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Our Town Volume 09 | Number 04 APRIL 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

N THIS SSUE

Around Town

Arbor Day celebration planned in Creve Coeur on April 29 and more.

Our Thoughts PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Mathew DeKinder PUBLISHER EMERITUS/ GENERAL MANAGER Bob Huneke PRODUCTION Lisa Moran Melissa Nordmann CONTRIBUTORS Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Cindy Moore STAFF WRITERS Brett Auten Charlotte Beard

Moore on Life author Cindy Moore makes a play for a night on the town while Avalanche muses on motorcycles, mountaneers and mutts.

Feature The new kick in town The Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex recently opened as one of the largest turf soccer facilities in the country By Charlotte Beard

Nonprofit Profile Boone Center, Inc. provides employment, training and advocacy for adults with disabilities.

Lifestyle For advertising information, please contact us at:

info@mycnews.com

Steven Spielberg uploads “Ready Player One” in Entertainment. 2018 Kia Rio makes for a fun and sporty sub-compact vehicle in Automobile Alley. Shake up your dinner routine in For the Love of Food.

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Community News 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366 Ph: 636.379.1775 Fx: 636.379.1632 www.mycnews.com

In Depth St. Louis Youth and Sports Outreach provides equipment for children whose families have a hard time affording the costs associated with playing sports.

Events Calendar

No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher.

Staff Writer – Charlotte Beard Cover Photo – Submittted

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AroundTown

Lake invaders

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION

MDC and partners remove 47,000 Asian carp from Creve Coeur Lake

MDC joined with the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and St. Louis County Parks last month on an experimental harvest method to rid Creve Coeur Park Lake of invasive Asian carp.

www.travelsunrise.com 4 | OUR TOWN | APRIL 2018

Anglers, kayakers, paddle boarders and others may notice something missing from Creve Coeur Lake now – those annoying, intrusive and invasive Asian carp. The lake, once packed full of these nonnative interlopers, is now largely free of them thanks to an experimental removal project conducted by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and St. Louis County Parks last month. Invasive Asian carp, primarily bighead carp and silver carp, entered Creve Coeur Park Lake by way of Missouri River flooding prior to 2009. They quickly began to compete with native species for food and space, reducing numbers of natives and severely curtailing sport fish like crappie. Asian carp also caused conflicts by leaping at and striking lake users, and have been the source of several nuisance fish kills. Conventional attempts to eliminate the invasive fish had failed in the past. It turns out that the solution came from the same origin as the problem. “We tried a new experimental method

from Asia, called the Unified Method, to push all the Asian carp to one end of the lake where we able to harvest almost 50,000 of them,” reported MDC Fisheries Management Biologist Kevin Meneau. Meneau coordinated MDC’s involvement in the effort. The Unified Method was adapted from techniques previously tried and proven in Asia. It’s a process of systematically driving and herding fish with boats utilizing electrical and acoustic stimulation. The technique was still experimental, but biologists had high hopes it would work. “One of the things that get Asian carp really fired up is the sound of outboard motors. We were able to isolate that sound and broadcast it underwater,” Meneau said. “We could project that sound and the Asian carp would leave that area, then we could quickly block off those areas they left with giant nets.” The multi-partner team spent an intense three weeks clearing and blocking the lake, cell-by-cell, as they gradually herded the fish to a final collection point. Along the way, they had to overcome challenges in-

AroundTown cluding cold wind and weather, ice sheets forming on the lake, and frozen nets. Meneau explained that winter was the best time to perform the operation because the fish are less active and easier to contain. Since native fish tend not to respond to the acoustic stimuli in the same way, the process proved successful in being highly selective to moving only the target fish. “We excluded Asian carp from about 95% of the lake, and pushed them to an area where we could set up for harvest at the north part of the lake near Sailboat Cove,” Meneau explained. Once confined to that limited area, biologists were able to use seining nets to remove the fish from the water. Altogether, biologists took out around 47,000, or about 119 tons, of the unwanted invasive fish from the lake. Population estimates indicate that approximately 85% of the Asian carp population was eradicated. Now that the majority of the invasive Asian carp are gone, there is no possibility that those remaining fish could eventually reclaim the lake. This is because Asian carp require flowing water, such as that found in the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, for their eggs to be viable. Those conditions do not exist in Creve Coeur Lake. “I think our harvest efforts showed that. We caught no young fish, they were all adults,” confirmed Meneau. So the future looks good for Creve Coeur Lake. Biologists say that the dramatically lower density of Asian carp will greatly reduce interactions with lake users like rowers and paddlers. At their current level, the Asian carp will no longer compete with native fish as severely as before, which should enable the crappie to come back on their own in the next couple years. Meneau stresses that the rigorous project, which pushed on non-stop for the entire three weeks, was a true team effort. Asian carp are a pervasive problem for many waters in the U.S. Perhaps even more important than the recovery of Creve Coeur Lake is the hope these new techniques will offer to other lakes throughout the Missouri and Mississippi River basins. “The Unified Method was experimental, only components were used in other parts of the country. We brought it all together for this project and it was successful,” Meneau said. “We’re going to spread the word to other conservation entities throughout the country that maybe this will work for them. “

Advertorial

Get in gear, spring is here!

BY RUSS PATTON “Spring is bursting out all over” along with a few frozen water heaters and toilets, etc. In addition, bugs, bird nests, rodents and roof leaks can be an unwelcome surprise. Dreams can turn into nightmares if you wait too long to prep your RV before your first trip. Now is the time to call and schedule a basic de-winterizing and prep service. Our direct line to service is 636-9382020. Now that you are a veteran RVer you may see the value of having a service agreement which will protect your vehicle after your warranty expires. The service agreement can provide peace of mind as you travel far from home. You an ask about the details from our service writers or call our finance office at 636-938-2003 and Eric or Michelle will be glad to send you a brochure. Spring events are posted on or website. Look for our next April RV School

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class on April 10 in which we will discuss Spring Prep for your RV. Also, in April we will hold our annual “Customer Campout.” Register soon because the spots will be filled quickly. Our vehicle inventory covers a broad spectrum. From entry level trailers for first-time buyers to luxury motorhomes for retirees, Byerly can be your dealer throughout your RV life. We have ordered much in advance to assure that you will get your RV in time to enjoy it. Record sales have created shortages which delayed orders for up to two months last year. Also, we have locked in prices before the substantial price increases. Buy out of our inventory and save big. Visit us at www.byerlyrv.com, Facebook, and especially at 295 E Fifth Street in Eureka just one exit east of the Six Flags exit on I-44.

AroundTown

Road work Plan ahead for 2018 construction season Warm weather may currently not be an everyday event yet in the St. Louis, but MoDOT construction teams and contractors are already starting to prepare for roadway construction this year. Some of the anticipated work will start as early as the first few weeks of March, so MoDOT is sharing information on the projects within the greater St. Louis area that will have significant impacts on daily travel. These projects will have lane closures, often around the clock, and may have narrowed and shifted lanes. “We have several projects along the I-44 corridor – from the

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Mississippi River all the way out to the Crawford County line. Two of them – the bridge replacement near Shrewsbury and the bridge work between Kingshighway and 39th Street in St. Louis City – will have a very large impact on travel into and through the St. Louis City area. We encourage drivers that regularly use that section of I-44 to start looking at some of their other options now. For some, adjusting the time of their commute may be an option, or talking to their company about telecommuting options. Others may want to consider alternate routes to get around the construction. For others, using ride-sharing, carpooling or transit options may be the best choice. We are sharing this information now so motorists know where the most impacts to traffic are expected so they can be prepared and consider what option works best for them as early as possible,” said MoDOT Assistant District Engineer Bill Schnell. “We have several avenues where drivers can get information about upcoming lane closures and impact in the St. Louis area. We put out a work zone report every Wednesday afternoon detailing work for the next week. We also share information on social media – namely Twitter and Facebook. People can sign up for the e-update lists of our larger projects –such as the Poplar Street Bridge and I-44 work at Shrewsbury. Finally, people can check out information on our Traveler Information Map: http://traveler. modot.org/map/index.html,” said Schnell. Some MoDOT projects expected to have the biggest traffic impact to motorists in and around the St. Louis region this year are: Interstate 70 • I-70 Pavement improvements from Springdale Ave. to Union Blvd. (city limits). (St. Louis County) This is a two-year project that will include nightly lane closures. • I-70 relocation of interchange ramps at Route U (LucasHunt). (St. Louis County) This project will be completed in the summer and will include full ramp closures in the interchange. • I-70 from Woodlawn to TR Hughes. (St. Charles County) Interchange, outer road and sidewalk improvements. Offpeak lane closures on the interstate but could be some around-the-clock closures on arterials. Starts spring and ends summer 2019. Interstate 270 • I-270 at I-70 and Route 180. (St. Louis County) Pavement repairs on the ramps at the I-70/I-270/Route 180 interchange. This project will begin this fall and will include some full weekend ramp closures. • I-270 bridge rehabilitation between Dorsett and I-70. (St. Louis County) This project will include up to two lanes closed in each direction and will last all summer. • I-270 pavement repairs and resurfacing between Route 100 and I-55. (St. Louis County)Work will be complete by the end of 2018. Information on MoDOT work zones can be found at modot. org/stlouis or www.gatewayguide.com.

AroundTown

Summer camp for teachers

Why should kids have all the fun at summer camp? The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering teachers a summer camp experience of their own, along with a chance to get acquainted with MDC’s Discover Nature Schools (DNS) program. MDC will offer Teachers Discover Nature: A Hands-On Workshop with the Experts July 9-13. During this summer day camp for teachers, participants will learn how biologists study fish, forests and wildlife. The workshop will immerse them in nature and real-life conservation with conservation educators and resource biologists at five sites in the St. Louis region. Hands-on activities will include collecting and measuring fish, tracking wildlife, sampling and identifying insects, bird banding, assessing trees to improve forest health, and more. Teachers will also learn about outdoor skills such as archery, shooting sports, fishing and canoeing. During the workshop, educators will get certified in one of MDC’s free DNS instructional units, which come with funding for classroom materials and field experiences. DNS is a win-win opportunity for both educators and students, providing high quality science units designed to meet the needs of teachers while preparing Missouri’s students to become life-long conservationists through hands-on experiences in nature. Participants will meet at various St. Louisarea locations, starting the first day with Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center,

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION

MDC invites teachers to hands-on field workshop with experts in the St. Louis region

A teacher conducts a Discover Nature Schools outdoor program. Teachers can gain an outdoor experience of their own at MDC’s Teachers Discover Nature: A Hands-On Workshop with the Experts July 9-13.

located at 11715 Cragwold Road in Kirkwood. On the last day of the workshop, teachers will take an eye-opening canoe trip on the Meramec River. The workshop is free; however, class size is limited to 25 and advanced registration is required by July 1. To register for the workshop, visit the MDC Teacher Portal at https://goo.gl/eXrhyD. The workshop is certified by the Missouri’s Environmental Educational Association. In addition, participants have the option of earning three graduate credit hours from Lindenwood University. Tuition fee for college credit is $225. For questions about the workshop or more information about MDC’s DNS program, contact Sam Faith at Sam.Faith@ mdc.mo.gov, or 636-451-3512, ext. 7603, or visit https://mdc.mo.gov/education.

Hooray for trees! Arbor Day celebration planned in Creve Coeur on April 29 The city of Creve Coeur is hosting a free and fun-filled Arbor Day Celebration on April 29, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Tappmeyer House in Millennium Park at 2 Barnes West Drive in Creve Coeur. Hosted by the city’s Horticulture, Ecology and Beautification Committee, the Arbor Day celebration will include a display of entries from the all-ages art contest. This family-friendly event also includes face painting, a craft activity, a plant giveaway, educational displays and more. For more information, contact Lauren Khawaja, Human Resources & Management Analyst, at lkhawaja@crevecoeurmo.gov or 314-872-2511. To learn more about the Horticulture, Ecology and Beautification Committee and how to become a member, contact Jim Graham, Committee Chair, at jcgrah@charter.net.

Have good news to share? Get your event or good news published in:

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314-972-0300 | www.stlouismetrorealtors.com www.stlouismetrorealtors.com APRIL 2018

| OUR TOWN | 7

OurThoughts

Disco inferno MOORE ON LIFE BY CINDY MOORE

othing is more tortuous to my husband than shaking his groove thing out on the dance floor, even modeling a tiny speedo in front of the neighborhood is more preferable. He has not danced since that one dreadful night in 1980. We were dating and I convinced him to take me to a disco. He was young and naïve and obediently in love. We entered the dance hall with the disco lights flashing; the mirrored ball spinning; the music blaring and bodies gyrating in a manner typical of people experiencing a full-blown seizure. He thought he had entered Dante’s Inferno of hell, but begrudgingly kicked and stomped his feet then clapped his hands a time or two (an embarrassing out-of-rhythm dad-dance move even before becoming an embarrassing dad.) Back then I could get him to bow to my will like a puppy on a string, that puppy on a string is now a pit bull on a couch refusing to ever shake his booty again. So when our church hosted a big date night, I thought it would be a great opportunity for us to socialize with people other than our cats. The event cost nothing. I would have to emphasize the word free 8 | OUR TOWN | APRIL 2018

multiple times for him to be on board; free jazz band; free fancy finger foods and lots of free desserts. Just one small problem, there would also be free dancing. That would kill the deal. I would have to present the night in a sneaky sort of way in which he would not be able to detect even the slightest hint of dancing, but first to butter him up. I made him a gigantic man-sandwich loaded with extra meat and not the cheap stuff that you can see through when you hold it up, but the expensive kind that guys wearing white coats behind the butcher counter hack off freshly from the bone of a bovine. Yea it was gonna cost, but I had no choice; I was going all in. I served it up with a side pickle and an extra handful of chips then presented it to him right during his favorite TV episode of “Funniest Videos.” That way I knew he’d be in a good mood and giggling like he always does. “What’s this?” he asked. “Oh nothing, just a little something I thought you’d like while watching your show.” He suspiciously took a mouthful while giving me the ol’ stink eye.

“Go on eat….eat. I’ll just be over here making your favorite chocolate milkshake for dessert.” His choked on his first bite. Oh snap! The gig was up. I knew I should have stopped at the sandwich. He turned red and then blue then proceeded to cough like he might be ejecting an important organ. He gagged down the chunk and said in a raspy voice, “I am not going dancing…choke, choke…and you and your fancy meat sandwich can’t make me!” He stood up and kicked and stomped and clapped his hands like he was having a full-blown seizure. I joined him in kicking and stomping and clapping then twirled and pointed at him, “Nice dance moves. Tomorrow night, you and me on the dance floor!” Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder.

OurThoughts

ON MOTORCYCLES, MOUNTAINEERS AND MUTTS So far this winter season, we’ve been able to ride motorcycles throughout each month, only missing a couple of weeks due to icy conditions, unusual here in the mountains. My coldest trip so far was a 50-mile roundtrip to the dentist and back, in temperatures between 15 and 22 degrees Fahrenheit. Resembling an obese astronaut, I was quite comfortable on the journey, having mostly solved the frozen fingers dilemma with electric gloves and heated grips, on a newer bike that can handle such an electrical load. While comfy on the bike, getting suited up for the ride, and then shedding the necessary layers to interact with society, takes some time. Fifteen minutes, specifically, is the time required to put on all the insulating paraphernalia to keep hypothermia and frostbite at bay. For an out-andback trip, that’s 15 minutes getting ready, “only” 10 minutes getting undressed at the destination, as some layers are left on; 10 more minutes getting geared up again after sitting in the dentist’s chair, and 15 more at home peeling off the collection of pricey gear and putting it back in the closet until next time. Nearly an hour’s worth of preparation time for an hour-long ride, about one minute of mobilization and demobilization per mile. Yes, commuting in the cold is possible, but now that I’ve figured out the system, the time requirements still discourage such silliness on a regular basis.

One of the few storms that shut down twowheeled locomotion around here was forecast to deposit less than one inch of snow. After the first inch fell, another eleven fell at my house during the day and into the night. In the midst of this meteorological miscalculation, our friend Calvin was up at his yurt, situated at about 9,000 feet. He had driven up the mountain and parked nearby. Recognizing that he might not get his truck out until spring, he drove down the mountain and parked where there was some reasonable facsimile of road maintenance. He hiked back up the mountain toward his yurt, and the storm intensified. With darkness falling, and the snow increasing, he became unable to continue. He wasn’t lost, as he had a general idea of where he was, but visibility was no more than a couple of feet. He was stuck. He was able to start a fire with some toilet paper for kindling, and spent a miserable evening in the woods, just a few hundred yards away from his warm, dry home-away-from-home. As Calvin is an accomplished mountaineer and guide, it was quite a storm to cause someone like that to get caught out. More than two feet of snow fell at that elevation. (As an aside, he’s a long-time smoker. He maintains that the protective layer of tar in a smoker’s lungs prevents high-altitude pulmonary edema, a killer of many a climber. While that may or may not be true, he’s climbed higher and further than most who would criticize him. And I’m sure the only reason he had a life-saving lighter that night was to fire up a cigarette. Go figure.)

The population in our small neighborhood has recently increased by a dozen… puppies, that is. Two different litters were whelped at a couple of nearby homes. And our own two mutts have doubled in size during the month we’ve had them. We’ve gone through about 50 lbs. of dog food, with a resulting increase of about 40 lbs. worth of dog flesh, an impressive return on investment. Also, just down the street, two human babies (twins) are expected to arrive any day as of this writing. Alas, a couple of our neighbors are preparing to move away, as the inexorable march of years is forcing them to move to a less-strenuous environment, where assistance is available on-site. The added cheer of the puppies and babies is welcome, and helps to offset the disappointing transition of our older friends.

ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE BY AVALANCHE

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.

APRIL 2018

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THE NEW KICK IN TOWN The Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex recently opened as one of the largest turf soccer facilities in the country BY CHARLOTTE BEARD In February 2018, Creve Coeur became the home of one of the largest turf soccer facilities in the country located at 2350 Creve Coeur Mill Road. The Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex, constructed by the Paric Corporation in collaboration for its design with St. Louis County Parks, broke ground in April 2017. The Real STL Club was the first to hold its soccer tournament at the complex the beginning of March 2018. The $13.8 million facility, funded by the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission, has a very impressive layout. The complex which seats up to 500 spectators, has fields that consist of three quads and one championship field. Each of the quads consist of four separate turfs. Mike Hayes, Operations Manager for Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex with St. Louis County Parks, shared other 10 | OUR TOWN | APRIL 2018

additions to the existing fields. “In addition to those 13-full-sized artificial turf soccer fields, we will have two smaller youth-size grass fields. The grass fields [we estimate to be ready] in August 2018. Eleven of the full-size turf fields are lighted so they can be used at night time.” The complex has two concessions and restroom buildings that are located east and west of the entrances to the complex alongside each quad. The Central Village area of the complex, which is center to the location of the quads and championship field, houses a main concessions and restroom building, a second men’s and women’s restroom building, a vendor greenspace and a concrete patio and plaza area that displays soccer-themed sculptures and a central monument sign.

“A lot of the events that come in typically bring different vendors whether it be a t-shirt vendor, a soccer shoe provider or snow cone provider,” shared Hayes. “In [the] vendor pad area there is plenty space for them to set up shop with electricity to plug in [as needed].” There are two entrances and exits along Creve Coeur Mill Road with access to ample lighted parking. Parking consists of 1,206 paved parking spots and 300 overflow grass spots. “Five or six clubs will be here renting all the time during the soccer seasons, in the spring, fall and through the winter time. The idea is that this would be a park for a lot of teams to take advantage. So far, we have been able to see that with a variety of teams here every night. It’s neat to see all these concessions open and [from] every field [filled with] different clubs and boys and girls of different ages [they come together] at the same concession stand and hang out together instead of being just the same entity [at] their own facility. It brings the soccer community together as a whole,” Hayes said. Hayes shared some of the vision for the complex beyond the soccer-playing community. “Also, we’re in the developmental stages for trying to design a program with our partners for disadvantaged youth to be able to take advantage of this beautiful facility as well. One of the things that excited me about this project was that it’s not just a soccer project, to me it’s an overall park improvement. All the users that jog and walk around Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex [can] take advantage of [the concessions]. Also, [because] of this project we added significantly more running and jogging trail to the park; it runs right by the complex and it connects to the [Creve Coeur] lake. We’re excited about this project for our whole region,” he said. Currently, the complex hosts training for five soccer clubs Mondays through Thursdays: St. Louis Scott Gallagher, Sporting J.B. Marine, AFA Fillies, Norco, and Missouri Rush. Additionally, the St. Louis Youth Soccer Association is a league that that plays at the complex. The complex is especially proud to have the opportunity of host-

project enables our region to meet the need locally “ The for all the various soccer clubs and yet at the same time it opens the door for us to be a real competitor regionally and nationally going forward. ~ Mike Hayes, Operations Manager

”

Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex

APRIL 2018

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ing the Missouri Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) State Cup in this coming June. The State Cup will include more than 264 games over two weekends with players ranging from U-13 to U-19 boys and U-13, U-14, and U-19 girls. The players will be competing for state championship titles and an opportunity to move on to play in the U.S. Youth Soccer championship series. The complex expects to host more than 17 tournament weekends in 2018. Hayes said, “The size of our facility…it makes it one of the largest turf soccer facilities in the country. So, that will make us very appealing to host a tournament with a local club and draw in regional teams from the surrounding states. There will be a lot of teams that come in that stay in St. Louis and St. Louis County to play in our facility. We are actively bidding on the 2021 U.S. Midwest Regional Championship. That is an event that draws in the eight states that fill out the Midwest region in youth soccer; it will be a week-long event. It would bring in [approximately] 10,000 hotel room nights throughout the [St. Louis] area.” In addition to soccer, the complex is open to rental for other sports such as lacrosse, flag football and ultimate frisbee. Rental of the field is by reservation only.

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PHOTOS COURTESY ST. LOUIS COUNTY PARKS

For more information and rental inquiries please go to www.ccparksoccer.com and look under FIELD RENTALS. “The project enables our region to meet the need locally for all the various soccer clubs and yet at the same time it opens

the door for us to be a real competitor regionally and nationally going forward,” said Hayes.

CaringPartners

Boone Center, Inc. Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” And at Boone Center, Inc. (BCI), those words speak to the heart of their mission. Boone Center was founded in 1959 by Jane Crider and Margaret Holmes. The two women came together as advocates to provide opportunities for every person to use their abilities and skills to lead a productive life. The simple, mission-minded organization started as a candle-making business with just one employee. Today, BCI provides jobs to almost 400 men and women and is a national advocate for employment and training for adults with disabilities. “We’re always looking for ways to grow people to their fullest potential, and I think that’s what families do,” said Carolyn Balfany, Vice President of BCI’s Board of Directors. “I’ve seen BCI raise people up and give them dignity and hope and purpose. It’s just an incredible place.” BCI offers Organizational Employment at its contract packaging facilities in St. Peters and Moscow Mills. The employees assemble mouse traps, package and repackage all sorts of products from dental tools to dog treats, and build and fill product displays for club stores. “I’ve probably been in a couple hundred plants over the years and I’ve just never seen anything quite like this,” said Jim Lang, Board President. “The thing I like about it the most is that every employee is truly, fully engaged.” BCI also offers Community Employment for those who want more competitive, independent work. Under this program, participants receive career counseling, employee and job development, placement and training as they work out in area businesses. The vocational success and growth of the people they serve is always the goal. BCI works under what they call the Employment Continuum. Through continual evaluation and skills development, adults with disabilities can move into any number of employment opportunities and

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

provides employment, training and advocacy for adults with disabilities

gain access to the job of their choice and ability. To provide even more opportunities, in August BCI will launch a first of its kind vocational training facility for adults with disabilities. The Skills Center will help meet the needs of our community, our schools and the growing demand for skilled workers. “Adults with disabilities can contribute meaningfully to productive business organizations, and I think BCI has really become a model in the community for that,” said Balfany. For more information on BCI’s programs and services or to come for a tour, visit www.boonecenter.com or call 636978-4300.

APRIL 2018 | OUR TOWN | 13

OurLifestyle OurLifestyle

Remember the 80s? Steven Spielberg does. In fact, you could even argue that Spielberg created the 80s. At first glance, Spielberg’s new movie “Ready Player One” isn’t much more than an excuse to wallow in the pop culture of the decade of excess. But once this sucker gets rolling it becomes a visual thrill ride that is simultaneously a celebration and condemnation of the entertainment industrial complex. Based on the bestselling novel by Ernest Cline (who also helped write the screenplay with Zak Penn) “Ready Player One” is set in the year 2045 where the real world is a place of poverty and apathy. This is why everyone escapes to the OASIS, a virtual reality universe that is bound only by the limits of human imagination. The OASIS is the brainchild of oddball genius James Halliday (Mark Rylance) who envisioned this open-source playground to be a pure meritocracy where anyone from anywhere can log on and be anything they wish. When Halliday dies, he devises a contest where anyone who can discover and complete three challenges within the OASIS will be given complete ownership of the virtual world. Our hero is Wade (Tye Sheridan) a Halliday-obsessed teenager who in the OASIS goes by the name Parzival. He is joined by his online friends Art3mis (Olivia Cooke), Aech (Lena Waithe), Sho (Philip Zhao) and 14 | OUR TOWN | APRIL 2018

Daito (Win Morisaki) in a quest to best Halliday’s challenges before evil corporate interests, led primarily by IOI president Sorrento (Ben Mendelsohn), get to the prize and attempt to monetize the holy heck out

of the OASIS. Since Halliday harbored a deep love for the movies, music and video games of his youth, the OASIS has become a digital love letter to the 80s and that love has passed on to his devotees. It would be easy to accuse “Ready Player One” of being nothing more than nostalgia porn, and in the hands of a lesser filmmaker that would probably be the case. Spielberg actually is pretty sly as he is actively subverting all that he is celebrating (which is probably why none of his films make an appearance here) as the ultimate argument made by this movie is that while

pop culture is a lot of fun, it is still a distraction from the lives we are living. And even though this movie would be entertaining and engaging without all of the 80s window dressing, I do have to admit this movie nerd’s heart went pitter-patter recognizing some old favorites, like when the multi-blade boomerang from the cheesy sci-fi/fantasy “Krull” shows up as a weapon in an OASIS battle. In many ways “Ready Player One” is about how a creation can become more beloved and revered than its creator ever intended. This has pretty much been Spielberg’s experience for the past 40 years. Now he gets to pay back his fellow creators while giving the rest of us a thrilling roller-coaster of a trip down memory lane. “Ready Player One” is rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action violence, bloody images, some suggestive material, partial nudity and language. 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 editor of the Community News.

OurThoughts

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KIA RIO a fun and sporty sub-compact vehicle

With an objective to reach out to potential sub-compact car buyers, Kia Motors is offering their entry level runabout Rio “city car.” In spite of the underlining fact that Rio is positioned as an economy vehicle, the factory offers it with a number of near-upscale convenience technologies which also includes a seven-inch center dash mounted multi-function touch screen. The 2018 Rio is manufactured in both a four-door sedan alongside a five-door hatchback. The vehicles are designed with an interesting European flair with its overall presence. “Value has generally been a core conviction for the Kia brand, as the new Rio sedan and five-door continue to underscore our commitment to buyers looking for an entry-level vehicle but desire more than what the subcompact segment offers,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning, KMA. “This fourth-generation Rio makes significant improvements over its predecessor in design, technology and passenger comfort, resulting in an even better value proposition, while raising the bar in the small-car segment.” The Rio is designed to be fuel efficient, include advanced safety features, have fairly innovative characteristics and to be fun to drive. Rio’s exterior is defined by crisp/sculptured body lines and smooth surfaces. This tends to result in a sophisticated and sporty appearance. The front end grille assembly is all new, showing off Kia’s tiger-nose DNA design element. The car’s integrated headlights gravitate with a swept back design for a more aggressive appearance. With Rio’s side profile, visual cues help showcase the car’s taut appearance plus the lower belt line allows for the design of the windows to help provide the driver and passengers with a better all-around unclouded view. Both the sedan and the five door models are slightly longer when compared to the 2017 version. Similar to the front-end design, the car’s rear is wider, helping to advance a sense of stability. Rio rides on 15-inch wheels with

all season tires. With the somewhat larger overall dimensions, its cabin is among the roomiest in its class. Of course, with the rear seat backs folded forward, cargo space increases, thus allowing additional space to accommodate your weekend gear. The modern and reworked interior comes with an improved instrument panel, additional sound proofing, more ergonomic layout and upgraded interior materials. This cabin redesign also helps to accommodate a new range of technologies. The center console has a bi-level storage tray to better accommodate portable electronics. The front seats have also been redesigned to enhance comfort with the addition of added seat cushion material Their top end EX version has four wheel disc brakes while their other trim levels have disc brakes in front, conventional drum brakes in the rear. For the first time, Rio is also offered with available Autono-

mous Emergency Braking. Rio receives high marks with its crash test ratings as set forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Available in three trims: LX, S and EX – the all-new 2018 Rio is powered by their 1.6-liter gas direct injected four-cylinder engine. It’s rated at 130-horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque. This front-wheeldrive automobile comes standard with a six speed manual transmission or an available six-speed automatic. Fuel economy numbers show 28 city/37 highway/32 MPG combined with the automatic, with either the sedan or the five-door model. When equipped with the manual transmission, the MPG numbers change just slightly. MSRP ranges from $13,900 for the LX Sedan to $18,700 for the five-door EX trim level.

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.

APRIL 2018 | OUR TOWN | 15

OurLifestyle

Shake up your dinner routine I

f you find yourself stuck in a rut with the same recipes, remember a little change can add a lot of flavor. By simply using fresh pork in dishes that usually consist of chicken or beef, there are countless ways to switch up your dinner routine. Whether grilled, roasted, slow-cooked or sautĂŠed,

Smithfield Fresh Pork is available in a wide variety of cuts as well as pre-marinated flavors, making it versatile and convenient for any night of the week. Try out these recipes for Smoked Bacon Pork Alfredo and Grilled Pork Loin Fajitas to shake up your next meal. Find more recipe ideas at Smithfield.com/ShakeItUp.

Smoked Bacon Pork Alfredo

Prep time: 8 minutes | Cook time: 22 minutes | Servings: 6-8

I ngredients: 1 fresh pork loin filet 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 pound penne pasta 1 package (8 ounces) sliced mushrooms salt, to taste 2 jars (15 ounces each) Alfredo sauce pepper, to taste 1/4 cup finely chopped green onion (optional) grated Parmesan cheese (optional) 16 | OUR TOWN | APRIL 2018

Directions: Cut pork loin into 1/2-inch thick slices then into 1/4-inch wide strips. In large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Stir-fry half the pork loin 7-8 minutes until well browned. Set aside on separate plate and repeat with 1 tablespoon oil and remaining pork. Cook pasta according to package directions. In skillet over medium-high heat, heat remaining oil; add mush

rooms and sprinkle with salt, to taste. Cook 3 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta and return to pot; stir in pork, mushrooms and Alfredo sauce. Stir over medium heat about 4 minutes until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with green onions and Parmesan cheese, if desired.

OurLifestyle

Grilled Pork Loin Fajitas

Prep time: 20 minutes, plus 30 minutes marinade time | Cook time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4-6 I ngredients: 1 boneless fresh pork loin, cut into 1-inch thick steaks 1 1/2 cups water, divided 1 cup soy sauce 1 can (6 ounces) pineapple juice 6 cloves garlic 1/4 cup white wine 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 large onions, cut into 1/2-inch wide strips 1 tablespoon corn oil salt, to taste pepper, to taste 12 tortillas guacamole (optional) sour cream (optional) pico de gallo (optional) shredded cheese (optional)

Directions: Using meat mallet, pound pork steaks until 1/2-inch thick; place in 1-gallon resealable plastic bag. Pour 1 cup water, soy sauce and pineapple juice over pork; seal bag and lay flat in refrigerator 30 minutes, turning occasionally. In blender, pulse garlic, white wine and salt until thoroughly blended. Whisk butter and slowly incorporate garlic and wine mixture. Reserve at room temperature. In large skillet over high heat, saute onions in corn oil 2 minutes until they turn deep brown. Add remaining water to skillet and lower heat to medium-low. Cook and stir, scraping bits from bottom of pan, 15 minutes until water has evaporated and onions are caramelized. Season with salt and pepper.

Heat grill to 300 F for indirect cooking. Lightly grease grates. Remove pork from marinade and place on grill over indirect heat 4-6 minutes per side, until internal temperature reaches 145 F. Remove pork and brush garlic butter on both sides. Let stand 5 minutes; slice into 3-inch long, thin strips. While grill is hot, grill tortillas individually. Wrap four tortillas at a time in aluminum foil with a little garlic butter. In skillet, reheat caramelized onions and serve with fajitas. Top with guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo and shredded cheese, if desired.

APRIL 2018 | OUR TOWN | 17

InDepth

St. Louis Youth and Sports Outreach provides equipment for children whose families have a hard time affording the costs associated with playing sports. BY CHARLOTTE BEARD

It’s not uncommon for most grade school and high school children to be involved in some form of extracurricular activity outside the classroom. Sports is a major area of involvement for youth. However, many parents cannot afford the various costs of their child being involved in sports. St. Louis Youth and Sports Outreach (STL YSO) has been meeting that need since its founding by Billy Mayhall and Neil Thomas in 2015. Mayhall had a child on the team he was coaching that could not afford what was needed to play. Due to Mayhall’s provision of some extra equipment he possessed, the child was able to participate. This occurrence gave him the idea to get with a group of his friends to help a few more children. “One thing led to another,” Mayhall stated. “We were completely bombarded with stuff. It started in my garage then I had to go buy a trailer. Then the trailer was overflowing, and we reached out. The church was gracious enough [to let us be here]. We have three rooms here.” STL YSO is located at the rear entrance of New Horizons Presbyterian Church on 9424 Everman Avenue in Overland. The nonprofit’s hours of operation are Sundays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Wednesdays 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Mayhall shared the driving force behind him running the nonprofit. “I believe in sports. They not only physically make a kid stronger – mentally [it makes them stronger], it builds character, it shows kids ‘hey look if you’re going to be working with a team…you have to work together as a team.’ I want them off the video games and I want them outside playing.” Mayhall stresses that no child should be unable to play sports. “If money is an issue and you don’t have [the funds] just let us know. That’s why we have our fundraisers. We do ask if you can, bring [items] to trade in; we do want to replenish what we [give away]. We

Getting everyo

| OUR TOWN | APRIL 2018

have a company that re-laces [baseball] gloves for us but sometimes they’re just beyond saving.” STL YSO, which operates with seven board members and various volunteers, is funded by two fundraisers a year. Their Rock n Roll Bingo will take place July 28 at ABC Ball Park in the gymnasium located at 10050 Livingston Ave in St. Ann . The event allows 10 people to a team. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the event will start at 7 p.m. Every Sunday the outreach gives away something that has been donated to them by Metro Pawn. “We are here,” stated Mayhall, “because of Metro Pawn located on St. Charles Rock Road. They make our fundraisers ‘ginormous.’ We never have to ask…they call us…they donated the Harley Davidson. They donate stuff because they believe in us. They are great people. Without Metro Pawn this [outreach] probably wouldn’t be here.” The other fundraiser for STL YSO takes place in December. The outreach hosts an annual pool tournament at Just Bill’s Place at 2543 Woodson Road in St. Louis; specific date to be announced. Mayhall shared that the two events support them well for a year. The church provides them free rent for the three rooms of space they use to display sports equipment, as well as free usage of the church’s utilities. The money raised by STL YSO totally supports youth in the community. John Shelton, who has been volunteering with the outreach for approximately a year, shares a belief in what is being accomplished. “[Billy] said it a million times, we’re not here to build a large bank account we’re here to take care of kids. You can do that in a couple fundraisers a year, not constantly asking people for things, and be willing to give back.” Another volunteer, Sherry Barks, shared, “I just started recently;

PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE BEARD

InDepth

Billy Mayhall (left) stands with his son Austin at STL YSO in New Horizons Presbyterian Church.

one in the game I’ve known Billy through a mutual friend. I’ve come to [STL YSO] functions…if he needs something I’m here and vice versa.” STL YSO offers support to the community in various ways besides sports equipment to youth. Annually they host a toy and diaper drive. Mayhall states that they work with various people in the community to drive their efforts, including Korey Johnson of the Korey Johnson Foundation. “We get the toys out to Shriner’s Hospital, St. Louis Crisis Nursery and various organizations,” he said. In February the organization hosted a five-hour free haircut event for 37 youth provided by The Blue House Barbershop. Additionally, STL YSO gives two college scholarships each year. Recipients include one graduate from Ritenour Senior High School and Eatonville Senior High School. Each one gets a $2,000 scholarship. The scholarship is named after Officer Blake Snyder who died while in the line of duty in 2016. Those who are interested in more information can contact either of the schools who will direct them to the

school’s counselor. The number for Ritenour is 314-493-6105 and Pattonville can be reached at 314-213-8051. “We serve everywhere,” stated Mayhall. “We have people coming from Fenton, Pacific, St. Peters, St. Charles. I work with the St. Louis Crisis Nursery a lot and what people don’t realize is that the largest homeless rate is in Wentzville. [We also work with] H.E.R.O.E.S. Care. I donated [approximately] 50 helmets… [many things] to them. [One of their representatives] said to me ‘we’ll try to keep it where we stay on the Illinois side; we don’t come over here too much to keep from stepping on your toes.’ This is about helping children, this isn’t about an ego. If you help a child next door to me I’m grateful for it. There is no ego involved here. It is all about the kids. [H.E.R.O.E.S. Care] is a great group of guys.” STL YSO provides equipment for all sports except football and hockey due to certification and compliance requirements (comparable to a child’s car seat). For more information visit: www.stlyso. org. APRIL 2018 | OUR TOWN | 19

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Easter Sunday

Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday

Theater production: Neverland comes to Maryland Heights as our Youth Community Theatre - Be a Star on Stage presents “Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure” at Maryland Heights Community Center at 2300 McKelvey Road in Maryland Heights. Performances are on April 14 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and on April 15 at 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Community Center’s Welcome Desk and are $8 until April 6. After that time, tickets can be purchased for $10.

Tax Day

Administrative Professionals Day

Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

Spring service day: The city of Maryland Heights is

Arbor Day Celebration and Art Contest:

seeking volunteers for their Spring Service Day scheduled from 8:15 a.m. - noon. Volunteers will assist elderly and disabled residents with leaf clean up, weeding and trimming. Tasks will primarily be raking and bagging leaves, and may include some weeding and minor shrub trimming. Leaf bags will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to bring a rake and work gloves. No special skills are needed and all willing volunteers are encouraged to sign-up. Volunteers will meet at 8:15 a.m. at the Maryland Heights Community Center to sign-in, obtain a volunteer t-shirt, get a light breakfast and have a brief orientation. All yard work will wrap up by noon. Registration will remain open until April 20. Please bring a completed liability form with you on April 28. If you have any questions about this event, please contact Nancy Whitener at nwhitener@marylandheights.com or 314-738-2599.

The city of Creve Coeur is hosting a free and fun-filled Arbor Day Celebration from 1 – 3 p.m. at the Tappmeyer House in Millennium Park in Creve Coeur. This family-friendly event includes face painting, a craft activity, a plant giveaway, educational displays, as well as a display of entries from the all-ages art contest.