Town & Style 2.8.23

TOWN TALK

IN THE

by stephanie wallace

st. luke’s hospital

A special winter delivery was made to the hospital’s maternity ward. As part of its baby bunting initiative, babies were transformed into snowmen to warm hearts during chilly weather.

saint louis fashion fund

The organization welcomed two new board members. Emily K. Bardon is a partner at Lewis Rice, and Rio DeArmond is currently developing Therapy in Movement, a company that integrates talk therapy and exercise.

mission taco joint

The restaurant joined with Pink Floyd tribute band El Monstero to raise $500 for the Jeff Burton Family Fund. On the band’s concert nights, a portion of sales for every Three Little Piggies Burrito was donated in memory of The Rizzuto Show co-host who passed away from cancer in August.

kirkwood high school

Emily K. Bardon Rio DeArmond

STRONG HEARTS

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

by stephanie wallace

HEART DISEASE REMAINS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH in the U.S.— and globally—accounting for approximately one in every five. And thousands more nonfatal cardiac events occur each year. Through groundbreaking medical research and community education on heart disease, the American Heart Association is working to combat these dangerous statistics. The nonprofit is relentlessly dedicated to creating a world that promotes longer, healthier lives.

One of the most important ways to combat heart disease is CPR education, according to Jennifer Jaeger, executive director of the local American Heart Association chapter. “Around 90% of people who experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest die,” she explains. “It’s been shown that CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple the chance of survival. We all have imagined the scenario where CPR is something performed on a stranger in public, but the reality is most instances of cardiac arrest happen at home. The life you could save is likely going to be someone you love.”

To help draw attention to the importance of CPR education, the association’s St. Louis Heart Ball will spotlight the story of a local family who saved their daughter’s life with CPR. As one of the nonprofit’s signature annual fundraisers, Jaeger notes that the event plays a fundamental role in supporting its mission. “The Heart Ball is a chance to engage the corporate and medical communities of St. Louis and allows us to raise the funds necessary to continue our work,” she says. This year’s event is Feb. 25 at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, and the signature sponsor is Daugherty Business Solutions. Guests can look forward to an evening of fine dining, entertainment from the Daughetry Band and an exciting auction.

The funds raised by the Heart Ball will support the American Heart Association’s 2024 Health Equity Impact Goal. The initiative aims to address barriers to health care access and quality. “We typically set a 10-year impact goal, and we were in the process of developing the next one when the pandemic happened,” Jaeger explains. “We saw problems we were already aware of in the health care system come to the forefront, and it became clear we really needed to shorten the time frame and focus on removing barriers to quality health care.” Heart Ball chair Ron Daugherty adds, “Daugherty is tremendously committed to equity in education, jobs and health; the single most powerful way to promote health equity is to support the American Heart Association.”

The nonprofit is committed to improving heart health for all people in the region. One way it unites the community is the Heart of St. Louis campaign, an initiative that brings local leaders together to invest in supporting the health of the community. The campaign culminates in the Heart Ball, so the event also serves as a celebration of the organization’s progress. “We’re involved in every aspect of the St. Louis community, and we strive to make sustainable achievements,” Jaeger says. “In 2024, the American Heart Association will celebrate its 100th anniversary. It’s an opportunity to look back on what we’ve done and look forward to the work we still have to do.” &

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

GUESTS AT THE ST. LOUIS HEART BALL

grand center

When we sat down for trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra at The Sheldon concert hall on Jan. 29, we expected to hear a tight band and soloing from some of the world’s most disciplined musicians. But we were thoroughly unprepared for the night’s special guest, Naseer Shamma, widely regarded as the world’s most accomplished master of the oud. Looking at the night’s program, my wife asked me what an oud was, and I ventured that it was a Middle Eastern wind instrument, whereupon our eavesdropping neighbor, a very distinguished-looking older man, promptly leaned over to interject a clarification: It’s a stringed instrument. The orchestra was to riff on many selections by the Iraqi composer, who was perched at the front of the stage with a beautiful, teardrop-shaped guitar-ike instrument on his lap. What unearthly sounds he coaxed from it, deft and emotive as Eric Clapton and exotic as Django Reinhardt. Marsalis has recorded with Clapton; Django died 10 years before he was born, but he probably would have jumped at the chance to perform alongside him. Known as the Jazz Ambassador for his lifelong quest to raise the profile of jazz, Marsalis, 61, is the second-oldest member of a New Orleans musical dynasty that includes his older brother Branford, widely considered the greatest saxophonist since John Coltrane. Wynton won the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for Music for his 1994 composition Blood on the Fields. As you may suspect, writing about music is a bit like dancing about architecture. Look up this hour-long performance on YouTube: Wynton Marsalis Septet and Naseer Shamma (2017). There are three fewer trumpet players than played at The Sheldon, so there’s more of Marsalis soloing. Plus, the video starts with 2 minutes of Shamma playing by himself. This merits a hearty OMG!

OF THE TOWNS talk

by bill beggs jr.

the metro

Hip hop first hit car radios and boomboxes around 1979, but rapping and rhymes became a serious force for protest and social change in 1982. Channel 9, The StL’s public television station, premiered Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World on Jan. 31. Nine PBS reprises the first two episodes at 8 p.m. on Feb. 14. In the program, Chuck D of Public Enemy, NYC’s in-your-face hardcore hip hop group, explores the ever-evolving genre’s political awakening over the last 40 years. With a host of rap stars and cultural commentators, he tracks hip hop’s socially conscious roots. From songs like “The Message” in 1982 to his own band’s remix of their first record to hit radio, “Fight the Power 2020,” he examines how hip hop has become ‘the Black CNN.’ Episodes three and four premiere back-to-back starting at 8 p.m. Feb. 21 on Nine PBS and livestream. The entire show can be streamed after broadcast on the PBS Video App. Visit ninepbs.org.

south st. louis

Rumours, an authentic homage to Fleetwood Mac, will take the stage Friday, May 19, at River City Casino & Hotel. Formed in 2014, Rumours (aka Rumours ATL) has impressed audiences with renditions of Fleetwood Mac songs like “Dreams,” “Everywhere” and “Gypsy.” The original band already had been Fleetwood Mac for nearly 10 years, a British progressive-blues outfit featuring the late Christine McVie, before Stevie Nicks and her current and/or former lover, Lindsey Buckingham, joined McVie and the boys in 1975 to make the band more, shall we say, left coast. The first album with that lineup, 1975’s eponymous Fleetwood Mac, was wonderful. Rumours, which came out in 1977, sold 40 million copies by its 50th anniversary re-release and has received perfect scores from reviewers. Fans claim that Rumours is the band to see for a note-by-note recreation of live (post-1975) Fleetwood Mac shows. In the summer of 2019, the group was invited to play a week in The Netherlands at popular venues and festivals in the country. Showtime is 8 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com or at the River City Casino & Hotel box office, 777 River City Casino Blvd. You must be 21 or older to attend. Rumours is fronted by Mekenzie Zimmerman (Stevie Nicks vocals), Adrienne Cottrell (keyboards and Christine McVie vocals), and Denny Hanson (guitar and Lindsey Buckingham vocals). John Spiegel on lead guitar, Jim Ramsdell on bass and Daniel Morrison on drums complete one of the best live band performances you will see anytime. I ask why were the drummer and bass player in the press release not credited like the others? The progressive-blues outfit was formed back in the day by two dudes: drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie … i.e. Mac. ‘OK, Boomer!’ some might say. Point taken.

WHAT GROUP’S 1979 LEFT-FIELD RAP DITTY IS WIDELY CONSIDERED TO BE THE FIRST HIP HOP SONG? What was the 1982 song that steered hip hop toward social relevance? Extra credit: What is Chuck D’s real name?

Which of these items are not arranged on the roof of the City Museum: a school bus, a manatee, a hippo, a canoe, a praying mantis, R2D2 and C3PO, a ferris wheel, a jet airplane, a sculpture of Marilyn Monroe?

These objects are not arranged among the ephemera on the roof of the City Museum: A manatee, a canoe, R2D2 and C3PO, a sculpture of Marilyn Monroe. (These items are up there: A school bus, a hippo— several, actually—a praying mantis, a ferris wheel and a jet airplane.)

BILL BEGGS JR. HAS WORN MANY HATS AT NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES AND IN MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS SINCE BEFORE THE ERA OF THE FLOPPY DISC. NOW HE JUST WEARS A HAT TO KEEP HIS BALD SPOT FROM GETTING SUNBURNT.

PHOTO: RAY MARKLIN

chesterfield

You say you’ve been Jonesing for a bona fide Nuyawk-style bagel, but you live west of I-270? The former Einstein’s out there is now a Katie’s Pizza. Oy, vey iz mir. But you won’t have to wait too much longer for the real thing, nothing like the machine-produced bagels available at the supermarket. Lefty’s Bagels, which two IT professionals kicked off in a bakery co-op a few years ago as an avocation, has become their vocation. Doug Goldenberg and Scott Lefton are brothers-in-law. Goldenberg married Lefton’s sister. They’re pretty close; even so well-suited as business partners that one could probably finish a sentence the other started. “We have a lot of things in common,” Goldenberg noted when we shared a booth at another place that sells bagels on Olive just west of Hwy. 141: Panera. It’s on the south side; Lefty’s is on the north side a little farther east, closer to the interchange. Although Lefton was still tying up loose ends that morning and was a couple minutes behind schedule, Goldenberg got us off to a good start. The COVID-19 pandemic was quite an unexpected benefit. “The pandemic became an enabler,” he said. Making bagels? “How hard can it be?” Goldenberg remembers musing. There was so much unexpected downtime in his corporate career, so

many hours left for the pair to get into practice, he says; they had less stress working with the dough. Hand-making bagels is labor-intensive—so much kneading is needed, in fact, that he’s already needed surgery for carpal-tunnel syndrome. “After quite a number of batches, we had some our family would eat!” Once Lefton breezed in, it was obvious that he marches to the beat of a different drum. A theater background could be blamed or credited for his steady flow of ideas, notes his brother-in-law. For the café, think of a full breakfast with selections including pastrami, whitefish, trout and several varieties of lox. You could imagine you’ve landed on East Houston Street in Brooklyn, maybe even wondering why you didn’t have to change trains. Authenticity, freshness and tradition are as important here as at Russ & Daughters, which Lefton says is the NYC deli to beat all NYC delis. “Baking from scratch is an art!” says either Lefton or Goldenberg, two very different men with a singular goal. “We’re building a business for the community,” Lefton says. OK, OK! We’ll answer your meshugah high-school question. The men are both StL natives: Lefton, 45, Parkway Central, Class of 1996; Goldenberg, 52, Ladue Horton Watkins, Class of 1989. And now for

something completely different: For a very funny Lefty’s parody/sendup of the show intro to vintage 1970s TV series Laverne & Shirley, visit leftysbagels.com. Presently the café website is idling while the finishing touches are made to the building, which the brothers-in-law anticipate to open in early March. They’d hoped to be serving already, but sometimes with design and construction, etc., oy! Meanwhile, as your tummy rumbles, keep an eye on the café’s Facebook page—Lefty’s website will point you there. &

Doug Goldenberg & Scott Lefton

bon voyage!

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is heading to Europe this March! The orchestra will visit Vienna, Brussels, Eindhoven, Amsterdam and Madrid as part of its first international trip since 2017.

The Assistance League of St. Louis is partnering with Bed Bath & Beyond in Sunset Hills. Under the management of Norm Frisch, the store’s employees raised $800, donated 44 pillows and provided display beds and frames for $20 to the nonprofit’s outreach program.

THE INSIDER

Pedal the Cause was the major contributor to Siteman Cancer Center’s Investment Program in 2022. The funds were used to seed 12 promising and innovative research projects, including some focused on breast, head and neck, lung, prostate and pancreatic cancers.

For Black History Month, 5 on Your Side is spotlighting the experiences of local teens. In RACE: Listen. Learn. Live: Teenagers, Black high schoolers will share how racism has impacted them and what their hopes for the future are. The special will air at 11 a.m. on Feb. 19.

PATTY

by patty hannum

I AM A TALKER. I talk to people who are standing in line with me. I talk to the person who checks me out at the grocery store. I talk to the bug guy who comes to my house to kill the ants. But I talk the most to the person who blows out my hair.

Allison Durley, owner of Boho Beauty Company, washes and blow dries my hair each week to perfection. I know I sound like a throwback to the 1950s when women used to get their hair done, but it is a little luxury I can’t live without. During my 60-minute appointment, I talk to Allison, over the hum of the blow dryer, about a little bit of everything. It really is like a therapy session but cheaper and my hair looks better after. I’ve often wondered if I was the only blabbermouth sitting in her chair or if there were others, so I asked.

Allison has been in the hair industry for nine years. She specializes in blowouts and special occasion hairstyling. She said most of her clients are talkers. Sigh of relief! There are a few who

ST. LOUIS CITY SC AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI–ST.

LOUIS

are championing the future of esports in St. Louis. UMSL will be the presenting partner of the soccer team’s eMLS team, and there are plans for coordinated events with university esport competitors and the club’s eMLS player, Niklas Raseck.

read magazines, work on their laptops or watch TV, but with her regulars, appointments are usually catch-up time. Allison said the topics of conversation range from the purpose of the blowout to the latest true crime documentary (that would be me!). Clients talk a lot about pop culture, St. Louis sports and new restaurants in town.

I asked Allison if she’s ever heard anything she wished she hadn’t or if she should be asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement. She deftly dodged that question by answering a different one! Allison said when you see people on a weekly basis, you learn a lot about their lives. You get to see them go through the joys of weddings and babies but also struggles and loss. It is “therapy with a side of hair,” she says.

I wondered how much of what is said in the chair makes its way to other stylists or if there is some sort of ‘code of silence’ like with doctors and attorneys. Discretion is something you learn, according to my expert. You have to know who to

trust with anything you feel you need to share. So, not quite like HIPAA, but you can feel pretty secure with the information you let loose at the salon.

Allison is always as cool as a cucumber. But I know she has to get annoyed. What makes her a little twitchy? She admits that when people are taking calls or are hunched over reading a magazine or their phones, it can be hard to blow dry their hair. So, if you do that, stop it!

And finally, what is the one thing people are embarrassed about but shouldn’t be? Her clients apologize for how dirty their hair is when they come in for an appointment to get it washed! I guess it is a lot like cleaning your house before the cleaning lady comes. She also mentioned that for those of us with graying hair, we are often concerned about our roots. No worries according to Allison, she has root cover spray for that.

Now go book your blow out with your favorite stylist and relax. Peace my Peeps. &

NIKLAS RASECK

Take Note

1. Forsythia on the Park

Coming soon to Clayton, a new condo development offering a truly luxurious and walkable living experience with only 38 units available. Reservations begin shortly. Inquire online for complete details

8250 FORSYTH BLVD.

314.924.3555

THEFORSYTHIASTL.COM

2. Genesis of St. Charles

Ground has been broken on the St. Louis area’s first brick-and-mortar Genesis dealership. According to Kevin Maher, Jr., president and general manager of St. Charles Automotive, this retail and service center represents the first dedicated Genesis dealership to be built in Missouri— and one of the first in the Midwest.

5701 VETERANS MEMORIAL PARKWAY

636.441.4481

GENESISOFSTCHARLES.COM

3. Amy Roberts M.D. & Associates

At Dr. Amy Roberts M.D. & Associates, we provide the high quality personalized primary health care that you deserve. Please contact us today for a free meet and greet to get to know us better and learn about our practice.

272 LAMP AND LANTERN VILLAGE

636.220.8040

MSMEDICINE.COM/AMY-ROBERTS-MD

4. Sport Court St. Louis

With Sport Court, you don’t have to choose just one game! Our backyard courts can be used for everything from basketball and volleyball to tennis, soccer, pickleball, futsal, roller hockey and more.

636.451.0400

SPORTCOURTSTLOUIS.COM

Around Town

We are now showing “Head Heart Hand: The Joyful Art of Tommy Simpson” and “Amy Firestone Rosen: Dancing on the Ceiling.” On view through March 18.

5080 DELMAR BLVD.

314.725.1177

CRAFTALLIANCE.ORG

The American Heart Association is proud to announce Breck Washam, senior vice president, St. Louis region general manager of Burns McDonnell, as chairman of the 2023 Metro St. Louis Heart Challenge. The 2023 Heart Challenge culminates at the Metro St. Louis Heart Walk on May 13 at Busch Stadium.

P.O. BOX 411364

314.692.5662

METROSTLOUISHEARTWALK.ORG

7. The Bach Society of Saint Louis

Experience the passion, tragedy and joy of Handel’s Messiah Music director and conductor A. Dennis Sparger leads The Bach Society Chorus and Orchestra in an afternoon of glorious music in the stunning stained-glass setting of First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood March 5 at 3 p.m.

3547 OLIVE ST., STE. 120

314.652.BACH (1114)

BACHSOCIETY.ORG

5. Craft Alliance

6. American Heart Association

• 12 years

T&S IS CELEBRATING A DOZEN YEARS OF SHARING THE BEST OF ST. LOUIS. WE'RE TAKING A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE AND LOOKING AT SOME OF OUR FAVORITE MOMENTS.

HAPP [HOUR 2022 was a spectacular year! Thank you to my phenomenal clients, family, and friends.

1 2 3 4

the now-closed Turvey’s On the Green in the Central West End, she worked out front and in the kitchen. “I helped make things like chocolate bombs, which were very on trend at the time, but I wanted to do more savory dishes and challenge myself,” she recalls. “I needed experience.” She found it with a stint at AzucArte, the former eclectic bakery on Ivanhoe Street. Next, to land a position at Luciano’s Trattoria, Nalic bravely approached GLAMOUR GILDED AGE WALLACE F Jay Perez and partner, Bill Donius, their End offers not only perfect slice urban living, also provides unique character details only available historic property. Not content 115-year-old building into museum, created space full of imaginative design, elements balanced pops of modern innovation. No time of evident holidays, when it comes festive personal touches. CONT'D

co-owner Marc Del Pietro unsolicited and showed him a photo album of her culinary creations. Impressed, he gave her the job. Her experience also includes Frazier’s Restaurant & Lounge, Farmhaus, Pappy’s Smokehouse and other celebrated establishments. Nalic later took a job as a Sysco rep, which she deemed a more viable option as a single mom with two young children, Romy and Micah, now 18 and 17 respectively. The job was a twist of good fortune, since that’s how she met Edo in 2006 at Taft Street, the Bevo-area Bosnian bar and grill where he worked as a bartender and server. Edo had arrived in St. Louis with his family in 1998 as part of the massive influx of Bosnians seeking refuge here following the Bosnian War. Even before meeting Edo, Nalic was captivated by the refugees’ arrival. “Here was, watching in real time, immigrants coming to settle, open businesses and be part of our community,” Nalic says. “I was intrigued.” The two shared many passions—food among them—and married in 2008. Nalic got a more personal taste for Balkan food when she traveled to the region, where in-laws connected her with bakeries, restaurants and even Bosnian families, with whom she lived and cooked. “I saw such a difference in how the food was prepared,” she says. Her experience influences the menus for both the food truck and upcoming restaurant. The cevapi a flavorful, casing-less grilled sausage, is reminiscent of that found in Sarajevo, while the döner or kebab, “is what you’d eat all over the Balkans,” Nalic notes. Her take on pide is less traditional, using ajvar a tangy red pepper relish, as a topping. With approximately 1,800 square feet and 45 seats, the menu will be small, around 10 dishes, and feature beer and wine selections. As for ambiance, Nalic doesn’t want the place to look too sophisticated. “That’s not my jam,” she says. “But it has to be eye-catching and very Balkan Treat Box.” Micah will join Nalic in the kitchen, and Romy will greet and serve with Edo. With the new restaurant, the Nalics All because of you... I‘m also grateful to Compass for providing powerful tools and technology that have enabled me to achieve the best possible outcomes for my clients. Whether in St. Louis or across the country, my clients benefited from these extraordinary resources. May this coming year bring you an abundance of peace, laughter and good tidings. Founding REALTOR M: O: 314.347.1658 katie.dooleycurran@compass.com

Into Another World Every home Suzy shoots is gorgeous, but this Overland property was out of this world!

01020304050607080 0102030405060708 T&S photographer Suzy Gorman holds this home as a personal fave. ▶ 12.14.22 9.23.20

St. Louis native, magician and comedian Justin Willman cast his spell!

CELEBRATE YOUR BUSINESS

WHITE GLOVE EXOTIC SERVICES

With decades in the automobile industry and a lifetime of passion, White Glove realizes that owning fun things means working to maintain them. Combining a team of certified technicians with experts in customer experience, we made a vehicle service department that can maintain everything in your garage.

PICTURED: OWNER ALEX DAVID 10640 Gateway Blvd. 314.464.4001 wgesstl.com

everything real estate and laser focused on delivering top results to our clients at every stage of the transaction.

1608 S. Lindbergh Blvd. 314.252.8520 dooleyrowe.com

Alyssa Suntrup

GLADYS MANION REAL ESTATE

Natural curiosity and passion can’t be taught. Every day, I set out to be better than the last and strive to be the absolute best for my clients.

8227 Maryland Ave. 314.359.3568 alyssasuntrup.gladysmanion.com

GENOVESE

JEWELERS

Genovese Jewelers is successful due to the amount of inventory we have in our cases at all times. We never stopped manufacturing throughout the pandemic. St. Louis is a big word of mouth city, and we cannot thank our customers enough for their loyalty 12460 Olive Blvd. 314.878.6203 genovesejewelers.com

ADVANCED NURSING SERVICES OF ST. LOUIS

For more than 37 years, we have been supported by our community. We have maintained a loyal staff, allowing us to give continuity of care and build trust with our clients. We have taken care of several generations of families in the St. Louis area.

PICTURED: OWNER MAGGIE HOLTMAN, RN, BSN 141 N. Meramec Ave., Ste. 102 314.863.3030 advancednursing.org

GLADYS MANION REAL ESTATE

A boutique firm in the heart of Clayton, Gladys Manion has a history with exclusive real estate properties and superior luxury market knowledge, providing clients with incomparable and personalized services that produce results. 8227 Maryland Ave. gladysmanion.com

RP EXOTICS

We have built a brand on trust and personal relationships with our clients. Whether buying or selling a car, we truly care about each individual customer’s goals. Our utmost priority is building a brand based on trust and reliability.

PICTURED: OWNER AND FOUNDER PARKER GELBER

1155 N. Warson Road 314.614.8644 rpexotics.com

T & S FAMILY

SPECIAL SECTION

THIS IS NOT YOUR AVERAGE SCIENCE CAMP

AGES 7 TO 17 | 100+ KINDS OF ANIMALS

ONE-WEEK & LONGER SESSIONS AVAILABLE | ROLLA, MO

COVER STORY

LEARN & PLAY

CUB CREEK SCIENCE CAMP

by stephanie wallace

SUMMER CAMP CAN BE ONE of the most memorable experiences of a child’s life. It’s a time to make new friends and pursue interests in a fun, supportive environment. Cub Creek Science Camp offers children ages 7 to 17 a summer of adventure and education. “The last few years gave us new appreciation for what the camp experience means to kids, especially during a time when they weren’t able to interact with their friends and peers,” camp and creative director Ari Farley says. “We want to do everything we can to make sure we provide the best summer experience.”

Located on a 300-acre exotic animal ranch just north of Rolla, Missouri, Cub Creek is home to more than 300 creatures, including birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. Through supervised lessons, kids and teens learn about proper handling and care along with important scientific concepts. Beyond practical skills and knowledge, they also develop lasting connections with the animals. Farley says bonding with animals can benefit the campers socially and emotionally. “When campers are feeling homesick, they can visit a sugar glider at night, brush a horse or just take some time to pet a cat or dog,” she notes. “Kids get to have a good time at camp, but if they’re having a hard time, the animals can make it better.”

For campers who want a more in-depth experience with an animal, Cub Creek has the Adopt an Animal program. “A lot of campers come for the opportunity to adopt one of our animals,” Farley says. Each of the camp’s creatures are adoptable. Participants get hands-on experience taking care of the animal of their choice, helping the camp’s animal team with feeding, cleaning, enrichment and other care. At the end of the week, they are then invited to share what they learned about their animal with the rest of the campers.

The camp also is renowned for its STEM program. Cub Creek offers a junior veterinarian course in which participants learn skills like reading X-rays, suturing, conducting basic animal exams and more. They even have the opportunity to observe a live surgery conducted by the camp’s veterinarian. Along with animal science, campers can explore chemistry, physics and ecology. “Science is embedded into everything that we do at Cub Creek,” Farley explains. “The classes are all hands-on, so kids are learning scientific principles through fun activities. One of my favorites is to teach about surface tension and light refraction with bubbles.”

At Cub Creek, the focus isn’t only on animals and science, the camp also offers a wide variety of traditional activities like swimming, fishing and hiking. Junior adventurers can hit the ropes course, visit the archery range or learn survival skills. Kids interested in art can take pottery, photography and craft classes. Other unique offerings include culinary science, improv, LARPing and bucket drumming. “Most of our campers are interested in animals, but we offer so many activities that they don’t have to be to have a great time,” Farley notes. “Because our programs are so diversified, everyone can find something they can get excited about.” &

CAMPERS EXPERIENCE HANDS-ON ENCOUNTERS WITH ANIMALS.

ON A 300-ACRE EXOTIC ANIMAL RANCH JUST NORTH OF ROLLA, MISSOURI, CUB CREEK SCIENCE CAMP OFFERS CHILDREN AGES 7 TO 17 MORE THAN 100 ACTIVITIES AND HANDS-ON ENCOUNTERS WITH MORE THAN 100 SPECIES OF ANIMALS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL

PARENT TRAP

by dr. tim jordan

SLOW DOWN AND UNPLUG

IN 1966, SIMON AND GARFUNKEL invited us all to “slow down, you move too fast, you got to make the morning last.” That advice is even more fitting now. Our culture conditions us to believe faster is better and hurrying is normal. Kids today are being rushed to grow up with sports, academics, sexualization and less downtime. Three of the biggest culprits driving this frenzy are multitasking, social media and the inability to be alone and quiet.

The truth is that slowing down does not mean being less productive, quitting your job or retiring. You can learn to be busy without being hurried and stressed out. Same goes for your high schooler at exam time: You can study hard and be successful without being stressed out. The ultimate goal is not to slow down but to live free from distractions, hurrying, stress, pressure and cravings.

Multitasking costs us in many ways. When we complete a tiny task such as sending an email, answering a text message or posting a tweet, our brain is hit with a dollop of dopamine, our reward hormone. Our brains love that dopamine, and so we’re encouraged to keep switching between small tasks that give us instant gratification. Studies also have shown that for every interruption during your work, it takes about 20 minutes to get back to the same level of deep focus. People who multitask experience a higher workload, more stress, higher frustration, more time pressure and more mistakes. This results in people feeling more behind, rushed, stressed and anxious. So, interrupted work comes with a huge price tag.

Checking on social media is often one of the most common interrupters. Those phantom rings become a compulsion to check our phone, making it harder to relax and be present and calm. It’s hard to stay present and give this moment your full attention when something potentially more exciting is just a click or a scroll away. Again, this often results in a more harried pace, a busier brain, FOMO and a continuous feeling of discontent, agitation and anxiety.

Add to all of this that most people today have an aversion to being alone. We’ve lost the ability to slow down, get quiet and go inward for contemplation, reflection, soul searching and deliberateness. Blaise Pascal said, “All of man’s miseries derive from not being able to sit quietly in a room alone.” Most of the girls I work with have a hard time being alone without feeling lonely. Parents need to educate their daughters to use quiet alone time to do things like drawing, painting, coloring, playing an instrument, writing or doing anything that calms and replenishes them. Young people can learn to practice disciplines like yoga or meditation. They can also learn to have breaks from technology, forego multitasking and cultivate good self-care habits. Finally, teach kids to be more mindful, practice one-pointed attention, be fully engaged in whatever they are doing and be fully present.

For the new year, set an intention to incorporate disciplines like regular quiet time, meditation and mindfulness in order to slow down, reconnect and fully enjoy each moment. &

TIM JORDAN, M.D., IS A BEHAVIORAL PEDIATRICIAN WHO WORKS WITH GIRLS IN GRADE SCHOOL THROUGH COLLEGE. CHECK OUT HIS NEW ONLINE COURSE, PARENTING GIRLS: THE CHALLENGES GIRLS FACE TODAY WITH THEIR FEELINGS AND FRIENDSAND WHAT THEY NEED, AT DRTIMJORDAN.COM.

STUDENT STANDOUTS

by stephanie wallace

EMERY BOWMAN OF KIRKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

WHEN IT COMES TO WRITING, you don’t need a lot of words to make an impact. That’s something Emery Bowman learned through the New York Times 100-Word Personal Narrative Contest, which invites students to write powerful, personal stories in 100 words or fewer. Her entry, “Closet,” was one of 46 from entries across the country to be selected as an honorable mention.

Have you always enjoyed writing?

I’ve always preferred English classes to other subjects. I don’t have experience writing anything big, but I enjoy doing assignments for class.

Did you find it challenging to express yourself in just 100 words?

It started as an assignment for English, and I originally thought the low word count was a good thing because I wouldn’t have to write as much. I soon realized how difficult it is to write something short when you have a lot to say. You really have to choose your words carefully and focus on what is important. When I turned in my rough draft, it was like 180 words, so I was a little worried I would never get it down to 100. My final story ended up being 99 words, so I got there in the end.

How did it feel to have your work recognized by The New York Times?

Because it started as a school assignment, I didn’t have expectations that it would go anywhere. I wasn’t confident that it would stand out against other entries, but I tend to be overly critical. I was really surprised and happy to learn that my story received an honorable mention. To see something I put a lot of effort into be recognized was really an honor.

Do you have a favorite subject in school?

Right now, I’m taking AP art history, and I really enjoy it. I love learning about different art periods and styles. It’s a subject I’m passionate about. I’m definitely thinking I’ll go down the art path. Right now, I’m mostly looking at colleges that have a good art program. I’m interested in pursuing art

therapy. I think it’s a field that is growing, and I like the intersection of art, psychology and helping people.

What activities are you involved in?

I play the flute and do a lot with the band, including a special woodwinds group. I’m also involved in some clubs. I’m one of the leaders of the National Art Honors Society at Kirkwood High, and I helped found the crochet club. I also like to be involved with the school’s theater program. Typically, I’m behind the scenes helping with costumes or crew, but for the upcoming musical Something Rotten, I’ll be performing. &

SPONSORED BY: BACKYARD COURTS BUILT TO LAST...CHAMPIONS START HERE!

AS PART OF ITS SPONSORSHIP, SPORT COURT ST. LOUIS HAS MADE A DONATION ON BEHALF OF EMERY TO THE NONPROFIT OF HER CHOICE.

TWO CAMPS TWO CAMPS ONE GREAT ONE GREAT SUMMER SUMMER

SUMMER ACTIVITIES GUIDE

CAMP TAUM SAUK

Established in 1946, this traditional overnight summer camp for kids ages 8 to 15 provides an amazing camp experience in a safe, nurturing and fun environment. With a wide range of land and water activities, it’s time to take a break from technology to create memories that will last a lifetime!

314.993.1655 taumsauk.com

CHURCHILL CENTER AND SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAM

Churchill’s six-week daily summer program, from June 12 to July 21, is designed for children with language-based learning disabilities. The individualized curriculum includes one-on-one tutorial, auditory visual training, language arts, fine arts, math and motor skills. The Ready, Set…Read! Program is for children ages 5 to 7 who are not reading with ease.

1021 Municipal Center Drive 314.997.4343 churchillstl.org

COCA SUMMER ARTS CAMPS

Campers have the opportunity to learn and experience new things, build their skills and, most importantly, have fun at COCA. We pride ourselves on offering some of the most creative summer arts camps for kids and teens.

6880 Washington Ave. 314.561.4898 cocastl.org

CUB CREEK SCIENCE CAMP

With more than 300 animals and more than 100 activities in science, crafts, archery and more, Cub Creek is a truly unique camp experience.

16795 State Route E 573.458.2125

cubcreeksciencecamp.com

FORSYTH SUMMER DISCOVERY

Summer begins here June 12! Forsyth Summer Discovery provides a balance of structure and age-appropriate freedom, offering children age 3 through grade seven a largely unplugged experience with a neighborhood feel. Extended day is available; additional fees apply. 6235 Wydown Blvd. | 314.726.4542 | forsythschool.org/summer-discovery

GRAND CENTER ARTS ACADEMY ARTS CAMP

For students entering grades five through 12, Grand Center Arts Academy’s summer arts camp is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to explore their creativity. Industry professionals teach interactive courses in instrumental and vocal music, theater, dance and visual arts.

711 N. Grand Ave. | 314.533.1791 | grandcenterartsacademy.org

J DAY CAMPS

Make new friends and learn new skills at a J Day Camp this summer! J Day Camps give campers options on their activities including sports, arts, gymnastics and more. Plus, with on-site swimming, 78% of campers improve their swim skills. Lunch option available. Early bird registration through Feb. 28. ACA accredited. 2 Millstone Campus Drive | 16801 Baxter Road 314.442.3423 | jccstl.com/daycamps

STAGES ST. LOUIS SUMMER CAMPS 2023

STAGES Performing Arts Academy offers an exciting variety of musical theater camps, workshops and productions for students of all ages and abilities. Act, dance and sing all summer long while learning new skills and techniques. Register today at stagesstlouis. org or call 636.449.5775.

1023 Chesterfield Parkway E. 636.449.5775 stagesstlouis.org

VIANNEY SUMMER CAMPS

St. John Vianney High School offers summer camps designed to challenge boys entering grades two through eight in the fall. Camps include band, coding and design, cybersecurity, robotics, science and studio art in addition to baseball, basketball, esports, football, lacrosse, soccer, track and field, volleyball, weight training and wrestling.

1311 S. Kirkwood Road 314.965.4853 vianney.com/summercamps

WHITFIELD SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMS

Summer at Whitfield offers a variety of engaging and enriching camp options, including Camp Whitfield (grades K-7), sports camps (grades K-8) and a summer session for middle school campers. Be it on the court, in the art studio or in the science lab, campers are guided by Whitfield’s talented faculty and coaches. Registration will open March 1.

175 S. Mason Road 314.434.5141 whitfieldschool.org/about/summer-programs

WILSON DAY CAMP AND THINK CAMP

Give your little tinkerers (those entering grades three to six) the chance to experiment, create and build at The Wilson School’s Think Camp. Wilson Day Camp (age 3 through grade six) includes weekly themes and field trips to Shaw Park pool and other local favorites.

400 De Mun Ave. 314.725.4999 wilsonschool.com/summer-camp

mason ridge elementary school ▶

The school’s fourth grade team placed third at the WordMasters Challenge, an annual national vocabulary competition involving nearly 125,000 students. Individual students at the competition also found success. Fourth graders Madison Cohen and Harper Springman and fifth graders Neena Moolsintong, Andrew Qin and Ellie Zhao earned perfect scores in the Gold Division. The students were coached for the WordMasters Challenge by Abby Webb.

The school’s assistant track and field coach

Cross Country Coaches Association. Scott has coached athletes from across the St. Louis area for 35 years, including at John Burroughs School, Lafayette High School, Riverview Garden High School and St. Louis University High School. While at Kirkwood High School, he assisted the boys track and field team finish third in state in 2018 and coached the boys 4x800 team to back-to-back state

by stephanie wallace

cor jesu academy and st. joseph’s academy

For 19 years, the two schools have turned their basketball rivalry into a force for good. Each year, the two schools compete in a varsity basketball game and the Funderwear Challenge, an initiative to collect underwear and sock donations to benefit St. Patrick Center. This year, more than 41,000 items were donated, and Cor Jesu took home the basketball victory.

ursuline academy

support Friends of Kids with Cancer. The group organized a school-wide pajama day where students could donate money to wear their PJs, and a representative from the nonprofit accepted a check for $222.50. “We are so happy to present these donations and know that they will make a difference for kids fighting cancer and their families,” said Cindy Voller, Westchester teacher and Girls on the Run sponsor.

Students, parents, faculty and staff gathered to hold its second community-wide packathon to provide 50,000 meals to those in need in Haiti. “It is hard to fathom that one of the poorest countries in the world is less than a two-hour flight from Miami, Florida, and that 59% of its population lives on less than $2 a day," director of campus ministry Nicole Weston says. “Our community may never meet the families who are receiving this food, but the fact that we can have such a large impact in just one afternoon is amazing.”

The school partnered with the CRUDEM Foundation to bring the meals to Hôpital Sacré Coeur, the largest private hospital in northern Haiti.

Black History in the StL

BY STEPHANIE WALLACE

SNAPPED!

2/10 & 2/11

MOVEMENT AND MIGRATION: THE BLACK DIASPORA Missouri History Museum

10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Free 314.46.4599 | mohistory.org

2/11

BLACK QUEER RESISTANCE: MAXI GLAMOUR ON ART, DRAG AND COMMUNITY ACTIVISM

St. Louis Public LibraryCarpenter Library

2 p.m. | Free 314.241.2288 | slpl.org

2/12

LILA, LIFE OF A MISSOURI SLAVE

Daniel Boone Home Historic Site

1:15 and 3:15 p.m. | Free 636.798.2005 | sccmo.org

2/14

BLACK SUPERHEROES: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

St. Louis County Library Lewis & Clark Branch

6 p.m. | Free 314.994.3300 | slcl.org

2/15-2/17

DRUMS & DANCES OF AFRICA

The Sheldon Concert Hall and Galleries or virtual 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

$4.50 for in-peron, free for virtual 314.533.9900 | thesheldon.org

2/18

RANGER TALK: ULYSSES S. GRANT AND FREDERICK DOUGLASS

Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site 10 a.m. | Free 314.842.1867 | nps.gov

2/18

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY

TROLLEY TOUR

Bellefontaine Cemetery

10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. | Free 314.381.0750 | bellefontainecemetery.org

2/21

BLACK ARTIST PANEL Virtual 6 p.m. | Free 314.241.2288 | slpl.org

2/22

SOUL FOOD CUISINE St. Louis County Library Parkview Branch

2 p.m. | Free 314.994.3300 | slcl.org

2/23

RACE: LISTEN. LEARN. LIVE. Missouri History Museum

5:30 p.m. | Free 314.46.4599 | mohistory.org

2/24

VICTORY AT WAR AND AT HOME: CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISM IN WORLD WAR II Soldiers Memorial 11 a.m. | Free 314.818.6780 | mohistory.org

2/24

LIFT EVERY VOICE: A BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION Powell Hall

7:30 p.m. | $28 314.534.1700 | slso.org

2/24

JAZZ: A TRADITION OF RESISTANCE WITH THE USUAL SUSPECTS St. Louis Public LibraryCentral Library

2 p.m. | Free 314.241.2288 | slpl.org

2/24

CELEBRATING AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTISTS St. Louis County Library Grand Glaize Branch

2 p.m. | Free 314.994.3300 | slcl.org

2/27

ST. LOUIS FREEDOM STRUGGLE Virtual

6:30 p.m. | Free 314.994.3300 | slcl.org

2/28

BLACK RESISTANCE: EXTRAORDINARY BLACK MISSOURIANS Missouri History Museum 11 a.m. | Free 314.46.4599 | mohistory.org

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF ST. LOUIS imagine! puttin’ on the glitz

by bill barrett

The Imagine! gala is the largest annual fundraiser for the Assistance League of St. Louis, an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to provide programs and services to the underserved in the St. Louis community. Guests enjoyed cocktails, dinner and live and silent auctions.

guests: President Pam Bogosian, president-elect Denise McKibben, event co-chairs Pat Ward and Mary Calcaterra

KEVIN AND DENISE MCKIBBEN

MICHEAL AND RODNEY ANDERSON

LINDA WEAVER, CAROL VAN HOOGSTRAAT PAT WARD

MIKE AND LISA BREER DEBBIE MCCONNELL CAROL LEBEGUE

GREGG AND PAM BOGOSIAN

LARRY AND CONNIE CURRAN

annual fashion show

by bill barrett

Celebrating 55 years, the annual fashion show benefits the Rural Parish Workers of Christ the King as they serve families, help rehab homes and restore human dignity. Guests enjoyed lunch, boutique shopping and the fashion show.

guests: Chairwomen Chris Conley and Ann Meyer, The Most Reverend Mitchell T. Rozanski, emcee Mandy Murphy

TICKETS START AT $30

First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood

Music Director & Conductor A. Dennis Sparger leads The Bach Society Chorus and Orchestra in an afternoon of glorious music in the stunning stained-glass setting of First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood. The audience will be invited to participate and sing the “Hallelujah” chorus as we celebrate one of the most treasured choral works in history.

LAURA SHAUGHNESSY ANNIE JACKS

MICHELLE CORRIGAN DANIELLE NALLEY

SISTER MARYSIA WEBER, SISTER MARY RACHEL NERBUN SISTER MARIA HOWELL

JOAN LIPIC, THE MOST REVEREND MITCHELL T. ROZANSKI, ANGELA VITALE

CHRIS CONLEY, ANN MEYER

ST. LOUIS’ PREMIER GENESIS DEALERSHIP

DRIVE ON

ST. CHARLES AUTOMOTIVE

by julia m. johnson

PURCHASING A NEW CAR OR SUV is one of the most personal decisions you can make, and it’s always helpful when the process is a pleasant one. The staff at St. Charles Automotive in St. Peters has found a way to keep clients coming back by making the experience something they can look forward to.

The company soon will welcome customers to a new sales center for the Genesis luxury brand, a facility that’s expected to open later this year on Veterans Memorial Parkway near Mid Rivers Mall. President and general manager Kevin Maher Jr. says the new construction replaces a building that was there when the dealer group got its start in 1979, and the center will be fresh and modern in every way, with state-of-the-art technology and amenities like a coffee bar, zen garden, water features and comfortable seating. It joins the company’s Nissan and Hyundai dealerships on a single campus, a complete automotive shopping destination where clients can see new and pre-owned models and have their vehicles serviced.

“It’s very rewarding to have the business come full circle at this location,” Maher says. “We serve a lot of customers in this region, but also many who live in St. Louis city and county. You wouldn’t necessarily expect people to travel 40 minutes to buy a car, but we’ve found that for us, they are willing to make the drive. We enjoy a 60% level of repeat business and have generations of family members coming back to buy from us. We love hearing them say, ‘You sold me my first car, and I’m back for an upgrade.’” For all of that, Maher credits the dealership team, many of whom have been on staff for 20 or 30 years. “We really offer a superior, customer-first experience,” he notes.

Maher says another factor in that high level of loyalty is the auto group’s commitment never to charge more than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for

a vehicle. “It would never be worth risking our good name, even if the market were to support it,” he says. “We also are making the car-buying experience easier by having the three brands on site with a variety of models. Walking from one showroom to the next is easy, and people love that they can take a test drive, sign the paperwork and be out the door with a new car in 30 minutes. Or, they can choose and purchase a vehicle entirely online, which many younger buyers enjoy. One of the most important ways we treat our clients fairly is by respecting their time.”

The dealerships’ lineups consist mostly of models with gasoline engines, but Maher says Hyundai, Nissan and Genesis are rolling out electric options as part of a commitment to environmental responsibility.

“When our new facility is up and running by the third quarter of this year, it will be the first brick-and-mortar Genesis dealership in Missouri, and we plan to have a grand opening to celebrate,” Maher says. “When a new customer walks in the door, we don’t just aim to sell a car; we work to build a relationship. St. Charles Automotive has been here since 1979, and we plan to be here in 2079 and beyond.” &

ST. CHARLES AUTOMOTIVE BREAKS GROUND ON ITS NEW GENESIS LUXURY DEALERSHIP.

ON THE TABLE

photo by bill barrett DIEGO’S

CANTINA

first impression »

Diego’s Cantina has taken over the space formerly occupied by Momos Ouzaria Taverna in University City. The menu is focused on elevated Mexican street food. The interior offers a fun atmosphere with Mexican tile, intimate lighting and greenery trailing down from the ceiling—don’t forget to check out the bathroom, it’s got an intriguing design thanks to unique wallpaper.

wash it down: The cocktail menu focuses on tequila and margaritas, but there also is a selection of other cocktails, beer and wine. The Ranch Water ($11.50) was one of the best versions of the drink I’ve ever had. Diego’s uses fresh juice ingredints in all of its drinks.

must try

LOADED BEAN DIP, $12:

This is a great appetizer. It featured mashed pintos, queso blanco, roasted corn, chiles, onion, cilantro, salsa roja, chipotle crema, radish, guacamole and tomato. Everything was fresh, and the flavors worked wonderfully together. It’s hearty and delicious enough to serve as a meal.

QUESO FLAMEADO, $11:

Who doesn’t love melted cheese? This queso lived up to expectations. In honor of Momos’ famous flaming saganaki, this is served on fire.

HOUSE SALAD WITH SALMON, $22 : Fresh is the key world with this salad. Everything, including the salsa, was fresh. The salmon was perfectly cooked and paired well with the other flavors.

CHICKEN QUESADILLA, $21:

A quesadilla for grown-ups, it came loaded with great ingredients like poblano peppers and avocado. It really elevates a simple dish to the next level.

GRILLED FISH TACO, $6.75:

Of the tacos our group sampled, the barramundi sea bass with smoked crema was the favorite. We also tried the Costra de Camaron, which featured shrimp, red pepper and jalapeño salsa. It was good, but the unique grilled cheese shell was not to my personal taste. But a lot of people would probably love it.

final thoughts »

With great food and atmosphere, Diego’s Cantina is definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re a fan of Mexican food. Thanks to a substantial vegan menu, it’s a great option if you’re having a night out with a group with diverse diets. You should be able to find something to satisfy everyone—even if it’s just a margarita!

QUICK BITES

by stephanie wallace

OPENS

CLOSES &

Looking for a slice of ’za? Head to Southampton where the Russell’s group of restaurants has opened Lola Jean Pizza at 5400 Nottingham Ave. … Sal y Limón Mexican Grille has taken over the former Houlihan’s space at 1221 Strassner Drive in Brentwood. It is the second concept from the team behind Padrinos Mexican Restaurant in Tower Grove South. … Get your morning bagel from Bagel Union at 8705 Big Bend Blvd. in Brentwood. The long-awaited shop is from the team behind Union Loafers Cafe and Bread Bakery. … Lousies on the Loop is serving up sandwiches at 567A Melville Ave. in University City.

CHEESY GOODNESS

Steve’s Hot Dog is getting cheesy. It launched a new ghost kitchen with a focus on grilled cheese. Steve’s Meltdown offers a rotating menu of five creative grilled cheese options available for pickup or delivery at stevesmeltdown.com.

SENIOR SERVICES & AMENITIES

WHY DRY

Sans Bar STL offers the chance to get ‘shaken not slurred.’

The popup bar is powered by PreventEd, a local nonprofit focused on reducing the harms of alcohol through education, intervention and advocacy. Sans Bar STL has been hosting ticked, alcohol-free events since 2019, and you can check out their schedule at sansbarstl.com.

IN THE GARDEN

The Balkan Treat Box team is launching a new concept, Telva at The Ridge and the Ridge Room. Located at Rolling Ridge Nursery, the café and coffee shop will focus on salads, soups, pastries, open-faced sandwiches and more, along with wood-fired roasted coffee. “We’ve always talked about opening a café that serves coffee in the style that you would find in the Balkan region from Bosnia, Turkey and Greece,” says chef-owner Loryn Nalic. The Ridge Room event space can host both daytime and evening events for up to 60 people with family-style menus available.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Congrats to the local restaurateurs and chefs who have been named semifinalists by the James Beard Foundation! Michael and Tara Gallina and Aaron Martinez of Take Root Hospitality are nominated in the Outstanding Restaurateur category; La Patisserie

Chouquette is a semifinalist in the Outstanding Bakery category, and The Gin Room received recognition in the Outstanding Bar category. Three St. Louis chefs are in the running for Best Chef: Midwest: Nick Bognar of indo, Rob Connoley of Bulrush and Loryn Nalic of Balkan Treat Box &

ABERDEEN HEIGHTS

Nestled in the heart of Kirkwood on 20 acres, Aberdeen Heights offers an indoor aquatic and wellness center, multiple dining venues and our very own Signature Living series—an innovative and comprehensive program designed to enrich your life. Come see what we are all about.

505 Couch Ave. 314.909.6081 aberdeenseniorliving.com

ACCESSIBLE HOME HEALTH CARE OF ST. LOUIS

We offer seniors the opportunity to continue living in their homes while they receive customized personal care. Each client has a care plan designed by our registered nurse that best fits their needs. Our specialties include dementia, Parkinson's, stroke and daily activities.

PICTURED: OWNERS ANDY SCHNECK AND LYNN SCHNECK

443 N. New Ballas Road, Ste. 231 314.738.9979 accessiblestl.com

CHESTERFIELD VILLAS AND GARDEN VILLAS

Chesterfield Villas and Garden Villas offer all-inclusive rates for luxurious independent and assisted living. There are never any entrance fees, buy-in fees or endowments. All deposits are refundable.

14901 N. Outer 40 Road 636.532.9296 delmargardens.com

CLARENDALE CLAYTON

Now open, experience first-of-its-kind, high-rise luxury senior living tailored to your wants and needs. Five-star hospitality, apartments with a view, exceptional dining and holistic programming beyond your wildest dreams await.

7651 Clayton Road 314.789.8173 clarendaleclayton.com

FAMILY PARTNERS HOME

We are building two more homes that will be completed in early 2023! Call us today to experience why living in a home is so beneficial for those with memory impairment.

12882 Manchester Road 314.686.4468 familypartnershome.com

FRIENDSHIP VILLAGE

Keeping residents well and independent longer is our top priority. Recent expansions of both St. Louis-area campuses, access to the latest technology and exciting wellness programs mean Friendship Village is better positioned than ever to help seniors live more engaged, active and fulfilling lives.

15201 Olive Blvd. | 636.898.8500 12563 Village Circle Drive | 314.270.7700 friendshipvillagestl.com

THE BEST FRIENDS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU HAD

THE GATESWORTH

Rated as a Best Independent Living by U.S. News & World Report, The Gatesworth offers exceptional amenities, including wellness, social and educational programs to enrich residents' lives. One McKnight Place 314.993.0111 thegatesworth.com

THE GRANDE AT CREVE COEUR

All the things you want and more than you expect. Everything we offer at The Grande at Creve Coeur was developed to help you enjoy a life that’s as full as possible. Signature amenities include daily expert assistance, modern living spaces, expanded programs and activities and technology that keeps you connected.

450 N. Lindbergh Blvd. 314.628.0004 bridgeseniorliving.com/community/the-grande-at-creve-coeur

LIVE HERE TO ACTIVE.

Our communities are specially designed to keep seniors well longer—bocce courts and all.

So, with the latest health care technology and great amenities at your doorstep, why not spend more time perfecting your roll?

(After all, the big resident tournament’s coming up!)

Welcome to a life well lived at Friendship Village. Schedule your campus tour today!

Chesterfield: (636) 898-8500

Sunset Hills: (314) 270-7700

FriendshipVillageSTL.com

LUTHERAN SENIOR SERVICES

Enjoy chef-prepared meals, happy hours at the pub, fireside chats, refreshing dips in the pool, fun events and more at Mason Pointe!

1150 Hanley Industrial Court 314.310.3585 lssliving.org

M C KNIGHT PLACE ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE At McKnight Place Assisted Living & Memory Care, you’ll discover a vibrant community full of opportunities to be active, eat well, set goals and live a purposeful life.

3 McKnight Place 314.993.3333 mcknightplace.com

PARC PROVENCE

Parc Provence offers its residents and their families exceptional care for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease through dedicated person-centered support. As a community of well-being, we empower senior adults by promoting individual physical and cognitive abilities.

605 Coeur de Ville Drive 314.542.2500 parcprovence.com

ST. LOUIS OASIS

For 40 years, St. Louis Oasis has been a hub for older adults to meet people who share the same interests, gain a greater sense of purpose and continue learning—because a productive lifestyle doesn’t end with retirement. Oasis offers in-person and virtual classes, volunteer opportunities, tech training, fitness programs and more.

50 Gay Ave., Second Floor 314.862.4859 st-louis.oasisnet.org

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

live life to the fullest

– Mason Pointe Resident

It’s Never Too Late to Find Your Thing

by stephanie wallace

Aging doesn’t mean the end of intellectual challenges or creative pursuits. In fact, it’s just the opposite! One of the best parts of your golden years is the opportunity to learn a new skill or delve into an existing passion. There are plenty of unique classes and the opportunities for you to pursue new and old interests alike—here’s just a sample of what’s available.

Culture & Art in St. Louis: A Leadership Conversation Series

Join St. Louis Oasis for conversational interviews with the leaders of renowned St. Louis Arts and Cultural institutions. Hosted by Oasis founder Marylen Mann, hear the stories behind these iconic St. Louis institutions that are distinguished for their missions, and the philosophy and the vision of their leaders.

Thursdays, March 30–May 4 / 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. / Clayton Oasis or Zoom Register for individual classes or all as a bundle (Class #1202)! Register online at stloasis.org/culture-art or call (314) 862-4859 ext. 28

#1070 / #1070.V – Meet Jody Sowell, President and CEO of the Missouri History Museum / March 30

#1071 / #1071.V – Meet Lisa Melandri, Executive Director of the Contemporary Art Museum / April 6

#1072 / #1072.V – Meet Amy Shaw, Executive Director of Nine Network / April 13

#1073 / #1073.V – Meet Andrew Jorgensen, General Director of Opera Theatre of St. Louis / April 20

#1074 / #1074.V – Meet Min Jung Kim, Executive Director of St. Louis Art Museum / April 27

#1075 / #1075.V – Meet Dwight Scott, President of the St. Louis Zoo / May 4

engage your mind

• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute: Washington University offers not-for-credit courses for adults ages 50 and older through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Course subjects include architecture, creative writing, history, film studies, economics, technology, music, philosophy, math and science. Interested students can sign up for an annual membership, which allows them to take multiple courses or register for individual classes. The best part? No grades or exams!

• St. Louis Oasis: For almost four decades, St. Louis Oasis has been dedicated to improving the life of older seniors. A big piece of that is offering a wide variety of classes in topics like arts, history, technology, current events, health and exercise. It now offers a program called “Immersive Oasis,” which includes classes that take a deep dive into one topic for an entire trimester, in the spirit of a traditional college course.

• Senior Planet From AARP: If online courses are more your speed, AARP has you covered. Its Senior Planet program offers virtual options to learn more about fitness, technology, business and wellness. All classes are specifically designed for adults 60 and older. You can learn how to launch an online business, enjoy a morning chair yoga routine or take a break for mindful meditation—all from the comfort of your home.

flex your creative muscles

• Kitchen Conservatory: Spice things up with a cooking class! Kitchen Conservatory offers hundreds of options each year, both hands-on experiences and demonstrations. The courses are taught by culinary experts and cover everything from desserts to cuisines from around the world. Date night classes offer couples the opportunity to cook together, and the grandkids can get involved with sessions designed for adults and children age 7 and older.

• Craft Alliance: If you’re looking to get crafty, you can’t go wrong with a class at Craft Alliance. The nonprofit offers seasonal workshops on a huge range of subjects. You can learn about blacksmithing, pottery, bookbinding, printmaking, basket weaving, quilting and more. There also are courses that spotlight international approaches to crafting.

• St. Louis Artists’ Guild: Welcoming students at all stages of their artistic pursuits, St. Louis Artists’ Guild offers classes and workshops led by experienced instructors. The offerings focus on 2D media, painting, drawing and printmaking.

• Third Degree Glass Factory: Interested in learning about glass blowing? You can schedule a two-and-half hour session with a skilled glass artisan to learn the craft at Third Degree Glass Factory. You can take the course solo or bring another person for no additional charge. For those looking for a less intensive introduction, Third Degree also offers classes centered on bead making and other simple projects through Craft Alliance.

get your hands dirty

• Seed St. Louis: The nonprofit is dedciated to supporting community gardens, school gardens and urban orchards in neighborhoods throughout St. Louis. It also offers classes to provide people the tools to grow their own food. Seed St. Louis classes cover topics like gardening, fruit trees, urban agriculture and more.

• Missouri Botanical Garden: Whether you’ve got a green thumb or struggle to keep a cactus alive, the Missouri Botanical Garden has a class for you. From gardening practices to nature study, there’s a full range of classes to take on your own or enjoy with friends and family.

• Bowood Farms: The studio at Bowood Farms in the Central West End provides a space to explore, learn and create. Each month, it offers a rotating schedule of classes, workshops and events. Learn how to plant a terrarium, start a garden from seed, care for orchids or make your own clean beauty products. You also can explore a variety of crafts, such as watercolor, pottery or wreath making. &

Live the life you so richly deserve.

THE GATESWORTH •

For those who choose to become part of The Gatesworth community, St. Louis’ premier independent senior living residence, life becomes simplified in the very best ways. “The Gatesworth team believes that offering our residents every opportunity for a well-lived life is the reason we’re here,” says director of leasing Stacy Muehlher. “We work to simplify life, which means everyone gets to spend their time doing what they want.”

At The Gatesworth, Muehlher notes that residents can choose a floor plan that accommodates their specific needs. “They also can customize their apartment homes to suit their tastes,” she adds. Though moving to a new home can be hard work, it’s cathartic and energizing to downsize, making choices based on how one wants to live. To help make this process a little easier, The Gatesworth offers a move-in coordinator to help manage the details. Once the move is complete, the benefits are longlasting. “Many in the community have told us how much it means to come home to a place that brings them joy,” Muehlher says.

Life at The Gatesworth means keeping what’s pleasurable about homeownership—gardening, entertaining friends and family, quiet evenings at home—and stopping what isn’t. No more shoveling snow, mowing lawns and making repairs. “We take care of all of this,” Muehlher says, “which allows residents to have more time to spend doing what they choose.”

Living in an active senior community also can simplify money management. The Gatesworth is a rental community—with no commitment to buy or any entry fees. The expenses associated with unanticipated repairs are gone, as is managing an influx of bills for heating and cooling, water and trash, taxes and the rest. At The Gatesworth, these costs are combined, making them easier to manage.

Staying active—a goal for many older adults—is easier at The Gatesworth, too. “Transportation is available for residents who don’t want to drive but want to stay involved in the wider community,” says Muehlher. “And for those who want to live an active life closer to home, we offer just about everything, from art classes and physical fitness to a lecture series and movie screenings—all just steps away from our residents’ front doors.”

The Gatesworth’s fitness center features gym equipment specially designed to support the fitness needs of seniors, along with a saltwater pool and private locker rooms. Residents have personal trainers at their disposal who help create individualized fitness plans. The Gatesworth also offers residents a wide range of fitness classes, including tai chi, yoga and water aerobics.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner become easier in an active senior community. And at The Gatesworth, there’s no sacrifice in quality or ambiance, thanks to three onsite restaurants. Awardwinning executive chef Brian Hardy and his team start with fresh, local ingredients and handle prep work in-house to create their culinary masterpieces. “Residents also have the option to order in for themselves and guests,” says Muehlher, “and we have a service that makes it possible to take hors d’oeuvres or dessert to the next party or family dinner.”

Muehlher adds, “We are here to offer our residents support and to help them achieve the lifestyle they’ve earned. Our community was designed to ease the daily stresses and emphasize the richness of a simplified and welllived life.”

At The Gatesworth, Residents enjoy the freedom of an active lifestyle on their terms. To learn more about life at The Gatesworth, call 314-993-0111 to speak to a leasing counselor.

“Many in the community have told us how much it means to come home to a place that brings them joy.”

— Stacy Muehlher, Director of leaSing

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia present a host of issues for those afflicted and for their friends and families. Often, the complexities of these diseases require treatment that is both specialized and person-centered, ensuring that health problems are addressed while also safeguarding quality of life. In the St. Louis region, some of the top memory care practitioners are affiliated with Parc Provence, a memory-care residential community that specializes in treating individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Dr. David B. Carr, clinical director of the Division of Geriatrics and Nutritional Science at Washington University School of Medicine, serves as medical director at Parc Provence. Dr. Lenise CummingsVaughn, a specialist in geriatric medicine at the medical school, serves as associate medical director. “From providing appropriate daily activities for residents to monitoring their nutritional needs, their expertise influences everything we do,” administrator Kathy Aragon says.

In addition to monitoring and treating the physical changes that cognitive diseases cause, the staff at Parc Provence offers activity programs tailored to fit each resident’s physical and social skills and personal interests. “We empower our residents by supporting and promoting their abilities,” Aragon explains. Residents participate in small- and large-group programs, as well as one-on-one activities. Certified therapists offer art and music interventions designed to help strengthen brain health while presenting opportunities for self-expression that can contribute to an overall sense of well-being. “Our goal is to enhance the many strengths our residents possess,” Aragon says. “We do this by offering treatment that is designed to protect and promote health, enhance quality of life and foster personal fulfillment.”

Every resident at Parc Provence receives care through an individualized treatment plan. Each plan is devised by a team of specialists who work in collaboration with the resident and family members when possible. The plan considers aspects of personal health, career and life experiences, current abilities, social skills, and other pertinent information. Once in place, the care plan is then monitored for effectiveness. “We conduct regular assessments of each resident’s abilities, altering the treatment plan accordingly to ensure the most effective and responsive level of care,” Aragon says.

Though families use a variety of criteria when assessing memory care communities for loved ones, many of those who have selected Parc Provence note its home-like setting and comfortable private and public spaces. The community as a whole, from its gardens to its dining rooms, was designed to offer residents and their families the spirit of home and a sense of belonging. “When a family is looking for a memory care residence for a loved one, they also are looking for education, support and direction,” Aragon notes. “Our commitment to excellence extends to them, too. We understand the challenges they face and strive to offer the support and compassion they deserve.”

Parc Provence is recognized in the St. Louis region—and throughout the United States— as a model of excellence in memory care. “We’re committed to serving the greater community and our residents, who are at the very heart of everything we do,” Aragon says.

Parc Provence is leading the way in memory care, and members of its staff are available to answer questions and offer support. If you would like to learn more about memory care or are interested in scheduling a personal tour, please call or visit our website.

“We’re committed to serving the greater community and our residents, who are at the very heart of everything we do”

SENIOR The SHOWCASE

FAMILY PARTNERS HOME•

It feels like home. It is a home!

Some of the biggest concerns we hear from families who are caring for seniors with dementia is that they don’t want their loved ones to lose connections or the feeling of being at home when the need for daily care arises. Our assisted living homes address those issues. They are located in residential neighborhoods and offer all of the comforts of a single-family dwelling, designed and built specifically for persons with dementia. Our third home is opening this March.

We provide the ideal environment and care to support individuals with dementia. Residents enjoy private bedrooms and chef-prepared, home-style meals. With an 8- to-13-person residency, there is greater focus on each individual, so no one gets ‘lost in the shuffle.’ The home provides enhanced safety with around-the-clock professional care, including a house doctor and onsite nursing and hospice care when needed.

Seniors maintain the familiar feel of home while receiving specialized, personalized care to ensure they feel comfortable. Residents enjoy private and community spaces and activities that fit their dementia care needs in a family environment. “I love this place,” Mary S. says. “It has been the best thing I have ever done for my husband. Everyone there has been great.”

Caring for a loved one with dementia? Call us today for a tour to experience the difference. We would also love to show you our third home due to open March and fourth April 2023!

CLARENDALE CLAYTON•

TAKING SENIOR LIVING TO NEW HEIGHTS.

Clarendale Clayton has brought a new, elevated perspective to retirement life—figuratively and literally. Now open at the corner of Clayton and Hanley roads, active seniors benefit from upscale residences, exceptional amenities and invigorating wellness programming found on every one of this high-rise community’s 13 floors. Clarendale Clayton is currently Clayton’s only high-rise community featuring modern design and offering independent living, assisted living and memory care.

This is truly a level up in senior living. And did we mention the view? From the 12th-floor Signature Room, rooftop terrace, polished penthouse and private balconies, residents overlook the stunning sights of the city and feel like they truly have it all. Because they do.

Executive Director Cathy Phillips is honored to work with a team of industry professionals who selflessly serve seniors and are enthusiastic about what each day brings for residents. Alongside Meredith Evangelista, Director of Sales and Marketing and a Clayton-area native, their team’s goal is to ensure that everyone who works in and calls this community home is safe, happy and healthy!

Seniors looking for luxury living with the reassurance of future care are met with concierge services, exceptional dining, tai chi classes, live entertainment, art exhibits, excursions in and beyond the city, and more enriching opportunities. Clarendale Clayton resident John Drew says, “I have a new lease on life that I wasn’t even looking for—truly a pleasant surprise.”

Seniors and families interested in learning more about Clarendale Clayton are welcome to reach out and schedule a personal tour.

MCKNIGHT PLACE ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE •

EXPECT A HIGHER STANDARD

When you call McKnight Place Assisted Living & Memory Care home, you’ll find more than just a safe, comfortable place to live. You’ll discover a vibrant community full of opportunities to be active, eat well, set goals and live a purposeful life while nurturing meaningful relationships. Residents are passionate about the activities they love—and McKnight Place is passionate about delivering extraordinary service.

With more than 30 years of experience in topquality senior living, McKnight Place knows how to help its residents live fulfilling lives. The professional staff builds trust with residents and their loved ones to let everyone know the day-to-day care will be at a very high level. Our staff genuinely loves and cares about our residents. We consider them an extension of our own families. Our resident-centered attitude is how we set ourselves apart.

Catering to the needs of residents and their families, the staff works to make life easier and more convenient. Residents can fill their days with an exciting calendar of events with activities ranging from fitness classes and educational workshops to concerts and happy hours.

Life at McKnight Place is full of possibilities for enjoying whatever inspires you and a community where your comfort, health and well-being are at the heart of everything they do. The dining experience at McKnight Place continues to get high praise. Residents at McKnight Place enjoy exceptional meals prepared by award-winning executive chef John Morales. Every dish is expertly crafted with the freshest, highest-quality ingredients while keeping everyone’s nutritional requirements in mind.

McKnight Place has luxury accommodations, ranging in size from large suites to one-bedroom apartments. Each unit includes beautiful crown molding and wood-style flooring, kitchens with custom wood cabinets and granite countertops, full-size refrigerators, spacious bathrooms, large windows providing natural light and nine-foot ceilings. New residents can take advantage of a dedicated move-in coordinator to customize their space.

McKnight Place also has 27 special memory-care suites for senior adults of all cognitive abilities. The suites have been designed to provide a secure and supportive lifestyle that maintains the look, feel and familiarity of each resident’s home.

Residents are able to enjoy beautifully-landscaped gardens, outdoor spaces and walking paths. The community has all-inclusive services, plus amenities like a theater, art room, greenhouse, and much more. Unlike other senior living communities, McKnight Place does not use points, tiers or levels of care to escalate your fees. McKnight Place offers true, all-inclusive rates that are simple, predictable and

worry-free. Predictable pricing is an innovative, all-inclusive fixed-rate program with no buy-in fees.

With local owners on-site, residents and family members with questions or concerns have access to decision makers. They are deeply invested in day-to-day operations and the lives of all concerned.

For decades, McKnight Place has been a member of the highly respected Gatesworth Communities. The Gatesworth (independent living), McKnight Place Assisted Living & Memory Care (assisted living and memory care) and McKnight Place

Extended Care (skilled nursing) are located at Interstate 170 and Delmar Boulevard. Parc Provence (memory care) is located at Interstate 270 and Olive Boulevard.

matters to each and every resident. McKnight Place Assisted Living & Memory Care invites those looking for high-quality senior care to become part of the family. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 314.993.3333. As a trusted expert in senior living, McKnight Place is here for you or a loved one any time.

“With more than 30 years of experience in top-quality senior living,...”

Better Habits, A Healthier Heart

By Stephanie Wallace

Sleep

According to research, inconsistent sleeping patterns can nearly double a person’s risk for heart disease. Dal Farra explains that disordered sleep impacts hormones in the body linked to weight gain and blood pressure, both factors that can increase the likelihood of heart attack or stroke. “The No. 1 thing people are surprised to learn impacts heart health is sleep,” she notes. “I always recommend at least seven hours of good sleep nightly.”

How to Sleep Better

• Create a bedtime routine. “Oftentimes, we don’t give ourselves the time to let our body relax and switch gears,” Dal Farra says. “Before you go to sleep, disconnect from screens to avoid blue light, make a relaxing cup of decaffeinated tea and read a book or magazine to unwind. This will increase your quality of sleep.”

It’s no secret that heart health is a major concern. Cardiovascular disease remains the most common cause of death around the world. All aspects of our life can impact our heart health. While that may seem intimidating, it also means there are steps we can take to lower our risk of heart attack and stroke. For American Heart Month, T&S talked to Dr. Lauren Munsch Dal Farra, cardiologist and CEO of PALM Health, about the variety of lifestyle factors that impact heart disease risk and how you can keep yourself healthy.

• Don’t eat or drink before bed. Especially avoid caffeine, alcohol and foods that are high in fat or sugar. Nicotine also can impact your sleep.

• Make sure you are staying active. Physical activity promotes better sleep, but it should not be done too close to bedtime.

• Take a supplement before bed. Dal Farra recommends magnesium, and melatonin can help reset your circadian rhythm so it starts preparing for sleep.

• Turn your bedroom into a restful environment. Your room should be dark, cool and quiet. A fan, ear plugs and light dampening shades can all be beneficial.

Diet

One of the biggest lifestyle factors associated with heart health is diet, and it’s for good reason. Eating a diet high in saturated fats, trans fat and cholesterol has been linked to heart disease, and too much salt can lead to a rise in blood pressure. “Nutrition and maintaining a heart healthy diet are very important,” Dal Farra says. “Try to eat as many organic unprocessed foods as possible.”

How to Eat Heart Healthier

• It’s important to check your food labels. “People don’t realize how much added sugars, sodium and trans fats are in what they eat every day,” Dal Farra says. “That includes the beverages you drink.” When shopping, look for foods that the American Heart Association has certified as heart healthy. They can be identified by the Heart-Check label.

• Add more soluble fiber into your diet. Dal Farra suggests doing so with foods like oatmeal, brussels sprouts and other fruits and vegetables. Fiber helps us maintain digestive health, feel fuller longer and even positively impacts blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

• Eat foods with omega-3 fatty acids. These include salmon, herring and hemp and flax seeds. The unsaturated fats help your heart by reducing the inflammation in your body that can damage blood vessels.

• Dink alcohol in moderation. Dal Farra notes excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to high blood pressure, heart failure and stroke.

• Avoid tobacco or nicotine. This includes smoking, vaping, other products and secondhand exposure. It improves your cholesterol levels, and research has shown that within a year of quitting, your risk of heart disease is cut in half.

Exercise

“Incorporating physical activity into your routine is extremely important,” Dal Farra notes. The American Heart Association recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. Alternatively, they also suggest 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, preferably spread throughout the week.

How to Keep Active

• Break up your workout. The recommended 150 minutes of moderate activity doesn’t have to be tackled at once. It only takes a little more than 20 minutes a day to reach that goal, so adding two or three short activity sessions each day should cover it.

• Find ways to incorporate physical activity into what you’re already doing every day. “Opt to take the stairs at work instead of the elevator, or pick a parking spot further from the door so you’re walking more,” Dal Farra says. “I suggest taking a five-minute movement break every hour. Not only does it get more activity into your daily routine, it will improve your focus.”

• Work out with someone else to increase your motivation. This can mean finding an exercise buddy who can make you feel accountable or choosing to schedule workout sessions with a professional trainer.

• Find other ways to make yourself more accountable. “Instead of joining a gym and just thinking you’ll go when you have the time, sign up for class so you’ve made a commitment to show up,” Dal Farra recommends. “Don’t solely rely on your own internal motivation.”

Stress

Mental health impacts physical health. “Stress is another factor that people often overlook when thinking about heart health,” Dal Farra notes. “High stress can lead to weight gain and high blood pressure, which are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease.” Along with impacting dietary habits, stress can lead to unhealthy behaviors like smoking, lack of activity and disordered sleep.

How to Manage Stress

• Take time for activities you enjoy. Even if it’s only for 10 or 15 minutes, doing something simple that makes you feel good can help relieve stress. Play with your kids or pets, catch up with a friend, stretch and move, garden or read a book.

• Try different wellness therapies. Dal Farra recommends trying stress interventions such as acupuncture or an infrared sauna. “It is both relaxing and helps reduce blood pressure, which is great for your heart health,” she says. “Meditation and breathing exercises also are very useful ways to reduce stress.”

• Journaling is a great way to manage stress. It also can help you sleep better. Write down what’s on your mind before bed and then set it aside for the next day.

• Defuse your stress in the moment. When faced with a stressful situation, take steps to calm yourself down. Try counting to 10, listen to chill music, take three deep breaths using belly breathing or walk away from the situation for a while. &

Heart disease is still the number one cause of death in the United States. Now is a great time to reflect on your own heart’s health and to learn what you can do to be proactive and to keep it as healthy as possible. At the start of the new year, many of us are motivated to implement overall healthy lifestyle changes. It has been shown that a heart healthy diet, along with regular exercise, can make a significant positive impact on heart health. Learning about different tools to initiate healthy lifestyle changes and how to realistically sustain them are part of the process. This process can look different for each unique individual. Every person may have individual risk factors that they cannot control like family history of heart disease, or they may have risk factors they can modify, such as smoking and obesity. By assessing one’s risk factors, it is possible to get a better picture of what your overall risk may be over time.

Basic screening tests can be a helpful place to start. There are simple blood tests to check your cholesterol and average blood sugar, which along with monitoring your blood pressure, can provide useful data. The coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is determined from a low-dose chest computed tomography scan, otherwise known as a heart scan. It is a simple, noninvasive test, and it is not generally cost prohibitive. Your CAC score is compared against others in your age and gender group and can show if you have greater than expected atherosclerotic plaque or calcification. If it does show a higher score, your doctor can then do a risk stratification with you to discuss what you may be able to do to lower your risk and intervene early to try to avoid further cardiac disease. This also can guide further testing if necessary. Based on these findings, it may help decide if and when medication may be helpful, beyond implementing healthy lifestyle changes via diet and exercise.

It is the New Year and a time for resolutions. Let’s make a resolution that can make a positive difference in our lives going forward this year, and all the years in the future! This is the year to prioritize heart health. I encourage you to partner with your physician to evaluate your current heart health and make a plan to make beneficial changes.

Amy Roberts, MD, and Associates is a concierge primary care practice serving Town and Country, Clayton, Ladue, Frontenac, Chesterfield and the surrounding suburbs with a focus on prevention and well-being. Dr. Roberts is a family medicine physician who cares for men and women 16 years and older with a special interest in care for mid-life women and beyond.

Dr. Roberts is taking new patients. Schedule a meet and greet today!

In February, the heart comes to the forefront of our minds. We celebrate Valentine’s Day, and it is also National Heart Awareness month.

Amy Roberts, MD

HealthFlash

by stephanie wallace

LUNG CANCER CARE

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine launched an investigation into the quality of lung cancer care across the United States. While treatment for lung cancer is rapidly evolving, the study found that care varies widely. To help close the gap in quality of care, the team examined five surgical quality metrics that are associated with improved overall survival rates.

“It is crucial to have a solid understanding of what constitutes a high-quality lung cancer surgery,” says the study’s senior author Dr. Varun Puri, a thoracic surgeon and professor of surgery. “Improving adherence to surgical quality measures is critical to optimize long-term outcomes among patients with early-stage lung cancer seeking treatment intended to cure their cancer.”

FIGHTING HIV

Juliet Iwelunmor, Ph.D., professor of global health and behavioral science and health education at Saint Louis University’s College for Public Health and Social Justice, received a $1.76 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The funds will be used to create STAR (Stimulating Training and Access to HIV Research Experiences), an HIV-focused experiential research program for students and young researchers. Previously, Iwelunmor developed and implemented a crowdsourced framework for at-risk youth in Nigeria. “Our I-TEST study discovered that crowdsourcing methods could be used to help identify highly qualified trainees through open calls, build capacity for youth-led research using design-a-thons and sustain these benefits through participatory learning communities,” she says. Now, those findings will be applied in the U.S. through STAR, which is part of the NIAID Research Education Program.

BETTER VALVE REPLACEMENTS

Interventional cardiologists at Mercy Hospital St. Louis were the first in the St. Louis region—and among the first in the country— to use the Resilia tissue aortic valve. The valve replacement is treated with a special integrity preservation technology that lowers tissue calcification, increases longevity and reduces the need for intervention. It allows for better access to the coronaries, which is often needed as many valve replacement patients also deal with coronary artery disease. “Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a great option for patients with aortic stenosis to avoid open heart surgery,” says Dr. Anthony Sonn, interventional cardiologist and Mercy Hospital St. Louis TAVR program director. “This new Resilia valve by Edwards is an exciting breakthrough as it is more durable and provides patients an improved quality of life.”

BOOSTING CANCER DRUGS

A genome is a cell’s complete set of DNA, and cells protect it because damage can result in cancer or cell death. A genome is most vulnerable when it is being duplicated before a cell divides. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have identified a way to use cancer cells’ constant duplication to boost cancer treatment. The study identified a previously unknown signaling pathway cells use to protect their DNA while it is being copied. “This entire pathway we found exists to protect the genome so the cell can survive in the face of replication stress,” explains senior author Zhongsheng You, Ph.D., a professor of cell biology and physiology. “By combining inhibitors of this pathway with chemotherapy drugs that target the DNA replication process, we potentially could make such drugs more effective.”

[HOME]

HOMEWORK from the archives >

DEAR HOMEWORK,

My husband and I purchased this fixer-upper because of the wonderful wooded setting and open floor plan. But when it comes to the front, it disappears and lacks curb appeal. What might you suggest to give it a more striking personality than its current plain and gloomy appearance?

Sincerely, —PLAIN AND GLOOMY

DEAR PLAIN AND GLOOMY,

My first reaction to your photo was … “Where is the front door?” I assume it’s at the end of the walkway, but wherever it is, it should be the most prominent element on the front façade. You will see that I show a new, curved, stone retaining wall (with lantern) to help point visitors in the right direction. A long border of red, shade-loving impatiens will help contrast the gloom.

You also will observe that I’ve changed the color of the façade but left the trim color the same. This helps give the architecture a sense of detail currently missing by being all the same color. A new lower-level window also helps give a reason for all that unadorned siding.

Finally, you will see landscape upgrades at the foundation and the curb; they bring a sense of order without feeling too ‘manicured.’ I have also removed two of the trees to open up the view to the house without undercutting the forested feel. Hopefully, this brightens your outlook on the situation.

Sincerely, —HOMEWORK

HOMEWORK WAS PENNED BY THE LATE PAUL DOERNER, FOUNDING PARTNER OF THE LAWRENCE GROUP. TO CELEBRATE HIS LEGACY, T&S IS PULLING SOME OF HIS OLDER COLUMNS FROM THE ARCHIVES TO SHARE.

This classic Tudor, renovated by Period Restoration, offers an impressive collection of luxury upgrades- from kitchen expansion, designer lighting, ,custom closets, and a finished lower level with a full bath. 2,800 feet of timeless charm. Showings begin February 4th at 9AM

FROM THE BLOG OF...

SIDEBOARD STYLING

A well-styled piece can be as simple as 1, 2, 3. All it takes to achieve a professional look with your sideboard styling is an eye for design—which you already have—and a few easy tips.

Bonus Tip

1. START ON THE WALL.

Draw the eye upward by hanging art or mirrors above your sideboard. Choosing the right size and placement for your piece depends on the size. There’s no hard and fast rule, but a good general approach is to ensure whatever pieces you choose do not extend beyond the sides of the sideboard. Achieve a relaxed look by opting to lean artwork rather than hang it. You could choose to lean one large piece or play around with layering artwork using complementary pieces— you can even mix art with a mirror.

2. ADD A GLOW.

Bring light into the equation with a stunning table lamp or a set of candlesticks for your sideboard. When considering the size, most medium-sized pieces will

COMBINE STYLES.

work beautifully, but play with larger styles in a more open space. Matching lamps on either side of your sideboard is an especially classic and sophisticated way to add balance and symmetry to your dining room design. If you’re showcasing a special piece of art above your sideboard, you could take advantage of sleek and modern picture lighting to highlight the work while adding a glow to your space.

3. KEEP IT ORGANIZED.

Add trays, bowls and decorative boxes to corral items you want to keep accessible in your space. A sideboard can easily be transitioned into a stunning bar using a large tray to display your collection of spirits or luxury barware.

Not just for sideboards!

These tips aren’t just for styling your buffet or sideboard —they’re useful for making built-ins and most larger, waist-high storage pieces like nine-drawer dressers, media consoles and entryway tables look professionally and intentionally styled.

You’re completely free to mix and match these tips to find your true style. If you prefer a more minimalist design, you might opt for a single piece of art and a table lamp, an empty vase or simple greenery. Maybe you take a “more is better” approach to your styling. If so, play with adding greenery, books and vases or jars to your display for a stand-out look. &

DESIGN AND

PHOTO: BNR INTERIORS

PHOTO: FOUR HANDS

DESIGN: BODINE WHITE |

PHOTO: EMILY SEWELL

DESIGN: HOUSE SEVEN DESIGN

PHOTO: ROBERT PETERSON

PHOTO: FOUR HANDS

DESIGN: SHAPESIDE

PHOTO: AMY BARTLAM

Keith R. Manzer & Christopher M. Klages

Alyssa Suntrup

Holly Bry

Kim Frazer

Ally Healy & Sally Goldkamp Ford Manion

Ann Wroth Carol Butler & Juli-Ann Felsher

Rich Hart

#1 Team #1 Agent