StreetScape Magazine Spring 2009 by TPH Media

S T. C H A R L E S C O U N T Y

Home Improvement

Unique Weddings Cooking Schools SPRING

2009

Spring Romance

• Where to go • Events • Life Styles

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CONTENTS

F E A T U R E S

14 20

Spring 2009 24 26

| COOKING 101— Bamm! Salt & Pepper to taste

| TICKLE THE IVORIES— We’re all in the mood for a melody

| JULIUS HUNTER— R e n a i s s a n c e M a n - A n c h o r m a n , E d u c a t o r, S y m p h o n y C o n d u c t o r, A u t h o r

| HOME IMPROVEMENT— G e a r i n g up for Spring

| BATTER UP!!!— Play ball

| LOVE IS IN THE AIR— Feel the passion

58 D E P A R T M E N T S

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36 40 42 48 56 58 61 63

ON THE COVER | Photography: John Storjohann

Please Note: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. This disclosure is required by rule of the Supreme Court of Missouri. STREET SCAPE MAGAZINE |3

BEHIND THE SCENES

C O M M E N TA RY

PUBLISHER & FOUNDER

Spring has Sprung! Happy New Year! Welcome to the eleventh edition of StreetScape Magazine. As always, we invite you to come as our reader and stay as our friend. StreetScape is planning big things for 2009. As added value to our current advertisers and future advertisers, StreetScape Magazine will kick-off a new program called The StreetScape Exchange. Opportunities as a StreetScape Exchange member will include: --monthly breakfast or lunch meetings with other members to network, pass on referrals, share ideas, promote events, etc. -- promoting your business to over 55,000 readers of StreetScape Magazine and 3,000-plus subscribers to the online mini-magazine.

TOM HANNEGAN Tom, Co-Owner of Hannegan Real Estate & Construction, LLC holds a master’s degree from Lindenwood University. Hannegan shares his passion for real estate, community volunteering, and his appreciation of St. Charles in Street Scape magazine.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ROBIN SEATON JEFFERSON Robin has been a writer/journalist for more than 18 years working in print and electronic media. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from UM–St. Louis, with minors in writing and criminal justice.

-- FREE listing on StreetScape Magazine's website with link to your website. -- promoting events and announcements on our StreetScape Exchange calendar, website, and online mini-magazine. -- drawings at meetings for FREE spotlight ads, FREE upgrades to larger ads, and one-page “State Your Business” feature story in upcoming issues of StreetScape Magazine.

ANN HAZELWOOD Ann Hazelwood is an accomplished quilt author, historian, and appraiser with several titles to her credit.

Please contact Judy Peters by email at judy@streetscapemag.com or 636-448-2074 for information about The StreetScape Exchange Program. In just a few months StreetScape Magazine will have a new website with all the bells and whistles. The site will allow for greater opportunities for both our readers and advertisers. The site will include video, blogs, photo galleries, events calendars and so much more. You’ll find our temporary site still up until the new site is released but the url: www.streetscapemag.com will remain the same.

What’s in your wardrobe? Have you heard the BUZZ? StreetScape Magazine along with Ola Hawatmeh of M3 will be bringing St. Charles County to the forefront of FASHION. The Greater Saint Charles Fashion Week will be “A Perfect Fit” for everyone involved. Regional and national designers, fashion runway shows, after hour parties, boutique open houses are just a few of things that will make up this week. Details forthcoming in Spring and Summer. Here we GROW again. As part of The Greater Saint Charles Fashion Week, StreetScape Magazine will launch our sister publication StreetScape By Night, an annual lifestyle publication serving the St. Louis Metropolitan Area, this year. We’re not afraid of the dark. Are you? Coming September 2009- StreetScape By Night. It is because of you our readers and advertisers that we are able to bring you all of these new and exciting adventures in 2009. Thank you.

MONICA ADAMS Monica is a certified personal trainer and hosts a health and fitness show Sunday afternoons on KMOX Radio, and is the traffic reporter for FOX 2 News in the Morning. Monica is a St. Louis native who enjoys entertaining family and friends, and doing charitable work.

NATALIE WOODS Natalie Woods is the owner of Daisy Clover Boutique in Webster Groves. Her goal at the store is to help make women look better and feel better in clothes. She is also obsessed with getting women in the right pair of jeans.

MARY ELLEN RENAUD Mary Ellen is a seasoned Public Relations & Marketing professional. You can contact her at LJM Marketing Co. (cell) 314-660-1975 renaud7207@centurytel.net.

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER MICHAEL SCHLUETER Michael photographs people and places for advertising and corporate accounts locally and nationally. “The exploration and discovery process is what keeps photography so exciting for me.”

EVENT PLANNER DONNA COSTELLIA

Be Thankful, Be Passionate, Life is not only good. It is GREAT!

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Donna was a tourism professional for 25 years as the Assistant Director of the St. Charles CVB. She is now an independent meeting & event planner. Contact Donna by email at donna@streetscapemag.com or 314341-2790 for your next event.

BEHIND THE SCENES ADVISORY BOARD Nancy Matheny Denice McKeown Bob Millstone Sandy Mohrmann Suzanne Matyiko Maurice Newberry Craig Norden Grace Nichols Toekie Purler Kathy Robertson Marc Rousseau Rocco Russo Richard Sacks Keith Schneider Bob Schuette Teri Seiler Joyce Shaw Kelley Scheidegger-Barbee Karen Vehlewald Aleece Vogt Brian Watkins Brian Wies Mary West Gail Zumwalt

Deborah Alessi Mary Banmiller Susan Berthold Nadine Boon Diane Burkemper Erica Butler Sue Casseau Jody Cox Ann Dempsey Barbara Drant Cindy Eisenbeis Sally Faith Lorna Frahm Bill Goellner Sheryl Guffey Mary Lou Hannegan Grace Harmon Ann Hazelwood Chris Hoffman Jason Hughes Jan Kast Mike Klinghammer Martha Kooyumjian Caryn Lloyd Jeremy Malensky

ADVERTISING JUDY PETERS As Sales Account Manager, Judy Peters uses her many years of PR and marketing experience to consult with businesses and organizations on the many ways StreetScape Magazine may serve their marketing needs. Contact her at 636-448-2074 or judy@streetscapemag.com. DISTRIBUTION Call Tom Hannegan at 636-916-4386 or via email at tom@streetscapemag.com Distributed to: Chesterfield, Cottleville, Dardenne Prairie, Maryland Heights, Lake St. Louis, St. Charles, St. Peters, New Town, O’Fallon, Weldon Spring, Wentzville, Wright City and Warrenton.

Volume 4, Issue 1 • Spring 2009 TPH Media 223 North Main Street, St. Charles, Missouri 63301 PHONE 636-916-4386, FAX 1-866-231-6159 WWW.STREETSCAPEMAG.COM Any reproduction of Street Scape magazine or its contents requires publisher’s prior written consent. Street Scape magazine aims to ensure that information is accurate and correct at all times but cannot accept responsibility for mistakes. Street Scape magazine reserves the right to refuse any advertisement and assumes no responsibility for submitted materials. Unsolicited material must include a self-addressed stamped envelope. © 2006 TPH Media. All Rights Reserved.

STREET SCAPE MAGAZINE |5

FEATURED ARTIST Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photos by Michael Schlueter

From mechanic to carpenter to steel worker to bricklayer, Don Engelmeyer has always worked with his hands. But after a diagnosis of cancer seven years ago, Engelmeyer made a promise to himself to do more than just work—to make something other than a paycheck. “I decided I was going to do something for me,” he said, “something that pleases me. I don’t miss a day doing anything that I don’t want to do.” Engelmeyer had sold real estate for over 20 years. He has collected fine glass for even longer. So after more than two decades of collecting the stuff, he decided he wanted to try his hand at making it.

Don Engelmeyer The art of fire

He started taking glass blowing classes at Third Degree Glass Factory on Delmar the year after he had cancer. Engelmeyer said his fascination with heat began when he was a steel worker at Granite City Steel during college. “The huge furnaces would melt scrap steel,” he said. “This industry started it. I was fascinated by the heat.” It was during this time that Engelmeyer also found interest in glass artisans such as Moser who he said made some of the finest glass and crystal in the world, and Italians Poli and Venini. He began purchasing figures and geometric shapes. A visit to the Clayton Art Fair in 2001 sealed the would-be artist’s fate. “I was watching a mobile glass blowing demonstration and I said, ‘Sign me up’,” Engelmeyer said. “I took a class and after one semester signed up for the next and kept going and going.” For the last three years, Engelmeyer has traveled to Las Vegas to take classes from professional glass artisans during the glass artist

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conventions held there. Art and its various forms run in Engelmeyer’s family. His son is a musician. His mother played the piano. His sister is a professional painter and teacher. At 61, he said he never stops learning. “When are you too old to learn something? Do you hang up the gloves at 51?” Engelmeyer said the process of glass blowing is a fascinating one. Furnaces topping 2,400 degrees contain the molten metal used for glass blowing. The artisan dips a hollow steel pipe into the metal. As the pipe is removed from the furnace, the artisan blows air through it creating a bubble. The bubble is then rolled in color in the form of powder, grains, chips or chunks and returned to the furnace where the process is repeated until the glass is as large as the glass blower wants it to be. Engelmeyer said the process is essentially the same as it was 500 years ago. Also a history buff, Engelmeyer enjoys touting the evolution of glass making. He said generations ago, glass was as good as money. Because of its value and rarity, it was used for purchases much like currency by the Egyptians, some 4,500 years ago. “Gold was plentiful, but glass was scarce,” he said. “Glass has gone from being decorative, to valued, to expensive pieces equivalent to gold, to now where it is everywhere. It can be recycled. It lasts forever. A chip of glass made from a silicone wafer can hold a terabyte of information (a trillion bytes). They say the definition of a third world country is if they can’t make glass.” Engelmeyer was featured in “The Art of Fire: Beginning Glassblowing” by James McKelvey. Engelmeyer said glass blowing is “individual expression” that has to be “let out. I just see where it takes me.” For more information on Engelmeyer and his works, contact him at 314-6230885 or don.e@charter.net. ■

20th Anniversary

locosgrill.com STREET SCAPE MAGAZINE |7

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SOCIAL SCENE

Celebration of Trees Habitat for Humanity, St. Charles County, celebrated the 8th annual Celebration of Trees dinner gala on November 13, 2008. The gala included live entertainment, delectable food & drink, live & silent auctions, and of course, dozens of breathtaking beautiful Christmas Trees. Habitat for Humanity would like to thank everybody who made the Gala a success.

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STATE YOUR BUSINESS

Zanders Jewelry Generations of jewelry Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photos by Michael Schlueter

A second generation Zander is changing the face of Zander’s Jewelry and St. Charles Pawn Shop. Kim Zander took over the operations of the business her father started in 1972 across the street from Pio’s Restaurant on First Capitol Dr. The shop moved to its current location at 1015 South Fifth Street in 1987. Zander is the third generation to own a pawn shop. A watch repairman, her grandfather owned Zander’s Jewelers & Cherokee Loan in St. Louis.

But Kim Zander wanted to update not only the status of Zander’s, but the perception as well. After obtaining her gemology degree from the Gemological Institute of America, Zander returned to St. Charles to take over the business. Today the store offers new, custom-made and pre-owned jewelry as well as repairs and remounts. “We’re not just a pawn shop,” she said. “We’re a full jeweler. A lot of people are scared to come in because they think everything is used and other people’s mistakes. But once they come in, they realize it’s not just a pawn shop. We specialize in jewelry and buying gold. We are very knowledgeable in jewelry.” Zander said her shop deals in high-end jewelry without the markup that other large chain jewelry stores have. “We just don’t have the overhead,” she said. “We have half of what the retail mall jewelers have. And the used jewelry is even less expensive.” Zander said Zander’s is already gaining ground where once her shop did not even compete. “We have doctors and attorneys who buy here. You would be surprised at our clientele. People come in and are amazed at the quality and the jewelry we have. Most of our customers will never go anywhere else. Pretty much once you get through the door you see.” Zander’s deals in loose diamonds and finished jewelry, and in Citizen, Cartier and Rolex watches. “I have sold five-carrot diamonds before,” Zander said. She also offers earrings, necklaces and bracelets at competitive prices. For more information on Zanders, call 636-946-6618. ■

Kim Zander

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YOU CAUGHT OUR EYE

Ron and Debbie said their parents influenced them in immeasurable ways, the long-lasting marriage the two share, and the parents they themselves, have become. “Seeing our parents, our background was about how important family is,” Debbie said. “It’s the same with us. Both our children are now married, but every Sunday we have them over for dinner. When I was growing up, we had to be there for dinner. It was the same with the Covilli’s. His father was very strong about it. You had better be at the supper table.”

Dynamic Duos T h e C o v i l l i ’s Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photo by Michael Schlueter

Arthur and Nellie Covilli are two people who will leave this world better than they found it. Although Arthur passed away in 1980, Nellie, at 89 years old, can still see the fruits of her labor—all five of them. The Covilli’s have five children, Pam, Betty Gayle, Ron, John and Tom. The two were in the restaurant business, including running a restaurant, aptly named “Covilli’s”, in St. Charles for close to four decades. It is said that “Your story begins at home.” And such is the case for the Covilli boys. The three say their story, like so many others, began at home on Sibley Street in St. Charles, where father, Arthur and mother, Nellie, required them to assemble around the dinner table promptly at 5 p.m. Ron and Debbie Covilli say they knew each other for years before they started dating. He was a student at St. Charles High School, she a Duchesne High School alumna. “We didn’t really like each other,” Debbie said. Ron had dated one of Debbie’s best friends.

Ron and Debbie said family values carried over to all aspects of their lives. “You keep the family principals in tact and stay loyal to your profession. You do those things and things work out for you,” Ron said. “The solid family background we had in our childhoods carried over and those principals we tried to share with our family. Those values carry over to your family and friends and your work.” Debbie said being close to her children has come back to her ten-fold. “We lived and breathed everything with our kids. We went to everything they were involved in-sports, practices, soccer, football--

everything. We were always there and they knew we were there. That was really important to them.” John and Marie Covilli met each other through a mutual friend—a friend who Marie secretly liked. It was a Saturday afternoon, during the first semester of their junior year in college at Southeast Missouri State. A water skiing trip would leave the two arguing for years over who was the better skier. “That ticked him off because I was better,” Marie said. “That’s just not true,” John said. Twentynine years of marriage, and the two continue the light-hearted banter that attracted them in the first place. John called Marie after the ski trip and invited her to a fraternity function that evening. “She tried to weasel her way out of it, so I hung up on her.” “I was really interested in our mutual friend, but he was trying to dump me,” Marie said. So Marie showed up for the fraternity party and the rest is history. “After that first date, she went completely head over heels for me,” John said.

But the two were destined to be together. They even share the same birthday, May 17, although Ron is one year older. During their sophomore year in college—she at Southeast Missouri State, he at Northeast Missouri State—the two hooked up after Ron’s brother-in-law Frank Barro reintroduced them at the Bogey Hills Country Club Pool where he worked. Today, Ron and Debbie have two grown children, Carie Brown and Todd Covilli, and a granddaughter named Taylor. Ron works for a sales representation firm, RC&J (Rothkopf, Covilli and Jaacks). Debbie is semi-retired after 36 years as nurse manager for surgery at St. Joseph Health Center. 12 | S T R E E T S C A P E M A G A Z I N E

Covillis, (left to right) Ron, Debbie, Marie, John, Karlene and Tom.

John, a senior vice president for Dale Carnegie and Associates, and Marie, an interior decorator, have two sons, Brendon, a senior at Duchesne High School and Drew, a freshman at the University of Missouri at Columbia.

together, she knew what I was thinking before I thought it,” Tom said. “We complement each other,” Karlene said. “We were looking for a soul mate, which is what we found in each other.”

They said it’s their sense of humor and their interest in each other that keeps their marriage new after nearly three decades. “I enjoy being with Marie,” John said. “I always have. You share everything, the good and the bad. You don’t hide things.”

The second part of this story surrounds the giving of the Covilli family, not just to their community, but to each other, as a family, and as people who love unconditionally.

Marie said John’s positive personality has encouraged her and her sons over the years. “He’s a very positive person. I might lose it and rant and he would let me go on and give me breathing room,” she said.

On August 23, 1990, oldest brother Ron Covilli was diagnosed with Leukemia, He had gotten a cold that he just “couldn’t kick” and had grown increasingly weak during his four-to-six-mile-a-day runs. “I was falling asleep in front of the T.V.,” he said.

John said much of that part of his personality has been honed over the years at Dale Carnegie. “My career is positive. The very core of our product is helping individuals and businesses do better. As our president and CEO likes to say, ‘It’s just a good business to be in’.” Marie said being a Covilli carries with it a responsibility. With the locally well-known family comes a great deal of pride in their community, schools and family. “We have always been blessed. Sure other people have bigger houses or better cars, but that’s not what it’s about.” Marie said the National Honor Society motto, “Noblesse Oblige”, comes to mind when she thinks of her blessings and giving back to her community. French for “nobility obligates,” it means whoever claims to be noble must conduct himself nobly. “What it really means is, ‘If you are blessed, you should be giving back’,” Marie said. “That’s what religion is about, community service, altruism, all of it.” John has served on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of St. Charles County. Both John and Marie volunteered with the Academy of the Sacred Heart and Duchesne High School for years. “Our mom and dad were very involved,” John said. “Dad was a charter member of the St. Charles Lions Club and a charter member of the Bogey Hills Country Club.” Arthur Covilli also helped start the Boys and Girls Club in St. Charles County. “If you look at that heritage,” said Ron Covilli, who has also served his local schools for years, “it flowed through to his children and hopefully flows through to our children.” Tom and Karlene Covilli are the babies in the family in more ways than one. The couple has been married for a little over two years, and Tom is the youngest of the five Covilli children. Tom met Karlene when he interviewed her for an assistant’s position with PSC Industrial Services in Columbia, Illinois. They worked together for several years, before Karlene took a position as a financial analyst with Dynegy in Illinois, and Tom took a position with custodial Firm 4M in St. Louis. The two remain in those jobs today. “We bonded instantly, emotionally.

Even when we worked

Doctors told him he would have to have a bone marrow transplant to survive. His four siblings were immediately tested. Doctors also told Ron there was a 25 percent chance of his siblings being a donor match. Tom Covilli was a perfect match. Tom said instead of fear of the unknown among his brothers and sisters, they all hoped to be the chosen one. “Of the siblings, we all wanted to be that person that could give part of their essence or whatever to help Ron get better. I sort of knew.” John said he remembers calling his brothers while they were lying in their hospital beds following the transplant. “It was the night of the transplant. I called Tom on the phone and they were watching ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ in the hospital. I asked Tom how he felt. He said, ‘You know, ‘I know at least one reason that God put me on this earth’.” The Leukemia returned eight years later, and again, Tom stepped up to the plate, this time with stem cells. “There is no question in my mind,” Ron said, “that I’m here because of these people. Let’s make this perfectly clear, I did not go into this fight by myself.” Marie Covilli said her family’s courageousness and fortitude goes beyond emergencies. Nellie Covilli has been in St. Joseph’s Carmelite Nursing Home for almost ten years, but her children have never left her alone. “This is just not how they act in crisis situations,” she said. “No other family I know has siblings who go there just about every day. These three boys have caused humor and havoc there.” From faith, to family, to fatherhood, the Covilli sons have persevered. From the humble beginnings of their parents that raised three men who hold to the core values their parents instilled in them so many years ago. Nevertheless, the Covilli’s do tend to stick together. At one time someone associated with the Covilli name developed and directed the athletic program at Duchesne High School as well as served as head football coach—Frank Barro, Betty Gayle’s husband—while Ron taught health and coached, and John and Tom played football. “There wasn’t any nepotism going on there,” Marie said. ■ S T R E E T S C A P E M A G A Z I N E | 13

COOKING

Dierbergs School of Cooking

Cooking 101 Bamm! Salt & Pepper to taste Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photos by Michael Schlueter

fter 154 years, Dierbergs is still coming up with new ideas. Although the Dierbergs School of Cooking is nothing new--the school has been in existence for over 30 years—long-time Director Barb Ridenhour is still cooking up something new with each class.

Most people remember Ridenhour’s “Daily Tip” on KRJY Radio some 20 years ago. The home economics educator started with Dierbergs when it opened its first school of cooking at the Manchester store. Today there are five Dierbergs cooking schools at Bogey Hills, Creve Coeur, Ellisville, South County, and Edwardsville, Illinois. “Bob Dierberg thought that where people buy food was the perfect place to help them learn more about how to cook it.” Ridenhour said Dierbergs seeks to educate its consumers about healthful and fun cooking. “We want to help people be excited and successful cooking at home. We want people to enjoy their cooking experiences.” Ridenhour incorporates cooking trends into the classes offered at Dierbergs. She said

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today’s cooks and consumers are definitely more educated about food. “Even though I’m still in the business of education, there is always something new and different,” she said. “There is a more global array of products to choose from and people are savvier about nutrition. People are a lot more interested in global cuisine. It really has evolved over the years.” Ridenhour said in the 1970’s she was teaching classes on how to use a microwave oven. Changes started to come in 1986 however, when Dierbergs teamed with Missouri Baptist to create the “Eat Hearty” publication of products that met heart healthy criteria. Today, Ridenhour said people know more about the various kinds of fats and what is and is not good for their hearts. Food studies are bringing the health benefits of various foods to the forefront all the time. “What’s most exciting to me is that we’ve found that dark chocolate is full of antioxidants,” Ridenhour said. “They’re still doing so much research and finding out more all the time.” Ridenhour said ORAC stores have been developed by scientists to calculate the antioxidant capability of food. The higher the score, the better the food is for you. “As your body’s cells use oxygen, they

produce by-products called free radicals,” Ridenhour said. “Over time, these free radicals can damage cells, which contribute to heart disease, macular degeneration, diabetes and cancer.” Antioxidants are substances found in plant foods that can defend cells by preventing or sometimes repairing damage caused by oxidation. Each of these defenders has a different area expertise. Ridenhour said getting enough antioxidants is really pretty easy. “Eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, herbs and whole grains regularly. Think color. Even white counts as a color. You’ll give your body an edge against the bad guys. Cranberries have the highest ORAC score at 10,542 per cup, with blueberries, blackberries and raspberries close behind. Other antioxidant-rich foods include red wine, artichokes, dark kidney beans, pecans, broccoli and sweet potatoes. Ridenhour said she follows a philosophy of quality versus quantity where food is concerned. “I really follow the philosophy of variety and moderation. For a while these no carb diets were so popular, but it’s all about having a good, balanced, wellrounded diet that allows you to have a splurge of treats every now and then. Also, the more intense the color the more phytonutrients are in the food.” Dierbergs has just released its fourth single topic cookbook in its series, titled “Healthy”. Other books include “Entrees”, “Weeknights”, and “Grilling”. Dierbergs School of Cooking is for everyone. From kindergarteners to senior adults, there are classes for anyone who wants to learn. Petit Chefs teaches the little ones to have fun in the kitchen. Adults and seniors can have a party too. Techniques for cooking and nutrition are also available. Some of the classes include holiday celebration feasts, wine and beer tasting, diabetic cooking classes and cooking on the light side. Custom classes for special occasions are also offered.

“These classes are really helpful in terms of trying to change your life,” Ridenhour. “People are told by the doctors to eat a certain way and they wonder how they can implement that in putting it on their tables everyday. Birthday parties, scouting groups, married couples and just about anyone who wants to learn to cook can take a class at Dierbergs. A Mardi-Gras Madness class will be offered February 17 and 18. For more information, www.publications@dierbergs.com.

visit

’Ecole Culinaire St. Louis opened in 2004 with a full range of culinary classes for everyone from the weekend chef to the would-be professional.

Located at 9811 South Forty Drive in Ladue, L’Ecole Culinaire offers an educational opportunity for the career-minded chef in a hands-on learning style from professionals in the St. Louis culinary industry. The campus consists of classrooms, culinary and baking kitchen labs, and a demonstration kitchen. The school offers a diploma in culinary essentials and an associate of occupational sciences degree in culinary arts. Students at L’Ecole complete ten-week externships in local foodservice facilities, including restaurants, hotels, country clubs, casinos, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities

and food purveyors. They will apply realworld training in culinary sciences with community service opportunities built into the program. L’Ecole Program Director and Chef John Womick has a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts as well as an MBA from Johnson & Wales in Providence, Rhode Island. He said students at L’Ecole spend 100 percent of their time on the study of their chosen field. “It’s the only immediate program that is truly devoted on the culinary arts. We offer an incredibly hands-on program. If someone is here for the 6:30 a.m. class, from 6:30 to 10 a.m., they are up to their elbows in this industry.” Ashley VanIseghem, a server at local Italian eatery Frankie Toccos, is currently in phase 3-Advanced Baking with Purchasing and Cost Control--of the associate’s program at L’Ecole Culinaire. VanIseghem wants to become a pastry chef and eventually operate her own business creating wedding cakes. She said she grew up helping in her grandmother’s kitchen. Her grandmother operated a catering business. She said L’Ecole even trains students on different types of stoves from varying manufacturers so that they will be prepared to work just about anywhere. She said focusing on one subject per phase makes learning more efficient. “Phase by

phase it makes it easier to learn a subject when you’re learning about just one at a time.” L’Ecole also offers a unique dining experience for the public at The Restaurant at L’Ecole where students serve their final degree requirements operating the business as if it were their own. “There’s a commitment and focus on the students here,” Womick said. “Most of my chefs almost take offense at someone not succeeding much less failing.” Womick said the 26 chef instructors at L’Ecole have worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, some on cruise ships that have taken them all over the world. An offshoot of Vatterott College, a second L’Ecole Culinaire opened in Memphis, Tennessee in December of 2008. St. Louis’ own KSHE 95 recently developed a cooking show which airs during evening drive time the third Thursday of each month. The show, hosted by Favazz and Boozie, will feature L’Ecole chefs. Womick said L’Ecole students range from young people straight out of high school to existing chefs who are seeking certification to a handful of people who just like to cook. Some of the students are also interested in careers in food writing, photography and art. Classes at L’Ecole include every aspect of the culinary arts, from meat application, where a pig is carved by students who learn what each section is used for, to nutrition which sets up the student for the challenges that face them with special needs diets as well as eating healthy. L’Ecole also features “Kitchens with the Missions” which are classes that are opened to the public. Twenty percent of the profits from these classes and clinics go to local charities, such as Stray Rescue, the American Diabetes Association and the Humane Society of Missouri. For more information on these classes and L’Ecole call 314-587-2433 or visit www.lecoleculinaire.com. ■

L’Ecole Culinaire St. Louis

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COMMUNITY FOCUS

St. Peters

Something to Celebrate Story by Amy N. Armour Photos courtesy of City of St. Peters

The Rec-Plex isn’t the only place in St. Peters for families to have a good time. It’s just one of the places the city would like to highlight as it celebrates the rich history of the last 100 years. Over the next 18 months, the city of St. Peters has multiple events planned throughout the city to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the city (in 2009) and its 100th anniversary as a village (in 2010).

The next event will be incorporated into the annual Old Tyme Picnic, which will have a special ‘Celebrate St. Peters’ theme. T-shirts to celebrate the city’s history, and advertise the 2009 and 2010 events, will be sold. A fireworks display will be held in the evening. The picnic will be held on June 19 and 20 at Old Towne Park. A four-hour free concert is planned for September in the city’s outdoor amphitheatre. As of press time, the committee was considering the bands Joe Dirt, SMASH Band and The 80s Band.

Steve Martinez, chairman of the special events committee for ‘Celebrate St. Peters,’ said there will be a series of events throughout the next 18 months leading up to a huge two-day celebration in the Lakeside 370 Business Park development in October 2010. The first event will kick off on May 29 at City Hall’s outdoor amphitheatre with a ‘Movie In The Park.’ Martinez said movie night events will carry a theme that will include a familyfriendly movie and theme related food and drink treats provided by a local business. All of the movie nights are free, open to the public and geared toward families. The Movie Nights will be held once a month at various city parks. “We want to bring families to our city parks and facilities,” said Martinez. “We also want to bring an awareness that St. Peters has been around for 100 years.” The series of events, including outdoor movies, concerts, golf tournaments and a hockey invitational, will highlight city facilities and local businesses. “We want to showcase local businesses as much as we can,” said Martinez.

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November 2009 tree lighting ceremony.” Mayor Len Pagano has seen the city of St. Peters grow from a ‘simple’ life to a life full of technology. “Back then (100 years ago) everything was so simple. There were just a few people running the government,” said Pagano. “Everything was written with pencil and paper.” French traders were the first to inhabit what is now old town St. Peters, north of I-70 and west of Mid Rivers Mall Drive, in the 1700s. German Catholics followed and joined the French in 1830. The first log church, called St. Peters on Dardenne Creek, was constructed in 1815. And the church remains today, after several expansions, and is now named All Saints Church. With 269 residents, St. Peters incorporated as a village in 1910. In 1959, the 404 residents voted to become a city of the fourth class under Missouri statutes.

Also in September, a golf tournament at the city-owned St. Peters Golf course is in the works. Families can come out and participate for about $50 a person. “We’re trying to do a series of events to make people aware of some of the different facilities in St. Peters,” said Martinez. A historical committee is also hard at work researching the history of the town and interviewing its past and present residents. “One of the greatest things the city has done is capture the memories and the experiences (of St. Peters residents) in a hardbound book and a video,” said Dave Thomas, St. Peters Alderman and liaison to the historical committee. “The book and the video should be available for purchase by the

Pagano has watched the progress of the city since moving to the area in 1976. He has served as an alderman since 1983 under three mayors—Gary Turner, Tom Brown and Shawn Brown—before filling the vacancy for Mayor in 2007. He was elected to the four-year term in April 2008. In the last 26 years in service, Pagano has worked with more than 40 St. Peters Aldermen. Pagano said the biggest change he’s seen in the city is population growth. After incorporating as a township in 1910, the city had a very slow population growth with only 486 residents by 1970. Annexations into the city, mostly voluntary, from 1970 to 1979 increased the size of the city from less than a square mile to more

The Rec-Plex opened in May, 1994. In July of that year, 3,000 Olympic hopefuls traveled to the Rec-Plex to compete in the 37 aquatic sports for the U.S Olympic Festival. The Rec-Plex then hosted the U.S. Olympic Festival, U.S. world diving trials and the State water polo championship in 1995, and in 2004 the facility hosted the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Diving.

than 11 square miles. By 1980, St. Peters had grown a population of more than 15,000, according to census takers. “At the time I came into office (in 1983) the average resident would have to cross the bridge (into St. Louis) for work, shopping or even for a restaurant,” said Pagano. “Today there’s no reason for the residents in the city of St. Peters or St. Charles County to cross the bridge because I think all of their needs can be met here.” By the end of the 1980s the number of businesses located in St. Peters tripled from 398 businesses in 1980 to 1,450 by 1989. As a result, and with the help of a 1/2-cent transportation tax, the city built 14 miles of roads in the 1980s. According to the city’s Web site, “Mexico Road was transformed from a rural road to a four-lane thoroughfare from Cave Springs Road to Highway K in O'Fallon. Mid Rivers Mall Drive was extended to connect Interstate 70 to Highway 94. The Mid Rivers Mall Drive/I-70 interchange was built, and the city rebuilt interchanges at Cave Springs and Highway 79.” The opening of Mid Rivers Mall in 1987 helped create many jobs and more than 100 new shops opening its doors alongside Dillards department store. By the 1990s the population had more than doubled to 40,600. The city of St. Peters now boasts more than 58,000 residents living in the 22 square miles of the city. After the completion of the Lakeside 370 development, the city will include 20 parks, 1,000 acres of parkland and 17 miles of pedestrian trails.

In 2006, the city broke ground for an $18.5 million expansion of the Rec-Plex that nearly doubled the size of the complex. The new expansion, which was completed in 2008, includs a 106,000square-foot building that houses two ice rinks, gymnasiums and a high intensity training center. It also allowed the Rec-Plex to triple the size of the workout rooms and add an adults-only locker room. “Some cities—very small—have been around for 200 years and they haven’t improved, and that’s fine…but our city (has really grown),” said Pagano. A new piece of history is currently in the works. After much controversy and court time, the Lakeside 370 Business Park development is under currently construction. The nearly 850-acre project will include office and retail space, as well as warehouse and mixed use space for a hotel. The development will also include parkland and pedestrian trails. The final event of Celebrate St. Peters will culminate at Lakeside 370 Business Park, which should be near-completion in October 2010. The large-scale event will include food booths, a children’s craft area, corporate and craft booths, concerts, carnival rides and plenty of fun. Martinez compared the event size to that of the 4th of July Celebration in O’Fallon or the St. Charles County Craft Fair. “We want it to be an annual event to be held the first weekend in October,” said Martinez. “My hope is that (Celebrate St. Peters) will set a pride on where you live. Our goal is to have ownership in your town and know the history of it,” said Pagano. “It’s something to celebrate.” ■

Pagano was also part of history when the city made the decision to pipe water from a North St. Louis water treatment plant into the city. “The water was liquid gold in a sense,” said Pagano. “Water is really what makes cities grow.” Water from the Olympic-quality natatorium in the St. Peters RecPlex certainly helped bring business into the city. Although it may seem like the Rec Plex has been a part of St. Peters forever, the original 124,000-square-foot recreational facility was completed only 14 years ago, after two teenage girls complained to city officials in 1991 that there was nothing to do in the city. As a result, a committee was formed and the concept of the RecPlex began. In 1992, the city was approached by U.S. Olympic Festival planners to request the city build a natatorium large enough to host aquatic events for the 2004 Festival. The city then incorporated the natatorium in its current plans for a recreational facility.

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THE BUZZ Old Newsboys Day The mission of the Old Newsboys Day is simple - to ensure that children who are at risk in our community, because of abuse or poverty, receive adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care and are provided equal opportunity for social development. On the Thursday before Thanksgiving thousands of volunteers wake up very early in the morning, put on their customary smile and Old Newsboys Day apron and take to the streets to raise money for children’s organizations funded by the Old Newsboys Fund.

Streets of St. Charles Groundbreaking The Streets of St. Charles a high profile $385 million new urbanism mixed-use development at 5th Street South.

w w w. a t h e n a s a i n t c h a r l e s. o r g

• 250,000 sq. ft. of retail and entertainment • 780 condominiums and live work units

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Dr. Rick Walters Streetscape has gone international! WHOLifE Journal Publisher and Editor Melva Armstrong of Saskatoon, SK Canada has published Robin Seaton Jefferson’s story on Dr. Rick Walters and his incredible snowflake photography in the December/January issue of WHOLifE Journal. To see the article in WHOLifE Journal visit www.wholife.com.

S T R E E T S C A P E M A G A Z I N E | 19

ENTERTAINMENT

Tickle the Ivories We’re all in the mood for a melody

Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photos by Michael Schlueter

hen he was nine years old, he asked his parents for an alarm clock—a typical request for a boy growing into responsibilities of his own. But Dominic Cheli wasn’t just worried about meeting the school bus on time. Dominic wanted to practice piano before school. The aspiring concert pianist set his alarm for 3 a.m.— some three hours before he had to get up— to spend the time on his nine-foot Ballwin grand.

At 15, Dominic is already accomplished. In November, he was featured on the hit radio show “From the Top”, broadcast to over 200 stations nationwide. He has studied with International Concert Pianist Orli Shaham and performed with Grieg Concerto and the Webster University Symphony Orchestra. He won the MTNA Senior Piano Competition in Missouri and is scheduled to attend the Sergei Babyan International Piano Academy at the Cleveland Institute of Music in May. And the list goes on. “He’s so driven,” said his mother Louise Cheli. “We never asked him to practice. He’s such an intense person.” Dominic said he is driven by what he loves. “It’s because I love the music and the piano. There is so much music in the world and I want to learn as much of it as I can.”

Louise said Dominic’s dad plays the saxophone, among other instruments, and her younger son, Kevin Cheli, 14, plays the drums. Kevin is in to heavy metal music, however. Her daughter, Elizabeth Cheli, is an artist. Louise played the cello in high school, but was never really committed. She is an artist of a different kind, though. She’s written a biography of Philippine Duchesne. Currently homeschooled, Dominic attended St. Louis University High School until this semester and attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart for grade school. He also attends the Pre-Collegiate Preparatory Program of Webster University Community Music School, a once-a-week program for kids who have exceptional abilities in music and who hope to have a career in music. Dominic started taking piano lessons at six years old. His father Dave Cheli has a degree in jazz studies from Webster University and plays saxophone at Picasso’s in St. Charles, so the connection to music was easy to reconcile. “He was really born an old soul,” Louise said. “It’s his most favorite thing to go to the symphony.” Dominic still plays for three hours before school, two hours during school and then practices again when he comes home. His favorite concert pianists are Vladimir Horowitz, Stephen Hough and A r t h u r Rubinstein. His most l o v e d composers are Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, John Adams, and Sergei P r o k o f i e v. He is currently Dominic Cheli

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studying classical music. “He wants to be a concert pianist wherever it takes him. He says he really wants to live a frugal life. He says he wants a nice piano but other than that doesn’t need a lot.” “The thrill of performing on stage and of learning pieces” is what Dominic said he gets from the work. Dominic hopes to attend Julliard in New York or Curtis in Philadelphia upon graduation. ichael Sonderegger started playing the piano when he was eight years old. His great grandparents played and had a piano in their house. “I started messing around pretty early,” he said.

It wasn’t long before Sonderegger realized he had a talent for playing by ear. He took lessons through college and obtained degrees in performing arts and business. Today he owns his own business, RockStar Pianos, playing for corporate events, weddings, fundraisers and basically anywhere the clients lead him. He also plays in a dueling piano show at The Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar on The Landing in St. Louis. It’s called a “Sing-along Piano Bar” wherein audience members are the stars. Each night the entertainers take a seat on stage behind two grand pianos and combine music, comedy and audience participation to create a fast-paced, high-energy show. The Big Bang opened in St. Louis in 2001. It opened its second location in Tempe, Arizona in the fall of 2003 beside Arizona State University, and its newest location in Nashville, Tennessee in May, 2007. Sonderegger said his dueling piano show isn’t really a duel at all. “”It’s not really a duel. It’s two guys as a team creating a high energy show that’s interactive. We want the audience to sing, clap, laugh and participate. One guy leads the other guy. He’s backing his partner with piano,

background vocals or participation with the audience.” Sonderegger said the pianists will play by ear or from memory just about anything the audience requests. “Requests are highly encouraged,” he said. Sonderegger can play anything, from Journey to Bon Jovi to Britney Spears. His forte is heavy metal music, hard rock and alternative featuring Judas Priest, Metallica, Black Sabbath and Skid Row. “People try to stump you with musicals though,” he said.

Joyce Shaw

Some of the rap song requests are the strangest, he said, like when customers ask for Easy-E or Tupac Shakur on the piano.

took lessons again.

Sonderegger said no one in the audience thought he could pull off a request for a Disney princess medley. Little did they know that Sonderegger and his three-year-old daughter had watched all of the movies together. The medley went off without a hitch.

Shaw was her sorority’s designated pianist at Georgia State University. “But I started playing professionally in Atlanta at the Ansley Golf Club in their fine dining room for three years,” Shaw said. That was in the nineties. In 1998, Shaw married Gary Shaw and moved to St. Charles.

For more information about Sonderegger or to hire him for a gig, contact him at thebigbang.mike@hotmail.com or myspace.com/rockstarpianos.

Since then she has played for many local charities including United Services and the Boys and Girls Club of St. Charles County.

efore she even started school, Joyce Shaw was playing the piano. She was four years old. “I started picking out tunes on my grandmother’s piano when I was four.”

Joyce Shaw has a degree in sociology, but she spent her career in real estate. She said she has been through many different “periods” in her music life. From classical in high school, to pop in college, to gospel throughout her life, Joyce said she is now in a jazz period.

Shaw took music classes and lessons throughout her school days and performed and “generally placed” in competitions. “My mother made absolutely sure I did not quit.”

“Classical is more restricted. You can’t fake a master’s work,” she said. Joyce plays a lot by ear.

Shaw said her father surprised her with some lessons of his own when she was six. “My father went to my teacher and said he wanted to take lessons. I would take my lesson and daddy would take his lesson.”

She considers music a gift. “It is truly a gift,” she said. “I love playing the piano. It is truly a passion of mine. I’m excited about my jazz era. It is expression. I can play when I’m happy or sad. I can get a lot out as far as emotions are concerned. I can worship.”

It turned out her father just wanted to play a duet with his daughter in the spring recital. Once the performance was complete, he never

Shaw said piano music promotes family—an activity that never goes out of style. “We need to get back to it. People used to sit around the piano and sing. People had games and they had the piano.”

Joyce and Gary Shaw have six children between them. They have 14 grandchildren. She said her most beloved classical song is Claude Debussy’s “Clair de lune.” Her favorite gospel song is “Amazing Grace.” And “Send in the Clowns” tops her pop list. Joyce Shaw has cut two compact disks, “A Joyce Shaw Christmas” and “Easy Listening Favorites”. For more information on purchasing either CD, call her at 314-799-3216. Any proceeds from the sale go to Bridgeway Counseling. Whatever the music, Joyce said she just loves to play. “I’m not athletic, but I’m very passionate about my gift. I guess the lesson here is don’t stop.” ■

Mike Sonderegger

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HEALTH WATCH

Caring for their Own The Meadowlands

Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photos by Michael Schlueter

Former SSM St. Joseph Health Center CEO Kevin Kast is again putting down roots in the St. Charles County community. The current CEO of St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur, Illinois and regional coordinator for five hospitals of the international health organization Hospital Sisters Health System, Kast will open Assisted Living at The Meadowlands this summer. Well-known and respected in the St. Charles County community, Kast began

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making plans for the facility about four years ago. He will co-own the facility with three others, while 15 additional investors will hold stock in the company. “We’re really very proud of it,” he said. “This is all about people in St. Charles County investing in a facility to take care of people in St. Charles County.” Kast, Home Builder Tom Hughes, local Attorney Shawn Saale, and one other silent investor have formed New Covenant Health Care LLC to develop the project. Most of the additional investors are local movers and shakers, including Rob and Nancy

Matheny, Grace Wamhoff.

Harmon

and

Bob

The first phase of The Meadowlands will include an 86-bed, 66-unit facility comprising about 53,000 square feet and cost about $12 million. The facility is located at the intersection of Tom Ginnever Avenue and T.R. Hughes Boulevard in O’Fallon, Missouri. Kast said he realized the need for the facility, which will specialize in the care of Alzheimer’s patients, while he was still heading up St. Joseph. “When people

would leave the hospital, we were referring them as far away as Creve Coeur and Belleville, Illinois,” he said. “Most people are going into nursing homes that are more designed for medical care. They mostly need to be cared for and loved in a compassionate way. We feel an assisted living facility can be a more cost responsive program that will be less expensive than nursing home care and more in keeping with what’s going on nationally in the trends in patients with Alzheimer’s.”

only once, not to have to make these decisions three times. These are tough decisions,” Kast said.

Kast said nursing homes typically care for “very frail elderly” individuals who need “constant medical care. Patients that have Alzheimer’s disease might not be frail at all. They should be encouraged to be active. We want to respond to the special needs of Alzheimer’s patients by stimulating them, keeping them active and retarding the onset of dementia.”

The general contractor on the project is TRH Commercial. The architect is the Lawrence Group. Local firm, Turnaround Solutions for Senior Housing, will market and manage the facility and is also an investor. Turnaround Solutions provides personalized, onsite sales, marketing and management for senior housing projects.

Half of The Meadowlands will be dedicated to Alzheimer’s patients while the other half will be more suited for patients who need an assisted living facility only. Kast said the need for such a facility has arisen proportionately with the increasing population of elderly people in the St. Charles County community. “People are living longer and the health delivery system is just beginning to get their arms around how to meet that continuum of care from hospital to home,” he said.

The Meadowlands will offer a living room, multi-media center, patio and daytrips around St. Charles County. Twenty-four hour staffing and emergency response will also be available. Medical offices are also in the works. Residents will enjoy three homecooked meals per day, weekly housekeeping and linen service, as well as on-site maintenance.

With an “age in place” concept and working from the National Institute of Health’s research on healing, New Covenant Health Care hopes to provide a three-phased community with independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing care all on one 20-acre campus. “We want people to have to make the move

Construction on the second phase—which will include cottages, duplexes, quadplexes and apartments with food and housekeeping service—will begin at the end of the summer. Construction on a skilled nursing home will comprise the third phase and is expected to begin in 2011.

Costs are expected to be about $3,200 per month for a single private unit, $3,800 for a two-bedroom unit, and closer to $5,000 monthly for dementia patients. The facility will be about 90 percent private pay. ■

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CELEBRITY FOCUS

Julius Hunter R e n a i s s a n c e M a n - A n c h o r m a n , E d u c a t o r, S y m p h o n y C o n d u c t o r, A u t h o r Story and photos by Robin Seaton Jefferson

He’s interviewed six presidents—plus one. Long-time KMOV Channel 4 News Anchorman Julius Hunter touted his new book “TV One-on-One” at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis in December, noting that President Barrack Obama told him before winning the presidency in November that he would be the seventh. Presidents notwithstanding, Hunter’s most memorable meeting with a famous person came just outside the Robert E. Lee in St. Louis when Hollywood starlit Sophia Loren emerged from her limousine. “I’m still shaking and quaking from my interview with Sophia Loren,” Hunter told members of the Press Club. “This leg got out and this leg just kept coming. She is such an incredibly, majestically, beautiful woman.” He said after he escorted Loren to her table, she dropped her napkin and Harry Levins of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch “dove unceremoniously under the table” to retrieve it. Hunter said Levins still has the cloth napkin which he refers to as the “shroud of Loren.”

people care over the years. Starting as a teacher at Hamilton Elementary School in St. Louis, Hunter had a knack for doing just that. Upon being told he would be teaching a sixth grade class, Hunter spent the summer preparing his lesson plans for sixth grade. But when he entered the school ready to teach the 11-year-olds, he found out he had

He taught the kids to be self-reliant and ever-progressive in their thinking. He set up desks in the back of the room for kids who were “out of sorts” from a bad morning or having not eaten breakfast. These were the free zones and kids could utilize them for up to two hours out of the day or until they got themselves together. He also let the student with the best grades for the week guard the door and intercept and answer the endless array of messages that came to the class from the principal or nurse that Hunter thought interrupted his class. “Those kids grew into the most wonderful people who took charge of themselves,” Hunter said. “After a while they would write Hunter School on their papers. My room never got broken into.” Hunter went on to work at the St. Louis School District’s radio station, KSLH, where he was a teacher, producer, writer and on-air personality. After a year at the radio station, Hunter took a job as a copy writer at Foote, Cone & Belding, an advertising agency in Chicago, where he worked with clients Kleenex, Kotex, Raid, Dial and Kraft.

From there, he returned to St. Louis where he developed the Washington University Education in Action Julius Hunter speaks at the Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis Program, in which he placed students in organizations in been assigned to teach an eighth grade class. the community that enhanced their areas of “It’s really rather audacious to write a book,” Fresh out of college and 21 years old, study. He also served as housemaster of a he said. “You have to assume other people Hunter wasn’t about to be beaten. He had dormitory of 140 freshmen women. are interested. You have to run through the 44 kids, all 16 years old and under. He said “That’s where I learned that hell hath no it’s when he learned the lesson that before fury like a women’s dorm,” he said. W.C. or ‘Who Cares?’ factor.” any teaching or learning can be done, “law But admittedly, Hunter has made a lot of and order has to prevail.” In 1970, he was hired by KSDK Channel 5 Hunter said this and countless other meetings with stars and politicians, as well as sports heroes and others are recounted in his new book.

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as a reporter. “I had three things in my favor,” he said. “They were looking for a black reporter. I could speak the language well and I was nosy.” Hunter said he actually had no experience at the time. He stayed with Channel 5 for five years. He worked as an anchor and reporter for Channel 4 for the next 28 years, outlasting at least a couple dozen partners including Dan Gray, Steve Schiff and Larry Connors. “I was the first primetime black news anchor in St. Louis,” Hunter said. Although many of his counterparts went on to bigger and better offers in bigger cities, Hunter said he just loved his town. “I was born in St. Louis. My family is here. I really love this city. It’s a big city that can be a small town in a lot of ways. I now live eight blocks from where I was born.” The pay at Channel 4 didn’t hurt either, he said.. It helped him put two daughters through Harvard. “At $30,000 a year for eight years, that’s something,” he said. Hunter left Channel 4 in 2002 to serve as vice president for community relations at St. Louis University. Hunter said his most “oddball” interview was with Col. Harland Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame. His most “devastatingly moving” interview was with Ike Turner when the music man talked of the “bowls of cocaine” he would devour and how much he ruined his life. He said of the presidents he interviewed two polar opposites were “the most accommodating, gracious and forthcoming. Reagan was like someone’s grandpa. The guy was just a nice guy.” Hunter said the day he was to interview President Reagan, his then 12-year-old daughter left him a note begging him not to “embarrass her” in front of the president. He shared the crude correspondence with the

House gave them out as gifts to reporters. Hunter said he wore one of each that day so that he could be bi-partisan in front of the Press Club.

fortieth president of the United States during the interview. In true Reaganesque style, the president obtained a piece of paper and replied to the young Hunter girl. “He wrote, ‘Dear Jennifer, Your father did a great job. Ronald Reagan’. She still has that note today.” Hunter said President William Jefferson Clinton was “a hoot. He was 45 minutes late getting to me and he really didn’t care. He had 400 Italian businessmen waiting for him in the next room but he didn’t care.” Apparently Clinton gave Hunter a 25minute interview instead of the 10minute one they had planned. At the time, Hunter knew a woman who worked in the White House. He told this to Clinton who asked if he wanted to write her a note. “So I used the most powerful man in the western world as a courier,” Hunter said.

But maybe the best advise Hunter ever got came from everyone’s favorite Yogi Berra, “He said, ‘Be sure to go to everyone’s funeral or they won’t come to yours’.” Hunter will be performing with the Alton Symphony Orchestra on February 21. (He was also a church organist and choir master at the age of 16.) He has conducted the St. Louis Symphony on occasion, as well. For more information about Hunter’s new book, book signings or symphony appearances visit www.juliuskhunter.com. ■

Hunter wore cuff links given to him by those two presidents to the Press Club meeting. He said in the old days the White S T R E E T S C A P E M A G A Z I N E | 25

HOME IMPROVEMENT

As homeowners gear up for planning and planting this Spring, renovation, remodeling and companies that specialize in home maintenance, are gearing up for business.

Ample Storage says they’ve got what you need to clear out clutter. With all-new climate-controlled storage spaces of all sizes at ground level, convenient and friendly service, outdoor storage (up to 40 feet), a video surveillance system, 24/7 access with on-site kiosk, renter’s insurance, and auto-and-onlinepayment choices, Ample Storage can help you with the stuff you don’t have space for. Ample Storage is fully paved and lighted, fenced and gated and accommodates outdoor RV and boat storage with convenient

key-code entry. Prices range from $49 for a 400-cubic-foot space to $181 for a 1,600-cubic-foot space. Outdoor 12-by-40-foot boat, camper and auto spaces are $49. Ample Storage is located at 2960 Elm Point Industrial Dr. in St. Charles. For more information call 636-946-5599 or visit www.amplestorage.biz.

Modern Luxe offers a huge selection of modern home décor and lifestyle products including loose leaf teas, kitchen products, hand soaps, lotions, perfumes and bubble baths. Owner Michele Treacy said her product selection includes unique contemporary and modern accessories. Customers can shop accents and gifts online or come in and view their furniture, rugs and original art. Treacy makes shopping for your home fun. She offers free merchandise drawings, fun holiday promotions and giveaways, along with free classes and special offers for customers.

Treacy said metallics are definitely the right choice now for décor and accents, including silver, copper, bronze and gold, as are yellows, greens, purples and violets of all shades. Clean lines, simplistic designs and “punches of colors” are also in for Spring. “A simple chair with a straight line as opposed to ornate or carvings are in,” Treacy said. “Home trends usually follow the fashions on the runways. The colors you see there follow into home décor.”

Mike Burke MICREW is a customer-focused residential design and remodel group offering concept to completion remodeling services for homeowners. The company’s focus is to create and build the most comfortable living space, based on individual tastes, desires and budgetary needs.

Picking up the subtle tints, shades and hues of each element of a room can be tedious, Burke said. MICREW ensures each fixture, wood finish, paint color, floor material and pattern accentuates the other. “Our goal is to stay current with trends and maintain a look that lasts,” he said.

MICREW is dedicated to providing expert artistic design, exact craftsmanship and comprehensive communication on any project. “We offer homeowners complete confidence that projects are fulfilled according to their unique style,” Burke said.

Burke and his business partner Michael Donovan were born and raised in St. Charles. They have 15 years remodeling experience.

For more information, call Michele Treacy at 636-379-9902 or visit www.modernluxeinc.com.

For more information on MICREW, call 636-940-2520 or visit www.micrew.biz.

“Television shows make remodeling look so easy and fun,” said Mike Burke of MICREW. “Although a major project is never easy, with a great design element, your project can be enjoyable. Our eye for design will help alleviate much stress in the first phase of your project. MICREW has an artist’s creativity with the carpenter’s knowledge.” Burke said MICREW helps to maximize the aesthetic value of their customers’ homes and increase the functional space of each room. MICREW can answer questions about how to fill dead space, create flow and simply use the existing footprint better.

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Finished renovation from Micrew

Tina Weaver of Leave It To Weaver Commercial & Home Improvements said with the troubling economy, people are holding on to their homes. “People are staying in their homes and putting their money in their homes. They’re doing additions, adding third car garages and building up with master suites and grand bathrooms,” she said. “We’re doing lots of basements and media rooms. Media rooms are really popular. People are building their basements around their media rooms.” Leave It To Weaver recognizes their clients’ desires and structures the right amount of craftsmanship to bring their dreams to life. They create custom-made kitchens, baths, basements, and workshops filled with the finest cabinets, tiles and designs. With over 20 years in business, the home improvement company provides high quality construction with the latest color schemes. Whether you’re searching for a jazzy red kitchen with custom made cabinets and new silver appliances, or soft melodic peach tones for floral bathroom tiles, Leave It To Weaver has dozens of selections to choose from. For more information or an estimate, call Tina Weaver at 636-561-8424.

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

In 1991, Jennifer Quinn Williams started St. Louis Closet Company, the first locally-owned closet company that installed custom organizing systems crafted to stand along and fit the exact dimensions of a customer’s closet. Diane Blaskiewicz, director of marketing for St. Louis Closet Company, said homeowners are making their current spaces more to their liking, rather than moving. “We’re noticing people really want to develop their homes,” she said. “They’re upgrading their current homes by making them work for them.”

and fold up bed of the early 20th century is making an uncommon comeback. “They’re extremely popular with the loft developments,” she said. “People need more space.” Blaskiewicz said they’re especially popular for guest rooms that double as offices. Cabinets, shelving and desks can be attached to the Murphy beds to transform the room around them. St. Louis Closet Company offers 12 wood grains for their products. A personal designer comes to the client’s home to identify their needs as well as match color themes they already have.

St. Louis Closet Company’s latest edition, the Murphy bed, is going over big, especially in the lofts of the city. The pull down

For more information, call 314-781-9000 or visit www.stlouisclosetco.com.

Hannegan Real Estate & Construction, located at 223 North Main St. in St. Charles, is a full-service design/build commercial and residential construction and renovation company owned and operated by the Hannegan family. From the start of the project to the selection of pillows, Hannegan Construction helps create the perfect space including room additions, kitchen makeovers, master bath improvements, basement finishes, sunroom additions, decks and more.

was leaning six inches to the left, stood it straight and added a 900-square-foot two-story edition. The owner of the property turned a $60,000 profit on a house that was originally purchased for $30,000. “No building is a lost cause. With a little extra time, talent and creativity, a piece of history or a regular home can be made new again,” Woodson said.

Hannegan Real Estate & Construction is owned and operated by brothers Mike, Dave and Tom Hannegan. They run their business as their father, John Hannegan, ran his law firm—with honesty, integrity and hard work.

“After so many years of working together but separately, it’s good to be working together under one roof,” Dave Hannegan said of Woodson’s joining the firm. “Greg’s experience along with the Hannegan reputation for excellence is a winning combination for us.” For more information, call 636-949-9898

Hannegan recently welcomed Greg Woodson as construction superintendent to the company. Woodson is known throughout the St. Charles community for his knowledge of vintage restoration as well as all types of construction and remodeling. With more than 20 years of hands-on experience, Woodson is most known for his vintage and custom millwork and unique editions to historic houses. “We can come up with the perfect solution to just about any project a client may have, big or small,” said Woodson. As an example, a house on Third Street in St. Charles had been condemned and was about to be torn down when Woodson stepped in. He and his team took a structure that

And for the final touch on any project, The Right Touch Cleaning Service, is just a phone call away. Sisters Tiffany Smith and Sarah Brooks have owned and operated the cleaning business for nearly two years. Specializing in commercial and residential cleaning services, The Right Touch can handle any project, large or small. “Basically I do whatever my customers need done,” Smith said. “I have worked for builders, residents and real estate agents.”

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Greg Woodson

The Right Touch provides all cleaning supplies for any job and can work on an hourly or by-project basis. “Even if it’s a one-time deal, I like to say I clean out the old and bring in the new for Spring,” Smith said. “With kids and work, people just don’t have time any more to spend three or four hours on their house. That’s where I come in. I clean for them while they go to work.” For more information call Tiffany Smith at 636-544-3029.

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STATE YOUR BUSINESS

Businesses you need to know about Spotlight on local businesses Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photos by Michael Schlueter and Sundermeier RV Park

One hundred percent ESOP companies typically outperform their non-ESOP

In an economy that’s racked with company closings and layoffs, some local companies are still going strong. These employers have figured out that the success of a business depends not only on the upper echelon of the management team, but rather the sum of the company’s parts.

aurice and Brenda Newberry thought so highly of their employees, the successful global IT consultants sold the majority of The Newberry Group’s stock to them.

The couple signed the papers to turn The Newberry Group into a 100 percent Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), retaining zero percent of the stock themselves, in March of last year. “They’re basically sharing the wealth,” said Jeffrey Willey, director of Marketing and Communications for the company. “The employee/owner mentality has a rather significant impact on a company’s performance, longevity and overall health.

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speaks to the generosity of the people.” The ESOP move was also part of a plan that will begin the Newberry’s exit strategy. For now though, Brenda Newberry will remain founder, chairman and CEO, and Maurice Newberry will stay on as president and COO. Brenda Newberry said she hopes the new owners contribute to both the business and community in a big way. “It is my hope that the Newberry Group continues to grow even beyond its previous pace, creating opportunities for more people to become employee-owners and allowing all those involved to contribute in an exponential way to the economic and philanthropic development of this community,” she said.

counterparts. The ESOP was a way for them to share the wealth with the people who helped them build the company.” Willey said there are about 15,000 ESOPs in the United States. “In about 5,000 of those, the employees own the majority of stock. Out of that only 1,500 are 100 percent owned,” he said. Willey said the move by the Newberry’s only strengthened the resolve of the company’s 140 employees’ to support the IT consultancy. “They are simply generous people,” he said of the Newberry’s. Willey said The Newberry Group was ranked 13th among the top giving African-Americanowned companies in the St. Louis area. “It

The Newberry Group has enjoyed a high retention rate since the company’s founding in 1996, partly due to the owners’ philosophy of entrepreneurship, Willey said. “Employees are encouraged to engage in the process of the business.” Willey came in on the ground floor after consulting with Newberry for three years. “Their mission is to build careers and enhance lives,” Willey said. “This is a local company. But the credentials and caliber of this company and the people here is unparalleled across the nation—the caliber of expertise in information assurance and cyber security, application development and IT staffing. We’re competing against national companies.” Consultants for The Newberry Group work in more than 15 cities nationwide and internationally in Bahrain. The company serves the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and leaders in the financial, health care and engineering industries. Just three percent of Newberry’s business comes from St. Louis, Willey said. Since its founding just 13 years ago, The Newberry Group has consistently been

ranked among the fastest-growing technology companies in North America in the Deloitte & Touche Regional Technology Fast 50, the Deloitte & Touche National Technology Fast 500, and the Inc. 500/5,000. Willey said the Newberry’s are putting their company in good hands. “Our people are writing examinations for the Department of Defense. A lot of people know Brenda Newberry, but know little about the talent of the people behind her.”

The Strong’s offer the best of the best for their temporary tenants’ stay, she said. Sundermeier is a member of Best Parks in America, a group of independently-owned and operated RV parks, resorts and campgrounds that represent and promote consistent and outstanding service nationwide. Best Parks members tout professional staff, a full range of facilities, amenities and services. Sundermeier’s deluxe cottages offer fireplaces, and full kitchens and furnishings.

wainscoting throughout, as well as French doors that open to spacious garden patios, the facility offers a beautiful setting for any occasion, Carolyn said. The center, with seating for 300 guests, also features state-ofthe-art sound and video systems as well as Wi-Fi. A wide selection of menus is also offered. “It’s a banquet center with a country club atmosphere,” she said. Many of the guests at Sundermeier Park are what Carolyn calls “full-timers” or retired individuals “who sell their homes and all of their stuff as they call it, and just travel.” But working people are also visitors to Sundermeier, she said. “Working people in the area, such as nurses hired temporarily by area hospitals or people who are working for Ameren UE updating the plant stay here,” she said. “We’ve had several business people who are very young.” Sundermeier Park has been in Carolyn’s family since 1952 when it was a mobile home park. Bill and Carolyn have continuously updated the park over the last two decades. In 1991, the two made the entire park a site for RV’s. And in 1999, they redeveloped the entire site to include Wi-Fi, concrete sites and paved streets. Carolyn said operating the park is more than just a business. It’s kind of like a vacation. “You meet some very wonderful people,” she said.

ne hundred six RV sites and seven cedar deluxe and sleeping cottages, along with a banquet center and restaurant make up Sundermeier RV Park in St. Charles.

ver’ since I was a young boy, I played the silver ball...”

“

The Who inspired many a young pinball wizard with that song. But one St. Charles man is taking his pinball fanaticism to new heights.

Owned and operated by Bill and Carolyn Strong, the premium, state-of-the-art park hosts some of the most expensive and lavish RV’s on the market. The sites have been frequented by such notables as Lisa Welchel of “Facts of Life” fame, St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher Bob Gibson, New York Giants Pitcher Lindy McDaniel and the parents of RAMS Wide Receiver Dane Looker.

The park’s sleeping cottages are fully furnished with linens in the bathrooms. “People who ride the Katy Trail like to stay in our cottages,” Carolyn said. “Our RV guests have extended guests stay in the cottages too.”

Carolyn Strong said some of the RV’s that visit the park are of the Prevost variety--top of the line where RV’s are concerned. “Some of these RV’s have marble floors, Jacuzzis, leather upholstery, granite counter tops and cherry wood cabinetry,” she said.

Beef Eaters, an American cuisine restaurant on the site, is noted for its steaks, prime rib and clam chowder, and offers special buffets on Easter, Mother’s Day and Thanksgiving. Special menus are also offered on Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve.

Strong said it is not uncommon for these RV’s to cost between $1 million and $2 million.

Sundermeier’s Banquet Center has more than 4,200 square feet of meeting space with a fireplace at each end, offering full or partial usage. With crown molding and

Richard Kennison has opened Pinhedz, a pinball player’s dream, at 3212-1 Rue Royale in New Town St. Charles. “It’s an old-fashioned pinball arcade,” Kennison said. Kennison has searched the nation to find the ultimate pinball machines—among them a 1963 Gi Gi, a 1978 KISS and a 1980 Silver Ball Mania machine. Among his newest machines are “CSI The Pinball Machine” and “Batman The Dark Knight.” New, the machines can cost in upwards of $5,000. “It’s sort of like owning classic cars,” Kennison said. “You have to go all over the country finding parts for them and refurbishing them.”

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Kennison will have 19 machines in all when his collection is complete. He currently has 11 machines in the 700-square-foot space at New Town. Prices range from 25-to75-cents per game. He plans to hold monthly tournaments as his business grows where the highest score wins the tournament for each machine. A Cosmic Pinball Night is held the first Saturday of each month at 10 p.m. wherein Kennison turns off the lights and free play is held in the dark. “Pinball machines are beautiful in the dark,” he said. Only one pinball machine maker remains since “the glory days” of pinball, Kennison said. A company called Stern out of Chicago makes the extremely collectible games now. Kennison also has an “Addams Family” machine. Built in 1991, it’s the “number one most popular game of all time,” he said. Every laundromat, college dorm and game room had a “Twilight Zone” machine in those days, as does Kennison. It was the Americans who tilted the machines and added the plungers in the late 1940’s, Kennison said. The original Pachinko machines made in Japan were vertical and did not have plungers. In the early 1950’s Americans added the flippers as well so they could play longer. The newest pinball machines are digital, with digital scorekeeping and sound effects. Kennison’s array of pinball machines is matched only by his astounding collection of over 700 PEZ containers. Kennison owned a PEZ store in the 1990’s located at Union Station. From Popeye the Sailorman to PEZ with psychedelic eyes, Kennison has them all. “There is something for the kids, adults and families,” Kennison said of his shop. “It’s a unique thing.” Kennison said PEZ was originally created in Germany by a man who hated smoking. “They looked like cigarette lighters. The guy hated smoking and his idea was an alternative to smoking, instead to chew on these peppermint candies.” Kennison said as PEZ has grown in popularity, so has the difficulty in obtaining the containers. And unbeknownst to him, a guy’s love of PEZ would launch a sales strategy for the 21st Century. “In the old days, you could find them in garage sales. EBay started because this guy’s girlfriend told him to get rid of his. He did it online and started EBay.” St. Louis has the second largest PEZ convention in the world in

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Richard Kennison and daughter Zoe

June of each year, Kennison said. He said probably the rarest PEZ container “Make a Face” can go for over $4,000. There are less than a dozen of them in existence, he said. Kennison hopes that pinball, at least in St. Charles and St. Louis counties, will enjoy a comeback. He said he realizes the love of video games held by so many young and older people alike, but said they aren’t competitors as pinball is in a league all its own. “I like video games but pinball is actually physical. You have control over that. It’s more tangible than video games.” Like video games, a pinball game has many levels of play. As the levels increase so must the player’s skills. In “The Simpson’s” game for instance, a certain level requires the flippers be controlled by different hands, with the right hand controlling the left flipper and vise versa. Kennison said he has been playing pinball since he was eight years old. He would play at Kmart, at the bowling alley, at supermarkets and at skating rinks. While Kennison credits the video game with the death of the pinball craze, he insists the whole experience is different. “It’s just a different kind of experience—a multi-generational experience. I’ve had kids put in a quarter and say, ‘Sir, nothing happened.’ I say, ‘You have to pull the lever’.” Pinhedz is open from 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 4 to 11 p.m. Friday; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Pinhedz is closed on Monday and Tuesday. ■

STATE YOUR BUSINESS

INTERIORS by Decorating Den Feel good about your home Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photo by Michael Schlueter

Imagine having your own personal interior decorator to help you with your own personal space. Heidi Whitfield Sowatsky of INTERIORS by Decorating Den wants to be just that. Recently featured on “Show Me St. Louis” and in the ASID Showhouse 2007, Sowatsky’s design philosophy is that space needs to be both beautiful and functional. “I like to create beautiful rooms that my clients can live in, not just look at,” she said. Sowatsky owns the St. Charles, Missouri franchise of INTERIORS by Decorating Den, a nationwide, in-home custom design and decorating service. Because INTERIORS has no storefronts, the overhead is low. The service boasts convenience, quality and selection. “We do it Greg all,” Woodson Sowatsky said. “From our initial

design consultation service to final product installation, we will handle every detail of redecorating your home. We have shopped the world to offer an extensive, diverse line of high quality furnishings and services, including custom window treatments, fine furnishings, wall and floor coverings, custom bedding, lighting and accessories.” Sowatsky said she had a flair for decorating from the beginning. “When I was a kid, we moved around a lot,” she said. “I was always helping my mom figure out where the couch should go.” In high school, Sowatsky’s interior design teacher told her to research interior design as a career choice. And though she majored in business at the University of Michigan and earned her MBA from Duke University, she never quite shook her love for design. “So 22 years after graduating college, I retired from Edward Jones and decided I’d made enough money. I wanted to do what I loved to do.” With the support of husband, Bruce Sowatsky, executive director of St. Charles County Community and Children’s Resource Board, Heidi Whitfield Sowatsky bought into the INTERIORS franchise in 2004. She said she learned the “little things and the practical side” of decorating from her mother. “She told me to always buy gold towels because they would go with any color bathroom but pink.”

Heidi Sowatsky lent her decorating flair for the Street Scape tree benefitting Habitat for Humanity.

So now Heidi takes her mobile store on the road each day, helping St. Charles residents remodel and reconstruct their personal

spaces. Through INTERIORS, Heidi had extensive design training. A regional manager provides ongoing training as well. Heidi said even with the current state of financial affairs in the country, her business is booming. “It has not slowed. I did not build my business based on new construction. There are many older homes which it is time to redo. People are staying in their homes longer.” Much of Heidi’s business is window treatments, but with those often come furniture, area rugs and accessories. “Much of it is enhancing what they already have,” she said. “St. Charles County is very traditional. But what they’re looking for is very transitional, a stream-lined look with simple fabrics. St. Charles County is getting more experimental and adventurous. I try to steer people away from a lot of floral couches, hunter green and country home accessories. The more exposure they get to interior design, people are beginning to realize how a nice environment can make you feel good about your home and make you look forward to coming home.” Heidi said there are some parallels to her work as a financial analyst for Edward Jones and her current career. “At Edward Jones I was serving the middle of the road investor. That’s sort of in line with Decorating Den. We work hard to incorporate with what the client loves.” Heidi said through her travels, she has learned to incorporate many different styles in her work. “I was exposed to a lot of different styles. I try to identify my clients’ style and work with that. I can work with any budget.” For more information on Heidi Whitfield Sowatsky and INTERIORS by Decorating Den visit www.decoratingden.com or call 636-244-1623. ■

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A LA CARTE

Fratelli’s Ristorante F E AT U R E D R E C I P E

Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photos by Michael Schlueter

In 1948, newlyweds Tommaso and Francesca Alagna immigrated to the United States from Campobello, Sicily in pursuit of the American dream. Rich in family tradition, the two had stored away precious memories of earlier times when their families shared countless hours in the kitchen passing recipes from one generation to the next. With little monetary wealth, the Alagna’s perfected their recipes in an American kitchen and their family grew to include two sons, Joseph “Joe” and Gaetano “Tom”. The Alagna’s opened their first Italian restaurant in 1970, and

“Tommaso’s” was born on Airport Road in Ferguson. In 1983, Joe and Tom Alagna opened “Fratelli’s Ristorante”, the Italian word for brothers, a small pizzeria. “As the sons of Tommaso and Francesco, we couldn’t be more proud of our Italian heritage and the fact that we were able to share our family recipes,” said Joe Alagna. “Our parents taught us the importance of using only the finest ingredients in all of our recipes, with the most important ingredient being excellent customer service.” Joe and Tom Alagna worked in their parent’s restaurant until it was sold in 1975. “Tom and I went our separate ways,” said Joe. Tom went into printing

Penne Ala Salute 1 28-ounce can peeled Italian-style pear tomatoes 3 cloves garlic 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup fresh basil 2 cups broccoli florets 1/2 cup sliced sun-dried tomatoes 1 cup sliced mushrooms 1/4 cup grated Assiago cheese or Romano cheese 4 cups cooked penne pasta cooked al dente (=1/2 pound uncooked pasta) For Sauce: In a food processor mince garlic, olive oil and salt and pepper together for one minute. Cut Italian style tomatoes in small pieces about 1-inch cubes, reserve some liquid. In a bowl combine garlic and olive oil mixture with cut tomatoes, add chopped fresh basil. Set aside. Place pasta, broccoli, mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes in a pot of rapidly boiling salt water (1-gallon pot). When water boils again, drain. Toss pasta together with sauce mixture in a large bowl. Serve immediately. Sprinkle pasta with graded Assiago cheese, fresh basil and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Makes 4 servings.

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and Joe worked for Monsanto. “We realized we weren’t really happy with what we were doing.” So the two opened Fratelli’s, first on Dellwood in North County, where they ran the restaurant until 1996. “It’s hard work. It’s a tough business,” Joe said. “But I like to be in business for myself. You get out of it what you put into it.” Joe said the two moved the business to St. Charles as their clientele began to move west. Fratelli’s offers authentic Sicilian Italian cuisine. From the Calamari Fritti to the Eggplant Parmigiano to the Vitello Modiga, everything is made from scratch. Specialty pastas include Capellini Pomadoro, Pasta Con Pesto and Penne Ala Salute. Vino and beer, both imported and domestic, as well as frozen cocktails, are also offered. Desserts include cheesecake, Spumoni ice cream, vanilla ice cream, Tiramisu and Cannoli.

Fratelli’s specialty dressings--including vinegar and oil, bleu cheese, creamy Italian and French, and low calorie ranch--are not only favorites of the brothers’ restaurant patrons, but for the last 15 years, have been sold in the produce sections of Dierberg’s and Schnucks. Fratelli’s offers banquets and to-go menus, as well.

“It’s all made with fresh ingredients and they’re all recipes handed down from our family,” Joe said. “The tomato and meat sauces are staple recipes handed down. I would watch my grandparents make the sauces from scratch.”

Joe said their’s is a family restaurant where everything is made from scratch and where families are always welcome. “We put our hearts into it. It’s a family-owned business. We like to share our hospitality and our food with everyone,” he said.

The senior Alagna’s “helped out” when the brothers first opened the restaurant but soon let their sons take over the business they had grown to love.

Fratelli’s Ristorante is located at 2061 Zumbehl Rd. in the Bogey Hills Plaza in St. Charles. For more information, call 636946-9005. ■

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BEST SHOPPING FINDS

Spring 2009 Times are a bit scary …. What should you do??? GO SHOPPING!!

Story by Natalie Woods Photos by Michael Schlueter

Of course, that sounds ridiculous right? I know it does but if you shop smart and know what you need; you can stick to a budget and help the economy at the same time. I am a big advocate of shopping locally (as you can imagine), because you can see the most economic impact by spending your hard earned money with people who will then turn around and spend it in the same community. However, this is not going to be a soapbox kind of article – I just wanted to make that point!! The first thing you need to do in order to shop smarter is to go through your closet and figure out what you are actually wearing. I know it sounds like an OVERWHELMING task for most of us but if you break it down in pieces and/or hire someone to help you (a lot of small shop owners, including myself will do this for a small fee –just call and ask), it won’t be that bad and it will give you a very good picture of what you have, need, need to get rid of, etc. It will also surprise you that some things you have may be back in style or cuter than you remembered. The basic steps to this closet adventure are: 1. TRY EVERYTHING ON 2. If the item fits put it in one area and if it doesn’t fit put it in another area (Yes, I’m an advocate of getting rid of ANYTHING that doesn’t fit. I know, I’ve heard it all, you are going to lose the couple pounds or gain the couple pounds

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but those items are just holding you back and probably making you feel bad about yourself in the process. The only exception would be something that may raise in value if you do hold on to it) 3. From the “FIT” items – separate the clothes into items you love and are definitely keeping (KEEP AREA) and into items that fit but you aren’t crazy about. 4. From that “not crazy about” pile – pull out any basic items like black pants, solid layering pieces – and put them back into the KEEP AREA. Put everything else into the area with the stuff that doesn’t fit. 5. From that “doesn’t fit” area – go through each item and decide if it’s something you might be able to sell, if it’s something you can donate, or if it’s just beyond hope and needs to end up as cleaning supplies. 6. Then put your KEEP items back into your closet and make a list of things you think you need based on what is left. This is probably the hardest part and is different for every person but you need to really think about your life and what you wear on a regular basis. 7. Then go one week wearing just the items that are left in your closet. When getting ready if you come across something you would like to have or think would make a good addition to your closet, write it down on a note pad near your closet. 8. After one week, compare your two lists

and see which items are duplicated and those should become your top “NEED” items. Everything else should stay on the need list but further down in priority. Now – what to do with the items you aren’t keeping. Any designer item or brand name can probably be sold (and then you have some money to add to your budget for your NEED items). Take any higher end designer items to local resale shops like Women’s Closet Exchange (11557 Gravois Road St Louis MO 63126 314.842.8405 www.womensclosetexchange.com) or list them on Ebay. Women’s Closet Exchange is a nationally recognized resale shop and you can get more money than you think by taking higher end items to them. There are a LOT of resale shops in the St. Louis area and all operate differently – some pay you cash on the spot, some will send you checks as your items sell, and some can offer you store credit for your items. In addition, all resale shops sell different levels of clothing – places like Women’s Closet Exchange are a bit pickier about what designers they take, but there are other places that welcome some of the more mid tier designers like Gap and other mall stores. Of course, you won’t get as much money for those items as you will for the higher end things. Just ask your local resale shop any questions you might have as you take your items in to them. For the donation items, there are literally hundreds of incredible charities that will take your clothing and resell them for great causes. Just a couple of examples are The Scholarshop (in Webster Groves and Clayton www.sfstl.org) where all proceeds

Greater Saint Charles Fashion benefit the Scholarship Foundation of St Louis, and the multiple locations of Goodwill (www.mersgoodwill.org) which provide employment and rehabilitation services to various communities. For any donation, make sure you get a receipt for your items as they can in most cases be deducted on your taxes. Once this is all done and your closet is clean and organized – the next step is to fill in those areas you have on your list of NEED’s. Some of these things you should budget more money for and some less. I’m a firm believer in spending more money on the items you wear more often and less on the trendier, special occasion items. My basic logic is that if you wear jeans almost every day (Like I do) then it only makes sense to buy the best jeans you can afford. Not only will you get a better fit the higher up the jean (or anything) food chain you go, but in most cases these items will last longer.

Week

Sept. 13 - 19

Let’s take a basic black turtleneck for example -- you normally go to a discount store and buy one for $9.99 but after only 3 or 4 months it’s faded and shrunk and pilly so you end up buying 3 in one year for a total of approx $30. But if you spent $50 on one from a higher end brand like Lilla P – you might have this one black turtleneck for 3 or 4 years (I’m speaking from experience – I have a 3 year old Lilla P turtleneck) and it will be the same color and fit as it was when you bought it. So instead of spending $90 in turtlenecks over three years – you only spent $50. I think that you should spend more money on any of these staple items like jeans, layering pieces (tees, turtlenecks, tanks etc), basic classic dresses, suits, coats, jackets, etc. Really anything that is a regular integral part of your wardrobe -- which for every person is different.

Also, be open minded when it comes to where you shop. Debra Bass with the St. Louis Post Dispatch wrote a great column recently that illustrated how times are changing slightly and you might be able to afford stores that you previously didn’t think were in your budget. If you normally shop at Macy’s you you should try a small local boutique – they are changing a bit during these times and a lot are carrying merchandise that is very reasonable and of very high quality. This is not a one day process and will take some time but if you buckle down and take one weekend to go through your closet and get organized you should find that you can stick to a budget, look fashionable and help the economy at the same time. ■ Natalie Woods is the owner of Daisy-Clover Boutique in Webster Groves, MO.

BOUTIQUE PROFILE Heather Highfield - owner It Boutique & More 3237-1 Rue Royale, St. Charles, MO 63301 636-916-2008 www.itboutiqueandmore.com When did the store open? Nov. 17, 2008 What made you decide to go into the wonderful world of retail? It’s always been my dream. We lived in the Orlando, Florida area, which is saturated with boutiques, so competition is incredibly stiff. When my husband was transferred here, we discovered New Town, and saw that it didn’t have any boutiques. I saw a real opportunity. Why should people shop with you vs. other retail (department stores etc)? We offer personalized service, special events, contemporary styles in designer lines for women & children. We’re really a one-stop shop for clothing, gifts and lots of fun, unique items. The closest place you will find these clothing lines is in Chicago. They’re very fashionable, but also realistic, especially for women 30-50 who don’t want to look like their grandma, but want to feel like the clothing fits and really suits their style. We offer a Children’s area with toys and a TV to occupy the kids while Mom shops. What are some of your best sellers? Project E, GadoGado, Dogeared Jewelry, We have newborn – size 3 toddler clothing lines like Trumpette and Urban Smalls. We also feature Custom Embroidery, Monograming, and custom cookies for any occasion. Plans/hopes for the future? To carry my own lines; brand my own merchandise. It would be called It Girl, It Guy and It Baby. I might design my own line of T-shirts. I have degree in art & design. It would be fun.

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Spring Shopping

1 Free People fun spring dress - guaranteed to bring out the happiness of any day. $168 Blush Boutique 151 West Jefferson, Kirkwood, MO 63122 | 314.965.4411 www.shopblushboutique.com 2 Stunning silk blouse from Nu Collective. What a great way to brighten up any outfit? $185 Blush Boutique 151 West Jefferson, Kirkwood, MO 63122 | 314.965.4411 www.shopblushboutique.com 3 William Wegman Crypton Fabric Pillow and Padded Crate Mat - cute for the dog lover in your life or the dog? $40 each Lucky Dog 38 N. Gore, Webster Groves, MO 63119 | 314.961.7877 www.luckydogstl.com 4 Just in time for Mardi Gras - Fluer de Lis Dog Collars for the Party Animal at your house . $18 each Lucky Dog 38 N. Gore, Webster Groves, MO 63119 | 314.961.7877 www.luckydogstl.com

5 Let all your dreams take flight with this fine silver â&#x20AC;&#x153;paper airplaneâ&#x20AC;? on sterling silver chain. $22 TorreDesigns www.torredesigns.etsy.com Special Orders available | 314.596.6487 6 We love the juxtaposition of the ladylike girlie print inside the hard edged skull. The perfect necklace for any rebels !! $65 TorreDesigns www.torredesigns.etsy.com Special Orders available | 314.596.6487

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ALL IN THE FAMILY

Proud Tradition Behind the mask

Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photo courtesy Midwest ENT Centre

Dr. Michael Conoyer has a lot to be proud of. The long-time local otolaryngologist has raised his family among the people of the St. Charles County community, many of whom have come to him as patients. Recently, Conoyer welcomed a new addition to his staff at Midwest ENT—his son. Dr. John Matthew Conoyer (Matt) will be among the doctors at Dr. Michael Conoyer’s practice in St. Peters. Dr. John M. Conoyer is a seventhgeneration resident of St. Charles County and a second-generation otolaryngologist— head and neck surgeon. He graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Heart in 1991 and from Duchesne High School as a member of the Class of 1995. He then pursued his pre-medical studies at St. Louis University, where he majored in biology while minoring in philosophy and theology. During this time, he served in the leadership of the Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society and was recognized with the university’s most elite students with an early induction into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. He graduated summa cum laude in 1999 as one of very few selected nationwide for early admission to the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Vanderbilt in 2003. Dr. John M. Conoyer served his surgical internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville from 2003-2004 and his residency in otolaryngology—head and neck surgery from 2004-2008. During 40 | S T R E E T S C A P E M A G A Z I N E

residency, he authored multiple original scientific articles that were published in peer-reviewed journals and three times was invited to present to international gatherings of otolaryngologists. One such presentation addressing the effects of smoking on ear disease was featured in the national media, including WebMD and CBS News. He was additionally tapped to author a chapter on the multimodality treatment of head and neck cancers in the inaugural edition of the “ Textbook of Surgical Oncolog y.” He received the American Academy of Otolaryngology’s Resident Leadership Award in 2008. While elated to call St. Charles County home once again, nine years of medical training in Music City were very good to Dr. John M. Conoyer. It was there that he met his wife Ellen, a pediatric registered nurse, whom he married in 2003. Their two sons, Joseph “Michael” and James Gabriel, were born in 2005 and 2007. The

family currently resides in St. Charles. Dr. John M. Conoyer joined the staff of Midwest ENT in 2008 to carry on a strong family tradition of otolaryngology in St. Charles County. He is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology— Head and Neck Surgery, the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy and the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Michael Conoyer’s youngest son, Ben, also plans to join his father and brother in the years to come. The youngest Conoyer is currently taking his residency training at St. Louis University. “It’s remarkable,” Dr. Michael Conoyer said of his sons. “People keep asking me when I’m going to retire. But, I’ve been waiting for this for so long. This is just a blessing beyond belief.” ■

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alternative therapy discipline, Bowen considered himself an osteopath since his assessment and treatment of each patient reflected the complete physiological situation presenting in the moment.

HEALTH & FITNESS

Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photo by Michael Schlueter

It was through his love of sports and his regular attendance at football games that Bowen became interested in massage and other soft-tissue manipulation, Allin said. He watched the teams’ trainers treat injured players and began to learn from them. “He observed that particular moves on the body’s soft tissue resulted in particular effects,” she said.

Wendy Black wants people of all fitness levels and abilities to realize the healing benefits of exercise, touch and positive thinking. She and her staff at Main Street Gym share in not only expertise in their fields, but the life experience that causes one person to want to help another. The AFAA certified personal trainer has owned and operated Main Street Gym for ten years. Famous locally for her “Boot Camp”, she trains all levels of fitness and special needs clients. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2003, Black has used her experience of weight training to help her with her own battle. Now she uses her knowledge of nutrition, exercise and the power of positive thinking to aid clients with their special needs. Karen Sullivan, AFPA certified personal trainer, is also a certified post rehab exercise specialist and works with stroke, Parkinson’s and other rehab clients. A former competitive body builder and power lifter, Sullivan teaches mat Pilates and group exercise classes at Main Street Gym. A recovered bulimic, Sullivan helps others with eating disorders. She also works with athletes from all sports. A physical fitness system developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920’s, Pilates called his method of exercise Contrology, referring to the way the participant uses the mind to control the muscles. “The basis is core postural muscles that help keep the spine supported and balanced,” Black said. “Pilates was particularly aware of the need for alignment of the spine and deep breathing which all help to alleviate and prevent back pain.” Black said Main Street Gym is more than just a workout. “We are more than just a gym. We do think of ourselves as a personal wellness center,” she said. Main Street Gym was voted Number One and Best City Search by AOL.com in 2007 in the St. Charles area. 42 | S T R E E T S C A P E M A G A Z I N E

Main Street Gym offers therapies after injuries coordinated with doctors’ offices, nutritional counseling and pain management in the form of Bowen Therapy. Black’s is one of the first gyms in the St. Louis are to offer the therapy. Performed by Sara Allin at Main Street Gym, Bowen Therapy is considered top notch for pain management, Black said. “It’s a mix between acupuncture and massage. It gets the body in tune with touch.” Allin said Bowen is unique in the field of body work. “Relatively few, gentle moves over muscle and soft tissue address the whole body, stimulating it to reset and heal itself,” she said. “Healing occurs through

Exercise Main Street Gym response of the body’s autonomic nervous system to the Bowen moves.” Hands-on work usually lasts between 15 and 45 minutes. The time for a Bowen session is immediately after an accident or trauma, Allin said. Bowen complements traditional medical attention, she said. Bowen Therapy was developed by and named for Thomas Ambrose Bowen. Born in 1916 in Australia, Bowen developed his soft tissue therapy in the 1950’s. Although not formally trained in any medical or

Allin said many musculoskeletal conditions can benefit from Bowen Therapy including but not limited to back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, sporting injuries and jaw pain. Internal conditions that can be relieved include ADD and ADHD, colic in infants, gynecological issues, headaches, gastrointestinal conditions, stroke rehabilitation, respiratory problems, stress and some cardiovascular problems. A deep sense of relaxation can be expected after a 15-to-45-minute session of Bowen therapy, Allin said. She often leaves the room between groups of moves to allow the body time to process the work. Allin has completed four of seven modules of instruction in Bowen Therapy, as required for certification. She is currently working toward her 100 hours of anatomy and physiology, also required. She is also certified in First Aid, A.E.D. and CPR. Main Street Gym’s newest feature is Black’s Hydro Massage Bed. A massaging waterbed of sorts set at 86 degrees, the Hydro Massage Bed contains jets that can be adjusted to varying pressures and speeds, as well as to different areas of the body. “When you work out, you build up lactic acids,” Black said. “This helps to relieve those. It’s a really nice way for people to relax their body and a great stress reliever.” For more information on Main Street Gym, call Black at 636-946-4100 or visit www.mainstreetgym.com. ■

Class Class of of 2009 2009 Street Scape Magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Xtreme 20 Awards | Street Scape Magazine is once again honoring 20 youths under the age of 20 at a brunch this year for their accomplishments in life... school, community, church and more. If you know a young person who has shown exceptional promise, we want to hear from you. Nominations due by Friday, March 20. Corporate and personal sponsorships are available for this event. Contact Robin Jefferson at 636-357-4482 or 636-322-9408 for more information.

Congratulations to the 2008 Xtreme 20 Winners: Paul Amiri, Erin Bekebrede, Danny Brougham, Ben Chambers, Matt Eastman, Whitney Eufinger, Danielle Fuchs, Taylor Geisman, Andrew Grafeman, Caleb Krenning, Jane Krienke, Holly Lammert, Shannon Lampkin, Elaina O'Connell, Brandon Otto, Eric Peters, Megan Preuss, Kathleen Riddler, Megan Schmidt and Angie Schneider.

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BASEBALL

Batter Up!!! Play ball

Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photo by Michael Schlueter

r. Bill Little spent much of his childhood living with his grandparents in Southeast Missouri so he could play basketball. The young boy who didn’t think he was tall enough to go up against the “big guys” at Beaumont High School in North St. Louis would grow up to pastor a church for half a century, author five books and play counselor to some of the greatest baseball players of all time.

Little had planned to become an engineer, but turned down a scholarship in favor of playing basketball for East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas. He graduated with a degree in history in 1958. In 1964, he earned his master’s degree in Theology from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. He then earned his master of science in counselor education from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois, and in 1985 he obtained a doctorate of philosophy in counseling from Washington University in St. Louis.

A far cry from the three-room apartment his parent’s shared with their four children in St. Louis, Little has made a life of helping others, both on the field and off. A “sort of ” Baptist, as he calls himself, he has pastored Christ Memorial Baptist Church in St. Louis for 50 years. He has served as a Missouri state-licensed counselor and psychologist for 30 years. Little said he was “Dr. Bill” long before Dr. Phil. After helping to establish an oncology counseling center in St. Louis, Little was offered a stint on KMOX. The call-in radio show he shared with Ann Keafe, went on for 17 years. It was on the show that St. Louis Cardinal Pitcher Mark Littell heard his advice and called him. In 1981 Whitey Herzog asked Little to work with the team. Little decided to try to use some of the visualization techniques he was using with cancer patients on the players. He had helped some 1,500 cancer patients visualize their white blood cells attacking cancer cells. Anheuser Busch hired Little to work with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he remained from 1978 through 1982. (The Cardinals won the World Series in 1982). Mostly he was helping the players like Ozzy Smith, Keith Hernandez and Darrell Porter in dealing with their personal and family problems that interfered with their performance. Little also worked with players on skills development and drug and alcohol issues. “I worked as a psychologist and confidant,” he said. “Darrell Porter said in an interview that I kept reminding him that he was just another guy.”

Dr. Bill Little

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Little said he developed very close relationships with many of the players. “They would ask me to keep their cars and pick them up from the airport. They’d sleep

on my couch when they came in in the middle of the night. One apologized for lying about a drug problem. The relationship was just really a close relationship. They developed a lot of trust.” In the meantime, Little was still pastoring his church and carrying on with his radio show which included marriage counseling. He also taught at Washington University’s George Warren Brown School of Social Work and at Missouri Baptist College and held down a counseling practice. He took on speaking engagements around the country, including at the Million Dollar Round Table, New York’s Radio City Music Hall and the Society of Individual Psychology, and was featured in articles in “USA Today”, the “New York Times”, the “Kansas City Star”, the “St. Louis PostDispatch” and “Sports Illustrated”, among others. He was also featured in an article in “Baseball Scene” titled “How Psychology Made Champs of the Cards”. “I liked it but I don’t miss it,” he said. “Bob Costas told me I was the first psychologist to be employed by a major league baseball team.” Little said he’s convinced that life is about being in the right place at the right time and meeting the right people. He said the main reason he sought out a counseling degree to begin with was his own lack of experience to deal with his parishioners. “I started working with people who came to me with their problems and I was ill-equipped to deal with them. I think it’s wrong to tell people who come to you with devastating life problems to just go pray and everything will be all right. The need drove the desire.” In the Spring of 1983, while visiting a former player, Little met the wife of the owner of the Seattle Mariners. He spent the next four years counseling that team.

Little published “This Will Drive You Sane” in the 1970’s. The book was excerpted in the Readers’ Digest in September of 1982. His next book grew out of seven years’ research at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. He used counseling variables to add to their conventional programs and the results were so dramatic that he published “Help Yourself Heal” and later published “Eight Ways to Take an Active Role in Your Health”. His fourth published book “Firewalking” is about surviving the pressures of life. Lastly, “Self Destruction Made Easy” in a warmhearted and witty way, dares readers to cling to their neurotic tendencies and unhealthy relationships so that they can actually sneak up on their troubles and throw them all into hopeful perspective. Little has also written over 3,000 pieces of poetry. Little’s materials have been developed into lectures and seminars on team building, stress management, communication, skills development, values clarification, assertiveness training and balancing work and family. Today, Little enjoys his seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He had four children of his own. At 73, Little still plays basketball, with the Senior Olympics no less. He said three years ago he held the world record for making 857 free throws in an hour. He said his age is not really a factor in his life. “Aging has not really affected me much. With the exception of my graying hair, knee and shoulder surgeries, failing eyesight, failing hearing and an enlarged prostate, other than those things, it has not really affected me.” He said he’s learned many lessons in his long life and career, one of which is contentment. “I believe in contentment. I’ve learned to be content with where I am. People are basically built to be multi-taskers. We’re not designed to just do one thing. So I’ve tried to give my attention to five or six things so that way I never get tired and I can live five or six lifetimes.” As for where to find Little’s books, he said www.amazon.com may still have them for really cheap.

right-handed natural phenomenon has picked up velocity each year, Valerie said. Wikipedia lists the fastest pitcher in baseball history as Baltimore Orioles’ Steven Louis Dalkowski, born June 3, 1939 in New Britain, Connecticut. Some experts believe his fastball exceeded 110 miles per hour. The Guinness Book of World Records lists the fastest pitch ever as 100.9 miles per hour by Nolan Ryan. As no radar gun or other device was available to measure the speed of his pitches precisely, the actual top speed of Dalkowski’s pitches remains unknown. Regardless of its actual speed, his fastball earned him the nickname “White Lightning”. Tim Melville

im Melville loves baseball. The 19year-old Wentzville Holt graduate signed on in August for a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals for a cool $1.25 million.

First he bought a Range Rover. Then he took care of his family. Then he boarded a plane for Arizona where his dream career would begin. The third oldest of five children, Melville was “always wanting to play catch,” said his mother, Valerie Melville. “I have two or three photos of him with a baseball glove on each hand. He pretty much drove it. When Tim was three, he always had his bat and glove with him, asking ‘Wanna play catch? Wanna play catch?’ Tim has always had this thing for baseball.” Valerie said her awareness that her son’s abilities went beyond those of most little leaguers came after an Atlanta Braves game when he was just eight years old. She said they visited Turner Field’s pitching machine. She took a picture of the machine’s rating. When they developed the film they found the second-grader had pitched a 50-mile-per-hour ball. From there, they attended a clinic at a university in Norfolk, Virginia. “He threw a 53,” she said. “It’s all him. It’s internal.” Today, Tim Melville pitches a 95.

The

Screenwriter and film director Ron Shelton played in the minor leagues alongside Dalkowski. His 1988 film “Bull Durham” features a character named “Nuke” LaLoosh (played by Tim Robbins) who is based loosely on Dalkowski. Also in the film “The Scout”, Brendan Fraser’s character is loosely based on him. Dalkowski eventually retired from baseball, and because of his alcoholism, made a meager living as a migrant worker. He recovered in the 1990’s, but his alcoholism left him with dementia. Valerie said a coach early on told her son, “’Ask me how many players I have that can throw a ball 90 miles an hour’.” She said the coach told Tim that many of his players were fast, but Tim would have to learn to control the ball to play in the big leagues. Tim graduated from Wentzville Holt High School in May of 2008, after numerous scouts had visited the school and his home. Valerie said they came to his games and approached him in his senior year. The scouts contact parents and make home visits. Tim had to register with the Major League Scouting Bureau. The Melville’s interviewed nearly 30 major league teams. Eventually Tim accepted the offer of the Kansas City Royals. He took the offer over that of the University of North Carolina where he would have gotten a free academic ride. Instead, he opted for Glendale Community College in Arizona while he

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attends spring training at a salary of $1,100 a month.

She has made sure we were always happy. I look up to her a lot.”

Tim will be assigned to one of the Royals’ Single A division teams in the spring-among them, the Surprise Royals in Arizona, the Burlington Royals in North Carolina or the Bees in Burlington, Iowa. Tim said he is hopes to be sent to the Bees.

And the game itself has always been the draw. “I just loved to play the game. I went to a lot of games but I got board. I always wanted to play not watch.”

At just 19 years old, Tim said he is living a dream. “It’s amazing. I feel really lucky,” he said. “A lot of my other friends are at home or in college and I’m out here playing baseball for a living. I’m very privileged. I don’t take any of it for granted. I am living the dream.” Tim said his dad was always a “huge baseball nut. He always wanted to play sports.” Michael Melville, who works for Honeywell in another country, keeps tabs on his son’s performance from afar. Baseball greats Greg Maddux and John Smoltz are among Tim’s heroes. But another hero always comes first. “My hero is my mom. Everything she’s done for us.

Tim started out as most kids do, in T-ball. By nine-years-old he was on a traveling team playing with kids two and three years older than him. “I was always playing up,” he said. At 14, Tim was playing with his age group again with the Richmond Braves in Virginia. Born in Alexandria, Virginia, Tim moved with his family to Wentzville, Missouri when he was 15 when his mother accepted a job with U.S. Bank. He’s worked with Kevin Crawmer, who worked with the St. Louis Cardinals and former Cardinals Pitcher Pat Perry. “I basically threw every day,” he said. In his freshman season at Holt, Tim earned second-team All-Metro honors. He then

SOCIAL SCENE

HOT STOVE 2008 Sports St. Charles County hosted”Hot Stove 2008” at The Columns Banquet Center. Headlining the event were William Dewitt, III; Randy Karraker, Emcee; Lou Brock; Dave Phillips and Rick Hummel.

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went on to help the U.S. squad win the silver medal at the 16-and-under World Youth Baseball Championships in Mexico. His junior year, Tim had grown an inch to 6-foot-5 and weighed 205 pounds. He helped the Wentzville Holt Indians to a runner-up finish in the state and was the St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro pitcher of the year. That summer, at the All-American Classic in San Diego, he was voted the top pitching prospect and won the Jackie Robinson Award as the national high school player of the year. Tim’s hobbies and interests, aside from baseball, aren’t too different from those of his friends. Although he’s never really collected baseball cards, he plays guitar and X-Box. His favorite game is “Call of Duty”. Then again, some are. “I want to see the whole world. I wanted to go to Iceland this winter, but mom’s not letting me.” ■

SOCIAL SCENE

Street Scape Magazine Who says there is no such thing as a free lunch? Streetscape Magazine provided a free lunch and an opportunity to network with advertising, public relations and marketing professionals recently at The Columns Banquet Center in St. Charles. Streetscape plans to continue this tradition annually in November as a way to thank our partners in advertising as well as provide a way for industry professionals to meet and greet. Marketing professionals rekindled relationships as well as developed new ones at the first annual event. Photos by Michael Schlueter

YOU'RE INVITED TO ATTEND The StreetScape Exchange KICK-OFF! Wednesday, March 4 Noon - 1pm America's Incredible Pizza Company in St. Peters Special Guest Speaker: Dave Glover Cost: $15 RSVP by FEB. 27 to: judy@streetscapemag.com

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SEASONAL HUNT

Calling the Shots! Cohorts & Decoys Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photo by Michael Schlueter

He advises people on their finances during the day, while he’s not serving as project manager for Hannegan Real Estate and Construction. Most evenings he is serving his constituents as councilman of the eighth ward of St. Charles. Mike Klinghammer started late at a sport most men learn about while they’re still children. Nevertheless, Klinghammer said, duck hunting has become a passion for him. Klinghammer has learned a great deal about duck hunting over the past several years. His father-in-law, John Crisan, turned him on to the sport which Klinghammer said can be a magical experience. Crisan has been duck hunting for at least six decades. “There is absolute magic seeing the sun rise from the blind and how it illuminates the

corn and makes it glow like gold. We drive past corn fields every day, but that corn, when the morning rays hit it, is like gold. It’s incredible.” Klinghammer said he was a quick sell on duck hunting as well as a quick study. “It’s the connecting with the history—that primeval thrill of the hunt bringing home dinner,” he said. “It’s hard to describe the tranquility and the peace of the sunrise.” But it’s also the challenge of hunting an animal that has outsmarted many a hunter, he said. “It’s the challenge of outsmarting the birds who have been hunted for a long time. They’re very cautious. Ducks’ eyesight is unbelievable. They can see anything and everything and they are very good at judging distance. They seem to know what 40 yards is. An efficient gun range is 40 yards and they will stay 45 yards away.”

Klinghammer said he and his cohorts will set out some 500 duck decoys on a farm his father-in-law owns just outside of Louisiana, MO. He said the preparation for the hunt is every bit as important as the hunt itself. “The hunt is the culmination of weeks and months of planning and debate on the proper decoy display and technique,” he said. A duck caller is especially attuned to the process of the hunt. “A good duck caller is critical to a good hunt,” Klinghammer said. “It is such a specialized skill that there are places you can go to hunt and they will send a guide out with you to call the birds. The duck call is not a whistle. It’s more like a musical instrument used to talk to the ducks. Ducks have a whole language. The caller has to learn how to imitate and use (their language) at the proper times to entice the ducks to come within range.”

Mike Klinghammer

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Klinghammer said ducks “hang out in groups” and “talk to each other to let them know where it’s good to feed and where there are no predators. They hang together in groups for mutual protection.” Ducks don’t just quack. They make chortling noises as well as a whole host of other sounds distinctive to them but foreign to most humans. “They use a lot of different vocalizations to indicate a whole lot of different meanings to each other,” Klinghammer said. “A good duck hunter needs to know how to imitate these sounds.” The most important call is the comeback which is very loud and intense and fluctuates in both pitch and volume, he said. Ducks make different sounds when they’re feeding than they do when they’re in danger. “When they’re feeding, they make a sort of chortling sound, like a tuck, tuck. I think they’re saying yum, yum.” Klinghammer said ducks are too smart to be fooled simply by placing fake ducks on a pond. “They stay in contact whether they’re looking for food or as a sense of security. They tell each other if it’s safe to land. They see a bunch of decoys and they know they should be talking.” A spread of decoys will be arranged in a certain pattern with different kinds of ducks located within the display. When the ducks are on a pond, they “clump up according to space and activity and whether or not they’re feeding or patrolling, guarding or surveying,” Klinghammer said. “Duck hunting is challenging on multiple levels, from the prep work to calling to wing shooting,” Klinghammer said a duck hunter will never shoot a duck on a bank or on the water. It isn’t sporting. The hunter will sneak up and slap his gun to frighten the duck. When it flies off, the hunter will take aim. Most duck hunters use Labradors as retrievers of ducks, but the standard poodle was actually bread to be a hunting dog. “That haircut was designed not for French couture or fashion, but was designed to keep their heart and lungs warm when they jumped into the water,” he said. Klinghammer said his father-in-law spent untold hours designing and building the underground room that serves as his duck blind. “It had to be in the proper location taking in the sun and the wind,” he said. Their underground blind is more like a clubhouse. It is 20 feet long and 10 feet wide, is heated, and is equipped with a stove, refrigerator and microwave oven. The blind has dog kennels on either side that open remotely after a duck is shot to allow the dogs to retrieve the birds. Klinghammer said learning about the sport as an adult has given him more time for reflection and research into duck hunting. But he’s also come to an understanding. “I was clueless on the attraction to getting up at 4 a.m., dressing up like a cornstalk and sitting in the pre-dawn subfreezing temperature with a bunch of guys. It didn’t sound like much fun. But the all-encompassing beauty of the sunrise on the water and the thrill and challenge of calling in the wild ducks that are hundreds of yards high and watching them circle back and cup their wings full like bullets out of the sky, I finally understood the fascination and the addiction to duck hunting.” ■

LOVE STORIES Photos courtesy Cami Banholzer

Love is in the Air Feel the passion Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson

hey say you have to kiss a lot of frogs to meet a handsome prince. For Cami Banholzer the old adage rang true.

Cami, a pediatric physical therapist, met Joe Scagliotti, a package designer and salesman, at a birthday party the two attended—an arranged first date by a mutual friend. But while Cami fussed over her outfit and primped her hair to perfection, Joe had been out partying with friends. It seemed the mutual friend had informed Cami of the meeting without letting Joe in on the fun. “The first date was actually horrible,” the St. Charles native said from her home in Newport Beach, CA. “He had been out partying and carrying on all day, watching football with his buddies. I on the other hand, knew I was going to meet him so I picked out just the right outfit and got my hair perfect.” To say the least, Joe was “obnoxious.” That’s how Cami described him. “He heard I had been a gymnast my whole life so he was out on the lawn all night doing cartwheels making fun of me.” Cami questioned her friend, whose judgment she had always trusted, about the guy whom she wanted Cami to hook up with. “I said, ‘What are you talking about. This guy is out of control. He’s obnoxious’.” At the end of the night however, Joe walked Cami out and begged forgiveness as well as a second chance. “Thank goodness I trust my friend’s judgment,” Cami said. “He walked me out and asked me if I would be willing to give him a second chance. I gave him my phone number but said I was really busy and I wasn’t sure we would see each other again.” Joe persisted, however, phoning Cami the next morning and apologizing all over again. This time, she relented. “The second date was great,” she said. “It felt like we were friends. It wasn’t stuffy or interviewy. We talked about normal things not like how many brothers and sisters do we have or where we went to college. It wasn’t forced. It wasn’t awkward. It just worked.” That was nearly four years ago. After a short breakup due to Joe’s procrastination on popping the question, Joe and Cami decided to give it another go. And in May 2008, Joe again surprised his would-be bride. Cami went to meet her parents at the W Hotel in San Francisco for what she thought was a simple dinner while the two were in town on business. She said she got off of the train in her tank top, flip 50 | S T R E E T S C A P E M A G A Z I N E

Photos courtesy www.signaturestudio.com

flops and shorts and carried her luggage all the way to the hotel on a very steamy California afternoon. Drenched in sweat and heading directly to her hotel room to take a shower, she passed a knight in shining armor in the hotel’s lobby. Knowing the hotel’s reputation for “downtown cool” and artsy and varying décor, Cami said she thought nothing of it—until it began to walk toward her. “Then I knew it was him,” Cami said. “He lifted up his face shield and said, ‘I want to be your knight in shining armor if you will be my wife’.” At that point the hotel lobby was at a stand still. Patrons were staring. Staff was cheering and bringing out champagne. “I asked him why he did it and he said I had always said someday my knight in shining armor will be here on his white horse. I said, ‘Mom, it’s your fault for reading me all of those fairy tales’.” Appropriately, Joe bought Cami a “princess” cut diamond set in a cushion of surrounding diamonds. Cami said neither hers nor Joe’s parents had unique or unusual proposals. Both sets have been married more than three decades. “Joe is very simple. He doesn’t usually like the big show. He knows I wanted the big shebang though. I never thought he would propose, so I used to tease him asking him if he would do sky writing. I used to say as long as I’ve waited it better be good. It was so special because it was so unexpected.” he guests at another local wedding got the unexpected when bride and groom Julie and Gary Lobstein invited their family and friends to a wedding unlike any other.

The Lobstein’s were married on October 31, 2008 at the City Museum in St. Louis. Lovers of all things spooky, the two planned their Halloween nuptials to coincide with their favorite holiday—but they didn’t stop there.

Julie, a massage therapist for Massage Envy, and Gary, the communications coordinator for Mary Institute Country Day School, had known each other since high school when Gary proposed. The previous Halloween, the two were in the Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World in Orlando, when Gary said, “I know we’re in your favorite place in the whole wide world on your favorite day in the whole wide world. Will you marry me?” Julie said yes and plans for her dream wedding ensued. “We looked at a lot of places in St. Louis like the Botanical Gardens, the Science Center and the Lemp Mansion,” Julie said. “I love Halloween. My entire kitchen is Halloween all year long.” The Lobstein’s eventually settled on the Architectural Hall at the City Museum. Some 180 people gathered, many donned in costumes, to watch the two tie the knot. A celebrant performed the ceremony. A celebrant is a person who is professionally trained to perform a variety of ceremonies to mark milestones in life including weddings, but is not necessarily religious. Julie said she has loved Halloween all of her life and has dressed up as everything from a Twinkie to a fairy to a bloody bride. Julie’s uncle, John Nickel, carved likenesses of Julie and Gary on pumpkins for the wedding. An organizer for the St. Louis Thanksgiving Day Parade, Nickel is not a professional artist. “He’s just an overachiever,” Julie said. “And his pumpkins got more attention than anything I did.” Just prior to the ceremony, individuals carried lanterns down the aisle in remembrance of family and friends who had passed away.

“Phantom of the Opera” music was played on a harp during the ceremony, Julie said.

The bride and groom danced with each other to “The Safety Dance” and with their parents to “All You Need is Love.”

Ironically, Julie’s gown was a traditional strapless antique gold ensemble in a trumpet cut complete with sequins and lace. “The boys wore tuxes and tails,” she said.

Pumpkin, chocolate and apple pie was served in lieu of cake, and a small spice cake topped with a Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein was cut by the newlyweds.

Bridesmaids were allowed to choose their own gowns, with one exception—they had to be black and they had to wear orange shoes. Julie followed suit.

“Gary walked his mother down the aisle to the theme from the television show, ‘The Incredible Hulk’,” Julie said. “I found the music and the girl played it on the harp.”

A photo booth was brought in, wherein guests could cram themselves inside, pull the curtain and get their photos taken. Photos were then added to a scrap book for the bride and groom.

Candy jars adorned the tables with notes that indicated the couple had made donations to REGAP or the Retired Greyhounds As Pets group. The couple has four cats and a dog.

Despite the theme, partygoers were unusually tame, Julie said. “I was very upset that everybody behaved themselves.”

Ironically, Julie’s bouquet was made up of coxcomb and sarracenia − the later being carnivorous flowers. Indigenous to the eastern seaboard of the United States, Sarracenia’s leaves have evolved into a funnel in order to trap insects, digesting their prey with proteases and other enzymes. “So my mom got flowers and I got carnivorous flowers,” Julie said. “It worked out great.”

Costumes were optional, but many took the Lobstein’s up on the offer. Spiderman, as well as several mobsters, zombies and flappers were in attendance, as was a likeness of Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin. “We did have some gunshot wounds,” Julie said. “Everybody looked great.” The bride and groom had five attendants each and guests were escorted down the aisle by mobsters. “It was perfect. It was real casual. We didn’t want anything stuffy or pompous.”

GREAT WEDDING IDEAS Artist/Mother-ofthe-Bride, Beverly Groneck, handpainted a 100 foot runner for her daughter’s wedding at St. Charles Borromeo Church.

Julie & Gary’s wedding, A photo booth was brought in, wherein guests could cram themselves inside, pull the curtain and get their photos taken. Photos were then added to a scrap book for the bride and groom. 52 | S T R E E T S C A P E M A G A Z I N E

Julie said she’s just a party planner at heart. “It was a lot of fun to plan. I’m a hostess at heart. I loved the challenge of getting a perfect blend of Halloween, yet classy. Everybody said we pulled it off.” ■

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Groneck wedding - “We chose individual champagne flutes as favors for our guests. GREAT IDEAS

A silver frame announced the purpose of these glasses which were arranged under a large centerpiece on an S shaped table at the entrance to the Foundry Arts Centre. “Fill this glass and join our celebration. When the night is through, keep this memento as our toast to you.” The bride assembled individual, handmade books for each guest. These were covered in hand-marbled paper and closed with a silver bead slide on satin ribbon. Each book carried a personal, hand-written note and was slipped into the appropriate guest's glass. All night, a power point of the bride’s and groom’s lives looped on a large projection screen behind the band. In lieu of wedding cake dessert, raspberry filled individual cupcakes dotted the tables. Each was presented in a clear take-out box tied with a silver metallic bow.”

have your reception at a golf course or country club . . . Old Hickory Golf Club invites everyone to view the new clubhouse that has wonderful facilities for bridal luncheons, rehearsal dinners, wedding ceremonies and receptions.

. . . or treat your guests to an original venue such as a winery/gardens. Guests can step off of the wrap-around porch to a larger patio, then on to a pathway that leads to a waterfall, then a bridge, and it’s on to the dance floor. Wine Country Gardens features an inside area for parties and receptions of 8,000 square feet with fire places on either end and seating for 300. For more information on Wine Country Gardens, call 636-798-2288.

Season’s Restaurant at Old Hickory features an award winning executive chef who prepares the finest hors d'ourves and spectacular entrees for any occasion. Executive Chef Tim Shelp

For more information, contact the Old Hickory event staff at 636-477-8960.

Photo by Justin Brooks

Not all weddings are in the Spring and Summer. Enjoy a Holiday wedding! - Luebcke/Peters wedding

Photo by Justin Brooks

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YOU CAUGHT OUR EYE

Just Because We Care T i m m y ’s m o u n t a i n

Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photo courtesy Diane Wamhoff

Fifteen years ago Diane Wamhoff started a new life, and along the way made life better for hundreds of Honduran children. The story began ten years before, when Wamhoff ’s son, Timmy, died in a tragic car accident. “For years, I was going from one thing to another, trying to fill that void,” she said. In 2003, some friends invited Wamhoff to join them and members of their church on a trip to the city of El Progresso, Honduras to help paint a house for unwed mothers. “My husband thought I was crazy, going to a third world country.” “I learned we would bathe from buckets, there would be no air conditioning, and I would share a bedroom with several women,” Wamhoff said. “I prayed, ‘Please God, let me survive this week’.”

But once there, Wamhoff painted walls, and helped the group transform two bare cement buildings into a home for orphaned high school girls. “Our group created a bond that won’t be broken,” she said. During the trip, Wamhoff met Sister Teresita, known as “Mother Theresa of Honduras” for her work with poor children. Through the nun, Wamhoff learned of a small school in the mountain community of Guyamitas. “The government was to provide high protein beans to feed the kids, but the school needed a kitchen to make the meals,” she said. The church group was unable to pay for the construction of the kitchen. “Sister smiled and said, ‘You’ll find a way’. I asked, ‘What would it cost?’ That night our host family asked their godson, Perfecto Moya, a contractor, to come and give us a bid. He said it would be $2,500 and on the spot I decided my husband and I would build the

kitchen in honor of Timmy.” Eighteen months later, Wamhoff returned to Guyamitas. What she found was a kitchen being used as a storage facility because the Honduran government had reneged on its promise to provide the beans. Again, Wamhoff asked, “What would it cost?”—this time to feed the 76 kids that attended the school, taught by two teachers. “These kids were so malnourished, 40 percent of them would probably be dead within the year,” Wamhoff said. Wamhoff and her hosts, a retired doctor and his wife, a pediatric nurse and lawyer, made lists of food and organized a shopping trip to check prices. “The next day we bought a propane stove, pots, utensils, plates, cups, tables and chairs for the kitchen. Within 24 hours we had a plan and a budget,” she said. Within a month, the children were getting two meals a week and milk every day and “Just Because We Care for the Children of Honduras” was born. Wamhoff said her host is “uniquely qualified to help. She is a pediatric nurse at the state hospital in El Progresso. She treats starving children every day and fights to get them stronger. As Americans we don’t understand all the problems of malnutrition. She helps us understand. She is also a lawyer learning how to put together big plans and ideas.” Next “Just Because We Care” built a vocational school to continue to teach the children trades so they may one day help provide a better life for their families. The third project was the building of CASA I, by 12 Americans, organized by Wamhoff, who donated a week of their time to build a home for a poor family on the Guyamitas mountain. A house is now built each year for a family Wamhoff ’s committee deems to be most in need.

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with

Ann Hazelwood Most of the families live in shacks made of cardboard and bamboo. There are no doctors on the mountain and often kids come to school on Monday having eaten nothing all weekend. Bob and Diane Wamhoff also organize an annual golf tournament at Bogey Hills Golf Course in June to help the children of Honduras. The group raised $85,000 in 2008. A 1950s and 1960s dance is also held each November to raise funds. “Every single dollar is used for ‘Just Because’,” Wamhoff said. “There is no other organization or their government that has provided for them in such a manner as ‘Just Because’.” Today, 145 kids attend the school on what has become “Timmy’s Mountain.” The Wamhoff ’s are adding on to the school and two additional teachers have been hired. Lunch is provided three times a week and breakfast twice a week. A scholarship fund has also been established that pays $700 per year to the top 17 high school graduates for further education. The kids have to walk five miles down the mountain and catch a bus to reach the other schools. The money pays for the bus, uniforms, books and supplies.

What is your definition of “true love?” Laura Muench Office manager, Martin Electrical Sales When you know what the other one is thinking. Larry Munch | 1st Ward City Councilman Its when you never have to say your sorry. Milly Blumer | Professional quiltmaker When you feel it will last forever. Kalena Wright | Secretary, Hazelwood & Weber It’s caring about their happiness more than yours. Lilah Contine | Author When its true faithfulness and friendship. Joanne Golebiowski Owner - Basic Neads Catering When you finally get the opportunity to wash his underware.

“Just Because” takes clothing, Christmas presents and shoes donated from a shoe warehouse in Indianapolis to the children each January. Bob Wamhoff has become known as “The Candy Man” because he takes hundreds of bags of candy to Honduras and throws it to the children there. “This is my life and it has become my husband’s too,” Diane said. “To me, this is all worth while. My family asks me why I do this when there is so much starvation going on in America. I tell them that Americans get help from the government, food stamps, churches and others. In Honduras, they get nothing.” Diane remembers taking crayons and coloring books to the children one Christmas. “They didn’t know what to do with them,” she said. Diane said the children of Honduras have become her mission, a part of her life that was missing when Timmy died. “My son loved children. I thought maybe Timmy was sending me there. Now after all we’ve done they call it Timmy’s Mountain. The other mountains want to know how they can get Angel Timmy to come to their mountain.” There are many ways to give to “Just Because We Care”. The organization needs donations of children’s clothing, any items that can be auctioned at the annual golf tournament, and donations of time for a week to go to Honduras to help build a home for a family. For more information, visit www.justbecausewecare.com or www.wamhoffaccounting.com. ■ S T R E E T S C A P E M A G A Z I N E | 57

FITNESS & LIFESTYLE

Yoga Mind, Body and Spirit

Story by Monica Adams Photo by Michael Schlueter

If 2009 is your year to balance Mind, Body and Spirit then Yoga would be a wonderful way to bring that all together. As a personal trainer for over a decade now, I have long promoted the benefits of building lean muscle tissue, improving cardiovascular health but also incorporating a stretching or yoga routine. Yoga helps aid in injury prevention as well as help with muscular imbalance and calming the mind and spirit. Yoga’s roots go back some five thousand years. Most Yoga practices in the West focus on the physical postures called "asanas," breathing exercises called "pranayama," and meditation. There are four paths of Yoga; 1)Jnana, the path of knowledge or wisdom; 2)Bhakti, the path of devotion; 3) Karma, the path of action; and 4) Raja, the path of self control. Hatha Yoga, which includes postures and breathing, and is the form most popular in the West, is actually part of Raja Yoga, the path of self control. A form of Yoga, known as Bikram (pronounced Bee-Kram), is based on 26 postures or asanas. Bikram is a union of the body, mind and spirit and with regular practice you will feel the benefits in all of those areas. Bikram Yoga is done in a 90 minute session in a heated room.to improve circulation while also eliminating toxins and reducing the risk of injury during deep muscle stretching. This form of "Hot Box Yoga" is for all ages and levels. Reasons to seek out yoga classes, instructors and facilities: Relieving occupational stress, chronic overating, 58 | S T R E E T S C A P E M A G A Z I N E

Bikram Yoga

poor posture and a fast paced lifestyle. Yoga will help you calm your mind and teach you the benefits of clarity from meditation. If you have poor posture it can lead to a myriad of structural problems in the body. You may suffer low back problems, knee issues, hip pain, neck or shoulder pain. Bikram Yoga brings together strength, flexibility and balance. This form will also teach you to train your mind in 5 key areas: to have faith in yourself, learn self control, gain determination, improve concentration and build patience. Yoga will help you learn to focus more on the here and now. Eckhart Tolle's book, The Power of Now, has swept the nation and started teaching us to live in this second and not worry painstakingly about the past or how we are going to get what we want out of the future. It helps discipline the mind and teaches the basics of controlling our breathing. Yoga works hand in hand with this theory. If you are looking for overall health, wellness and to restore relaxation then Yoga may just be the missing piece in your puzzle of life. If Bikram Yoga is your cup of tea then expect to sweat, cleanse toxins from your body and be sure to bring a positive attitude. Many inquire as to what the room temperature is like during a bikram yoga session. The recommended temperature is 105F degrees and 40% humidity. Contrary to popular misconception this keeps the body from overheating, protects the muscles to allow for deeper stretching, opens pores to let toxins out, thins the blood to clear the circulatory system, increases heart rate for

a better cardiovascular workout, improves strength by putting muscle tissue in an optimal state for reorganization and reorganizes the lipids (fat) in the muscluar structure. If you are looking for a studio in our area, you can contact Bikram Yoga at 6630 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63117. For a list of class times and rates, call 314-6442226. Resources for this article were also found on www.bikramyoga.com. ■

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F E AT U R E D M U S I C A RT I S T

Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photo courtesy of Erin Bode

Erin Bode has been singing since she was a little girl. Her mother and father encouraged it. “My dad was a Lutheran pastor so I always sung in the choirs at church,” Bode said. “My mom listened to a lot of classical and folk music, so it was just very natural. She always had music playing in the house.” Bode has sung in South Africa and Italy. She’s performed at Blues Alley in Washington D.C., Zanzibar Blue in Philadelphia, and at Sweet Rhythm in New York. With her crystal clear voice and sweet personality, Bode has consistently won over audiences.

brother, and performed in sixteen theatre productions early on. She attended Lutheran South High School in St. Charles, Eureka High School in Eureka, Missouri and Webster University in St. Louis, majoring in music and foreign languages. She also studied opera. Bode performed with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for three seasons while in college. She said she was influenced by jazz pianist and singer Christine Hitt, a teacher at Webster, who introduced Bode to jazz and often invited her to sing during select shows in the area.

Erin Bode

International appeal

Bode’s distinctive repertoire and crossover appeal evokes comparisons to Eva Cassidy and Norah Jones, proving she can be equally at home in grand venues or relaxed clubs. Originally from Minnesota, Bode moved to St. Charles with her parents when she was 15. The youngest of four children, Bode excelled at the trumpet, which she borrowed from her older

Her first album, “Requests”, debuted in 2001 and brought her enough local attention--due in part to a cover of Cyndi Lauper’s song “Time After Time”--that she was signed to St. Louis jazz label Max Jazz. Bode’s band—in which her husband, Syd Rodway, plays bass— writes most of their own music. “We kind of fit into the jazz, folk and pop categories,” she said. The Erin Bode Trio, was first formed during her time at Webster and during its beginnings, saw a number of revolving door musicians from the college. The group reached consistency eventually in 2003 before the recording of their first major studio album for Max Jazz. The group now consists of pianist Adam Maness, drummer Derrek Phillips and Rodway. Maness is also co-lyricist, along with Bode. The band has recorded four albums to date with 2004’s “Don’t Take Your Time” and 2006’s “Over and Over”--the latter reached a peak position of seventeenth on the Billboard chart for Top Jazz Albums in 2006. Bode has also recorded with Peter Martin and Rick Recht. She released “The Little Garden” and “A Cold December Night” in 2008. Bode said music has always been a form of communication in her life. “It’s really a great way to communicate and tell stories that we are all familiar with and to express emotions that speak to a wide group of people.” Bode speaks Italian, French, German and Russian. The Erin Bode band has toured Italy four times. Bode’s latest CD, “The Little Garden”, released in June 2008 on the Native Language label, features four members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, including renowned violinist and Concert Master David Halen. Saxophonist John Ellis is also featured on the new album.

Erin Bode

Bode has appeared on “Second Cup Café” on CBS and on the “FOX & Friends” show on FOX News Channel. Newschannel 5 KSDK hosted a cover story in 2007 about Bode’s trip to South Africa, where they worked with the Themba School for Girls. ■ S T R E E T S C A P E M A G A Z I N E | 61

Photos by Michael Schlueter

M3 1 year anniversary celebration. Recap of the “Express Yourself” fashion show at HOME Nightclub. What’s in your wardrobe? Ola Hawatmeh of M3 and Tom Hannegan of Street Scape invite you to the Greater Saint Charles Fashion Week coming September 2009.

SOCIAL SCENE The Greater Saint Charles Fashion Week Organizers are accepting portfolios and resumes with accompanying letters of reference and work accomplishment(s) for the following areas: Internship Opportunities for Fashion Merchandising Students Designer Challenges for Aspiring and Seasoned Local Designers ***PLEASE NO PHONE CALLS. PLEASE SUBMIT INTEREST VIA MAIL W/ WRITTEN CORESPONDENCE & DVD OF PORTFOLIO. Send to Tom Hannegan, Publisher of StreetScape Magazine, 223 North Main Street, St. Charles, MO 63301. YOU MUST INCLUDE SELF ADDRESSED, RETURN POSTAGE FOR ANY MATERIALS THAT YOU MAY WANT RETURNED. WE WILL NOT INCUR COSTS TO MAIL ITEMS BACK. Deadline For Submitted Items is May 6th 2009.

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Spring

FEBRUARY

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Calendar of Events

| "Annie" | The Stars are much Brighter Here ... Come See for Yourself! Lindenwood Center for Fine & Performing Arts Events. February 10, 7:30pm Tickets available at Lindenwood Box Office, www.telecharge.com or 800-447-7400. Visit: www.lindenwoodcenter.com. | Mardi Gras Parade | Join us for this alcohol free, family-friendly parade on February 14th starting at 3:00pm from Sundermeier RV Park, continues south on N. Second Street, left on Clark Street to Foundry Art Centre. Over 100 participants. Visit: www.frenchtownmardigras.com. | "Wizard of Oz" | The Stars are much Brighter Here ... Come See for Yourself! Lindenwood Center for Fine & Performing Arts Events. February 20-21 & 27-28; Tickets available at Lindenwood Box Office, www.telecharge.com or 800-447-7400. Visit: www.lindenwoodcenter.com. | PEAR Award Gala | Live Jazz music will frame this evening filled with good food, festive conversation and an after-party worth attending. This year's PEAR Award Recipient is David Ross, President, Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital. Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009, Whitmoor Country Club. Visit: http://www.stchas.edu/geninfo/foundation/pear/pearaward.shtml | Andrews Academy-Lake Saint Louis Open House | Andrews AcademyLake Saint Louis, will hold an Open House Sunday, February 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. The school is located at 1701 Feise Road in Lake Saint Louis. The Academy is housed in a new state-of-the-art, 73,000-square-foot facility in which a personalized, academically-challenging curriculum is designed for students of average to above average ability level. For more information visit www.andrewsacademy.com. | SCC Student Fall Art Show | This student art exhibit is free and open to the public. Nov. 24-Dec. 9 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building Gallery at St. Charles Community College. 636-922-8202 or www.stchas.edu/events/artgallery.

MARCH

| The American Girl Fashion Show | Fun-filled event for girls and their families, friends, and favorite dolls. (Recommended for children ages 6 and up).Enjoy refreshments, enter to win door prizes, and learn how clothing has changed over the years to reflect history, culture, and girls’ individual styles. Friday, March 6 at 7:30pm - Dessert; Saturday, March 7 at 10am Breakfast & 2pm - Tea; Sunday, March 8 at 2pm - Tea. Tickets are $40.00. Academy of the Sacred Heart. 636-946-5632 Visit: www.ash1818.org.

→ www.historicstcharles.com → www.historicfrenchtown.com → www.newtownatstcharles.com → www.stcharlescountycalendar.com → www.stpetersmo.com

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| Fabulous Baby & Kids Expo | See the best new products for your baby ! Spend an entire day playing, shopping, making crafts, viewing demonstrations, playing on inflatables and more. Spring maternity fashion show. Packed with super fun activities for every age. 9am-4pm St. Charles Convention Center Visit: www.fabulousbabyexpo.com. 636-669-3000 | "Nebbia" Cirque Eloize | The Stars are much Brighter Here ... Come See for Yourself! Lindenwood Center for Fine & Performing Arts Events. March 7-8, 2pm Tickets available at Lindenwood Box Office, www.telecharge.com or 800-447-7400. Visit: www.lindenwoodcenter.com. | St. Patricks Day Parade | Riverside Drive | Crescendo Concert Series | Crescendo Concert Series featuring Paul Jacobs, Organist. Concert on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 PM with a preconcert talk at 2:30 given by musicologist, Nancy Rubenstein. First United Methodist Church, 636-724-2507 Visit: www.crescendoconcerts.org.

APRIL

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| Missouri Tartan Day Festivities | Celebrating Scottish heritage & culture with a parade on Main Street to Frontier Park where Scottish clans will gather for entertainment from all over Missouri. Go to website below for details of entertainment and time schedules of the festivities. Frontier Park 4/3/2009 - 4/5/2009 Visit: www.motartanday.com. | St. Charles Home Show | Friday & Saturday 11am-9pm & Sunday 115pm -- Free Saint Charles Convention Center Dates: 4/3/2009 - 4/5/2009 636-669-3000 Visit: www.stcharlesconventioncenter.com. | Spring ArtWalk | Nearly 100 artists along Main Street and the Foundry Arts Centre will participate in this unique experience. All exhibits are inside; see the artists in action! Sculpturers, painters, potters, photographers, glass, jewelry, digital and fiber artists will showcase their work. Main Street and Foundry Art Centre Dates: 4/24/2009 - 4/26/2009 636-949-3231 Visit: www.saintcharlesriverfrontarts.com | New Town Blues Festival | New Town Outdoor Ampitheater 6:00 PM Visit: www.newtownatstcharles.com.

A nostalgic look in words and pictures of North St Louis County. Covering the 1950s to 1970s, this is a perfect gift for baby boomers to relive all the excitement and angst of those teen years. Virginia Publishing Corporation Paperback, $19.95

CRUZIN’ NORTH COUNTY by Craig Kraintz & Bill Kasalko

BOOK CLUB

For more information on events in our area, visit these helpful websites:

Available at Main Street Books 307 South Main | 636-949-0105 S T R E E T S C A P E M A G A Z I N E | 63

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