain Skip Stephens. “We are very proud of what we have been able to accomplish in our community.”

And what they have accomplished this year alone is staggering.

In addition to its very successful St. Patrick’s Day “Run for the Helmet,” the group has hosted activities including a golf tournament, trivia night, a family fun festival, a volleyball tournament and more. They sat on the roof of Chick-Fil-A to raise money for MDA, assisted with a Bike Safety Day, and stood out on the hottest day of the year, collecting canned goods for local food

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banks. Most recently, the group hosted its annual Haunted Hayride and Food Truck Festival attended by thousands looking to get a fright-fix. All the money raised at these events helps individuals and groups in need.

“CFO is my passion because we have a direct and palpable impact on the lives of the people we serve and protect on a daily basis,” Stephens said. “Serving as a firefighter is quite rewarding in of itself, but serving as a firefighter and having CFO as an additional avenue to help people on our ‘off’ days makes us feel like we are really making a difference. “ Stephens is also thankful this Holiday season. “I want to say ‘thank you’ to all of the residents in our community. It may be our mission to make the community safer, healthier and happier, but because of the wonderful people who live here, it is already the best place in the world,” he said.

And thank you, Captain Stephens and the CFO for enriching all of our lives through your selfless work. For more information of the CFO, visit www.fireoutreach.com Dave Welborn is the Executive Director of KEEN St. Louis, a local nonprofit which provides free recreational programs for kids with physical and mental disabilities age 5-17. For more information visit www.keenstlouis.org OT Dave Welborn is the Executive Director of KEEN St. Louis, a local nonprofit which provides free recreational programs for kids with physical and mental disabilities ages 5-17. For more information visit www.keenstlouis.org

Our Town

Groups

Reinvest

By Shawn Clubb

in North County

Many area groups are rising to the occasion in attempts to aid small businesses in North County

From left, Michael McMillan, president/CEO, Urban League; Rebecca Zoll, president/CEO, North County Inc.; Rev. Shawn Jones, Clergy Coalition; and Marlon Lee, director of community organizing, Urban League. Photo courtesy Reinvest North County

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For some businesses in the Ferguson area , civil unrest in recent months meant damage to stores, loss of merchandise, and an absence of customers. Others suffered no physical damage to their premises, but still saw a period of time when they simply could not do business.

Many proprietors in Ferguson, Jennings, Dellwood and unincorporated St. Louis County are still waiting for people to resume patronizing their businesses at the same level as before. To aid them through this time, several entities have come forth with aid.

Florissant Ave., said he is using the funds to recover the loss of perishable food items. He had just opened the business when West Florissant Avenue was closed for a week. He said much of the food he had on hand had to be thrown out.

Then he had a different turn of circumstance when protestors and members of the media, who came into town to cover the situation,

One means of relief is the Reinvest North County Fund, a joint effort by North County Inc. and the Regional Business Council. This fund, which gives maximum assistance of $5,000, is meant to provide small businesses with relief for lost inventory and structural damage, and image improvement and business retention.

Rebecca Zoll, president and CEO of North County Inc., said she and Kathy Osborn at the Regional Business Council brought others together quickly to establish the fund to help with immediate relief for some of the small businesses that were affected by the looting and rioting in August and the economic distress. They then came together with other agencies to form the Recover St. Louis Coalition and set up an Economic Recovery Toolbox to provide even more assistance to affected businesses.

“A lot of those businesses, the customers were unable to get to the businesses because the streets were shut down. The customer base was in decline, so that affected their revenue for the month,” Zoll said. “The Reinvest North County Fund provides immediate assistance to recover from physical and structural damages as well as economic losses — maybe help them pay their rent and utility bills for the month, maybe help cover their insurance deductible.”

Area business that have received such grants include Ferguson Burger Bar & More, Ferguson Laundry, Ferguson Market, Infiniti Styles Barbering & Beauty Salon, King David Fashions, Missouri Home Therapy, New York Grill, Inc., Northland Chop Suey, Prime Time Beauty & Barber, Pro Long Nails, St. Louis BBQ/Red the BBQ Man, and Sam’s Meat Market.

However, the Reinvest fund is not the only means of assistance available to businesses.

Another is the Small Business Relief Program, a $1 million business relief program that allocates no-interest loans. The program was created the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, the St. Louis Regional Chamber, the Missouri Development Finance Board, Carrollton Bank, Commerce Bank of St. Louis, Enterprise Bank and Trust, First Bank, First National Bank of St. Louis, Midwest Bankcentre, Pulaski Bank and UMB Bank.

Katy Jamboretz, vice present marketing and communications for St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, said the loans are meant to give assistance to businesses that were impacted by the civil unrest.

Businesses receiving these funds include, Ferguson Burger Bar, New York Grill, Sam’s Meat Market, Ferguson Market, Zisser Tire, BJ’s Everlasting Oils, Nail Trap, Infiniti Styles, Feel Beauty Supply, Ferguson Laundry, Solo Insurance, Drake’s Place Restaurant, Beauty Town Plus, Fan Wireless and Missouri Home Therapy.

“We are asking them specifically what they need,” Jamboretz said.

The businesses have said they need money for working capital, utilities, payroll, shelving replacement, and material replacement, while “some had massive loss of foot traffic,” Jamboretz said.

Charles Davis, owner of Ferguson Burger Bar & More at 9120 West

Reinvest North County check presentation to King David Fashion owner David Hughes. Photo courtesy Reinvest North County

gave him plenty of business. He’s saw a decline in business after much of that coverage subsided.

While the Reinvest grants and Relief Fund loans can help to some extent, Zoll and Jamboretz said that is not the full extent of the effort. Other financial aspects of the Toolbox include low-interest disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration; and low-interest loans through the Missouri Linked Deposit Program, which are being expedited in St. Louis County through the Harmed-area Emergency Loan Priority system.

Zoll said every agency has contributed to the effort. The Regional Chamber, for example, has contributed to staffing a business hotline, providing project management to the small business initiative, and making financial contributions, resource contributions, and personnel contributions.

There also have been marketing efforts, Zoll said, in the hopes to bring customers back to the area. Those include a radio campaign through the Missouri Broadcasters Association, the Rally St. Louis #ourstl page on Twitter and Instagram, and North County Inc.’s explorenorthstlouiscounty.com/shop-ferguson web page.

Perhaps one of the most impactful efforts has been that of North County Inc., supported by the Economic Development Partnership, to put on listening forums in the community.

Jamboretz said the sessions are meant to encourage businesses to apply for relief funds, and for business owners to tell the agencies what would help them. Zoll said these sessions have affirmed the idea that these businesses want to do what it takes to stay.

“We have only heard of the intentions for those businesses to stay,” she said. “They’ve called that location their business’ home for a long, long time and they don’t have any intent or desire to leave.

They just need their customers to come back.

“Obviously, if you look of the makeup of the small businesses Continued On Page 18

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along that corridor, they’re very service-oriented — restaurants, nail salons, barber shops, insurance companies. The surrounding community supports those small businesses. It’s important, I believe, for the people that live in that community to return and continue supporting those small businesses, as they did before the civil unrest occurred.”

Zoll said when the agencies first started reaching out to businesses in the West Florissant Avenue area, there was a sense of relief from them.

“I think, because they saw all these leaders coming together to try to help them, a small business in the community, to survive,” she said. “Where there was little hope before, there was hope.”

Jamboretz said it is a situation that is still in progress.

“We think a lot about these small business owners every day,” she said. “Their customers are worried about whether they should drive down and visit these shops. The long-term ramifications— it might just take time for not just Ferguson, but the entire St. Louis region. This has impacted the St. Louis region as a whole, nationally and internationally.

“We want these businesses to survive to open their doors another day. What we really want these businesses to know is they are not out there alone. We are there to support them. These are really jobs. This is a foundational part of the North County economy — small businesses. So we want companies to know, if they were impacted, contact us.”

To find out more about the no-interest loans, call 314.206.3235, or send an email to recoverystl@stlregionalchamber.com.

To learn more about the Reinvest North County Fund, visit northstlouiscounty.com.

ssmdrs.com

www.rickniblettphotography.com 18

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CALENDAR of Events November 4 NWCC Lunch Networking, 11:30am-12:30pm,

December 2 NWCC Lunch Networking, 11:30am-12:30pm,

5 NWCC Chili Dog Golf Committee Meeting, 10-11am, NWCC Office 5 NWCC Young Professionals Division, 11:30am- 1pm,

3 NWCC Young Professionals Division, 11:30am-1pm,

TGI Fridays, 11228 Lone Eagle Drive

6

MHCC Breakfast Club, 7:30-9am, Fieldpointe of St. Louis Apartments, 1951 Oberlin Drive

Syberg’s Restaurant, 2430 Old Dorsett Road

TGI Fridays, 11228 Lone Eagle Drive

4

MHCC Breakfast Club, 7:30-9am, Bank of America, 2200 Westport Plaza Drive

4 NWCC Board of Directors Meeting, noon-1pm, NWCC meeting room

6 — NWCC Networking Happy Hour, 4:30-6:30pm,

Syberg’s Restaurant, 2430 Old Dorsett Road

4 NWCC Networking Happy Hour, 4:30-6:30pm,

Lehmann’s Landing, 12314 Natural Bridge Road

7 — NWCC Chili-Dog Golf Tournament, 10am,

Lehmann’s Landing, 12314 Natural Bridge Road

5

7 MHCC Ambassador Meeting, 11:30am-12:30pm, MHCC Office 11 GNCC Coffee Klatch Networking, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.,

Speed Networking with NWCC, 7:45-10am, Spazio’s at Westport, 12031 Lackland Road

5 5

MHCC Ambassador Meeting, 11:30am-12:30pm, MHCC Office

Florissant Golf Club, 50 Country Club Lane

Starbucks, 1261 Graham Road

11 NWCC Tuesday Morning Coffee & Networking, 8:30-9:30am,

11 NWCC Ambassadors Meeting, 11:30am-12:30pm, NWCC Office 11 GNCC Business After Hours, 5-7pm,

Holiday Inn Express - St. Louis Airport, 10000 Natural Bridge Road

The Bridge at Florissant, 1101 Garden Plaza Drive

Holiday Inn St. Louis Airport Hotel

9 NWCC Ambassadors Meeting, 11:30am-12:30pm, NWCC Office 10 MHCC December Luncheon & Holiday Gala, 11:30am-1pm,

Awards & Membership Luncheon, 11:30am-1pm, Orlando’s Event & Conference Centers, 2050 Dorsett Village

13 NWCC Membership Meeting, 11:15am-1pm,

GNCC Coffee Klatch Networking, 7:30-8:30am, Starbucks, 1261 Graham Road

9 NWCC Tuesday Morning Coffee & Networking, 8:30-9:30am,

12 MHCC Business Leader of the Year

9

GNCC Nite of the Stars gala, 7pm-midnight, Atrium at Christian Hospital

Orlando’s Event & Conference Centers, 2050 Dorsett Village

11 NWCC Membership Meeting, 11:15am-1pm,

Orlando’s Event & Conference Center, 2050 Dorsett Village

Crowne Plaza Hotel St. Louis Airport, 11228 Lone Eagle Drive

13 NWCC Networking Happy Hour, 4:30-6:30pm,

11 NWCC Networking Happy Hour, 4:30-6:30pm,

18 NWCC Lunch Networking, 11:30am-12:30pm,

16 NWCC Lunch Networking, 11:30am-12:30pm,

19 NWCC The Masters, 8-9:30am, CATCO, 2685 Metro Blvd.

19 NWCC HSP - Health Service Providers, 11:30am-12:30pm,

17 NWCC The Masters, 8-9:30am, CATCO, 2685 Metro Blvd.

17 NWCC HSP - Health Service Providers, 11:30am-12:30pm,

Lehmann’s Landing, 12314 Natural Bridge Road

Syberg’s Restaurant, 2430 Old Dorsett Road

Lehmann’s Landing, 12314 Natural Bridge Road Syberg’s Restaurant, 2430 Old Dorsett Road

NWCC Office

NWCC Office

19 GNCC Membership Luncheon, 11:30am-1pm,

17 GNCC Membership Luncheon, 11:30am-1pm,

20 MHCC Breakfast Club, 7:30-9am,

17 NWCC It’s A Guy Thing, 4:30-5pm,

20 NWCC 501 of Fun, 9:30-10:30am, NWCC Office 20 NWCC Networking Happy Hour, 4:30-6:30pm,

18 MHCC Breakfast Club, 7:30-9am,

Yacovelli’s Restaurant & Banquet Center, 407 Dunn Road

Wingate By Wyndham, 13615 Riverport Drive

Crowne Plaza St. Louis Airport, 11228 Lone Eagle Drive

TGI Fridays, 11228 Lone Eagle Drive

Wingate By Wyndham, 13615 Riverport Drive

18 NWCC 501 of Fun, 9:30-10:30am, NWCC Office 18 NWCC Networking Happy Hour, 4:30-6:30pm,

Lehmann’s Landing, 12314 Natural Bridge Road

21 NWCC Vet Net, 9-10am, Veterans Home Care, 11861 Westline Industrial Drive, No. 750

21 NWCC Women In Networking (WIN), 11:30am-1pm,

19 NWCC Vet Net, 9-10am,

25 NWCC Tuesday Morning Coffee & Networking, 8:30-9:30am,

23 NWCC Tuesday Morning Coffee & Networking, 8:30-9:30am,

25 GNC Young Professionals, 4:30-6:30pm, Hendel’s, 599 rue St. Denis 26 GNCC Women in Networking (WIN), noon-1:30pm,

25 NWCC Networking Happy Hour, 4:30-6:30pm,

Syberg’s Restaurant, 2430 Old Dorsett Road

Lehmann’s Landing, 12314 Natural Bridge Road

Veterans Home Care, 11861 Westline Industrial Drive, No. 750

Holiday Inn Express - St. Louis Airport, 10000 Natural Bridge Road

Holiday Inn Express - St. Louis Airport, 10000 Natural Bridge Road Lehmann’s Landing, 12314 Natural Bridge Road

Cannoli’s Restaurant, 462 N. Highway 67

26 NWCC It’s A Guy Thing, 4:30-5pm,

TGI Fridays, 11228 Lone Eagle Drive

27 NWCC Networking Happy Hour, 4:30-6:30pm,

Lehmann’s Landing, 12314 Natural Bridge Road

19

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