StreetScape Winter 2017

WINTER 2017

B H

EYOND THE BEST

2016

ONOREES

Beat the �lues Winter

Soup BAR

Recipes

fu��ociou� FUR is BACK!

Winter 2017

1

2 StreetScape Magazine

Table of Contents 4. Publisher’s Note

Dynamic Duo 8. Bob & Evelyn Mertens Beating the Winter Blues 14. The Sound of Music at Any Age 20. Embrace the Polar Plunge

Home Sweet Home

24. A Seller's Guide 26. New Year... New Style!

Getting A Fresh Start

30. Creative Gardening: Straw Bale Gardening 32. Give Kids A Smile 34. Blue Zones Project

Fashion

38. Liviara 40. LIJ Boutique 42. Furrocious: The Fur Centre 50. The Art of Ties: Fraser Leonard

Wedding

52. Erynn & Andy Ballmann's Wedding

Life is Sweet

56. Valentine's Day: DECODED 58. General Stores are Making a Comeback!

Behind the Apron 61. Meet Chef Larry of Championship Catering Recipes 62. Create A Soup Bar! Health & Medical

68. Don't Let Unused Medication Fall Into the Wrong Hands 70. Sleep Deprivation 72. Infertility: Treatment Offers New Hope

BusinessScape

78. Business Spotlight: Cissell Mueller 80. Beyond the Best 2016 Award Honorees

Entertainment

88. Rock 'n' Roll Connection: Kenny Suitter 90. The Wayward Critic

Society Pages Begin Page 92

Cover Image Credits

Cover Layout Design: Jeanne Strickland Photography: Lance Tilford Styling: Tamara Tungate Hair & Makeup: Jennifer Graves Model: Ingrid Medeiros with Centro Models Wardrobe: Indigo & Fox Cape with Feathers Shot at: StreetScape Studios Winter 2017

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Publisher’s Note

Warm greetings!

Old Man Winter has surely arrived. Our best advice for beating those winter blues is to snuggle up by a warm fire and read this issue of StreetScape Magazine from cover to cover.

We have included lots of articles with tips for beating those blues and many ways to make the New Year a great one for you!

We have also shared ideas for entertaining friends, date night, and family activities in our "Life is Sweet" section. Whether you’re celebrating the New Year or Valentine’s Day, a birthday, job promotion, or reaching a goal you’ve set... you will find tips for making extra special memories.

Be sure to check out our 2016 class of Beyond the Best Honorees, many of whom you probably know... so call and congratulate them. These 50 community leaders inspire all of us to make 2017 the year we truly “give our best” to everything that we do individually in our lives.

Together, we will continue to make our community better, stronger and even more vibrant. That is the mission of StreetScape Magazine and what we will be striving to achieve in the New Year.

As always, I look forward to seeing you out and about. Bundle up... warmer weather will be here before you know it!

Thomas P. Hannegan Publisher & Founder, StreetScape Magazine

s o i d u St Photos courtesy of Alan Wang Photography

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Winter 2017

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Dynamic Duo

The

Bob &Evelyn

Mertens

Story by Jeff Stahlhut Photo by Michael Schlueter

Chances are that anyone who has ever lived on or near Main Street in St. Charles has heard of long-time residents Bob and Evelyn Mertens.

Married for 62 years, Bob and Evelyn have been involved in everything from scouting to family businesses for decades, following a pattern of community involvement in the family that started ages ago.

“We’ve done a lot of different things over the years,” said Evelyn. “ A long time ago, Bob and his father had a shop down here called Mertens Radio and Television – they did radio and TV repair. They took classes to learn how to do that. I was involved in Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4H, PTA -- things like that -- during those years.”

That focus on being neighborly has never ceased. One of the things they are passionate about now is the Urban Renewal program, focusing on Main Street in St. Charles. Starting all the way back in the 70’s, Bob and Evelyn have been volunteers with the goal of getting and keeping Main Street going.

“Bob was on the City Council for four years ending in 1976,” said Evelyn. “He was a part of promoting and encouraging what could be developed on Main Street as they were just starting to evaluate the program. It was required that the people living in the area give feedback on it, so several Main Street merchants thought he should get on the council to help promote it.”

Meanwhile, Evelyn stayed busy at home raising five children, teaching religion school, and staying involved with the Lincoln School PTA on Sixth Street. One of their children is an adopted daughter from Korea – Yung Sun Kim – who the Mertens named Mary Kim when she came to the United States. Mary Kim’s adoption started when Bob was serving in the Air Force in Korea.

“We had three boys at that time – it was November 10, 1962 – and she was the same age as our second son,” said Evelyn. “She was five years old and we gave her the name Mary after the Blessed Mother.

8 StreetScape Magazine

The Korean orphanages were looking for families to adopt some of the older children like her. Some of the guys in Bob’s unit would help out at the orphanage, so we applied through Catholic Charities to adopt her. She always looked to me as what I call ‘Sister Superior,’ not necessarily a mother. It was Bob she attached to as a daddy.

They didn’t see many men in the orphanages.”

Now an employee of the public school system in Evansville, Illinois, where she helps to motivate children who have difficulty, Mary Kim lives in Indiana and has two sons.

Upon his return from Korea, Bob carved out a career with McDonnell Douglas, where he worked as an electrical engineer before retiring in 1991. Now 87 years old, Bob enjoys telling stories about his time in downtown St. Charles, his time in the military, his church, and of another family business from the past – Zeisler Soda.

“My grandfather and father founded Zeisler Soda,” he said. “What remains of it you can see at the foot of Pike Street, and they did pretty good. We expanded all the way to St. Peters and did delivery on a horse and wagon. One day, the horse just ran off for home with the driver chasing after him! I was probably 10 or 12 years old at the time.”

“I heard all of those tales,” said Bob. “Then my grandfather was a presiding judge in St. Charles, and my great-grandfather (Jacob) was mayor. There are lots of Zeisler family members in the St. Charles area.”

The Glenday/Zeisler home in St. Charles has a historic marker, noting that the home was built circa 1820 and beginning in 1867, for nearly a century it remained in the family. In the years since, Bob and Evelyn have continued to build strong family traditions in St. Charles.

“The home we live in we have been in for 30 years,” said Evelyn.

“The house is 125 years old, but before this we gutted our house at 503 South Third, and then bought the place two doors down and

have been here ever since. Bob was raised here – on Main Street -but I’m originally from Chicago.”

In all of these years, Bob and Evelyn have remained fully entrenched in St. Charles, on Main Street, and in their church.

“We remain very spiritually-oriented,” said Evelyn. “Bob was in the choir at Saint Peter [Catholic Church] until about a year ago. He couldn’t get up the stairs anymore.”

“Yes… well, that was a lot of fun in the choir. I was a part of that all my life,” said Bob. “But before that I was part of the SPEBSQSA Barber Shoppers. They won some national contests.”

For anyone unsure, (myself included) the SPEBSQSA Barber Shoppers is also known as the Barbershop Harmony Society, and SPEBSQSA stands for the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc., which is an organization that was among the first to promote and preserve barbershop music.

Evelyn remains involved in a program called OASIS – an education volunteer program for those age 50 and over. “One of the phases of OASIS is intergenerational tutoring, where people work in the schools once a week to help children learn to communicate and share their thoughts,” said Evelyn. “They learn to read and trust you and respect you. It’s an awful lot of fun. I also helped get the program going at St. Peter Church – but this is the last year it will be there. It’s so great working with the little ones; right now I work with a second grade boy. They learn to have a special friend. I talk to them about sports, things like that – things they like. They make a journal of their stories, and I take pictures and put them in. We talk about eating properly, not overindulging. I talk to them a lot about their bodies. This week, we are learning about their brains. We also talk about penguins a lot – they all seem to be fascinated with penguins.”

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Talking with Bob and Evelyn shows just how deeply-rooted they are on Main Street – and how lucky Main Street is to have them. Now in her last year of participating in the National Night Out / Neighborhood Watch Program, Evelyn says it’s time to let someone else take over.

“I’m 86 now, so I’m trying to train some of the younger people,” she said. “But it’s such a wonderful thing. You get to know your neighbors, and with so many people down here all the time (on Main Street), it’s a fight against crime. With Bob not able to get out quite as much anymore, I need to be home a little more. I always knew God had a role for me to play, and Bob has always been cooperative and helped out.”

Part of the areas in which Bob has helped over the years includes quite a bit of local home repair work. “He’s very gifted,” said Evelyn. “He and his father did a lot of wiring, repairs, windows, ceilings -- almost gutted 603 South Main. He always knew plumbing and wiring codes and all of that. He did the same in other places, too.

Doing that kind of work encourages others to fix up their houses. He really worked hard on those houses and this house.”

Home rehab, neighborhood renewal and community take a lot of effort, added Evelyn. “You really do have to work together,” she said.

“We got acquainted with a lot of older folks this year, and they like that. It makes you feel like you have a community.” ¤ Winter 2017

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ANDREW'S

Hugs

Story by Kate Santellano Photos Courtesy of Community Living

About 2% of children are born with a disability each year. In many cases, it is a lifelong challenge. Parents of children with disabilities learn a new “normal,” as their dreams of what their children’s lives would be like are shattered. But many organizations and resources are now available to help both parents and children find the most fulfilling life.

Cheri and Brian Norton have experienced it firsthand. They knew almost immediately that something was different when their son Andrew was born. He had poor muscle tone and a poor sucking reflex. At the age of two, he weighed 42 pounds. Andrew had Prader-Willi syndrome (also known as PWS). Although the cause is complex, it is a rare genetic disorder due to an abnormality on the 15th chromosome. It occurs in males and females equally and in all races, affecting approximately 1:15,000.

A key characteristic of Prader-Willi syndrome is a constant sense of hunger that usually begins at about two years of age. People with Prader-Willi syndrome want to eat constantly, because they never feel full (hyperphagia) and usually have trouble controlling their weight.

Other complications include learning disabilities, Osteoporosis (brittle and weak bones), liver disease, and other conditions associated with obesity.

With the devastating news, the Nortons vowed that Andrew would live a normal life. He would be treated the same as his brother and sister. In fact, Andrew attended Wentzville Public Schools just like they did, and, there too, he was not treated differently.

In many ways, Andrew really was not different from other kids his age. He liked everything from sports to horror movies. He enjoyed talking with his friends and going to movies and dances. He attended Timberland High School in Wentzville and thrived. In fact, he was the first official mascot for the school sports teams. He will forever be remembered as the first Scotty the Wolf.

10 StreetScape Magazine

In addition to his love of sports, Andrew was deeply religious and enjoyed walking the neighborhood and singing hymns. Most importantly, he was known for his signature hugs. “Andrew did not know a stranger,” explained Cheri Norton. “He was kind and generous and loved to help others.”

But there was a difference with Andrew. While his friends received their driver’s licenses and graduated high school, Andrew’s options were limited. As his friends moved on, Andrew’s parents looked for ways to keep Andrew socially active and engaged in the community-- and they were introduced to Community Living, Inc., and BCI. Andrew started working at BCI (Boone Center, Inc.) in 2012 on the packaging and assembly lines. BCI provides jobs and employment options for adults with disabilities in the St. Charles County, Lincoln County, and Moscow Mills communities. The environment at BCI focuses on the client’s abilities, rather than disabilities. BCI offers a continuum of support in its employment offerings. “Depending on the needs of our clients, they can select from a variety of programs designed to provide meaningful and fulfilling employment,” explained Katie Jones, Director of Programs at BCI. “Andrew was one of the happiest employees. He was always excited to come to work and his energy radiated with all co-workers and staff,” said Jones. On the floor, Andrew worked with about 6 other employees on a job. The group had to use a machine to cut an inch off of individual tubes. The team did amazing work, exceeding quota! Jones recalls walking by one day and noticing that the group had the same color shirts on. “The next day, I walked by, and again

everyone was wearing the same color shirt.

I took a double take and Andrew saw my confusion and just started laughing so hard.

He said, ‘I did this! We are a team, and we are wearing a team color each day.’”

In his free time, Andrew attended the Adult Recreation program offered by Community Living, Inc. Located in St. Charles, Missouri, Community Living works to enrich the lives of people with disabilities, so they can achieve their highest potential.

Children and adults are provided with services and programs to allow them to live, learn and work in our community-- allowing Andrew the freedom he loved.

“The outpouring of love from the entire community was overwhelming,” Cheri Norton said. Through fundraisers, friends

of the money to turn the break room into a Cardinals-themed locker room.

and the community, the organization raised $41,000 in sixty-eight days.

Additional donations have been made in honor of Andrew’s Hugs, including a $500 scholarship to the person showing the most school spirit at Timberland High School.

“Andrew lived a full and happy life. A big part of his life that he loved so much were the activities through Community Living and his job at BCI. Both gave him the freedom and normalcy he wanted,” said Cheri Norton.

And the Nortons are not done yet. Their goal is to extend “Andrew’s Hugs throughout the state of Missouri and eventually go national... Your donation to Andrew's Hugs will go to provide

The Adult Recreation program offers over 50+ activities per month to match a variety of interests and skill levels, including: sports, enrichment classes, health and wellness programs, leisure activities and more.

Adult Recreation also offers Special Olympic teams for Bocce Ball, Bowling and Skiing.

For Andrew, this meant attending every possible sports event available!

Barb Griffith, President and CEO of Community Living, Inc., explained that “Community Living enriched [Andrew’s] life, and he enriched the lives of others. He was a friend to all.”

Sadly, Andrew passed away two days before his 25th birthday. The very next day, Cheri and Brian vowed that he would not be forgotten and started the Andrew’s Hugs Foundation. The mission of Andrew’s Hugs is to help people with mental and physical disabilities by providing opportunities for entertainment and social interaction. The Nortons knew that many of Andrew’s friends were not as fortunate as he was and could not afford many of the activities offered at the Adult Recreation program.

Their goal was to raise money so that others could enjoy life as Andrew did.

And now, the Nortons want to give back to the organizations that helped their son thrive. Of the money raised, Community Living received a check for $20,000. To further honor Andrew, it was presented during a Community Living outing to a River City Rascals game. Proposed use of the funds include Cardinals tickets, Blues tickets, a Cardinals’ Opening Day dance, Rascals tickets and a Blues-themed winter dance. “Many of the people we serve cannot afford to go to a game, and this gives them an opportunity. This is an extension of Andrew’s Hugs.”

BCI received a check for $10,000. In honor of Andrew’s love of baseball, BCI used part

opportunities for adults with disabilities by covering the costs of outings that many of us take for granted. You can help send someone to their first Cardinal game, Blues game, show at the Muny or Fox Theatre, Mizzou game, dance, hayride, and so much more.”

The first fundraiser in 2017 will be Rock ‘n Roll and Hugs on April 8th. Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are available.

Contact: Andrew's Hugs: www.andrewshugs.com (314) 368-5630 Community Living, Inc.: www.communitylivingmo.org 636-970-2800 • BCI: www.boonecenter.com 636-978-4300 ¤ Winter 2017

11

Thomas Morse

H

International, Award-winning Composer

istory

One Note at a Time

Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photos courtesy of Thomas Morse Fort Zumwalt awarded one of its own in September of 2016 for honoring his alma mater. Thomas Morse is one of an elite group of 44 inducted into the district’s Hall of Fame since its inception in 2009. But though Morse is an accomplished composer, with the opera he penned premiering in Germany next year and numerous Hollywood credits to his name, he said success is not just about fame and fortune.

“Maybe it’s more about coming home in the middle of your life and everyone is so wonderful and gracious,” Morse said. “It’s about having a moment of clarity about what’s important to you and who is important to you. The prevailing metaphor here is the panic of trying to achieve a certain satisfactory level of professional success for yourself and the mental cycle of working toward your success.

There is like this war within you; and then the smoke clears, and you see who is still standing around you. The people that knew me when I was an awkward teenager and the level of genuine happiness that they have expressed for me... it is astonishing. I guess the lesson is that nothing can replace the people you meet when you’re young.

It’s almost like when you get home from Disneyland. It’s great going to Disneyland, but it’s always great to come home. You don’t want to live at Disneyland.”

Morse has been “living at Disneyland,” so to speak, for some time.

In the nearly two decades he lived in Los Angeles, the 48-year-old, St. Peter's native wrote the orchestral score for 69 episodes of Jerry Bruckheimer’s hit CBS series “The Amazing Race.” He also composed music, as well, for over a dozen Hollywood feature films, including “The Big Brass Ring,” (Orson Welles’ final script, starring William Hurt and Miranda Richardson), “The Apostate” (starring Dennis Hopper), and “Lying in Wait” (starring Rutger Hauer and Virginia Madsen).

But his big break came in 2014. Morse signed a publishing deal with G. Schirmer in New York to compose “Frau Schindler,” the operatic story of Emilie Schindler, the wife of the German industrialist, Oskar Schindler. Oskar Schindler saved the lives of 1,300 Jews in World War II by employing them in his armaments factories.

According to Morse, Emilie’s story and her contribution to her husband’s activities were initially overshadowed by the overwhelming 12 StreetScape Magazine

success of Hollywood director Steven Spielberg's film, “Schindler's List” in 1993.

“And yet, her view of the story is no less fascinating and of equal importance historically,” Morse said. The opera “Frau Schindler,” composed by Morse, with libretto by text writer, Kenneth Cazan, “is in part very different from the depiction of events as described in Spielberg's film, but presents the historic events, without misplaced dramatic ornamentation, exactly as they are recorded in the personal memoirs of Emilie Schindler.”

Ten years ago, Morse relocated to Berlin from Los Angeles to research and compose an opera that would portray Oskar Schindler’s heroic actions during the holocaust.

“It was the beginning of a journey that would involve reading countless books and interviews, visiting sites in multiple countries, learning German, and speaking with people who experienced the Second World War firsthand,” he said.

Yet, when the time came to decide on a narrative approach to the story, Morse had other ideas.

“It became increasingly apparent that an opera that would essentially retell the same story as Steven Spielberg’s iconic cinematic masterpiece, ‘Schindler’s List,’ was not the best idea,” he wrote in his composer’s note. “However, in the course of research, I had run across the story of Oskar’s wife, Emilie Schindler. The story from her perspective provides a window into the psychology of the times — how step by step, an advanced society was slowly seduced into the unthinkable, how people were conditioned to compartmentalize absolutes in order to rationalize and live with what was happening around them. It was a society that felt that it had been victimized and, in turn, used this to justify rage toward an entire people.”

Morse goes on to say that through Emilie’s eyes one can also see a complex and paradoxical portrait of Oskar.

“He was a man who was initially able to severely set aside his moral conscience in favor of his personal ambition. But he changed his

mind about the exploitation of his workers and actively fought and maneuvered to save them.”

Some of the scenes in the opera are surprising and may even seem unbelievable, Morse wrote.

“But we have grounded Frau Schindler in actual events, with very little dramatic license. It goes without saying that this is not a story suitable to any form of sensationalism. I have viewed its telling as a privilege, with a moral and artistic duty to seek impeccable standards of honesty. In creating the music, I have relied solely on my own intense, emotional connection to the story and have had no interest in contrived intellectualism.”

The world premiere of “Frau Schindler” will debut at the Gärtnerplatz Theater in Munich, Germany, on March 9, 2017. It’s expected to premier in the United States some time in 2018.

People who know Morse were not surprised by his success. He wrote his first orchestral work in high school – a piece that the presiding symphony director at the time at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) actually brought back to her college students to perform. A high school friend, whom Morse says was his own first musical inspiration, reminded Morse of that fact recently.

“I still remember Southern Illinois doing that piece in high school,” said Paul Ridenour.

Morse said people can have one moment that changes their lives forever. He recalled visiting SIUE and hearing his music at the college.

"There is like this war within you; and then the smoke clears, and you see who is still standing around you.

The people that knew me when I was an awkward teenager and the level of genuine happiness that they have expressed for me... it is astonishing." laser focus on, ‘This is where I want to be, and this is how I’m going to get there.’”

Morse earned a bachelor’s degree in composition from the University of North Texas. He then pursued a master’s degree at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, where he continued studies in composition, with an added interest in film composing. He still lives in Berlin and has two children.

Declining to confirm or deny whether Spielberg was aware of his opera, Morse said only, “Steven Spielberg’s iconic masterpiece will always be the first and most important telling of the Schindler story.”

His fellow storyteller, however, has been quoted on several sites as giving his own take on the importance of Emilie Schindler’s story.

“It always boils down to women holding the world together, doesn't it?” Cazan said. ¤

“I’ll never forget walking through the halls there, and echoing in those halls I heard my music. That could have been the London Symphony for me. It was supernatural. As a 16-year-old in my basement on my out-of-tune piano, I was hooked.”

“There is a piece of tape at 7 Riverboat Drive to prove that,” said Travis Laws of Morse’s intentions for greatness. Laws was Morse’s best friend growing up. The two were both students of music in high school and after. It happened in the middle of the night when the two boys were having a sleepover at the house Morse grew up in.

Morse woke up with a melody in his head and wrote the music in pencil on a piece of tape and affixed it to the paneling of his bedroom in hopes that someday, after he attained fame as a composer, someone would find it.

“He discovered his magnum opus,” Laws said. “There was never any plan B with Tom. He was all in.” (For non-musicians, according to Merriam Webster, a magnum opus is the greatest achievement of an artist or writer.)

“Actually, it was an ascending minor triad with an added tritone,” Morse quipped.

Amy Lawrence Brooks agreed.

“I just remember he would sell hundreds of boxes of candy or whatever to finance his summer adventures. He was like, ‘This is where I want to be. This is how I’m going to finance it.’ It wasn’t arrogance. It was

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Winter 2017

13

Beating the Winter Blues

The Sound of Story by Nikki Peters

When I was in elementary school, I desperately wanted to play the violin. I remember bringing a sheet home from the music teacher at school, listing places to rent or buy instruments, along with individuals and companies that offered lessons. At that time, my passion for the strings was less about a desire to pursue music and more about following along with the other kids. I believe my parents sensed this and helped me to pursue my own interests. As an innocent curly-headed kiddo, I was too young to be concerned with any positive outcomes that might arise from playing an instrument. So, in the end, I never did pursue the strings or tickle the ivories.

Music researchers favor pursuing an instrument as a way to foster many personal health benefits. Just “google” “the value of learning music” and research articles, newspaper articles, news stories, and personal blogs are overflowing with accolades in favor of musical pursuits. I have to wonder if I missed out by not riding the music train. Is there anything to be gained from choosing to learn an instrument later in life? How old is too old to start playing an instrument and still reap the benefits?

It turns out that there’s no time like the present. A research study offered through the University of Southern Florida studied individuals who started playing piano later in life vs. those who did not play an instrument at all. Over the course of six months, the ones learning to play the piano saw improvements in things like: speaking capabilities, memory, cognitive processing capabilities, and daily planning. The study participants were 60-85 years old.

I can only imagine what positive gains would be made as these newbies continued down their musical journey over the course of a year and beyond.

Aside from the cognitive and physical reasons to pursue an instrument, there are emotional benefits as well. Personally, I have experienced times in which a certain song has brought about a specific memory or feelings of anger, sadness, happiness, hope, thoughtfulness, etc. Listening to music can be a form of healing and catharsis, but playing an instrument presents an active way to reduce daily stress.

When we become stressed, a series of reactions flow throughout the body from our overtaxed brain. These reactions become stuck on repeat, potentially leading to depression, until something interrupts the ongoing signals. The brain and body have a reaction to playing an instrument which is opposite to the body’s response to stress. Playing an instrument in these moments is like flipping a big “off” switch. In the battle for continued sanity, the instrument wins every time. The best part of this discovery is this: one does not have to be a serious, competitive, seasoned musician to experience all of the musical benefits. In fact, studies 14 StreetScape Magazine

have shown that playing recreationally allows for more creativity, and a decreased performance expectation fosters increased emotional health benefits.

While learning new things later in life can be a little harder, it’s not impossible. Norman Weinberger, a neuroscientist at University of California, Irvine, says, “The brain maintains its ability to change.” When an adult picks up an instrument, the brain begins to create new pathways and is still able to successfully process the new information.

There are also advantages to starting music as an adult. One benefit is that adults have been hearing music much longer than children have. Adults are capable of hearing notes in a sequence and ascribing them to a particular song. Adults also have a better sense of songs that they would like to learn. Music structure is easier for adults to understand. While chords and charts may be an abstract concept to a child, adults are able to more fully comprehend the composition and how it is present in a variety of songs. A seasoned individual also knows the discipline and dedication needed to meet a goal. While children are capable of setting goals, the discipline component is very abstract and far more difficult for a child to comprehend. The adult possesses an awareness of the sacrifice and time management needed to make room for music.

For those who would like to take up an instrument but do not know where to begin, here are some tips and tricks for learning music as an adult: What kind of music do you like? The kind of music you like tells a lot about you and the kind of sounds you enjoy hearing.

Focusing on a music genre that you are passionate about can help you determine where to begin the search for your chosen instrument.

Don’t start with a difficult string instrument. While you want to pursue an instrument that you are passionate about, string instruments, guitars in particular, can require finger techniques that take a while to learn. If the goal is to start playing now, a keyboard or piano is a safe bet and produces a more readily enjoyable sound. The better the sound is interpreted, the more comfortable one becomes with the instrument.

Music at Any Age How much time do you want to put into playing an instrument?

It’s important to determine if you are pursuing an instrument for the stress-relieving benefits or because you desire to become an amazing musician. If you want something to play casually, then a more obscure instrument is not for you.

Don’t worry about reading music. Begin playing by sound.

Reading music can come with time and lessons. For now, just try playing. Pick a song, pick a sound, and see what happens.

Be patient. Children’s brains are constantly growing and changing, and it is easier for them to develop an area of the brain devoted to playing music. For an adult, this area of the brain does not exist, so it has to create new pathways. Create realistic goals, be patient, and allow yourself time to learn.

Institute the buddy system. Learning an instrument with a friend, spouse, or significant other allows for a support network. Maybe there are others around you who would like to play with you either in a band or recreationally. You have someone to practice with you, and the experience can strengthen your relationship. You might even make some memories and have some fun along the way.

There is a part of me that laments not taking up the violin when I had the chance. To pursue an instrument as an adult, the responsibility is on me to do the legwork, find the instrument, find the teacher, and get the lessons. However, the added health benefits of playing an instrument outweigh the small headache that may emerge right out of the gate. Playing an instrument reduces stress and can even exercise the brain enough to keep dementia and Alzheimer’s at bay.

From ages 5-95, there is not a person too young or too old to begin exploring the music world. The opportunity for a greater quality of life is open and available to anyone-- and that is music to my ears. ¤ Winter 2017

15

Beating the Winter Blues

Story by Kate Santellano Photos by Michael Schlueter

Today’s generation is arguably more interested in computer games than in playing an instrument. The invention of gaming systems like Xbox and Sony PlayStation has definitely changed the way we teach our children. And music lessons are no different.

In 1995, John Sherwin and his wife moved to St. Charles County and opened Mid Rivers Music. Having a degree in Music Business from S.I.U.E. and a passion for live music made this a perfect fit. For the first few years, Sherwin was a one man shop. He recalls some of his lessons went long, because he had to stop and help customers that came into the store.

For more than twenty-one years, Sherwin has taught students how to play live musical instruments, ranging from band and orchestra instruments to piano. He is a saxophone player and loves to talk to people about reed instruments – if you have any questions – particularly single reed instruments. His choice of instrument is a Keilwerth tenor sax that he purchased several years ago.

Mid Rivers Music is now a full-service music store with seven staff members, a repair technician, and 15 teachers. Each week, more than 350 students take instrument lessons.

Mid Rivers Music offers a wide variety of instruments, accessories and band instruments for sale or rent

“We offer lessons for all styles of guitar, bass guitar, banjo, mandolin, piano, voice, drums/percussion, violin, viola, cello, saxophone, clarinet, flute, trumpet, trombone, low brass, and harmonica. We have 11 studios available to accommodate the quantity of students in the area,” says Sherwin.

As generations change the way we learn, one aspect of music remains the same, explains Sherwin. “Pop music brings out the interest in people. The piano solo from Titanic was popular and brought a lot of interest. Michael Jackson’s Thriller was so popular that it raised the cost of sheet music in the industry.”

Sherwin explained their teachers’ ability to understand and recognize each student’s learning aptitude and style to keep the students engaged. “Some learn easily by example, while others need music sheets. Sometimes you have to forgo the fundamentals of teaching by the book, because it does not work for everyone.”

In addition to selling instruments, lessons, and repairs, Mid Rivers Music also has instrument rentals. “Rentals are a good introduction to music,” says Sherwin. “At Mid Rivers Music, we can make it easy to rent an instrument and find the instrument of your choice to play for life. Make the change in your life now and find out at a very low cost what joy it is to play music. Rentals of instruments make it cost-effective for a person who is not sure if playing an instrument is what they really want to do. If you decide you no longer want to play, you can return the instrument, and you don’t owe anything more.” ¤

A great selection of guitars

16 StreetScape Magazine

Mid Rivers Music 355 Mid Rivers Mall Drive | St. Peters, MO 63376 636.970.3385 MidRiversMusic.com

Mid Rivers Music Staff Eddie Freeman, John Sherwin and Jeff Runge

STAY WARM THIS WINTER...

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17

Beating the Winter Blues

The POWER of Your PERSONAL PLAYLIST Having an individualized music playlist can IMPROVE MOOD, MEMORY, & FOCUS, also RELIEVE STRESS & ANXIETY Story by Kate Santellano Winter can be a challenging time for many people. The winter months in the Midwest are often dark and gloomy. January brings holiday shopping bills. And if that is not bad enough, how about the fact that two weeks into January most New Year’s resolutions have fallen by the wayside. With a few more months to go until tulips start popping up and the sun starts shining, how can we beat the winter blues?

According to researchers, music, like scent, has an immediate neural pathway that bypasses our “thinking brain” to directly affect our emotional state. From the drumbeats of our ancient ancestors to today’s unlimited streaming services, music has been an integral part of the human experience.

If you are suffering from the midwinter blues, consider music to enhance your mood. Regardless of your music genre preference, uplifting songs are easy to find with a quick internet search.

For local musicians Katie and Lindsey Monoc, inspiration comes from “many artists from every genre. At the moment, we have found a lot of inspiration from Chris Stapleton. His music is extremely honest, and he allows himself to dive into every part of his vulnerability.

Hearing his story and knowing that for years before he actually ‘made it,’ he was writing for big artists proves that his hard work and dedication truly paid off.”

The Monocs have a song called "The Fourth," about a girl who finally meets the man of her dreams. They say, “She has waited for so long to find him. The song talks about how once they get in a fight, she's never leaving because of the depth of love they found in each other. It is uplifting because it basically means that once you find your soulmate, nothing can keep you from being together.”

So this winter if you are feeling blue, create your own playlist filled with songs that inspire you and make you happy. ¤

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18 StreetScape Magazine

All-Time PLAYLIST Favorites I FEEL GOOD

SERVING THE ST. CHARLES COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREA FOR 21 YEARS • LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

JAMES BROWN

IT’S MY LIFE BON JOVI

BEAUTIFUL DAY U2

BEAUTIFUL

CHRISTINA AGUILERA

GLORIA GAYNOR

I WILL SURVIVE

DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’ JOURNEY

LEARN to PLAY an INSTRUMENT FULL SERVICE MUSIC STORE WWW.MIDRIVERSMUSIC.COM

I’VE GOT THE POWER SNAP

WALKING ON SUNSHINE

KATRINA AND THE WAVES

LIVE LIKE YOU WERE DYING

TIM MCGRAW

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD LOUIS ARMSTRONG

Winter 2017

19

Beating the Winter Blues

Embrace the

Polar Plunge Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photos by Michael Schlueter

Most people can’t get into their own showers if the temperature isn’t just right, yet thousands of plungers brave the cold in Missouri waters all over the state each year for Special Olympics. Supporters of the organization that provides year-round sports and training opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities will meet up at Lake Saint Louis on February 4 for the 13th Annual Lake Saint Louis Polar Plunge for Special Olympics.

“Plunge like there's no mañana!” is this year’s theme, and plungers are encouraged to honor it by dressing up in their most creative fiesta attire — fur-lined if possible. The event is a unique opportunity to show bravery – while at the same time supporting local Special Olympics athletes – by walking, running or crawling into the frigid winter waters that Missouri has to offer.

Local runner Jacquie Bird took the plunge last year for the first time. And though it was her first experience running into a lake in the middle of February, she is by no means a novice at running anywhere else. The Innsbrook Resort social media coordinator ran her first marathon in New Orleans last February and her first halfmarathon in St. Louis in 2008. She’ll be competing in her second full marathon in Chicago this year.

Bird said the experience wasn’t quite as bad as what people say.

“It actually was an unseasonably warm day for February,” she said.

“People said that is worse because the water would feel colder; I beg to differ. I think when you are jumping in a lake in February in Missouri, it is going to be the same – cold. The waiting is the worst part, but once we were up along the shoreline waiting for the whistle to blow, the excitement and adrenaline took over, and I knew I could do this.”

The decision to do the plunge was an easy one for Bird who said she is all in for Special Olympics.

“I did it to support the Special Olympics. The Team I joined is named "IF Crew" after my friend’s niece, Izzy Franklin, who participates in the Special Olympics,” she explained. “This is just a feel good moment that allows you to come together with friends and 20 StreetScape Magazine

do something good. Although you are just running into a lake, the adrenaline is still there because it's winter; and I hate cold weather and water.”

Nevertheless, Bird said she’ll be there again this year taking the plunge for Special Olympic athletes, no matter the temperature.

Proceeds from the Polar Plunge benefit the year-round program of Special Olympics Missouri, supporting sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Amanda Castetter, development manager for Special Olympics Missouri, said that in the last six years funds raised by Polar Plunge for Special Olympics have more than doubled; and the organization has seen a 45 percent growth in participation. There are 14 Polar Plunges across Missouri every year.

Eighty-five cents of every dollar raised for this, and all Special Olympics events in the St. Louis Region, go directly to program services... all the programs the athletes participate in here, she said.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® is one of Special Olympics biggest supporters. The Missouri organization is ranked sixth in the world in terms of funds raised for Special Olympics.

Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon started The Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) 31 years ago. Today, the LETR is held in 50 states and 48 countries worldwide. Some 15,000 law enforcement officers from all over the world raise an estimated $42.6 million each year for Special Olympics.

Missouri’s Torch Run started as a 30-mile run in 1986 and is now a four-day relay covering more than 950 miles with 1,000 runners.

It starts in more than 40 locations around the state and culminates at the site of the State Summer Special Olympics Games. All funds raised go to year-round programs for the more than 16,500 athletes across Missouri.

For 40 years, Special Olympics has been spreading the message: people with intellectual disabilities can – and will – succeed when given the chance. Castetter said the organization’s reach is wide.

“Special Olympics works to spread compassion and acceptance in a way that can unite the world,” she said. “Our goal is to awaken everyone – and every community – to each person’s common humanity. This vision of inclusion starts at the local level. It is expanding on a global scale.”

There are about 200 million people with intellectual disabilities worldwide, Castetter said. As the world’s largest public health organization for people with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics seeks to reach all of them.

inspires others everywhere to open their hearts and minds to a wider world of human talents and potential.

vision and drive for justice eventually grew into the Special Olympics movement, states specialolympics.org.

Special Olympics engages and integrates athletes both with and without intellectual disabilities – some as young as three years old – to learn skills and push their limits in a fun way, said Castetter.

From a backyard summer camp, to the formation of Special Olympics in 1968, to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in February 1988 signing an historic agreement with Sargent and Eunice Kennedy Shriver officially endorsing and recognizing Special Olympics — the organization has become an American original.

“Family members and supporters see more of the children's abilities, not their disabilities. And everyone becomes part of the Special Olympics community.”

According to specialolympics.org, “Intellectual disability (or ID) is a term used when a person has certain limitations in cognitive functioning and skills, including communication, social and self-care skills. These limitations can cause a child to develop and learn more slowly or differently than a typically developing child. Intellectual disability can happen any time before a child turns 18 years old, even before birth.”

Eunice Kennedy Shriver is credited with starting the movement, or at least pioneering the work behind what would become Special Olympics, with a summer day camp she held for young people with intellectual disabilities in her own backyard beginning in the late 1950s. The event was in response to her feeling that children with intellectual disabilities were treated unjustly – that they did not even have a place to play.

Intellectual disability is the most common developmental disability. According to the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, an individual has an intellectual disability if he or she meets three criteria: • IQ is below 70-75 • There are significant limitations in two or more adaptive areas (skills that are needed to live, work and play in the community, such as communication or self-care) • The condition manifests itself before the age of 18

According to specialolympics.org, Eunice Kennedy Shriver continued her pioneering work throughout the 1960s, both as the driving force behind President John F. Kennedy's White House panel on people with intellectual disabilities and as the director of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation. Her

Participants in Polar Plunge must be at least 10 years old and raise a minimum of $75 by event day. Polar Plunge is a family friendly event, so all costumes and team names must be appropriate for everyone.

For more information on Special Olympics, to become a coach or volunteer, or to recruit a future athlete, visit www.somo.org or specialolympics.org. For more information on Polar Plunge, visit www.somo.org/plunge.

Offline donations can be mailed to: Special Olympics Missouri, Lake Saint Louis Polar Plunge, 2945 S. Brentwood, St. Louis, MO 63144. Please include your name in the memo line of your check(s). If interested in becoming a sponsor of Special Olympics, call 314-961-7755. ¤

Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization with nearly 4 million athletes in more than 170 countries, and some 15,000 of them are here in Missouri.

But they are also a global social movement that engages youth and kids with intellectual disabilities, builds communities, and works to improve the health of participating athletes.

With training and competitions in 21 Olympic-style sports, Special Olympics uses the power of sports to engage people with intellectual disabilities and help them discover confidence and fulfillment through new strengths and abilities, skills and success.

Simply put, Special Olympics brings joy to people with intellectual disabilities, but also Winter 2017

21

g n i d Blee

E U BL

Story by Thomas M. Findley Photos courtesy of Thomas M. Findley Hockey is in the air — and the St. Louis Blues are in full swing.

Once again, the Blues’ faithful have arrived in jerseys, sweaters, hats, gloves, and so much more of our team's paraphernalia, in support of what they hope will be a successful run at Lord Stanley’s Cup. The St. Louis Blues, affectionately known around town as the “Blue Note,” came within two games of reaching the Stanley Cup finals last season for the first time since the 1969-70 season.

Blues' fans are among the most loyal of all professional sports fans and have supported their team with all of their heart and soul since the inception of the hockey club in 1967. This season promises to excite the fan base with a mix of up-and-coming stars, teamed alongside some crafty old veterans, to give us an exciting team with great potential. This season also promises to be an exhilarating campaign for the simple fact that it is the team’s 50th anniversary.

As an avid Blues fan growing up in St. Louis, I have personally witnessed my fair share of highs and lows. One thing that has never been breakable is the loyalty I have towards my hometown team. This loyalty is unlike the fly-by-night loyalty shown to fans by certain other local teams that relocated from another city, only to romance us, tease us, take advantage of us, then dump us like a scorned lover. Not these guys! These are our Blues! They were born here, raised here, have no intentions of leaving here, and have reciprocated our loyalty. This is not to say that the relationship hasn’t had its bumps in the road. The Blues sometimes remind me of that wacky cousin who drives me crazy, but who I still love with all my heart. The loyalists have learned to take the good with the bad.

Join me as I take a look at some of the great highs, lows, tragedies, and triumphs the Blue Note has provided us throughout this amazing half-century.

Our story begins in 1966 when the NHL awarded a hockey team in St. Louis to begin play in the 1967-68 season. The team was named the St. Louis Blues, and the team called The Arena on Oakland Avenue home. The team was originally owned by successful insurance executive Sid Salomon, Jr., his son Sid Salomon III, and Robert Wolfson. They were considered some of the most generous owners in all of professional sports. They would regularly treat the players to Florida vacations, as well as other perks, for outstanding game 22 StreetScape Magazine

performances. When Blues center Red Berenson scored six goals in a single game in 1969, the owners rewarded him with a new station wagon, a canoe attached to the top, and a Browning 20-gauge shotgun inside.

The 1967-68 season brought six expansion teams, which doubled the size of the NHL to 12 teams. The Blues were quite successful in the early years and made playoff runs to the Stanley Cup finals in their first three years of existence. Their success in the finals was not quite what the team had envisioned, and they were swept four games to none in all three series. Attendance, however, rose from 8,897 in 1967-68 to 18,238 in 1970-71. The Blues' initial success was enough to ignite a fan base that still burns strong to this day.

The Blues had two of the best goaltenders of the era in Glenn “Mr. Goalie” Hall, known as the first goalie to utilize the butterfly style, and Jaques Plante, the first goalie to wear a face mask.

Between the 1971-72 and 1979-80 seasons, the Blues found victory in only one playoff series. The team did have some very talented players, such as forward Gary Unger, hard-hitting defenseman Bob Gasoff, as well as goaltender Mike Liut. But they just didn’t have the right mix of younger players and veterans to complement them.

Unfortunately, tragedy struck in 1977 when Gasoff was killed in a motorcycle accident. His number – 3 – was subsequently retired by the Blues.

Ralston Purina purchased the Blues in 1977 and renamed The Arena “The Checkerdome.” The team won only 18 games in the 1978-79 season, and attendance was slipping from an average of 18,000 in 1971 to roughly 10,000 in 1978.

for

Ye a r s

The Blues needed a serious jolt and got just that when then team president, Emile Francis, drafted Bernie Federko, Brian Sutter, Wayne Babych, and Perry Turnbull. The 1979-80 season was a rebirth of sorts for the hockey club. The team won 45 games – a franchise high – and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.

The years that followed were not nearly as successful; and when the team reported losses of more than $10 million over six seasons, Purina put the Blues up for sale. In 1983, Purina announced it had a buyer in Saskatoon-based, Batoni-Hunter Enterprises, Ltd. It appeared the Blues were leaving St. Louis and heading to Canada — that is until the NHL stepped in and blocked the sale. It turned into a big mess when Purina padlocked the Checkerdome doors, sued the NHL, and completely abandoned the team. Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed, and California businessman Harry Ornest stepped up and purchased the Blues. Ornest quickly hired Ron Caron as GM and Jaques Demers as its head coach. With the foundation of Federko and Sutter in place, the team became competitive once again and reached the conference finals in 1986.

season opener, and the Blues' routinely have alumni games throughout the season to raise money for local charities. Keep your eyes and ears open for upcoming events. ¤

The highlight of the Ornest years occurred on a spring Monday evening during the 1986 playoffs. With only twelve minutes left in a playoff elimination game, the Blues rallied from a threegoal deficit and sent the game into overtime. A loss would end their 1986 season. It worked out favorably for the Blues; they prevailed with a goal by Doug Wickenheiser. The goal came after seven minutes and thirty seconds had already passed in the overtime period. It is considered to be one of the most memorable victories in Blues history. It has affectionately been referred to by the faithful as “The Monday Night Miracle.” Ironically, that night a young player named Brett Hull witnessed the game from the press box as a member of the Calgary Flames. Who would have guessed that in just a year’s time Hull would not only be a member of the Blues, but would be their franchise player and develop into one of the most feared goal scorers in the entire NHL. Unfortunately, the Blues' came up short in the playoffs in 1986 and dropped game seven to Calgary. The Blues would not return to the conference finals until the 2000–01 season, only to be ousted by the Colorado Avalanche in five games. This fifteen-year drought between conference finals occurred despite an extremely solid core of players throughout the years that included not only Brett Hull, but future Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky, Grant Fuhr, Adam Oates, Chris Pronger, Scott Stevens and more.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the Blues ownership group changed hands several times and now is led by local businessman Tom Stillman of Summitt Distribution. The team has excellent fan support and has averaged around 18,000 fans per game for the last ten years. Some Blues alumni were out in force for the Winter 2017

23

Home Sweet Home

Seller's Guide How to

A

Deal with Multiple Offers

In today’s competitive market with such low inventory and high demand from buyers, many sellers are receiving multiple offers on their home. But if you’re a seller, which offer should you choose? While you may think the obvious answer is to go with the highest offer, it is actually more complicated than that. Here are some tips to help you navigate any multiple-offer situation: 1. Timing is everything. When listing your home in a low inventory market, give buyers a specific response time frame so they’ll know when you’re reviewing the offers. If your home is going live on the market Wednesday morning, you may want to say something like: “Your offer will be reviewed by Thursday at 12 p.m.” This ensures you that you make the most of a 24-hour time period and get as many ap-

24 StreetScape Magazine

proved buyers to view your home as possible before having to make a decision.

2. Your agent is there to help. Once you receive multiple offers, it is in your best interest to have your agent reach out to everyone who submitted an offer, agents who have viewed your home and agents who still plan to view your home, to let them know this is a multiple offer situation and a best and final offer needs to be turned in at a specified time. This allows you the flexibility to entertain more quality offers without having to reject or eliminate any current offers on the table.

3. Highest isn’t always best. While price is a huge contributing factor when deciding between offers, there are many other aspects to keep in mind as well. Consider this: • Make sure the price is realistic. It is common to see homes sell above list price but consult with your real estate agent to make sure this price aligns with what the home will appraise for.

Nothing is worse than when a home doesn’t appraise for contract price!

• Think about contingencies. Is this home contingent upon the sale or close of the buyer’s home? Keep in mind that if you accept an offer with this contingency and the buyer’s home does not close by the said date, the buyer has the right to get out of the contract and you are back to square one.

• Ask about lenders. Who is the lender the buyer is using and what type of financing will he/she get? Certain types of financing have more restrictions, lower credit scores allowed, higher debtto-income ratios allowed, and require less of a down payment.

Always make sure the buyer is using a reputable lender that issues a clean pre-approval letter and that you understand the difference between the types of financing on all the offers presented to you.

• Keep things convenient for you. Does the closing time requested by the buyers align with your next home purchase or move? It’s very important to have all of your affairs in order with your next move aligned with the purchase offer you accept to keep the deal moving toward closing.

Bottom line: Remember all offers aren’t created equal. Be informed, pre-

pared and decisive when listing your home in a seller’s market. Hire a quality real estate agent who can help you decipher between multiple offers to make the best decision. Remember, the highest offer isn’t always the best one for you.

KYLE HANNEGAN is an agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties in St. Louis. He is also a member of the national REthink Council. You can visit his website at www.

KyleHannegan.com.

Furniture * Rugs * Artwork Candles * Floral * Gifts Jewelry * Accessories

Check us out on FB for sales & store photos!

www.thewhitehare.com

6121 Mid Rivers Mall Dr St. Peters, MO 63304 636-441-1111 M-Sat 10-6 Sun 12-5

We are on the move!

Come spring, visit us in our new larger location 1 mile down the street at Ohmes Rd & Mid Rivers Mall Dr. in Cottleville!

Winter 2017

25

Home Sweet Home Story by April Moxley Photos Courtesy of Michael McManus

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Happy January! Wow, can you believe that it is 2017 already? The holiday season was full of so much hustle and bustle with parties and get-togethers, shopping and present wrapping, traveling, decorating and un-decorating and on and on. Keeping in mind that this must all be juggled with such things as children, school, work, church, pets, etc., getting back to our “normal” lives becomes just as important as it is to celebrate the Christmas season with all of our family traditions.

Then reality sets in; however, as it does every year, that our house is not quite as cozy without all of the extras that adorn it throughout the holidays. We often step outside of our comfort zone when it comes to embellishing the home during this season of joy, adding garland to the staircase, greenery to the mantle, Christmas trees in the bare corner, wreaths in the windows, ornaments dangling from the chandelier, not to mention all the additional lighting that comes with the territory. But spring is still months away, the nights are long, dark and cold, trees are without foliage, our yards are in hibernation mode and time spent outdoors is minimal. It’s probable that so many projects and resolutions begin in January, not because it is the start of a new year, but rather because we spend more time alone indoors with time on our hands.

So, get out your notebook, review your Pinterest and Houzz pages, and chart out a plan to experiment with a new approach for recreating your living space. Start by rearranging the living room. If you have carpet and everything has remained in the same place for many years, fear not, just “google” the best way to remove the indentations left by your furniture. The repositioning of your seating may provide a new appreciation for windows and lighting in the room, perhaps even allowing for an additional element such as a small piece of furniture or a potted tree.

When I hear people remarking on how much they love something in the store but have no place to put it, my thoughts always go to that place that says, “If I move that thing over there and this thing up higher, then I can definitely make it work.” Wall art may need to change its placement as well, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to use the same nail holes for something else. Of course, if it is possible to move your upholstered pieces away from the walls and center them in the room facing each other, not only will you create a more conversational arrangement, but your wall art may not need to be moved.

It would also be a great time to add an oversized ottoman instead of the traditional coffee table that would be accessible to all of the surrounding seats. Ottomans with lidded storage are useful and easily accessible. Use a tray atop them filled with all your necessary goods or decorative treasures. We devote much of our expertise in the store to creating attractive tray groupings to complement your style and interests.

Simple additions, such as a plush area rug or one with an interesting pattern, are an easy way to alter the look of your room 26 StreetScape Magazine

����

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without committing to new furniture or paint. Neutral colors may bring unity to a room full of color and pattern. If your surroundings are more basic, consider a bold area rug, as it can become a new focal point of the room. Area rugs are commonly shown with the coffee table in the center and furniture placed inches away from the edge, but sometimes having one large enough to support the gathering space, with at least the front legs of any chairs or sofas seated atop the rug, is more functional, safe and aesthetically pleasing. Movement and flow can be easily hampered by the wrong size rug. A daring new trend - the layering of rugs - allows for multiple colors and textures and opens up a whole new level of changeable floor art. At Designs by Avé, speak with Gary about all of the possibilities that await you.

Now back to the long, dark nights and how to fill your room with the proper amount of light. Having sufficient light in your rooms without detracting from the surroundings can set a comfortable mood and allow you to navigate through the seasons in the year and in your life.

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APRIL’S ON MAIN is a unique woman’s getaway. We are a complete home decor and gift store, from the one-of-a-kind centerpiece to the perfect necklace made just for your needs.

We carry silk florals, artwork, furniture, candles, jewelry, lotion, table top accessories, Poo-Pouri and much more. We have in-house designers to help you with all of your decor needs.

April’s On Main St. Charles can be found on Facebook, Yelp! and Twitter.

It is often visually interesting to layer your light sources for multitasking. There are four basic types of lighting to consider when outfitting a room. Ambient lighting is a soft, low-level light that will keep you from bumping into the furniture and can be achieved with something as simple as a candle or wall sconce. Task lighting focuses on a specific area of use and is necessary for your reading chair, makeup table, or desk. Accent lighting brings attention to something specific, such as artwork or other room features. Decorative lighting serves its own purpose by virtue of its design and ability to draw attention to itself. It can encompass the qualities of the other three types of lighting. Dining room chandeliers are a great example of decorative lighting, as are industrial light fixtures, which are growing in popularity because they are so visually intriguing and in many cases (such as those made by local artisans carried at Designs by Avé), one-of-a-kind.

What I think everyone misses about the holiday season is all of the hot ciders and cocoas, cookies and pies and other special treats that overwhelm our senses and fill our bellies. Who says that has to end with the holidays? April’s on Main carries a wonderful line of decorative pieces, along with serving and baking dishes from “Nora Fleming” with interchangeable “minis,” that transform your collection into a variety of different seasonal and everyday looks. Make your food presentation more special by adding a festive decoration to the simply elegant ceramics. Leave that special plate of cookies on the counter with a cute little snowman or pretty pink pig, or serve up the chips and dip with the sombrero or a football for Super Bowl. With close to 100 styles of minis and ceramic choices such as the tissue box, soap dispenser, salt and pepper set, oven safe bakers and a full complement of serving platters and bowls, this line provides lots of smiles and may encourage a bit of extra entertaining.

Winter won’t be here forever, so let’s make the best of it while we can. One never knows, you might just look forward to it next year, if you plan on changing up the whole house.¤ Winter 2017

27

IN!

!

T U Bright, Soft, Muted Pastels OBrassy Colors

Home Sweet Home

Each year the team of color experts at Behr conducts an extensive process examining trends in art, fashion, product design, and architecture to determine the trending hues for the upcoming season. According to a press release, this forecast, paired with the modern ways in which people live, results in the development of the Behr Color Currents, an allnew collection of on-trend paint colors.

“Paint is more than just a color; it is a method of communication. Color conveys emotion and allows people the freedom to express themselves and be who they really are,” said Erika Woelfel, Vice President of Color and Creative Services at Behr, in a press release.

“In today’s busy world, home is a safe haven, a retreat for living in the moment or welcoming guests for a weekend visit. That’s why our 2017 colors are time-honored and heartwarming, just like any homecoming should be.”

Story by Amy Armour

The comfortable colors include muted pastels with a soft romantic feel. The colors include a warm grey, youthful blue, dusted yellow, soft beige, and tinted mint. The trend is leaving the bright colors behind and bringing in the softer.

The composed collection offers intense, deep colors designed to highlight other colors and décor. The collection includes a mixture of deep earth and jewel tones from deep, mineral gray to a dark, red-cast berry, to a robust teal.

The confident palette is for the adventurous risk-takers, with bright, saturated colors like citron yellow, modern orange, or sunshine yellow. The confident palette is often used as an accent wall to provide a punch of unique color or on the back of a door or a piece of furniture.

Heidi Sowatsky, interior designer and owner of the Decorating Den in St. Charles, said she is seeing a lot of shades of gray and griege (combo of gray and beige). Golden tones are being replaced, and graphic wallpaper accent walls in bedrooms are gaining in popularity.

The paint company released 20 on-trend colors for the upcoming year and divided the hues into three lifestyle collections: comfortable, composed and confident.

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28 StreetScape Magazine

“Dark walls are also increasing in popularity, even if just a dark accent wall. It's part of cocooning and making spaces feel cozy,” explained Sowatsky.

“We saw a lot of gold and blush pink, too — memories from the past — but much softer and more sophisticated than bright brass and mauve.”

The color gray is not only popular for the walls, but also on the floors.

“Colors are dark with gray tones. Wider planks and distressed finishes also seem to be popular,” Sowatsky detailed.

“Grays are really big – Barnwood gray with a hint of black or a gray hickory look,” said Rich Cooper, general manager of Country Side Carpets in O’Fallon. “Gray is extraordinarily desired right now; it’s hot.”

The flooring market has changed dynamically in the last couple of years due in large part to digital imagery. Consumers have more choices in not only flooring, but colors, textures and materials. Customers looking for a ceramic or stone floor now have an option to have the ceramic or stone look — without the ceramic or stone price.

“Digital imagery took natural products and photographed them. It created the opportunity to basically Photoshop and take the imperfections out,” said Cooper. “It still gives a very realistic look of the natural product, but it takes out imperfections.”

The digital imagery puts that visual on a carrier sheet that’s stronger, thinner, less expensive, and less likely to break.

“Basically, you get your cake and get to eat it too,” said Cooper.

A brand new flooring product that’s quickly gaining in popularity is COREtec. COREtec is a vinyl surface, synthetic carrier backed by natural cork. It installs using a click system, which allows the floor to entirely float over the subfloor.

“COREtec is installed like a big kid’s erector set,” explained Cooper.

Unlike hardwood, COREtec is waterproof. If the floor is damaged, the baseboard could be pulled out, the floor can be taken apart, and new pieces snapped into place.

“It has evolved out of what we have seen click vinyl in the last five years do,” said Cooper.

“This seems to be the haymaker that will be around for a long time.”

Laminates are also hot this year. The product has improved leaps and bounds since its inception. Cooper said when laminates first came out, people gagged because the pattern and print skins were not reflective of natural looks.

However, digital imagery gives the ability to create three dimension impressions on a surface, which makes a very realistic look.

“Laminate is an extraordinarily sought after product, and it’s getting better because of all of these innovations they are coming up with,” said Cooper.

Laminate is UV stable, so the color will not change from sunlight.

“Laminate gives the warmth of a natural look of the hardwood and tile looks, and the maintenance, cleaning and durability of everyday

living experiences in an active household,” said Cooper.

And it’s about 50 percent cheaper than hardwood.

Hardwood flooring is still a popular choice, but Cooper said many families are waiting to add it until the family gets older and easier on the floors. Families are also choosing flooring as a shorter-term commitment to go along with a room design rather than picking a floor to last 35 years.

Carpeting has changed from a must-have for most of the home to a small centerpiece.

“Now people are moving toward hard surfaces for the entire floor, and then they’re coming in with carpet and creating it in the sitting area, as a hallway runner, or an entry way,” said Cooper. “It’s not just big oriental rugs.”

Consumers choosing carpet are going for soft material. The colors are all over the spectrum, but shades of gray and beige continue to be popular.

“People are moving to low profile, super high density, patterned goods to distract the eye from the wear pattern,” said Cooper. “Patterned goods, tweeded fabrics, and more color diversity help hide soil and wear.”

Cooper said consumers are putting their own signatures on things.

“We try to align products that give consumers the visual impression they are looking for with the performance aspects needed to balance their decisions. We try to stay in tune with what’s going on in the marketplace,” said Cooper.

No matter what is “trending,” Cooper said individuals should make their own choice based on their current lifestyle. ¤

Winter 2017

29

Getting a �resh Start

Story by Amy Armour

Creative

Take gardening to a new level of creativity—with just a bale of straw.

Straw bale gardening is fairly new to the gardening scene and focuses on recycling and repurposing. “It’s a new twist on raisedbed gardening,” said Jamie Granger, co-owner of The Potted Plant, a boutique garden center that carries tools, plants and home and garden décor to create the perfect outdoor living space.

“You use natural materials to garden. It’s inexpensive. You can plant directly into them.”

Any types of fruits, vegetables, herbs or plants that can be planted in a pot can be grown successfully in a straw bale. It doesn’t cost very much—the only purchases are a straw bale (for about $8), some seeds, plants or flowers, and fertilizer. Straw bale gardening can also be done anywhere—on a patio, deck, or lawn. It just must be in the sun for at least eight hours a day.

“It’s not super new. But in today’s world, people like to be creative,” said Granger, who co-owns the shop with business partner David Owenby. If you still have the straw bale from your fall display, store it in the garage for the winter. Make sure the straw bale is placed with the cut straw facing up and the strings running along the sides.

With crazy, unpredictable St. Louis weather, springtime can come in March or April, but the rule of thumb is to wait until the final frost of the season. Granger suggests taking the straw bale out of the garage in late February or early March.

The bale has to be prepared to be a host for the garden. First, make sure it is placed with the cut straw facing up. Then soak the bale with water for three full days. On day four or five, sprinkle fertilizer on top of the bale while continuing to water it. Follow instructions on the fertilizer bag for the amount needed. The fertilizer will take a few days to break down, and organic fertilizer will take even longer—about six days.

“As you feed the bale, it’s going to start breaking down. Organisms need food to break down more,” said Granger, who has 25 years of experience in the garden industry.

30 StreetScape Magazine

For the next 10 to 14 days, the bale will literally heat up, with temperatures hitting up to 120 degrees, signifying decomposition. Grab a thermometer to measure it, because once the bale cools down to the outdoor temperature, it is ready to be used.

And if it looks like it is rotting—that’s OK, because it’s time to plant.

Granger suggests ‘digging’ a hole at least the depth of your hand and following the instructions on the seed package for the amount of fertilizer and soil needed. “Pay attention to the laws of gardening,” said Granger. The same rules apply to straw bale gardening as container gardening. “You’re basically making a container that breaks down.”

The straw bale decomposes within two years. Then, it will provide some great compost for the following year.

Gardeners will care for the plants just like any other. No green thumb? Granger suggests starting with some hearty, easy-togrow veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers or radishes. Herbs like basil and sage are also easy to grow. Green beans grown from seeds will pop up quickly, and spinach, lettuce and cabbage can grow in the dead of winter.

“Try it, it’s easy,” said Granger. “Don’t be afraid. It’s not hard to do.”

Not sure a straw bale garden is for you? Stop by The Potted Plant in Cottleville for some expert advice—and some pre-potted plants. “Everything in the shop is geared toward and inspired by nature,” said Granger. “We try to reuse, repurpose, and recycle as much as possible.” ¤

Gardening 4091 N. St. Peters Pkwy • St. Charles, MO 63304 636.939.3666 • basyeflooring.com Winter 2017

31

Getting a �resh Start

It may be hard for some of us to imagine not being able to take off work or not having the resources to take your child to the dentist. But for families right here in the Greater St. Louis area, those scenarios are very real.

There are as many as 250,000 children in Missouri living at or below the poverty line, with 98,000 of those living in extreme poverty. For those children, access to dental care is problematic for a number of reasons. But at Give Kids A Smile (GKAS), local dental professionals and a team of volunteers are doing all they can to create healthy smiles for the underserved population.

It all started when some local dentists saw a need and set out to meet it. School nurses were reaching out to get help for kids suffering from toothaches and missing a lot of school due to lack of access to dental care. Though its initial focus was on need in the inner city, the program found that the need extended into the counties as well. From humble beginnings with just a few chairs in a very small clinic in 2002, GKAS has grown to two clinics a year – in February and October – at SLU’s Center for Advanced Dental Education, with 60 chairs and specialty areas that can provide a broad range of services for over 600 children over the course of each twoday clinic.

Danielle Riordan, D.D.S., one of the doctors who serves on the Board of Directors at GKAS and donates her services to the program, says, “We’ve been able to provide over $8,000,000 in donated care for almost 16,000 local kids over the years. I don’t think people realize the need that’s right here. But there is a need.

And there are people in our community who genuinely care and want to help right here at home. There’s a lot of emphasis on going 32 StreetScape Magazine

Story by Linda Stroud Photos Courtesy of Delta Dental of Missouri

away on missions, which is great, but there’s just as much here that can be done.”

And GKAS does a lot!

Though it can be a daunting task to schedule so many, each child is given a scheduled appointment time. That way, they’re assured a spot to receive the care they need. Most of the kids who participate in the program come for cleanings and fillings, but GKAS also has the ability to treat more serious concerns.

Just this past October, a 12-year-old boy, who had been hit in the face with a baseball bat two years before, came into the clinic with a group from a local school. His parents couldn’t afford the care he needed, so he was left with one missing tooth, one broken tooth, and another that had suffered trauma from the accident. X-rays showed that he needed two root canals in addition to the work to restore his teeth. GKAS had the resources on hand and was able to complete all of the work needed in one day. The results were not only restored teeth, but a confident smile for a young man who wouldn’t have otherwise been able to get dental care.

For Riordan, the tears of joy from him and his aunt at the end of the day were a heartwarming reminder of why they all do what they do.

With a sparkle in her eye and her own big smile, Riordan remarked, “It was the coolest thing! I say it all the time: I don’t know who gets more out of it, the person who’s doing it or the person who’s receiving it.”

The truth is, everyone benefits from this incredible program. With the clinics that include entertainment like storytellers, face painters,

and balloon artists to make the visits less stressful and more fun for the kids, these children are getting the care they need – at no cost to their families. And the dental professionals and volunteers who see the children’s smiles at the end of the day know that their time and talent are making a difference within their own community. Both things that would make anyone smile.

For more information about the upcoming February clinic, ways you can help, or GKAS in general, please visit: givekidsasmile.org or contact Joan Allen: joana@gkas.org. ¤

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Getting a �resh Start

Story by Kate Santellano

Communities around the U.S. are transforming their lives with well-being habits from the world's longest living people. After investing in new trails and improving downtown walkability, trail counts are up and Albert Lea, Minnesota, has seen a 40 percent rise in active living. Three Blue Zones Project® communities in Iowa were among the 15 best Complete Street policies adopted in the nation in 2013 for walkability and bike-ability. And the beach cities of Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Manhattan Beach in California have seen a 14 percent drop in obesity, as well as a decrease in the smoking rate of 30 percent across the entire community after just two years.

“EDC Business & Community Partners of Greater St. Charles has been working to make our community one of the best regions to live – focusing on creating a strong economy and engaging people to live successful and fulfilling lives for many years,” said Greg Prestemon, President of EDC Partners. “As part of our vision for a healthier community, we have found a great potential partnership with Blue Zones Project®.”

Blue Zones Project® is a nationally recognized initiative currently working within 26 communities nationwide affecting the health and well-being of over 1.6 million lives.

“With the support of Blue Zones Project®,” said Prestemon, “we hope to create a long-term plan to make St. Charles County a better place to live, work and play!”

Eat better. Exercise more. Be around positive people. We all know what we are “supposed” to do in order to be healthy and live a long life. But our environment often makes achieving these goals difficult. For example... think about what you see as you enter the grocery store. Displays with bold, colored signs announcing specials.

More times than not, the specials are for food items you do not need in your diet.

For the first time in history, the life expectancy of children today is projected to be shorter than that of their parents. According to the Blue Zones Project®, over 69 percent of the American population can be classified as overweight or obese. More than 86 percent of the nearly $3 tril-lion spent annually for U.S. healthcare costs is spent on chronic disease. The good news is that 80 percent of a person’s lifespan is determined by lifestyle choices and environmental factors.

What if generations of people could live longer, healthier, happier lives? What if it wasn't so hard to do because their surroundings made it easier? What if people were let in on nine secrets for living a longer, healthier life?

34 StreetScape Magazine

Cities around the United States are participating in what is called the Blue Zones Project® to make their overall community a better, healthier place to live. They are transforming their communities to help their citizens enjoy a healthier lifestyle. And St. Charles County is hoping to be one of the next Blue Zones.

Scientists identified five Blue Zones around the world: Ikaria, Greece; Loma Linda, California; Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; and Nicoya, Costa Rica. The findings were documented by National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner in his New York Times Bestseller, “The Blue Zones –Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest.” Their citizens lead vibrant, healthy, amazingly long lives and have lower incidences of chronic disease with a higher quality of life.

Leveraging secrets discovered in Blue Zones around the world – rare, longevity hotspots – Blue Zones Project® is helping transform communities across the U.S. into areas where the healthy choice is easy, and people live longer with a higher quality of life.

“EDC Business & Community Partners of Greater St. Charles is committed to identifying national, evidence-based, best practices to make our community one of the best regions to live. The Blue Zones Project® results cannot be denied,” explained an advocate for The Blue Zones Program® Lisle Wescott, Chairperson of EDC Partners Health Committee and President of SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – Lake Saint Louis.

By using the Power 9® – the nine secrets of longevity – to improve where we live, work, learn, and play, we can make it easier to get up and move, eat healthy, make new friends, find a reason for being — and live longer and better. According to Blue Zones Project®, these nine “secrets” are identified as:

The Power 9®

1. Move naturally The world’s longest-lived people are constantly nudged into moving by the environment that surrounds them.

2. Purpose In all of the Blue Zones, people say they have something to live for beyond work – what they describe as “why I wake up in the morning.” Having a purpose can add up to seven years to your life.

3. Downshift Long-lived people have developed routines to shed stress. Okinawans take a few moments each day to remember their ancestors; Adventists pray; Ikarians take a nap; and Sardinians enjoy a happy hour.

4. 80% rule In Japan’s Okinawan Blue Zone, people remind themselves to stop eating when their stomachs are 80 percent full with the phrase “Hara hachi bu.” If Americans adopted this rule, they could lose an average of 17 pounds the first year.

5. Plant Slant Put more fruits and vegetables on your plate.

6. Wine @ Five If you have a healthy relationship with alcohol, enjoy a glass of wine with good friends each day.

7. Family First Invest time with family – and add up to six years to your life.

8. Belong Belong to a faith-based community, and attend services regularly to add up to 14 years to your life.

9. Right Tribe Surround yourself with people who support positive behaviors – and who support you.

The secrets of living longer and healthier lives are all around us. The Blue Zones Project® found that we spend 90 percent of our time in the same places and that environment dictates how easy it is to make healthy choices — or how difficult. But

knowing the secrets and implementing them are two very different pieces of the pie.

The Blue Zones Project® team works with cities to implement a change throughout the community by working with worksites, schools, restaurants, faith-based communities, grocery stores, as well as community leaders and individuals. A community assessment must be completed and approved before a city can participate. That assessment includes: demographic and health indicators; leadership opportunities; built environments; food policies; and tobacco policies.

According to Martha Kampen, Strategic Initiatives Coordinator for EDC Partners,

“Our culture of collaboration in our community makes St. Charles County a perfect candidate.”

By making small changes throughout the community, we will attract millennials and keep the baby boomers, she added. If approved, the Blue Zones Project® will start with individual cities until they reach the entire county.

Transforming an entire community takes commitment from leaders across all sectors and is vital to the success of the program.

The program is supported by sponsors and volunteers. Each of the seven facets identified requires individual committees comprised of sponsors and volunteers to facilitate change.

“As part of our vision, we have found a great partnership with Blue Zones Project®,” Kampen said.

So what would a Blue Zone look like for St. Charles County? If accepted by the Blue Zones Project® team, examples of some changes we could see as a community include: • Businesses would implement a wellness program, including exercise options and healthier food menu choices.

• Schools can encourage better eating habits, implement tobacco-free policies, and increase physical activity to help students and parents form healthy habits for life.

• Restaurants would have “Blue Zone” choices, offering diners healthier options.

• Faith-based communities would have a community walk once a week or month or organize special group activities.

• Local grocery stores would have a “Blue Zone” section, similar to organic sections that currently exist, that would provide easier access to healthy and tasty foods.

• Community policies would ensure plenty of sidewalks, add community gardens, farmers’ markets, and other community

infrastructures that would allow for you to move naturally, connect socially, and access healthy food.

• Individuals could walk to the grocery store, dinner, school, etc., increasing their movement.

“By making the simple changes in

our lives and making healthier choices, we will see less chronic diseases and ultimately reduce healthcare costs,” explained Kampen.

“Several communities in St. Charles County have already started implementing ways to be healthier as a community. For example, the O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce has a group of employers committed to creating a healthier workplace environment. Other communities are catching on as well, but the initiative will take community-wide support to achieve a Blue Zone environ-ment, for the key is to live a longer, healthier, happier life. And by incorporating the Power 9® into your daily life, you will be happier, live longer and be healthier. The Blue Zones Program® is a proven, comprehensive plan to ensure measurable results for community wide health and wellness.”

The Blue Zones Program® for St. Charles County is currently under review by the EDC Partners Board. Kampen outlined that the next step will be ensuring enough people in the community are interested and want to be involved in bringing this community wellness program to our area.

“This is very much contingent upon sponsors and volunteers. It will take a lot of people who are pas-

sionate about a healthy community willing to invest their time, talent, and treasure to ensure success. We

are excited about the progress we have made and are hopeful we can begin the program rollout in 2017,” Kampen said.

If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information on the Blue Zones Program® contact Martha Kampen at mkampen@edcscc.com or (636) 229-5284.

Winter 2017

35

HEAL

Your Whole Body

NATURALLY

HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF I TOLD YOU THAT YOU COULD GET RID OF THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH DAILY USING NATURAL SOLUTIONS & RESOURCES? Fatigue • Joint Pain • Hot Flashes • Migraines • Belly Fat • High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol • Brain Fog • Mood Swings • Constipation & other Bowel Issues Well, it’s true.

By following these simple ten tips, you can heal your whole body naturally. Try these ten tips daily for the next 28 days.

Doing these simple suggestions will help rid you of toxins and may rebalance your body’s natural response towards healing.

1. Start your morning off with eight ounces of warm lemon water.

2. Drink a small glass of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice daily.

3. Eat a small avocado daily.

4. Drink 4-6 ounces of turmeric tea daily.

5. Take zinc daily.

6. Drink one cup of dandelion root tea.

7. Eat one clove of garlic.

8. Drink 80 ounces of water daily.

9. Juice 1 small beet, 3 organic carrots,

1 small organic apple, 3 celery stalks, and ½ inch of ginger.

10. Eat one handful of raw spinach. www.nahealthsol.com

IMPORTANT MESSAGE Your liver regulates your metabolism. It determines whether you burn fat for energy or store it in your belly or on your hips. This is why nourising, supporting and healing your liver may be the single most important thing you can do for your health.

For more information, contact Dr. Jenkins at 636-724-5605 36 StreetScape Magazine

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��f�. ���ert�.

LIVIARA

�he young queen was embraced by �rance in 1770. �he was beloved.

TWENTY-THREE YEARS LATER, SHE WAS CONDEMNED AND LOST HER HEAD TO THE GUILLOTINE. Marie Antoinette is well-regarded as an early fashionista for her opulent use of rare and expensive fabrics. She promoted radical new styles through her public persona, in the modern, celebrity-culture way—and that's why we still connect with her today. Most importantly, she embraced her womanhood. She reveled in femininity.

This same Marie Antoinette is the inspiration for Liviara’s inaugural collection. Liviara is a new luxury lingerie brand based in St. Charles that embodies the spirit of a woman who knows what she wants and how to acquire it. Founder and St. Charles native Kara Gatto says that she saw an opening for a luxury lingerie line that appealed to the modern American woman. She started working on designs two years ago.

Liviara’s 2017 collection contains two lines. The Beloved line of Liviara reveals the story of Marie Antoinette as an enviable fashion icon known for her unrivaled taste. Liviara channels her unforgettable essence in an extraordinary collection of pastel silks, lace and desirous detailing.

The Condemned line of Liviara exonerates the darker underpinnings of Marie Antoinette as a fearless queen with unabashed desires. Liviara captures courageous aspects of her psyche in a collection of brazen silhouettes and rich colors.

“This is something I have always wanted to do,” explained Gatto. She wants women to feel empowered and beautiful. “I want people to wear my lingerie for themselves first. To make themselves feel beautiful before anyone else who may or may not see it.”

•

The quality and luxury in each piece is evident with just a quick glance.

In fact, it takes over 42 pieces to construct one basic bra. Many of Liviara’s intimates typically contain even more detail and components.

Made from some of the world’s finest silks, intricate laces, and gold-

• 38 StreetScape Magazine

plated accessories, each piece is meticulously handcrafted at Liviara’s state-of-the-art-workshop in St. Charles.

The complex needs of creating a new high-end lingerie company based in the Midwest were daunting. “It’s really hard to find anyone who will manufacture a relatively small supply of your structured pieces and do it really well, so after a few failed attempts, I thought we should manufacture for ourselves. This would allow me to control the quality and make needed changes immediately,” Gatto said.

Producing the collection in the U.S.A. is paramount to Gatto’s company. Liviara is designed and manufactured at its new headquarters and state-of-the-art workshop known as St. Louis Sewn, located at 1708 South Fifth Street in St. Charles. The boudoir pink walls, chandelier lighting and huge picture windows are indicative of the style that encompasses the Liviara brand.

St. Louis Sewn currently employs over 30 individuals.

Gatto recruited a former executive with a lingerie company in New York and a marketing executive from Los Angeles, and she has a designer with technical construction expertise working from New York. She said that she was lucky that St. Louis has a history of manufacturing and a few notable places still in production. When most regional factories slowed and were plagued by layoffs, Gatto was hiring. “We were able to hire skilled seamstresses right here and put people back to work. Sewing is becoming a lost art, and we are lucky to have many seamstresses with over 20 years’ experience,” she said.

Gatto realizes that her employees are the key to her success. “If you are not in business to make other lives better, then you shouldn’t be in business. We value our employees and their contributions.” Gatto shows her appreciation by offering excellent benefits packages, pay that’s above industry standard, and twice-monthly luncheons. “We are a big family.”

In fact, Gatto relies on her veteran team of seamstresses to help make each piece of lingerie better. “They are experts in what they are doing and can make improvements based on their experience.”

Each piece that leaves the facility has been completely constructed by hand. And while both lines of lingerie are soft, sleek and sensual in looks, you can be assured they are also well-constructed and sturdy.

Gatto was well-received at her debuts at New York Fashion Week, Los Angeles Fashion Week and the associated markets for retail buyers in September and October. She expects to compete with La Perla, Agent Provocateur, Bordelle and other luxury brands. Because of the positive response received in such a short amount of time, Gatto plans to expand her manufacturing facility and process small runs for other designers.

Currently available online at www.liviara.com, soon to be available in high-end retails stores, along with popup stores in major metropolitan cities. ¤

Story by Kate Santellano Photos below by Mike Schlueter Other Photos courtesy of Liviara

• Winter 2017

39

Create the Perfect Look

Literally from Head to Toe Story by Amy Armour Photo by Michael Schlueter

Located in Ballwin at 43 Nationalway Shopping Center, the boutique boasts unique and trendy clothing and accessories for local fashionistas.

The shop also has a hair studio on-site to provide women with a new color, cut, highlights, blowout or even extensions to complete their look.

The shop started when three friends opened a hair salon in a residential basement in 2012. Irene Dorantes, hair stylist and now sole owner of LIJ Designs, expanded the shop in 2013 to a storefront that provides its customers with service way beyond a hair salon. The shop includes unique and affordable clothing that cannot be found at a typical store.

LIJ carries several trendy brands, including: Trouble at the Mill, JDL collection from France, RYU, A'reve, Elietian and M. Rena.

40 StreetScape Magazine

Dorantes is obsessed with the M. Rena collection—dresses in particular. The collection is comfortable, stylish and can be paired with leggings, worn as a shirt or a dress. The collection carries dresses for each season from sleeveless to longsleeve.

“They’re fabulous,” said Dorantes, who loves to layer her look.

Clients can complete an outfit with the perfect piece of chunky jewelry, hair accessories, scarves, and a handbag— without even leaving the store. In addition, the shop includes an eclectic blend of home décor items with a shabby chic feel.

Not sure what look is right for you? Clients at LIJ can rely on the expert stylists at the boutique to find the perfect individual look. Dorantes provides one-on-one customer service, and she has been known to open her shop at special times for clients.

“When I am buying, I always keep my customers in mind,” said Dorantes.

“I love when they tell me how they loved what they purchased, and sometimes they send me pictures of their purchases.”

• What is your personal style?

My personal style would be "Versatile." I am always open to stepping out of my comfort zone. I love mixing and matching different pieces to create a different look or outfits. I tell my customers to create the "look," not follow the look.

• What is your must-have accessory this season?

Scarves.

• What is your all-time favorite pur chase?

It's hard to say. I love everything I buy, but my all-time favorite is the M. Rena-- it a must have for your wardrobe.

• Ankle boots, riding boots or wedges?

Riding boots.

• What is the most popular brand trending in your shop?

AA-B2B_2017-MOSS-3.75x5.025.indd 2

It’s hard to say which brand is the most popular brand. We are always bringing in new ones and always looking for the latest styles. But, M. Rena is all yearround the most popular brand. M. Rena is flattering fits with the finest blend of breathable threads, style and comfort without compromising quality. (It) is made in the USA.

12/6/16 1:25 PM

• What are five staple pieces from your winter closet?

· M. Rena · Leggings · Lace Bra · Denim Jacket · Boots

• What item from your closet can

you not live without this winter?

M. Rena Casual, but trendy. I don’t do high fashion.

LIJ Design is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, visit www.lijdesign.com or check the boutique out on Instagram or Pinterest.

Winter 2017

41

42 StreetScape Magazine

•Grey Fox Jacket- The Fur & Leather Centre •Cashmere Sweater- String Along With Me •Booties- DSW Winter 2017

43

•Indigo & Fox Cape with Feathers, •Silver Fox Purse with Horn Handle The Fur Centre •Bracelet- MOss Boutique

44 StreetScape Magazine

•Purple Knitted Mink Chevron Scarf •Lavender Dyed Sheer Rabbit with Mink Trimmed Hood The Fur Centre •Necklace- String Along with Me Winter 2017

45

•Mink Coat with Fox Trim, Hood and Belt -The Fur Centre •Necklace & Dress- Carries Boutique •Boots- Model’s Own

46 StreetScape Magazine

•Rust Grooved Mink Stroller with Mink Trimmed Hood- The Fur Centre •Dress- Carries Boutique •Necklace and Gloves- MOss

Winter 2017

47

•Blue Leather Stroller with Raccoon Trim Hood- The Fur Centre •Sunglasses- String Along With Me •Lace Crop Top- MOss Boutique •Necklaces- Abigail’s Apparel •Leggings- DSW •Shoes- Model’s Own

48 StreetScape Magazine

•Multi-color Dyed Fox Vest •Hot Pink Fox Muff-Purse- The Fur Centre •Pink Faux Hat- String Along With Me •Orange Bando- Abigail’s Apparel •Pants- Carries •Shoes- MOss Boutique Winter 2017

49

Art Ties

The

of

Story by Kate Santellano Photos courtesy of Fraser Leonard Fine Art Gallery

Art. Three small letters create such a big word.

It is an expression or application of creative skills and imagination. It varies from person to person. The dictionary indicates that art is typically in a visual form such as a painting or sculpture. Yet, there is so much more to art; especially in the eyes of an artist.

“Art is in all forms. It is in the clothes you wear, the china you eat on, the chairs you sit in. It is all around us,” explains Fraser Leonard, owner of Fraser Leonard Fine Art Studio. His gallery mirrors his beliefs. As you enter his studio, an eclectic mix of art adorns the walls.

He is an abstract expressionist that incorporates a variety of materials to create his intuitive design and composition, including watercolor, acrylic, steel, copper, brass, wood, plaster, stone and silk ties.

Yes, silk ties.

For thousands of years, fashion designers have been inspired by artists, and for Leonard, it is no different.

Using an inventory of ties he had on hand, Leonard picked up his brush and paint. With bold colors and unique lines, the silk ties soon turned into another form of expression for Leonard.

50 StreetScape Magazine

Fraser Leonard

During the recent presidential elections, Donald Trump’s brightly colored red tie creatively inspired Leonard. He wanted to capture the significance he felt when seeing Trump in the red tie, so he created a 3’ bright red tie that he calls the “Trump Tie.” “I have an ability to reflect on my life and make it physical,” says Leonard. The “Trump Tie” was a spontaneous reaction to his environment. For Leonard, it represents change in our country.

Leonard came to St. Louis in 1966. Emulating his mother who inspired him, Leonard began drawing when he was 4 years old. Although often described as an abstract expressionist, Leonard’s award-winning style defies labeling.

His works are influenced by nature and a positive attitude toward the environment and mankind.

Baby, it's COLD outside...

� e��ti�ull� Brave the cold

For more than thirty years, Leonard taught in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. As a teacher, he encouraged his students to think outside the box and be true to themselves.

Leonard is proud that many of his students from years ago stop in and visit with him at his studio to thank him for sharing his creativity with them.

Fraser Leonard Fine Art Gallery is located at the heart of historic Main Street in St. Charles, Missouri. The Gallery hosts receptions, books signings and special events.

Contact: Fraser.Leonard@sbcglobal.net or 314-853-3695. www.fraserleonard.com irisheyes_HP_10_16.pdf

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Come see us at our studio in Historic Wentzville 24 W. Main St. Winter 2017

51

Wedding

Erynn& Andy

�allmann October 21, 2016

Ceremony St. Theodore Church , Flint Hill MO Officiant Gary Vollmer Reception The Christy Banquet Center

•

We did a non-peak sneak before our ceremony so we couldn’t see one another but we were able to exchange our letters and read them with our backs up to one another and then said “I love you and I will see you at the altar!”

Parents of the Bride

Richard and Jeanne Yount

Parents of the Groom Dale and Patti Ballmann

52 StreetScape Magazine

•

For a very special person (Andy, the groom’s twin brother Brad who had passed away a couple years ago) we did some special things to honor him at our wedding. Andy wore a white dove pin on his jacket the whole day, we listed him in our wedding program as an Honorary Groomsman , and we wanted to have a photo

with him on our wedding day so we brought a photo of him and took one.

It was a very special moment we got to stop and tell him thank you for being the hand in heaven that had our paths cross.

•

We decided to have our first official dance together as husband and wife alone at the sight we had our first date at and we also got engaged there ! We brought a little speaker to play our song to! It was a beautiful private moment we got to share as the sun was setting on our special day!

Groomsmen

Teddy Ballmann ( Best Man), AJ Kellems (Best Man), Erick Yount, Adam Yount, Tommy Loeffler, & Willie Loeffler

Bridesmaids

Jill Wolf (Matron of Honor), Dana Ballmann (Maid of Honor), Marci Yount, Brittney Ballmann, Caitlin Abbott, & Lisa Kohler Flower Girl Ava Ballmann Ring Bearer Owen Wolf

Gift Exchange Between Bride & Groom

We exchanged letters to one another that we had written the morning of!

Groomsmen Gifts A personalized Yeti!

Ring Bearer Gift A nerf gun

Bridesmaids Gifts A personalized bag from Etsy Flower girl Gift

A dream catcher, a bracelet and personalized bag

Photos Irish Eyes Photography Photobooth STL Booths Cake & Desserts Susie G’s Specialty Cakes DJ & Videography

Applause Productions

Transportation Bus

A Ride to Remember

Bride’s Dress Wedding Creations, Washington Missouri.

Grooms Suit Boulevard Bride Flowers & Décor Flowers By Nettie

•

For the bride’s grandpa who passed, we had a pocket from one of his old button up shirts embroidered in a baby blue message on it, and the bride kept it in her pocket all day so he was always with her!

Winter 2017

53

Life is Sweet

Sweet Celebrations

When Shalei Taylor was turning 15, her family was facing homelessness.

She reached out to Beth Brockling, her Big Sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, who put out a call for help on Facebook. Through the generosity of friends and family, Brockling was able to gather the resources to help Shalei’s family secure temporary housing, but she didn’t stop there.

Making a Difference... One Birthday at a Time Story by Linda Stroud Photos Courtesy of Sweet Celebrations

Brockling also made sure what might have been Shalei’s darkest day became a wonderful, positive memory she would never forget. She arranged a 15th birthday party for Shalei, making sure her Little Sister knew just how much she and other people cared about her.

birthdays. Out of a sad, unthinkable situation came the realization that thousands of St. Louis area children are affected by homelessness. And, since that day, Brockling has made it her mission to bring a bit of celebration into the lives of every homeless child she can.

Thus begins the remarkable story of Sweet Celebrations, a local nonprofit that exists to make sure homeless children know how special they are on their

The parties create lasting memories and boost the self-esteem of kids going through a very difficult time. For many of these children - some as old as 18 - it’s

54 StreetScape Magazine

the first time they’ve ever celebrated their own birthday. Sweet Celebrations has celebrated 1st birthdays, taught children as old as 16 to blow out candles on their cakes, and given wrapped gifts to kids who have never had the opportunity to unwrap a present before. Each child gets to choose their party theme, which determines the gifts, cake, decorations and games for the party.

Putting the resources in place to make

this all happen consistently was a huge undertaking, but one Brockling embraced with enthusiasm. To build her inventory for those first parties, she hosted a toy/party supply drive at a few local businesses. As word spread, she began receiving donations of time and talent, too. Volunteers, clowns, balloon artists, face painters, and more began offering their services. One incredible donor offered personalized birthday shirts for each child. Talented local bakers came on board to donate birthday cakes designed for each child’s chosen theme.

And Maxine Clark, founder of Build-ABear, also generously committed to personally donating a birthday Build-A-Bear for each birthday boy or girl.

With that strong community support, Brockling and her team of volunteers and donors have been able to facilitate birthday celebrations for over 500 homeless children in just three years. Children living in the shelters have come to anticipate their special day and often excitedly talk about what their theme might be when it’s their turn to celebrate. Brockling says she and her volunteers make sure to listen carefully and be prepared for those upcoming birthdays. “Even if some are planning 11 months in advance with us,” she adds with a smile.

Brockling’s team now includes her children, Little Sister Shalei, a whole slew of regular volunteers, and 13 “Celebration Specialists” who host the parties, as well as many cake donors and a volunteer coordinator. Now 18, Shalei fondly remembers what that special outpouring of love meant to her and her family on her 15th birthday. She brings a personal understanding of what these kids are going through to the mission, even though her family has since moved on to better times.

As she looks at how Sweet Celebrations has evolved, Brockling is filled with gratitude for all the people who came together to make her heartfelt wish a reality for the kids. “I am in absolute awe! When I began Sweet Celebrations, I never expected the impact it would have on the community or the children we celebrate. We are seeing lasting impacts with the children we celebrate, especially the growth of selfesteem. Our community heard of a need and came full force. And I get to see that daily from so many awesome people!” ¤

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For more information about Sweet Celebrations or to find out how you can help, visit sweet-celebrations.org.

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Winter 2017

55

��lent�ne’s �a�

Life is Sweet

Story by Nikki Peters

D E D O C E D The celebration of love does not have to be fancy and include cupid or even a traditional valentine card; however, in the name of red, white, and pink, show some love to yourself and those around you who have made hard sacrifices that deserve appreciation. I don’t know many people that would refuse kind words... and maybe a chocolate or two.

Everyone has a thought, image, or idea that comes to mind when the topic of Valentine’s Day is broached. Hearts, arrows, cupids, pinks, reds, and chocolate boxes are just a few of the visual cues that signal Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Ask anyone what their plans are for Valentine’s Day, and romantic dates, expensive gifts, movie nights, and candlelit dinners may make their way into conversation. But, ask your co-worker, neighbor, or friend how Valentine’s Day started, and the conversation may look quite different. Many of us celebrate this day every year, but do we really know what we are celebrating?

I have heard it said that the candy companies invented Valentine’s Day as a way to boost their sales by convincing the public to eat candy in mass quantities. I have also heard that Hallmark or some other card company invented Valentine’s Day to benefit financially. Then, I heard that the day involves something about a saint, but I couldn’t tell you any more than that. So, which is it? Are any of these options historically accurate?

Truth be told, the origination and history of Valentine’s Day is based both in fact and in some speculative details. It is not the pretty, romantic, and flowery vision that we carry with us regarding Valentine’s Day.

During the 3rd century, in a time of great conflict, there were allegedly three “Saint Valentines.” There is one that has been “claimed” as the Saint Valentine for which our day is named.

His story begins with the Roman Emperor Claudius II making a brazen proclamation during a time of war. Claudius II decided to ban all unmarried men from ever getting married. His thought was that married men made weak soldiers, because they feared what happened to a wife or family if they died. An unmarried man’s fearlessness would make him a better fighter in battle.

The Roman priest, Saint Valentine, believed that marriage was 56 StreetScape Magazine

a union blessed by God. In protest and in secret, Saint Valentine began to marry the soldiers and their brides quietly. Valentine’s rebellion was eventually discovered, and he was imprisoned. Allegedly, while in prison, he healed the blind daughter of one of his captors. Some accounts say that he was in love with her. Others claim that he performed a selfless healing. Regardless, he wrote her a note “from your Valentine” (the first valentine card) before he was stoned and beheaded for his actions against Claudius II. For his fight and martyrdom, Saint Valentine became the “patron saint of lovers.”

Despite the elements of love and sacrifice in Valentine’s story, it is thought that the medieval poet Geoffrey Chaucer is the one who truly crafted February 14th into a day of love and romance.

During the 14th century, in his poem, The Parliament of Fowls, Chaucer paints a beautiful picture of birds choosing their mates on February 14th. This is the first documented time that February 14th became romanticized and disassociated from the sad fate of Saint Valentine.

By the 18th century, Valentine’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Valentine, included presentations of flowers, handcrafted cards (valentines), and sweets. It was truly celebrated as a day to recognize loved ones.

While the origins of Valentine’s Day may be slightly jarring, it has been suggested that the true message behind Saint Valentine’s story is that love may require sacrifice, but it is worth the fight.

Similarly, some have suggested that Saint Valentine’s tale represents the hardships and trials in all relationships. This message is relevant to singles pursuing love, couples in love, those who have been married for a long time, and families growing together.

These days, Valentine’s Day has a wide-breadth of ways to celebrate, no matter what one’s relationship status may be.

Saint Valentine boldly fought for the love of others in a time of oppression. In honor of the day’s namesake and the wonderful people in your life, take a moment this Valentine’s Day to celebrate.

Use these ideas, or do something of your own.

�i��les

• Plan a party. You are not the only one looking for Valentine’s Day plans. Instead of looking for the hot spot to hang out, make your humble abode the go-to gala.

• Create a theme (wine and cheese anyone?), have friends over for dinner, and watch a movie together.

• Treat yourself. Take some much-needed time off work, get a pedicure, or order your favorite takeout.

• Find a new love. Is there a class you’ve wanted to take? A hobby you’ve wanted to try? Today is your day, carpe diem.

• Get dressed up with your friends for a night out together and have a gift exchange.

• Embrace and love your singleness. There are benefits and perks to being single. Take a minute to jot them down and gain some perspective.

�ouples

• Change things up. Never taken dance lessons? Never gone on a hike together? Here’s your chance. Embrace a new day and a new date.

• Create a new tradition. Maybe it’s writing a new poem together each year, or having a special dessert spot that you visit.

• Have a “selfie-shoot.” Go to significant places and take a “selfie“ of the two of you. Later, you can make a photo book with these pictures.

• Reminisce. Talk about dates you’ve had in the past and share your favorites. You can write these down and keep a journal of your favorite memories.

• Keep it simple. If the two of you love movies, for example, it’s ok to just go to a movie. Fancy gifts and gestures are not always needed.

• Have a cozy night-in. Get an assortment of your favorite foods and snacks and plan on staying in: play a board game, talk, or binge-watch Netflix.

�amilies

• Decide on a dinner to cook together. As the family sits around the prepared meal, ask, “How do we show love to each other in good and bad times?”

• Include the kids on a scavenger hunt for your partner/spouse.

Allow them to help you plan clues and gifts to be included on the hunt. Then, the kids can help hide the clues.

• Decorate the house in red, white, and pink. Have the kids help plan a meal that only includes those colors. (Food coloring and pancakes pair nicely.)

• Let the children show some love. Make valentine cards for friends and other who might be lonely, than assist in delivering the cards.

• Have a “romantic” Disney movie night-in. Show a classic and pick out candy gifts for one another to eat during the movie.

• Make “I love you because…” books for one another or friends and family members. ¤ Winter Winter 2017 2017

57

Life is Sweet

� n a Sugar Spice

General Stores are Making a Comeback!

Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson

“Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name.” It was a fine lyric that opened the once-beloved television sitcom

“Cheers.” But the reason that we all related to it had nothing to do with a bar, but rather the warm familiarity of a gathering place, complete with drinkables and edibles to comfort our bellies and an almost tangible welcome from the décor as well as the decorum.

At one time, general stores and candy shops were a town’s sole stop for supplies. But they were more than that. Town folk didn’t rush to find the closest parking spot, run in and hastily gather their flour sacks and tap their toes in exasperation at the sales register, impatiently waiting their turn. These were the gathering places. They served almost as a news hub or, at the very least, a gossip center; and generations mixed within.

Some present day, local proprietors are attempting to recapture that small-town, slow down atmosphere.

Brent and Linda Styer have opened such a place at 6 West Main Street in Wentzville.

From the 35-plus flavors of old-fashioned soda served atop a counter inlaid with bottle caps, right down to the doily on the bistro table in front of the coffee bar, Ellbee’s reminds customers of a different time.

And local kids are proving that old-fashioned is fine with them. Ellbee’s usually experiences a rush every weekday at 2 p.m. when moms come by on their way to pick up the kids and again at 3 p.m. when kids are out of school.

Although the atmosphere is reminiscent of times gone by, not all of the products are.

Some are as modern as the offerings of fine gourmet coffee shops and markets all over the world. The Styers carry the complete Ellbee's Garlic Seasoning line, the same ones that they’ve offered at food festivals and stores across the country for the last decade. Ellbee’s offers a fresh garlic, wet meat rub and garlic seasoning, as well as eight rub flavors, four dips and a brine.

“If you like garlic, you’ll love Ellbee’s garlic.

It’s the best buzz your food will ever have,” Linda Styer said. “Everything is garlic first.

So even with the rubs like chipotle or Asian, 58 StreetScape Magazine

you get the garlic first, then the heat or the herbs and spices with varying flavors.”

All products are made with fresh ingredients, as they were developed in Linda’s own kitchen. There are no artificial preservatives, MSG, or glutens.

Though Ellbee’s is new, the building in which it resides holds a rich history. Ellbee’s is located in the same building where Richard and Dorothy Mueller operated Mueller’s General Store more than six decades ago. The couple’s picture hangs on the east wall of Ellbee’s just above a simple wooden sign that says, “Gathering.” That sign is near to the “Table of Knowledge,” a wooden, bistro-style table named in memory of Linda’s dad and the reference he made to a table in a local restaurant where he and his friends sat and solved the world’s problems over breakfast.

In addition to Ellbee’s unique gourmet coffee and tea finds, pastries, desserts, old-fashioned sodas, floats, bulk chocolate, nostalgic candies, herbal remedies, and a wide selection of gifts and personal items, Ellbee’s offers a full barista service. They have lattes and frappés and smoothies. There is even a “Butter Beer” option that customers have said rivals Universal Studios’. And in the absence of a drive-thru, store

manager and Empress of Espresso, Mary Rocha, is not above running your morning coffee out to your vehicle.

“It’s an old time drivethru. If you want to call ahead, I’ll run it out to you,” she said. “We can make anything the big coffee houses make.” Only cheaper, she quipped.

For more information on Ellbee’s General Store, gift baskets and fundraisers, follow them on Facebook or call (636) 887-2737.

Gary Mincy also sees the value in the pleasures of another time. The former software developer opened a popcorn shop five years ago at 420 South Main Street in Historic St. Charles.

His marketing slogan is simple – “Pop’n Crisp Popcorn makes the world’s best popcorn.” And that’s enough for a multitude of millennials who seem to want just that.

“We use fresh, natural ingredients. We make it fresh every

day in small batches, and we don’t pack it until you order it,” said Mincy. “We use real butter, which is far healthier and more delicious than artificial, and coconut oil, which has long been known to give popcorn its crispiness, great taste and irresistible smell. And it turns out coconut oil is good for you as well.”

Mincy said it’s not only the taste and the seven different flavors – which can, in different blends, create 16 million different combinations – but the healthy eating that attracts the young people.

“Millennials are different than our generation,” he asserted. “They don’t look at the world like we did. They have looked at the world and said, ‘We want quality.

We want to eat better.’ These young people realize they have the ability to live to be 120 years old, so they have to start now taking care of themselves.

“Pop’n Crisp Popcorn is displayed in specially made crisping cabinets designed just for us,” shared Mincy. “This means that when you put our popcorn in your mouth, you’ll immediately know that you have never tasted popcorn this good before.”

Mincy said Pop’n Crisp is not your ordinary popcorn shop. “We tried the traditional, red-and- white-striped popcorn look. This isn’t a circus; it’s serious snack food.”

Some of the flavors available daily are: buffalo; butter; caramel; cheddar; Chicago Mix (caramel and cheddar); E. T. Mix (bacon, buffalo, ranch); Kettle; ranch; and any combination of them. There is also a flavor of the day. Sweet flavors include banana, blueberry, cherry, coconut, grape, orange, Red Hot Cinnamon, strawberry, toffee, vanilla, watermelon, and Wedding Cake.

Savory flavors include barbeque, Cajun, Cheddar Pretzel Ale, creamy dill, garlic parmesan, Guadalajara Hot Sauce, honey mustard, hot and spicy, Hot Jalapeno, nacho cheese, Pepper Pop Hot, pizza, sour cream and chives, wasabi, and white cheddar.

For more information on Pop’n Crisp Popcorn, follow them on Facebook, visit www.popncrisp.com, or call (636) 757-3457.

With its neo-Victorian parlor vibe, Sugar Cubed offers “sweet adventures that entice customers with scrumptious treats, unforgettable settings, and a warm and friendly spirit,” said Samantha Ellison-Tripathy, co-owner and recently-transformed fashion merchandising and design aficionado. Ellison left a teaching job at The Art Institute of St. Louis to go into the candy business with her sister, Sarah Johnson.

Located at 917 South Main Street in Historic St. Charles, Missouri, Sugar Cubed boasts over 1,500 square feet filled with some 400 unique, gourmet, nostalgic candies and gifts; specialty arrangements; an in-store café; candy catering; and a fun space for events. The café counter serves artisan snacks and craft sodas.

“It’s a candy store like no other in the St. Louis metropolitan area, built on sweet dreams and local family history,” Ellison-Tripathy said.

Sugar Cubed comes from a family story that goes back all the way to grandparents Jim and Loretta Ellison, who ran a concession stand at St. Phillips in East St. Louis in the 1960s. The sisters grew up operating snow cone, cotton candy, funnel cake, and popcorn machines, handing treats out to the neighborhood kids.

Ellison-Tripathy said the candy store idea originated with a visit with their other sister (there are five Ellison siblings) in Los Angeles; and their brother and cousins created some of the woodworking and decorations. Their parents even help out in the store on occasion.

The sisters plan to host gatherings at Sugar Cubed, including holidaythemed events, birthday parties, showers, and game and movie nights.

“We figure, who doesn’t love candy?”

The general store isn’t the only thing making a comeback, EllisonTripathy said.

“I think, in general, people shopping local is becoming more popular.

But it’s also a food trend, like cupcakes. It’s the new indulgence.

It’s the nostalgia, too. They try to remember their childhood. It brings back good memories.”

Gummy Bears are all the rage at Sugar Cubes, with ten different flavors.

“When we open the lid, you can just smell the fruit flavor,” EllisonTripathy described.

Her chocolate isn’t far behind in sales. She said turtles, chocolate-covered potato chips and international chocolates are all big sellers. The café also serves up unique treats found nowhere else: gourmet cotton candy with flavors such as toasted marshmallow and pumpkin spice; local artisan corn snacks by local chef Gary McNelly, with flavors like harissa and blue cheese and honey; Intelligentsia Coffee; houseroasted Bavarian nuts; and over 30 craft sodas.

For more information about Sugar Cubed, follow them on Facebook, call 636-395-7365, or email Ellison-Tripathy at sellison@sugar3co.com. ¤ Winter 2017

59

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d n i h e B theApron

STREETSCAPE: What inspired you to become a chef?

CHEF LARRY: My mom refused to feed me, it was more of a survival thing. Mom,

A CULINARY EXPERIENCE WITH CHEF LARRY GERSTEIN

I am kind of kidding. The truth is I have fun cooking. I remember as a kid when my parents would go out on Saturday nights I looked forward to making cakes, brownies and cookies. Later on I would create more elaborate meals experimenting with Mexican and Italian dishes, which had its challenges since I grew up in a kosher home. As you can see, I have been a foodie for a long time and feel very fortunate to now get paid for doing something I truly have fun doing. It doesn’t get better than that!

STREETSCAPE: What is your background?

CHEF LARRY: I’ve done everything, absolutely everything, in the food business.

Dishwasher, busboy, cook, waiter, manager, director, and owner. From 15 years old through a degree in Hotel Restaurant Management from Denver University to jobs with big restaurant organizations like the Levy’s, in Chicago, and Gilbert Robinson in St. Louis. Ownership is what I still needed to accomplish and I made that happen with Larry G’s, a 50’s Diner, Custom Catering, a corporate catering specialist, and then currently to Championship Catering, focusing on wedding and events. I stopped briefly to get my Masters Degree, thinking there might be something else I could do, but realizing, 3 years later, that I am still a foodie, it’s what I do best, and it’s who I am.

STREETSCAPE: At what restaurant can our readers taste your creations?

CHEF LARRY: Well, let’s see... I was the caterer for the Rams for 13 years and the

Cardinals for 15 years, I currently caterer the Ambush and am the VIP and backstage caterer for Hollywood Casino Amphitheater/ Riverport. So, if you were any type of ball player or musical talent you may have sampled my food. Otherwise, being invited to an event at many of St. Louis’s great venues like Third Degree Glass, Butterfly House, The Barnett, or Casa Loma Ballroom may offer you the opportunity. Bottom line, the best way to sample my product…..hire me.

STREETSCAPE: What kinds of foods are you for mostly known?

CHEF LARRY: Personally, I am a comfort food kind of guy and that probably

comes across in many of our signature dishes, beef pepperloin, carved tenderloin, stuffed chicken, champagne chicken, pastas, and potatoes. But, I have fun creating new dishes to please all palates and satisfy my client's individual taste.

STREETSCAPE: What is your specialty?

CHEF LARRY: First, and foremost, customer service. I really do pride myself on

our customer service, but our made-to-order table side dishes are very popular and fun to offer. Since people have differing tastes dietary restrictions, or may just be picky eaters, this style of services can make everyone happy.

STREETSCAPE: What are the newest hottest trends in fine dining?

CHEF LARRY: I believe it is using words I don’t know, and food that I have know

idea how to pronounce and spending way more than I should for it and then leaving hungry. I believe in knowing what you’re eating and you should not pay an arm and a leg. Its food. It should look appetizing, taste even better and be at a price you can afford.

STREETSCAPE: Do you have a favorite recipe that you would like to share with our readers?

CHEF LARRY: I put out a newsletter twice a month with featured recipes. You

should join my newsletter at chamionshipcatering.com or check out my recipes on line. I would rather give you recipe advice... make it your own. If there are ingredients you don’t like, leave them out. If there is something you think would make it tastier, put it in. Bottom line you are going to eat it so put in what you like. Bon appetite!

Winter 2017

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CREATE A

Sou�BAR! Story by Sandi Caro Photos Courtesy of Liz Caro

Baby, it’s cold outside! This girl hails from South Alabama, and I have to admit, although I’m not a fan of cold weather, I do love the warmth of a night at home with a bowl of some nice homemade soup. Recently, I decided that I wanted to do a dinner night at home with some friends, and the menu was an easy one-- a soup bar. Sure, I love the traditional soups, such as vegetable, chicken noodle, potato, etc., but I decided to take it to a different level, with a coastal, Italian and Mexican theme.

The three soups I chose were seafood gumbo over rice, lasagna soup, and an all-time favorite taco soup with elbow macaroni. Three very filling, easy soups to prepare and serve on a cold winter’s night that also freeze well if there are leftovers!

Because I grew up so close to the coast, I love seafood! And for me, it isn’t just a seasonal food. I like to prepare it year round, and that’s why I chose seafood gumbo. I like to think of it as kind of a treat in the dead of winter, and it gives me a glimmer of hope that spring is soon on the way! But while I’m a fan, not everyone loves seafood, especially in soup form with sliced okra. (Yes, I said okra, a staple when making gumbo.) This is

why I opted for a soup bar, to give my guests choices.

I’ve served lasagna soup before, and it is always a favorite and much easier in the soup form. While Mexican food isn’t my first choice as a favorite, I LOVE the taco soup and serving it over elbow macaroni makes it seem to be a little like chili mac, but in the Mexican form. To complement the soups, I made my sour cream cornbread muffins for the gumbo and taco soup and some parmesan and mozzarella garlic crostinis for the lasagna soup.

To make it a bit easier, I just set up a toppings bar for the different soups. The taco soup is great when you add a bit of fresh cilantro and avocado. I also had some cheddar, pepper jack, and Mexican blend cheeses available. We love Fritos in our taco soup, but I also had some tortilla chips to go with the Mexican theme. The lasagna soup really doesn’t need any added ingredients unless you like extra parmesan, which was readily available. The garlic crostini is all that is needed in my opinion. I decided to make some toasted saltine crackers with Cajun seasoning for the gumbo, and I also provided oyster crackers, which are commonly served with gumbo.

I have to admit, although it was bitterly cold outside, this turned out to be one of my favorite dinner parties! It was super easy, very casual, and everyone seemed to enjoy a cold night in. If you’re looking to add a little warmth to your winter, I encourage you to have a night in with a soup bar- it will not disappoint! Happy cooking!

Taco SOUP

• 1 lb ground chuck • 1 onion diced • 1 clove garlic, minced • 1 large can petit diced tomatoes • 2 cans of Rotel ( I use mild) • 1 can of light red kidney beans • 1 can of pinto beans • 1 can of white kidney beans • 1 can black beans ( I’m not a fan of black beans, so I leave them off and add one more kidney beans) • 2 cans of white shoe peg corn or whole kernel sweet corn • 2 packages taco seasoning • 2 packages fiesta ranch seasoning Brown ground chuck with the diced onion and drain. Add all other ingredients, and let simmer about an hour on medium to low heat. Ladle over cooked elbow macaroni and top with some fresh cilantro, avocado and shredded cheese.

62 StreetScape Magazine

Lasagna SOUP

• 1 lb ground chuck • 1 lb Italian sausage • 1 onion, chopped • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 1 teaspoon thyme • 1 tablespoon brown sugar, firmly packed • 1 (32 oz) box chicken broth • 2 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 2 cups lasagna noodles, broken • 1 (5 oz) package grated Parmesan cheese • 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded • 1 thin French baguette

In a large sauce pan, combine ground chuck sausage, onion and 3 cloves minced garlic. Cook over medium-high until beef and sausage are browned and crumbles. Drain well.

Stir in thyme, brown sugar, broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Add noodles, and simmer until noodles are tender. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Turn the heat to low and add mozzarella, stirring in completely.

To make the crostini: Slice the baguette, brush with olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic, add parmesan and mozzarella. Bake at 425 until cheese is melted.

Add a garlic crostini slice on top. Serve immediately.

Seafood GUMBO

• 1 cup butter • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour • 1/2 chopped yellow onion •1/4 cup chopped celery • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 cup sliced fresh okra • 2 cups chicken broth • 2 cups water • 2 cups bottled clam juice • 1 cup canned diced tomatoes with juice • 3 bay leaves • 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning • 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves • 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper • 1 1/2 cups cooked Cajun sausage, sliced • 1 16 oz. can of Crab meat (I like the meat from the claw) • 2 lbs shrimp, peeled tails off • cooked white rice, for serving

In a large heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt 1 cup of the butter. Add the flour, and cook on low heat until the roux is dark brown; about 30 to 45 minutes, stirring constantly. Note: This is the most challenging part of this recipe. Be sure and stay by the stove stirring constantly. Brown does not mean burnt; if you burn the roux you have to throw it out and start over again.

Add the onions, celery, and garlic and sauté until translucent.

Mix in the okra and the remaining ingredients, including 1 tablespoon of butter, and simmer over medium-low heat until thick, about 1 hour. Before serving, remove the bay leaves. Serve over rice.¤ Winter 2017

63

Eat Your Way through Winter

...St. Charles Style

Story & Photos courtesy of Greater Saint Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau

Welcome to 2017.

It’s early in the New Year, and you have the best intentions with all of those New Year’s resolutions, but we know better. If you haven’t already broken them, you probably will when the winter chill truly settles in and the wonderful food in Saint Charles calls you.

We know the struggle, and we’re here to help-- help you eat your way through winter-one Saint Charles gem at a time. So, stop fighting the urge, and add these three Saint Charles restaurants to your winter dining must-do list.

Bella Vino

When it comes to winter dining, there’s nothing better than a cozy atmosphere, a wonderful selection of wines and

terrific tapas.

Main Street’s Bella Vino serves each of these up in style. On milder days, warm up fireside on one of the best people watching perches Saint Charles has to offer, Bella Vino’s gorgeous patio overlooking historic Main Street.

64 StreetScape Magazine

prasino

Since prasino restaurant opened in the Streets of Saint Charles, it has been turning heads throughout the region with its diverse, delicious and exquisitely presented dishes. But, did you know they also serve up breakfast daily? When it’s cold outside, a hearty breakfast warms the heart, especially when it’s one of the Best Breakfasts in America. That’s exactly the recognition prasino earned when its Pretzel Croissant French Toast was named one of the nation's "Best Breakfasts"

by USA Today in 2016.

Hendricks BBQ

If you’re going to break a New Year’s resolution, you might as well go big with some serious comfort eats. Nothing in Saint Charles says “big” more than The Whole Shebang, a dish that gives guests the opportunity to try samples of the entire mouthwatering Hendricks BBQ menu, including four regular fixins. “You only live once,” says the Hendricks menu. We couldn’t agree more! Just in case BBQ isn’t your thing, the restaurant hasn’t forgotten about you. Hendricks’ daily list of specials ranges from Tuesday’s made fresh to order “Just Like Granny’s Chicken ‘n Dumplings” to Thursday’s “Smoked Chicken Pot Pie.”

There are many more tasty treats on the Saint Charles winter dining menu, so dare to brave the weather and discover delicious dining this winter. ¤ Winter 2017

65

Who would have thought, including Alexander Graham Bell himself, that when he spoke nine words into his telephone transmitter on March 10, 1876, from that would evolve the smart phone.

Defined by dictionary.com as a device that combines a cell phone with a handheld computer, typically offering Internet access, data storage, email capability, etc., the smart phone is said to have more computing power than NASA used to go to the moon in the 1960s.

And with all of its computing and other powers and capabilities, perhaps the most significant and worthy thing about the cell phone, is simply having it.

St. Charles Ward 3 Council Member Laurie Feldman is trying to get that message across with her “Keep It Close” safety initiative.

First, a little history on what has gone from a simple communication device to a virtual life companion that not only keeps us in touch with colleagues, friends and loved ones, but with the world. While many people arguably contributed to the development of the telephone, Bell was the first to patent it.

Wikipedia lists several mechanical, acoustic devices for transmitting speech and music over a distance greater than that of normal, direct speech even before the invention of electromagnetic telephones.

There were pipes and acoustic tin can telephones, or the “lover’s phone.” There were the paper cups and plastic bottles connected by tautly held string. Even a little known British physicist and polymath, Robert Hooke, is accredited with an acoustic string phone made in 1667. Nevertheless, Bell is widely considered the inventor of the first practical telephone. And it hardly stopped with him.

Telephones have progressed exponentially since Bell said to his assistant through his new device, “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.” With nine simple words, Bell launched the telephone era with the first bi-directional, electronic transmission of the spoken word.

After that came the candlestick phone, whose earpiece and mouthpiece were separate. Then the rotary phone connected the earpiece and mouthpiece and added a dial. AT&T’s Touch-Tone phone was next, followed by the addition of the answering machine to telephone communication. Portable, cordless phones came next and freed us from the physical attachment to our phone’s base station.

And caller ID freed us from having to answer a call we didn’t want 66 StreetScape Magazine

Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photos by Michael Schlueter to accept. According to bgr.com, “released in 1984, the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X was the first commercially available mobile phone. In 1973, Martin Cooper made the first cell phone call ever with a predecessor of this beast. At 1.75 pounds, this phone had 30 minutes of talk time and cost a not-so-modest $3,995.”

The flip phone came around next, which, incidentally, Motorola perfected with the RAZR. Its popularity was short-lived, however, with the introduction of the touch screen smart phone.

Sanyo was the first to include a camera in its phone in 2003. Palm offered one of the first smart phones with the Treo. Canadian-based Research in Motion, now BlackBerry, was by far the leading smart phone manufacturer in the 2000s, according to bgr.com. Then Apple brought the smart phone to the masses in 2007 with the introduction of the iPhone. It didn’t take long before BlackBerry fans who had scoffed at its lack of a physical keyboard, adjusted to the touch screen we all take for granted today. The Android operating system was unveiled the same year; and by 2008, the first Android phone, the HTC Dream, was launched and would begin a competition against Apple that continues today.

With the “Keep It Close” safety initiative, Feldman wants to impress upon anyone who will listen the importance of having your cell phone close at all times. The mother

of two and grandmother of five has good reason. Had she not had her cell phone in her pocket on one particular day last year, chances are she would not have survived.

“You just don’t anticipate that something like this would happen, that your whole world would be turned upside down,” Feldman said.

Feldman was supposed to have a faulty railing replaced on the deck of her St. Charles condominium on August 28, 2015. She remembers the date vividly, because it was the day before - August 27, 2015 - that her life would change forever. She looked out onto her deck and decided that a flower box had to be moved before the work could be done.

“When I picked it up and turned my body around, the weakest part of the railing gave way,” she said.

Feldman fell 12 feet to her yard below.

“My first thought was that nothing moves. My second thought was, ‘I have my cell phone.’”

As the feeling gradually returned to her left arm, she was able to retrieve her phone from her pocket and dial 911.

“When the paramedics came, they warned the doctors that I was not in good shape. I don’t remember anything after the ambulance ride.”

Feldman had a ruptured spleen, a punctured lung, and a lacerated liver. She had broken three ribs, her collarbone, her right femur, and her right arm.

She was given six pints of blood and endured two days of surgeries. She spent 78 days in the hospital and rehabilitation. Feldman would undergo two more surgeries before leaving the hospital, suffer from a bout of pneumonia, and have to keep her leg immobilized for three and a half months. For the rest of her life she will have to have her shoes lifted an inch since her right leg is now inexplicably an inch and a quarter shorter than her left.

“They tell me I’m the miracle girl,” Feldman shared. “It truly was a journey of one step forward and two steps back.”

It was a journey that began in the ambulance and went from a bed to a walker to a cane. Feldman said being incapacitated for as long as she was gave her a lot of time to think. But it was the words of a long-time friend that really got her attention.

“She said to me, ‘We all know this story, and we all carry our cell phones because we saw firsthand how awful it was. But what about the people who didn’t see?’”

After that, Feldman set up a meeting with St. Charles City Mayor, Sally Faith, the council, police, and firefighters to develop a community awareness program that encourages people 50 and older to always keep their cell phones close. Feldman said that unlike the younger generation who are rarely separated from their phones, this age group is known for leaving theirs behind.

Today, all St. Charles City Fire Department trucks carry the “Keep It Close” logo, and two billboards on Highways 70 and 370 tout Feldman’s message.

ART. Be Original

Feldman earmarked her council member funds, along with a little extra money that she obtained from the city, for producing materials to get the word out, including pamphlets, key chains, window clings, and refrigerator magnets. She also gives presentations on the initiative.

The logo displays a hand holding a smart phone with the city’s logo on its screen. It reads simply, “Keep It Close.”

“Our logo is a PDF on our website that any city or organization can add their own seal or logo to,” she said. “There are also vignettes on YouTube of people in situations where they need their cell phones – working in the garden, walking the dog, or their car breaking down.”

Feldman said that according to the Federal Communications Commission, wireless phones now place approximately 70 percent of all 911 calls. There are also many safety and emergency apps that can be downloaded and accessed from a smart phone.

"Keeping your cell phone charged, powered on, and close at hand can make all the difference in an emergency," Feldman said. "But not everyone is used to keeping their cell phone ready and within arm's reach 24/7. Those are the people we're trying to reach with this campaign."

For more information on the initiative visit www.StCharlesCityMo.gov/KeepItClose. To schedule Feldman as a guest speaker for your organization, call 636-946-4749 or email her at Laura.Feldman@stcharlescitymo.gov. For more information about “Keep It Close” promotional materials, contact Jim Dreyer in the St. Charles City Media Department at 636-949-3288. ¤

Lee Walter

Exhibiting more than 30 Regional Artists Framations Art Gallery 218 N. Main - St. Charles 636.724.8313 www.Framations.com Winter 2017

67

Don't Let

UNUSED MEDICATIONS Fall into the

WRONG HANDS

PROPER DISPOSAL OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION IS IMPORTANT FOR A LIST OF REASONS, INCLUDING KEEPING THE WATER SUPPLY SAFE AND CLEAN, KEEPING THEM OUT OF OUR LANDFILLS, KEEPING THEM AWAY FROM ADDICTS, AND KEEPING THEM FROM CHILDREN.

Not a lot of thought goes into disposing of prescription drugs for most people, whether they just throw them away, leave them in an unlocked cabinet, flush them, or put them down the sink. Worse yet, per a Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine 2016 Survey, 73% of people admit to sharing or having shared in the past their unused medication to help ease pain symptoms of friends or family.

According to the experts – and perhaps common sense – that’s not what any of us should be doing.

Other than a lot of talk from said experts, though, what can be done and what is being done to help the process of safe drug disposal along? Quite a bit, actually.

While many may not be aware of them, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals has created what they are calling drug deactivation pouches – pouches that allow for the easy 68 StreetScape Magazine

Story by Jeff Stahlhut

and safe deactivation and disposal of prescription drugs.

vices Administration (SAMHSA) National Survey on Drug Use and Health.”

“Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals believes that providing a safe and convenient way to dispose of unused medications is important to combat prescription drug abuse,” said Rhonda Sciarra, Senior Manager, Communications, for Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. “That is why the company is working in St. Louis, throughout Missouri and across the nation with policymakers, community leaders, law enforcement, community organizations and industry partners to ensure the responsible use of pain medication and prevent unused medications from ending up in the wrong hands.”

Seeing those numbers and recognizing the national dilemma, Mallinckrodt continues to work toward a safe, effective solution by purchasing and donating more than 1.5 million drug deactivation pouches across the United States.

The statistics definitely back up the necessity for some type of solution.

“Nearly six out of 10 surveyed U.S. adults have or expect to have leftover opioids,” said Sciarra, citing findings published online June 13, 2016, in the JAMA Internal Medicine Journal. “Nearly 68% of those who used prescription pain relievers nonmedically in 2012-2013 got them from friends or relatives, according to the 2013 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Ser-

“The medication deactivation pouches are manufactured by Minneapolis-based Verde Technologies. Each drug deactivation pouch is easy to use, environmentally friendly and effective,” said Sciarra. “After placing pills in the specially formulated pouch and filling it with regular tap water, it can be sealed and thrown away with the household trash.

The user-friendly pouches quickly and easily deactivate prescription drugs and render chemical compounds safe for landfills.”

If you are among those who have not yet seen or used these pouches, Mallinckrodt is doing everything possible to increase distribution.

“Locally, the company has made donations of thousands of pouches in the St. Charles community through a partnership with the

Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Charles County, a separate partnership with local law enforcement and most recently through another partnership with St. Louis College of Pharmacy and NCADA (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse-St. Louis Area) in the broader St. Louis region,” said Sciarra. “The College and NCADA have distributed pouches to partnering organizations such as Mercy, St. Anthony’s Medical Center, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, Missouri Baptist Medical Center and Wehrenberg Theatres, as well as to Behavioral Health Response, Alliance for Healthy Communities, Center for Life Solutions, and Greater St. Louis Dental Association. Pouches are distributed free of charge by these organizations.”

DISPOSE OF THE EXTRA Take advantage of your local drug take-back events or safely discard medications at home with a drug deactivation pouch.

While the pouches do seem to be a huge step in the right direction with regard to safe disposal, Sciarra acknowledges that there are varying opinions on the best and safest way to handle unused drugs.

ncada-stl.org/get-involved/safe-use-storage-and-disposal-ofprescriptions/. Included on the list of how to properly dispose of unused drugs are the following guidelines:

KEEP IT SECURE Friends, family, kids, and visitors can

get into your medicine cabinet without you even knowing it. Make sure your medications don’t wind up in the wrong hands.

THE NCADA ALSO HAS A SERIES OF TIPS ABOUT SAFE USE, STORAGE, AND DISPOSAL OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS at http://

“Guidance on drug disposal offered by a number of regulatory agencies can vary. All in some degree are effective but also may have limitations,” she said. “Our objective is to elevate the awareness of safe drug storage and disposal and provide patients and families a means to safely and conveniently dispose of unused or unneeded medications in their own homes.”

• Drop off unused medications at police stations or

Mallinckrodt also provides brochures on drug disposal and safety.

According to their literature, there are multiple websites people can visit to get more information, including MyOldMeds.com, The Aware Rx Prescription Drug Safety Program at AwareRX.pharmacy, the DEA Office of Diversion Control at DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov, and The Medicine Abuse Project at MedicineAbuseProject.org.

(Deterra Bags described in this article).

• In an emergency, flush medications down the toilet.

The Mallinckrodt literature also provides important tips on keeping track of your medications in order to keep them from falling into the hands of children, teenagers, babysitters, family, friends, or neighbors without your knowledge. Also included on the “keep an eye on your medications” list are nonfamily adults including laborers or tradesmen inside the home, domestic help, house hunters (if your home is for sale), party guests or other visitors, and drug seekers who are skilled in knowing how to find opioids.

MALLINCKRODT CHALLENGES PEOPLE TO ASK THEMSELVES IF THEY KNOW WHERE ALL OF THEIR UNUSED PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS ARE AT ANY GIVEN TIME. INCLUDED IN THE BROCHURE ARE THE FOLLOWING TIPS:

pharmacies that participate in take back programs.

• Do not give medications to friends or family members.

• Medications can be mixed in with used coffee grounds or kitty litter and thrown away.

• Utilize at home disposal methods.

Interested in using these pouches but haven’t yet come across them?

Sciarra recommends reaching out directly to one of the groups that are distributing them (Mallinckrodt is not among the businesses/ groups that directly distributes to the public).

TO GET DISPOSAL BAGS, CONTACT THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM & DRUG ABUSE (NCADA) OF ST. LOUIS.

Find out more at http://ncada-stl.org/get-involved/safe-use-storageand-disposal-of-prescriptions/disposal-bags/. They can also be reached at 314-962-3456 or via email at info@ncads-stl.org.

THE NCADA ALSO OFFERS A LIST OF LOCATIONS AT WHICH UNUSED MEDICATION CAN BE DROPPED OFF: http://ncada-stl.org/get-involved/safe-use-storage-and-disposal-ofprescriptions/prescription-drug-drop-off-locations/.

STAY ALERT Misuse of prescription drugs is a problem affecting every community and every type of person.

NEVER SHARE Don’t let other people use your medications, even if you think you’re helping to relieve their pain. It can result in serious, even fatal, consequences.

The literature provided by Mallinckrodt advises that parents seek out information, tips, and videos about how to discuss drug abuse or misuse with kids at Partnership for Drug-Free Kids at DrugFree.org.¤ Winter 2017

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“SLEEP DEPRIVATION is an illegal torture method outlawed by the Geneva Convention and international courts, but most of us and dream researcher, do it to ourselves.” Ryan Hurd, author “Dream Like A Boss,” 2014

Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson According to the National Institutes of Health, some 50 to 70 million Americans are affected by chronic sleep disorders and intermittent sleep problems. These alone can significantly diminish health, alertness and safety. But the real danger is the havoc untreated sleep problems can play on our bodies over time. The NIH reports that ongoing sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, heart disease, stroke, depression, diabetes and a host of other chronic diseases.

The good news is that sleep studies, as well as treatments for sleep disorders, are gaining ground in the ongoing “battle of the ZZZs” that so many Americans fight every night. According to the National Sleep Foundation: “When proper diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders occurs, the feeling of sleepiness declines, memory improves, and safety risks decrease dramatically. In fact, sleep disorder specialists help an estimated 85 to 90 percent of their patients get better sleep. With the wealth of treatment options now available, a good night’s sleep is within reach.”

Gary Goldstein, MD, helps individuals identify their sleep problems and work to alleviate them every day. Goldstein is board certified in pulmonology, internal medicine and sleep medicine. He is also a diplomat of the American Board of Sleep Medicine. Goldstein has been in practice as a pulmonologist since 1991.

Goldstein said sleep studies are conducted predominantly on individuals who have been diagnosed with sleepiness, loud snoring or reports from a spouse or significant other that they stop breathing during sleep. Most times these patients end up with a diagnosis of sleep apnea. This is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person's breathing is interrupted during sleep. According to WebMD. com, individuals with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. This interruption in breathing may deprive the body and the brain of necessary oxygen.

Sleep apnea can be caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep, or the failure of the brain to signal the muscles to breathe due to instability in the respiratory control center.

Although sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, the National Sleep Foundation reports that the highest risk factors for sleep apnea include: being male; being overweight; being over the age of 40; having a large neck size (17 inches or greater in men and 16 inches or greater in women); having large tonsils, a large tongue, or a small jaw bone; having a family history of sleep apnea; gastroesophageal reflux

70 StreetScape Magazine

– GERD; and nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum, allergies, or sinus problems.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, the Institute of Medicine recently estimated in its report, Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation: An Unmet Public Health Problem, that “hundreds of billions of dollars a year are spent on direct medical costs related to sleep disorders, such as doctor visits, hospital services, prescriptions, and overthe-counter medications.”

Goldstein said sleep problems can adversely affect every aspect of someone’s life, from their personal relationships to their productivity at work. Driving can be especially dangerous for the sleep deprived.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that drowsy driving claims more than 1,500 lives and causes at least 100,000 motor vehicle crashes each year.

More serious sleep disorders, such as insomnia, sleep walking, night terrors, and narcolepsy can require more intensive studies, Goldstein stated. Depending on a patient’s symptoms, the physician, insurance companies and the individual decide what kind of a sleep study to conduct.

For instance, a study on someone suspected of having narcolepsy might include an overnight study followed by a series of naps every two hours starting at 8 a.m. the next morning, Goldstein explained.

With this type of study, technicians can monitor how long it takes an individual to fall asleep, what sleep stages they go into, and the total amount of time slept.

All sleep studies are noninvasive, pain-free procedures. They typically involve a patient spending a night or two in a sleep facility. During the study, a sleep technologist records multiple biological functions while the patient is sleeping via electrodes and monitors placed on the head, chest, and legs. These include brain wave activity, eye movement, muscle tone, heart rhythm and breathing. The data collected is then given to the physician for interpretation.

Home sleep tests are among the latest advances in sleep studies, or polysomnograms. Predominantly used for those patients suspected of having sleep apnea, home sleep studies can be a more comfortable alternative to sleep lab analysis. With the home study, the patient is given a video and detailed instructions on how the test is conducted, along with the necessary home sleep study equipment. They are then monitored at home. Goldstein said he believes patients are “better

Many people with sleep disorders are undiagnosed and untreated. Goldstein said to determine whether you might benefit from a sleep study, you can ask yourself the following questions provided by the National Sleep Foundation:

mattress, a television, is it too hot or too cold? Is there too much technology, such as cell phones? Is the person too full or too hungry? All of these have an effect on the quality of sleep.”

Typically adults should have seven to eight hours of sleep per night, Goldstein said. “Older people tend to get broken sleep, which can make it harder to fall asleep at night.”

Goldstein said bad habits that cause sleep problems are hard to break and often take a lot of work, but they can be broken.

• Do you regularly have difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep?

•

Do you have a problem with snoring?

Has anyone ever told you that you have pauses in breathing or that you gasp for breath when you sleep?

•

Are your legs “active” at night?

Do you experience tingling, creeping, itching, pulling, aching or other strange feelings in your legs while sitting or lying down that cause a strong urge to move, walk or kick your legs for relief?

“Sleep is a vital part of our existence,” Goldstein said.

“Without it, eventually a person’s body will break and die. No one really knows why. Good habits will promote good feelings of well- being. Bad sleep habits do the reverse.”

• Are you so tired when you wake up in the morning that you cannot function normally during the day?

For more information on sleep medicine, visit the National Sleep Foundation at www.sleepfoundation.org or The American Academy of Sleep Medicine at www.aasmnet.org. For more information about undergoing a sleep study, call the Barnes-Jewish St.10:11 Peters SS_centerpointe_rev1116_print.pdf 1 11/15/16 AM Hospital Sleep and Breathing Lab at 636-916-9739. ¤

• Does sleepiness and fatigue persist for more than two to three weeks?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might want to discuss a sleep study with your physician.

served by coming into the lab,” as there are too many variables in a home study. For instance, he said, a probe could come loose and cause inaccurate readings from the equipment.

C

Depending on the physician’s diagnosis and orders, patients may be given medication, oxygen or a device called continuous positive airway pressure therapy, or CPAP, to combat their sleep problems. The CPAP is an air pressure system that helps to hold the air passages in the nose and throat open during sleep thus eliminating snoring and the subsequent pauses in breathing.

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Goldstein said CPAP machines have improved over the years, including the size of the masks used and the ability for humidification.

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“If you had a bad result before, those issues have been worked on,” he said. “The units now have interaction capabilities with instant feedback on how well it prevented a person from stopping breathing and how well they are breathing.”

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Goldstein said he always begins with the simplest fix when trying to find answers to sleep problems.

Assessment at No Cost Call 636.477.2136 or 800.345.5407 Toll Free

“Is there something controllable? We want to look at things that are amenable to being controlled in life,” Goldstein points out. “So we want to look at things we’re doing in the bedroom. Is there a bad

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71

Infertility e p o H ew N s r e ff O t n e Treatm

Story by Linda Stroud

Are you or is someone you know struggling with infertility? The road to starting a family can be long, frustrating, and expensive for couples who are unable to conceive or achieve a healthy full-term pregnancy. But Dr. Gavin Puthoff, OB/GYN and Infertility and Reproductive Disorders Specialist at Mercy, is using his training and focus in Natural Procreative Technology (referred to as NaProTECHNOLOGY or NaPro) to offer new hope to infertile couples.

Dr. Puthoff’s approach to helping infertile couples is brilliantly simple –

identify and treat underlying issues to help a woman get her reproductive system to the healthiest state possible, and she will have a much better chance of being able to naturally conceive and sustain a healthy pregnancy.

So far, his results seem to support that philosophy.

Though numbers can vary greatly based on the age of the couple and the reason for infertility, Dr. Puthoff has established an impressive success rate using NaPro with about 200 couples in his practice since 2015. He states, “Our long-term success rate, over the course of a year or two, is actually far better than what you will get even with multiple cycles of IVF [in vitro fertilization]. If a woman goes through multiple cycles of IVF, she may have a 50–60% chance of achieving a pregnancy.

With NaProTechnology, both medical and surgical treatments, we have a 60-80% success rate. And the nice thing about NaProTechnology is that each pregnancy occurs in the state of a healthy patient who’s already been treated for underlying conditions and achieved pregnancy spontaneously. So, we know it’s a healthy pregnancy.”

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Overall health for a woman and healthy, spontaneous pregnancies is what NaPro is all about. But, what is NaPro? NaProTECHNOLOGY is a medical system that monitors and maintains a woman’s gynecologic and reproductive health in a way that cooperates with her normal reproductive cycle. It utilizes medical and surgical interventions and treatments to achieve the goal of optimal reproductive and gynecologic health. But NaPro isn’t just about what the doctor can do for you. Each woman plays a proactive role in that overall health. It is a collaborative effort between a woman and her doctor.

The woman’s role is essential, since the foundation of NaPro is the Creighton Model FertilityCare System, which is a standardized method of monitoring menstrual and fertility cycles. Many may be familiar with the Creighton Model as a form of natural family planning for avoiding pregnancy, but it can also be used to achieve pregnancy and provide valuable insight into a woman’s gynecologic health. With Creighton Model charting, a woman makes daily observations and records changes in certain objective biomarkers of her cycle, such as external cervical mucus and bleeding patterns. This helps to determine when she is most fertile and also gives clues regarding underlying issues that may be causing a couple’s infertility.

Infertility can be caused by a number of factors. For a woman, the most common underlying causes include ovulation disorders, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or blocked fallopian tubes. For men, low sperm count, poor sperm quality, and anti-sperm antibodies are the most common issues. The decision to delay starting a family has also become a common contributing factor, since fertility naturally decreases for women as they age, and more and more couples are choosing to wait until their 30s to start a family. In each of these scenarios, NaProTECHNOLOGY offers effective treatments.

Medical NaProTECHNOLOGY treatments are directed toward restoring the normal functioning of the menstrual and fertility cycles with medications specifically timed with the cycle. Treatments often involve medications to improve ovulation or the hormone levels in the woman’s cycle, thereby promoting spontaneous conception. Additionally, husbands are often treated with medications to help improve sperm count or quality.

Surgical NaProTECHNOLOGY employs a unique set of interventions to diagnose and treat specific problems that may be contributing to a woman’s infertility. These specialized surgeries help restore the uterus, tubes and ovaries to a healthy state so they can function normally. Conditions most frequently treated with NaPro surgery include endometriosis, uterine fibroids, blocked fallopian tubes, and polycystic ovaries, all of which can contribute to infertility.

Dr. Puthoff has all of these tools available to help a couple naturally achieve and sustain a healthy pregnancy. But first, he gets to the heart of the problem to know which treatments will lead to the best possible outcome.

When couples come in for their first appointment, Dr. Puthoff starts by taking a detailed history of both the woman and the man to find out what other tests and treatments have been done in the past.

With the information from this history, and from other basic tests such as ultrasounds and blood work, he develops a list of potential causes of infertility and discusses them with the couple. He also encourages couples to start charting the woman’s cycle, since the Creighton Model chart serves as the foundation for the comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. The patterns that emerge through charting are indicators of a woman’s gynecologic and reproductive health that help Dr. Puthoff tailor specialized testing and treatments for each couple’s specific needs.

For example, cervical mucus is produced in response to the hormonal changes of the cycle which are directly related to the process of ovulation. As a woman’s ovary prepares an egg for ovulation in the middle of the cycle, the estrogen

levels rise, resulting in the production of a clear, watery, stretchy cervical mucus that can be easily observed and recorded. By observing the daily changes in the cervical mucus discharge, a woman can readily identify her days of peak fertility and often pinpoint the exact day of ovulation each month. Dr. Puthoff and his patients use this information from the Creighton Model chart to time ultrasounds and medications, and to monitor the effects of different fertility treatments on the cycle.

Though the idea of observing and charting cervical mucus and bleeding patterns may be unappealing to some, Dr. Puthoff points to studies which have shown that women who track their cycles with daily mucus observations achieve pregnancy at a higher rate (and faster) than women who don’t track their cycles.

There are very few patients who cannot be effectively treated with NaProTECHNOLOGY.

Greater than 90% of infertility can be treated with medical or surgical therapies once the underlying issues are identified.

The rare couples who can’t be treated with NaPro typically have situations where the husband has no sperm whatsoever or the woman has entered menopause prematurely.

For couples who aren’t among those rare exceptions, even couples who’ve previously been told their options for starting a family are limited or those who have gone through multiple IVF cycles without success, NaPro does seem to offer good reason to hope. Dr. Puthoff has helped several couples who had experienced 4–5 years of infertility and been unsuccessful with other treatments. These couples were told their only option was IVF, yet they got pregnant within 1–2 months of an accurate diagnosis and treatment using NaProTECHNOLOGY. If there’s an underlying issue that can be addressed, Dr. Puthoff will do all he can to bring a woman to an optimal state of health that creates the best possible chance for conception.

For Dr. Puthoff, it’s all about overall health and healthy pregnancies, and he’s driven to help his patients achieve both. “I really enjoy sharing in the joy and excitement a couple has when they become pregnant after a long struggle with infertility. I especially enjoy the fact that they’ve been able to do this on their own, naturally, after we’ve correctly diagnosed and treated the underlying causes of their infertility.” ¤

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Plan Ahead to Manage The frigid winter weather is blowing into cities and neighborhoods.

Families can take steps to prevent frozen pipes, spoiled food and the uncomfortable situations that arise when temperatures drop and a home’s power goes out.

Families that may endure a power outage this winter should remember these helpful tips to stay safe and comfortable.

Winter Outages

BEFORE THE STORM: • Stock-up on batteries and flashlights.

• Evaluate the family’s non-perishable food supply and restock if necessary.

• Review how to manually open the electric garage door.

• Conduct a practice run to help ensure your family knows how to properly locate and operate any equipment required during the power outage.

marketing for portable power and cleaning systems at Briggs & Stratton. “This gives families the security they desire to comfortably ride out long winter months.”

DURING/AFTER THE STORM: • Never use a gas stove, oven or grill to heat a home.

• During the first few hours of the outage, keep the refrigerator and freezer closed. Snow can be used as ice to keep items cold in a cooler.

• Choose mittens over gloves and wear layered loose clothing to stay warm.

• Always operate a portable generator outside of a home.

The most popular backup power solutions are portable generators and permanentlyinstalled standby generator systems. Both types of backup power can keep a home’s lights, furnace and necessary appliances working in the event of a weather-related power outage or other emergency. Understanding the differences and capabilities between the two options can make selecting the best generator for a family’s needs much easier.

Alternate energy source A loss of electricity poses one of the greatest potential dangers and inconveniences when a winter storm strikes.

Portable generators are generally low maintenance, compact and easily maneuverable on the property. These units are typically powered by gasoline and can work well as a quick solution during a power outage to provide reliable electricity to a few essential items and appliances such as a refrigerator, basic light circuits and portable electric heaters at the same time.

“Having a backup power solution ready ahead of a utility power outage prevents most of the headaches that go with living without power. With backup power, families won’t necessarily need to worry about perishable foods going bad, for example,” said Dan Roche, director of 74 StreetScape Magazine

Story by Family Features

While portable generators can provide users with flexibility and comfort, they need to

be used appropriately at all times in order to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Never run a portable generator inside a home or in a garage. Visit TakeYourGeneratorOutside.com to learn more about portable generator safety.

Families who want a backup power source that offers uninterrupted power should opt for a home standby generator system. Home standby generators are permanently installed, so they need to be done by a professional. These generators are connected to a house’s existing propane or natural gas line. When utility power to a house is interrupted, the home generator automatically turns on within seconds. Home standby generators can power more of a home’s highwattage appliances, like the furnace, electric water heater, stove and clothes dryer simultaneously, so your family doesn’t experience any interruptions during unexpected power outages.

For more backup power solutions and an interactive tool to aid in the decisionmaking process, visit briggsandstratton.com.

"Tap Water"

“Mark’s Comedy Minute”

by Mark Schiff, opening act for Jerry Seinfeld

“Mark Schiff is one of the funniest, the brightest, the best stage comics I’ve ever seen.”

– Jerry Seinfeld

“If you can get him, I would do it, because there is nobody funnier” – Paul Reiser Michael R. Grafman, 2017. All rights reserved. MRGinvests@gmail.com

Just when did my tap water become poison? When I was a kid, I would drink water right from the tap or the hose outside. Sure, all of my teeth are now gone, but I’ll never be able to prove it was the water. I also used to fill the goldfish bowl with tap water, and the fish were always dead within a week. Also, hard to prove.

When we have guests over for dinner, I always put a pitcher of ice water on the table. I would never dare fill up the pitcher with water from the tap. If our guests found out, then it could mean the end of the relationship and a potential lawsuit, if -- 30 years later -- they came down with a strange disease. In California, where I live, drinking water from the tap is the equivalent of finishing a tray of food that is left out in front of some stranger’s hotel room door.

The last time my three boys had tap water was when we mixed their formula with it 25 years ago. My wife and I are still waiting to be brought up on child endangerment charges. These days, my morning coffee is made with water that goes through a reverse osmosis filtration system, not unlike the system they use at a nuclear reactor to syphon off radioactive waste. I figured out that with the cost of our water filtering system and the bottled water we’ve purchased over the years, we have spent close to $8,000 on just drinking water.

So, folks, I’m sticking with my bottles and my nuclear reactor system. Even if they are not better for me, it’s peace of mind. ¤

Right now, for the entire month of February, get a FREE Interior Detail, valued at $100, with any scheduled repair of $750 or more!

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Story by Jeff Stahlhut Photos by Michael Schlueter

“If you haven’t been to Ameristar in the last six months, then you haven’t been to Ameristar,” said Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Director of Public Relations, Roxann Kinkade.

“We’ve invested millions in the property in the past six months.”

That pretty much sums it up. One of the first casinos to open in the St. Louis area (the facility originally opened in 1994), Ameristar has experienced continued growth and has a list of new and improved amenities to show for it.

Whether it’s gaming on a 130,000 sq. ft casino floor, a AAA Four Diamond full-service luxury suite hotel/spa, entertainment, dining, events or meetings, Ameristar is certain to have what you’re looking for.

What exactly has been done to improve the already impressive and vast facility? Quite a bit, according to Kinkade, including: • All-new carpet on the casino floor • A new high-limit slot room • Host Lounge -- higher limit games catering to high-end players • A new poker room featuring 17 new tables, new chairs, finishes and fixtures; along with beautiful new HD televisions, a dedicated cage and Freestyle Coke machine in room, and USB chargers at tables.

• New Fifth Street Deli – the spacious, 30seat Fifth Street Deli offers New York-style loaded sandwiches and dogs. Build your own hot or cold sandwiches choosing from a variety of fresh-baked breads, meats and cheeses; or choose from one of 15 specialty items or made-to-order breakfast sandwiches-- all served with a choice of chips, house-made potato salad or coleslaw. The deli also offers house-made soups and abundant salads with made-from-scratch desserts and thick, delicious shakes.

• RYSE creates the ultimate upscale immersive EDM (electronic dance music) experience for both the artists and guests who are focused on connecting to the music. All-new technology has been installed including LED video and lighting, cryo and confetti cannons, video mapped LED ceiling patterns and beam lights that connect to the LED video. A Live DJ will perform every Saturday.

• New Asia restaurant - The 70-seat full-service restaurant blends traditional and contemporary Asian cuisines in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

• New Globar on the casino floor – completely renovated bar with enhanced audio 76 StreetScape Magazine

Ameristar’s vice president and general manager Ward Shaw is the engine behind exciting changes taking place on this beautiful property.

technology bringing in a modern mix of music. Twenty 65” HD televisions circle the entire bar for a 360-degree immersive experience. A number of the latest slot machines and signature craft cocktails, martinis and cigars complete the space.

• New baccarat pit • Collections Lifestyle Boutique – a brandnew boutique that features designer brands like Betsey Johnson, Fossil, Vince Camuto, Michael Kors, Ray Ban and Tommy Bahama, plus everything travelers could possibly need to make their stays even more comfortable.

• New furniture, carpeting and rugs in ARA – the spa at Ameristar – with new state-of-the art pedicure chairs designed for total relaxation; also in ARA – new food and beverage menus perfect for parties or brunch at the spa.

• New outdoor furniture, pillows and furnished cabanas (seasonal) at Ameristar’s outdoor pool.

• Liquid Society or Rehydrate Party by the Pool every Sunday in the summer (seasonal).

• Patricia Nash, a culinary Olympian, joined the Ameristar team in 2016 as Executive Pastry Chef.

viduals come to work for us and tell us they want to work with Chef Nash,” he said. “We are so excited to have her and to allow her to come in and use our canvas of outlets to

Ward Shaw, Vice-President and General Manager of the property, is excited about all of the changes at Ameristar, particularly the addition of Nash.

Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles has an in-house bakery where 90% of the offerings originate on-site. This allows Nash to work with each chef. “She runs our in-house bakery and works with everyone on appropriate desserts and show pieces for their particular spot,” said Shaw. “And she can do her own seasonal items and offer her bakery ideas at the Falcon Bakery.”

“She is a rock star in the food and beverage community. It’s such a steal to have her here,” he said. “She’s one of the most renowned pastry chefs in the country-- and certainly within Pinnacle. She was a participant, coach, and mentor for the United States Culinary Team, won multiple awards, and really is someone who is known throughout the community and across the country.”

Shaw says that Nash’s presence has created excitement about potential additions to the food and beverage team. “We have had indi-

Executive pastry chef Patricia Nash, one of the world’s most decorated chefs, is now overseeing bakery operations at Ameristar.

Nash is the current pastry coach for Team USA in the National Culinary Olympics.

showcase her different specialties.”

Shaw contends that Ameristar is and will continue to be more than competitive in the local restaurant marketplace.

“We have such great food and beverage opportunities – and people don’t think of that,” said Shaw. “We’re out to change that. We want our food and beverage options to be

attractions themselves to non-gamers. We want Asia to be the best Asian restaurant in the area. We want people to know how unique Pearl’s is. We want people to come to Bugatti’s for the best steak in town. We want these restaurants to stand on their own.”

Shaw recognizes that Ameristar should offer quality culinary options that are affordable.

“We are absolutely competitively priced,” he said. “As we look at the competition and other successful restaurants, we look at the top restaurants, not casino restaurants – that goes for the hotel too. We want to offer the best restaurant and hotel experience in the entire area, not just the best among casinos. When you come to Amerisports, the food and pricing will be competitive with the best sports bars in town. When you come to Bugatti’s, the food and pricing will be competitive with local steakhouses. We want to be all of that with not just comparable-- but with the best-food offerings you’ll find.”

Shaw is also a true believer in more than the food and beverage offerings at Ameristar.

“When we started to really transform Ameristar under Pinnacle a couple of years ago, it really was about recognizing that this property has so much to offer with very few people outside of St. Charles knowing much about it,” he said. “When I first got here, I realized that this place is unbelievable. We have the largest casino floor in St. Louis, an all-suite full-service hotel, great food and beverage, a great pool and pool deck, a spa, and meeting rooms. We’re close to the airport, and we’re in St. Charles, with so much history and great entertainment right outside our building. We really wanted to reposition this as the true destination spot that it was built to be, not just a slot house for locals.”

That goal, added Shaw, is in the process of being realized.

“We’ve really evolved as more than just a casino – it’s a full-scale entertainment resort,” he said. “It’s about leveraging the amenities, thus the big investment in the property. The gaming floor will always be relevant and our engine, but we’re doing a lot of investing outside of the gaming floor.

That’s where we’ve had success the last couple of years, and we want to create awareness of that outside of St. Charles.”

Shaw was very happy to report that Ameristar has made it to the top of the list of the most visited attractions in the state of Missouri.

“More people come through the doors of Ameristar (a total of 5.5 million per year) than through the doors of any other individual attraction in the state,” he said. “That means more than the Arch, more than Busch Stadium, more than any zoo, more than any single Branson attraction-- you name it.”

Ameristar’s brand new poker room is home to non-stop gaming action 24 hours a day.

Falcon Diner, Falcon Bakery, Fifth Street Deli, Landmark Buffet, or Pearl’s Oyster Bar. Interested in a fun night out? Ameristar offers plenty of options! Check out Bottleneck Blues Bar, King Cat Club, Globar, RYSE, or the HiFi Video Arcade.

Concerned about parking? Don’t be. Ameristar has a parking garage that can accommodate 6,450 cars, as well as valet service.

While things have come a long, long way in recent months, Shaw admits that he will never be able to step back and declare the work complete. “We know this is a work in progress. We feel we have come a long way and are better than our competition,” he said. “But we also have a long way to go to get to the level of quality and overall food and beverage experience that we can be. The company is bullish on our St. Charles property and on When you really get into the specifics of what what we can achieve. We want to leverage Ameristar has to offer, it’s easy to see why it’s this as a one-of-a-kind entertainment destinaas popular as it is. tion. We’re getting there-- and there’s more to come.”

Ameristar’s all-suite hotel includes 400 suites, a 7,000 sq. ft. full-service spa and its indoorFor more information about Ameristar Casino outdoor pool. In addition to the hotel, spa, Resort Spa St. Charles – located at One Amand casino, Ameristar boasts a music hall and eristar Boulevard in St. Charles, MO, visit seven restaurants. If that’s not enough, the www.ameristar.com/st-charles. complex also includes a 22,000 sq. ft. meeting center, two ballrooms, a boardroom, and a business center – all with the latest high-tech infrastructure.

For reference sake, the St. Louis Cardinals typically bring 3-3.5 million people in per year, over 4 million visit the Gateway Arch, the many attractions of Forest Park draw 12 million combined, and Herschend Family Entertainment (owners of Silver Dollar City and a total of 26 properties in 10 states) draw 10 million guests per year.

Ready to hit the casino floor?

Ameristar has more than 2,000 slot and video poker machines, exclusive high-limit slot and table games areas, a new Baccarat pit, 58 table games, a live poker room with 19 poker tables, and unlimited stakes.

Ameristar’s executive chef Don Yamauchi and Asia Chef de Cuisine Hai-Ying Bushey have teamed up to bring a little of the Far East to St. Charles. Bushey recreates many of the recipes her father taught her in China.

If it’s a great night of dining you’re looking for, you’ll almost certainly find it at one or more of the available options Luxurious new furnishings in ara the spa at Ameristar were – Asia, Amerisports Bar and Grill, Bugatti’s Steak and Pasta, designed to complement its transformative massage and skin care treatments, and unique hydro-experiences.

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Story by Becky Pagel Photos by Michael Schlueter Not many people get to launch their dream jobs based on friendship and a love for building, but that’s just what two St. Charles County men did, and commercial real estate in the St. Louis area and beyond hasn’t been the same since.

In the early 1990s, Bob Cissell and Duane Mueller met at a local Clients who are looking for turnkey service and a high level of expertise in commercial property company. Both real estate and construction can count on were just starting out Cissell Mueller. in their careers. Bob had recently graduated from the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL) with a degree in Accounting. Duane, also a new UMSL grad, was working as a journeyman carpenter. Things clicked, and in 1992, the two branched out on their own and created Cissell Mueller Companies. Little did they know that what started with two guys working from a small bedroom in Bob’s home would soon expand to multiple operations in St. Charles County employing more than 45 people.

Cissell Mueller Companies consists of two separate but related entities: Cissell Mueller Company, LLC, a full service commercial real estate company, and Cissell Mueller Construction, Inc., a general contracting company. Together, they provide seamless, integrated services that result in high quality projects and exceeded client expectations.

Co-owners Bob Cissell (left) and Duane Mueller look over plans in the boardroom at their offices.

needs, and we handle all of the many moving pieces so our clients don’t have to worry about anything.”

Cissell Mueller is truly a homegrown organization. Both Bob Cissell and Duane Mueller grew up in St. Charles County and settled there to raise their families. It was important to them that their business also be headquartered in St. Charles County, where they could continue to build lasting relationships within their community.

Although completely committed to the metro area, Cissell Mueller continues to grow, and the multi-million dollar company has now expanded to 28 states.

Employees at Cissell Mueller wear many hats, which means they contribute in multiple ways and are very invested in the company.

Employee retention is high, with several employees having been

“Cissell Mueller Company provides an uncompromising level of service to help our clients acquire, develop, market, sell, lease, build and invest in commercial properties,” says Cissell. “We have the experience and attention to detail required to handle building codes, permits and legal issues quickly and smoothly. We also act as leasing agents and represent buyers and sellers in commercial real estate transactions.”

On the construction side, Cissell Mueller Construction provides a full range of contracting services for business owners, property managers, architects and tenants. “We’re a one-stop-shop,” says Mueller. “From scheduling and estimating to the final punch list, our design-build services are tailored to each project’s specific 78 StreetScape Magazine

Cissell Mueller Construction crew work on a warehouse addition for Reckitt Benckiser in St. Peters.

there more than 15 years. The company also values its military personnel. “A number of our superintendents are retired military,” says Cissell. “We’re glad to be able to provide opportunities for veterans, and we see the benefit of their training in day-to-day operations.”

One of the biggest advantages clients discover when working with Cissell Mueller is the unique opportunity to find everything related to commercial real estate and construction under one roof. For busy clients, this is a huge plus.

Have things changed at Cissell Mueller since it began in 1992? As a company, it will always be firmly committed to providing the very best services to clients while also seeking ways to profitably expand business. To be successful, this takes constant introspection and evaluation. “We’re always looking at our organization to see what can be improved,” says Mueller. “That helps us to keep moving forward successfully.”

Both Bob and Duane see a bright future for Cissell Mueller and are gearing up for continued success. They plan to grow as opportunities arise, but not so quickly that it jeopardizes their ability to weather tough times. This approach has served them well, and they expect it to sustain them far into the future.

It’s a good vision – one that began nearly 25 years ago in a small bedroom office, and it still leads the way today.

For more information about Cissell Mueller Companies and commercial real estate or construction, please visit their websites at www.cissellmueller.com or www.builtbycm.com or call 636-970-0330.

Thank You

Sponsors Gold

Silver

Bronze GREATER SAINT CHARLES MISSOURI

CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

Hamilton Weber Congratulates DREW WEBER on Being One of the “Best”

www.hamiltonweber.com | 636.947.4700

"It is always a pleasure to host the Beyond the Best Awards.

Thank you to Attorney Bev Randalls, this year's keynote speaker, and to news personality Sara Dayley, this year's emcee."

Tom Hannegan Winter 2017

79

Leo Anglo

General Manager Vincent’s Jewelers

Beth Brockling

Dan Badock

Owner Lewis & Clark’s Restaurant

Michael Brown

Founder Sweet Celebrations

Branch Director - St. Charles Krilogy Financial

Jennifer George

Lannis Hall, MD, MPH

Erica Land

John Sherwin

Assistant Director of Administration St. Charles County Government

Executive Director St. Charles City-County Library Foundation

Owner Mid-Rivers Music

80 StreetScape Magazine

Kéelin Baine-Russell, Ph. D. Personal Trainer Emerge Fitness

Shelly Clark

President -Cardinal Surveying & Mapping Co-Owner - St. Louis Ambush

Tiffany Barr

Rachelle Bartnick

Paramedic Rock Township Ambulance District

Senior Director, Community Health American Heart Association

Molly Dempsey

Becky Domyan

Manager of Business Development The Family Arena

Director of Sales Emmis St. Louis

Co-Owner Rack House West Winery

Real Estate Consultant The Kyle Hannegan Group Berkshire Hathaway

Kyle Hannegan

Laura Heebner

Tony Marchetto

Megan McKissen

Randy Moehlman

Scott Mosher

Tonya Shipley

Michael Shonrock, Ph.D.

Mary Smith

Robey Taylor

Director of Radiation Oncology Siteman Cancer Center Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital

Executive Chef Prasino-St. Charles

Executive Leader ACN

Bridgette Hamilton

Community Manager OPO Startups

President Lindenwood University

Sports Announcer & Public Speaker

Team Leader - Compliance Review & Education Edward Jones

President Crider Health Center

President SmartCare

Property Manager Streets of St. Charles

2016 Honorees Judy Bateman Alderman Ward 2 City of St. Peters

Flora Fazio

David Begonis

Vice President-Hospitality Ameristar Casino Resort Spa

Sergio Fernandez

Wesley Bell

Felieta Boaz

Jennifer Bonacorsi

Naomi Fitzpatrick

Kathy Gage

Anitra Galmore MS, BSN, RN, C-EFM

Councilman, City of Ferguson Executive Director & Community Mentor Attorney at Law-Law Office of Wesley Bell Provision Living

Managing Partner Rackers & Fernandez

Owner Marie Angelique Bra & Lingerie

Founder Marvelous Maids

Mark Hollander

Bryan Jefferson

Heather Kemper-Hussey

Molly Nesham

Robert E. (Bob) O'Brien

Don Quante

Tom Wapelhorst

Joe Ward

Community Activist

Dianne Hofmeister Owner Hollywood Blonde Salon

Tea Lady PersnickeTea, LLC.

Owner Walter's Jewelry

Vice President/Relationship Officer UMB Bank

President Gateway Auto Staff

Director Greater Saint Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau

President The SOHO Shop

President and Co-Founder jBloom

V.P. of Nursing/Chief Nursing Officer SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital

Hailey Kintz

Mrs. Missouri America 2016 Director of Public Relations The Expert Realty Company

Marketing Manager Emmaus Homes

President/CEO America's First Financial

Chief Financial Officer New Frontier Bank

Shelly Reuther

Danielle Riordan, DDS

Drew Weber

Linda Weisenstein

Napoleon Williams III

Associate Attorney Hamilton Weber LLC

Community Activist

Dentist Family Dentistry of St. Peters

Director of Advocacy Connections to Success

Winter 2017

81

A

Mrs. Kasey Lann

+

BusinessScape

has earned the for

2016 PRESIDENTIAL AWARD EXCELLENCE in MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE TEACHING

Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photos by Michael Schlueter A lesson on golf course design might just be the exercise that earns one Wentzville educator the highest honor in the land.

Third grade math teacher Kasey Lann has been selected as a finalist for the 2016 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The award is the highest recognition that a K-12 mathematics or science teacher can receive for outstanding teaching in the United States.

“This has helped me to understand that I’m on the right track in what I’m giving my students,” Lann said. “Earning this award put me in contact with so many educators. It made me realize that the Wentzville School District is so ahead of the game on teaching students on a daily basis about what they can use in the real world and in life.”

The PAEMST was established by Congress in 1983. The program authorizes the President of the United States to bestow up to 108 awards each year. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

A teacher at Heritage Intermediate in the Wentzville School District, Lann holds a masters degree in education, is certified in special education for kindergarten through twelfth grade and regular education for first through sixth grades. This is her thirteenth year teaching in the district.

82 StreetScape Magazine

Mrs. Kasey Lann, Third Grade Teacher at Heritage Intermediate Wentzville R IV School District with some of her students.

Lann was nominated by Katherine Schack, the district’s math content leader and a past recipient of the PAEMST. Lann said it all started when she and her students began observing the addition of a basketball court on the Heritage campus.

“I would take students out to see the process. We met with someone from the company and found out things like how much concrete it actually took and why they put the hoops where they did,” Lann said. “It just helped the students understand that what we’re doing in the classroom really does apply to real life.”

But it was a 45-minute lesson on designing a mini golf course that put her in the running for the presidential award.

The White House will announce the winners for 2016 next year. Winners will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion.

They also are invited to Washington, D.C., for an awards ceremony, educational events, and visits with members of Congress and the Administration.¤

“It was about the application of how math and science fit into the real world,” she said. “Each student had to use geometry, measurements, and money concepts.”

Lann is one of only five educators in Missouri to be chosen as a state finalist in mathematics. The awards are given to mathematics and science teachers from each of the 50 states and four U.S. jurisdictions. They recognize teachers who develop and implement a high-quality, instructional program that enhances student learning. Lann is the fourth WSD educator in five years to receive the prestigious recognition for excellence in teaching.

Mrs. Kasey Lann, Third Grade Teacher at Heritage Intermediate Wentzville R IV School District

20

Celebrating Years in O’Fallon in

2017

Krekeler Jewelers wants you to love the jewelry you wear. Our selection is hand-picked to match the quality and look you deserve.

We are a family owned & operated business in O'Fallon, MO. You will not be dealing with just a salesman but a highly qualified jeweler who can help you make an educated decision about your selection of new jewelry or perhaps a repair.

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This business is not a job, it's our passion, and you, our customers keep us going. You will leave our store happy, and we hope you will be so happy you will let your friends know about us.

If you need stones mounted, something engraved, or just need a watch battery, stop by and see how a combined 75+ years of experience can help you! ¤ 636.978.7870

Krekeler.com 2938 State Hwy K O'Fallon, MO 63368

We believe you should be treated like a person before you’re treated as a patient. So we take the time to learn about you beyond your charts and records. Like what moves you and your family.

This helps us provide the care you deserve. Because better health care comes from knowing you better.

To learn more, visit ssmhealth.com.

Winter 2017

83

BusinessScape

Educating Our Youth Story by Rob Ciampoli

Rob Ciampoli, Headmaster Andrews Academy Lake St. Louis

When asked why teachers get into education, almost all of them say the same thing-they had a teacher who, almost magically, transported them beyond facts and figures to a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.

We all had teachers like this. Mine taught second grade.

Ms. Bronson (I don’t really remember her name so we will go with Bronson) was a marvel. She led us in so many great lessons, I can’t remember them all, but I knew I wanted to be a teacher after one very unique experience.

Ms. Bronson started a math class telling everyone to take off their right shoe, walk out into the hallway and measure its distance in shoe lengths. Well, in those “way back” days we weren’t allowed out of our desks much less allowed to wander the halls - but off we went, counting shoe lengths. We (well, most of us. Timmy Hatcher was last seen walking out to his self-scheduled recess) returned to the classroom and each of us announced our results, all of which were, of course, wildly different. Ms. Bronson then said, “This is a problem isn’t it? We really don’t know how long the hallway is, do we? Well children, a long time ago people solved this problem by arriving at what they called the “standard unit of measurement” (I still remember her writing this on the chalkboard). People decided that they would use the length of the king’s foot to be this standard unit of measurement. And did you know that the king’s foot is in your desks?”

Visions of a bloody extremity flooded my young brain but I got up the courage to open the old wooden desk and, lo and behold, there was a….ruler. We then began measuring everything in the classroom.

Was her story true? Probably not, but she sure know how to grab our attention. She knew how to make math a living, breathing thing. She helped us trust ourselves because she trusted us. She helped us understand 84 StreetScape Magazine

• • • •

All of the great instructors, from preschool teachers to tenured professors, share these traits...

They love kids and mentor them.

They are coaches first and lecturers last.

They stand next to their students, not in front of them.

They are highly enthusiastic about what they teach

but teach students rather than their subjects.

• They support school leadership; they take part in

solving problems rather than causing them

(including Ms. Bronson, who was probably both a

principal’s dream and nightmare).

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that tools are invented in order to help us better understand/measure the world around us.

They are so confident enough in their craft that they feel comfortable trying new things; they are the quickest out of the gate in adapting new teaching techniques and technologies.

They are also the first to follow others who come up with good ideas.

They pay attention to and leverage students’ strengths rather than attack their weaknesses.

They are intellectually adept and curious while, at the same time, empathetic, diplomatic and tactful in difficult conversations and situations.

They demonstrate the traits we want all of our students to have: strong character, ability to communicate effectively with anyone and everyone, collaborate, think critically, and find creative solutions to sometimes thorny problems.

They network with others in their field and, increasingly, through the digital community.

They evaluate students on an individualized scale more so than on content on a fixed scale. They don’t believe in a system that calls for a certain percentage of “A’s” and a certain percentage of “D’s”.

And like Ms. Bronson... they bring magic into the lives of their students. ¤ Winter 2017

85

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86 StreetScape Magazine

The Benefits of Education Have a Long Reach Confluence with Michael Shonrock Throughout my life, I’ve been a strong believer in the benefits of education to the community—an educated populace, a more informed citizenry, and a more capable workforce. Recently, I was reminded that the “community” is not just the one we live in, but the world itself.

The most recent edition of our alumni magazine, the Connection, includes stories about members of the Lindenwood University community who are having an impact far from home.

First Lieutenant Alexander Larson, from the class of 2014, serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, was recently awarded a Bronze Star for his efforts there. A platoon leader, Larson has been helping coordinate the efforts of Afghan police chiefs and NATO forces in Kabul.

Dr. Shelly Daly, who teaches international business in our Robert W. Plaster School of Business & Entrepreneurship, will teach at Royal University of Bhutan as a Fulbright scholar in the spring semester. The first business professor ever placed in Bhutan in the Fulbright program, she will bring her expertise to the students there and will bring back some new perspectives for her students here.

Finally, Monica Leblanc, of the class of 2016, is working in Tanzania as a program officer for a nonprofit school for girls. From Costa Rica, Leblanc says her time as an international relations and nonprofit management major with a minor in gender studies inspired her to travel the world and work to improve women’s lives.

I can’t help but be inspired by these stories and many others about the fine work our students, alumni, faculty, and staff are doing in communities around the world. It is humbling to think that students taking classes with us now will one day fan out across the globe to make a difference, “like no other.”

Michael D. Shonrock, Ph.D., is the 22nd president of Lindenwood University, an undying optimist, and a self-described futurist. He welcomes reader comments at streetscape@lindenwood.edu.¤

Winter 2017

87

KENNY SUITTER

Then

Story by Michael Grafman

If you listened to rock radio in the 70s and 80s, then you probably remember Kenny Suitter. He had the perfect radio voice, and it matched him. Kenny is a great guy, who always treated me kindly, so I am thrilled to share his RnR connection here! I sat down with Kenny over lunch and chatted with him about life and work. I also asked him some questions via email about his rock n roll connection to St. Louis.

Kenny, how did you get started in broadcasting?

Kenny: I've always been an avid radio listener. I remember walking past the KXOK radio station on Kingshighway in the mid 60s and peeking in the windows to see if I could get a glimpse of Johnny Rabbit. On one occasion, I noticed a car parked in the station driveway that had a telephone in it. In the 60s, the only people to have phones in their cars were the President and Batman. Needless to say, I was impressed.

I really became infatuated with radio in the early 70s, when I was 16, listening to all the underground rock stations I could find on the dial. I would spend hours on end listening and thinking to myself what a cool job it would be to entertain people by playing music. I knew all the bands, the artists, their songs and all the words to all their songs. Sometimes, I would even pretend to be a DJ, as some young men might do.

KSHE radio played a major role in inspiring me to seek a career in broadcasting. I remember calling the station one day in 1975 and speaking with on-air personality Ron Stevens. I asked him, “How does one go about getting a job in radio?” He mentioned a school in St. Louis called Broadcast Center. After visiting the school and getting accepted, I sold my 1968 Camaro convertible to raise enough cash for tuition. I excelled in their curriculum and was broadcasting in a small town in Kansas in no time. After a year or two of “paying my dues” in small town radio stations,

Ken Suitter kneeling in front with members of the rock band, ".38 Special" and KSHE staff.

KSHE office in Crestwood, MO c.1981

I approached KSHE radio with an audition tape and resume. I was hired by the Program Director, Ted Habeck, in the latter part of 1977.

What is your connection to St. Louis, in your words, with the people, the industry, and our city?

Kenny: My connection to St. Louis is my mother. She dragged me here from Ohio in the late 50s when I was two years old. I didn't have much say in the matter, and I'm confident my protests would have fallen on deaf ears. The St. Louis area has been my “home” ever since. I grew up in St. Louis before moving to the North County area, then St. Charles, and eventually Lincoln County. I've been in the area for over 50 years.

What is your most memorable broadcasting experience in St. Louis?

Kenny: My most memorable experiences were interviewing the rock bands that came into town for a concert. In 1982, I had the

Rock-n-Roll Connection sponsored by...

636.379.5859 | www.Ofallon.FloorsToGo.com

88 StreetScape Magazine

Now © Michael R. Grafman 2016. All rights reserved • MRGinvests@gmail.com

afternoon drive time slot on KSHE radio. Most of the bands would drop by the station during the afternoon, after their soundchecks, and I would get the opportunity to interview them. These were the same groups I grew up listening to: John Kay (Steppenwolf), Bob Weir (Grateful Dead), Journey, Charlie Daniels, Ted Nugent and Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull). All of a sudden, they are on the other side of the microphone, in person, and I could ask them anything I wanted!

Those are the moments I remember the most, meeting those musical legends.

Who was most instrumental in St. Louis in helping you build your career?

Kenny: I was influenced by everybody I had the opportunity to work with, in some way or another. You learn something from everyone, and every place, you work. From journalistic work ethics to using different inflections in your voice, or even learning how to read the log report, you always pick up things from fellow broadcasters.

You're now working on a few projects. Tell us more about these and what you have going on in your life.

Kenny: I've recently purchased a foreclosure out in the country and am currently in the middle of rehabbing the house.

Your views on radio today and where it’s heading?

Kenny: I grew up in a time when there were no videogames, no video recorders or players of any kind, and the local television stations stopped broadcasting their signal just after midnight on week nights. Cable was unheard of. At that time, the only things left were listening to records or radio broadcasts. There are so many different forms of entertainment these days, and many different kinds of gadgets to be entertained by, radio's audience continues to get smaller and smaller with each technology that comes along. Unfortunately, I believe radio's best days are way behind it, and it will continue to dwindle.

Thank you, Kenny, for being our featured guest here at St. Louis' Rock n Roll Connection!

To connect with Kenny, email him at: klsuitter@gmail.com.

For our next guest, keep it right here to find out! ¤

When you aren't working, what do you do with your free time?!

Kenny: I'm a pro-constitutional rights activist. I also make videos informing people how, and when, to assert their rights if necessary.

What are some of your favorite bands?

Kenny: One of my favorite artists of all time is a man who supposedly hung himself in a Virginia jail cell in 1988. His name was Roy Buchanan, and I would put him up against Jimi Hendrix or Eric Clapton any day of the week and twice on Sunday. He was one of the greatest guitarists I'd ever seen. Check out his Austin City Limits performance on YouTube if you get a chance.

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Winter 2017

89

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL BE WATCHING THIS YEAR

MORE

SUPERHERO MOVIES

Story by Lance Tilford

YOUR

New Year's

VIEWING FORECAST

90 StreetScape Magazine

You have the new Spider Man “Guardians of the Galaxy 2,” “Wonder Woman,” “Thor:Ragnarok” and “Justice League” to look forward to. The universe will be saved, though not without much angst. You’re welcome. Yes, you may try one of those quirky, wellreviewed, independent movies, a rom-com, or one of the epic, dramatic, Oscar-bait releases at the end of the year; but leather and spandex will dominate.

You will also be watching television – lots of it, according to the Nielsen Company. HDTVs dominate the average American household, and DVR and streaming services are on the rise as the

THE WAYWARD CRITIC preferred method of TV viewing. A much wider array of content abounds here, and the average American – you, right? – spends nearly five hours a day digesting it. You probably spend about an hour or two of that just flipping through your Netflix queue deciding what to actually commit to watching.

But you may be viewing even more on your small screens — the tablets, smart phones and laptops that are always within arm’s reach — even in the car (shame on you). You’re stealing glances at Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram and trawling for the most amusing YouTube viral video. Your teen spends an average of nine hours a day using media. You’re not far behind.

With 168 hours in the week, you’ll knock out more than 50 watching a screen of some size.

Are you shocked? Are you reading this online or in the print version of the magazine (points to you . . . the printed page is the original screen, you can even swipe to change it!). Don’t lie, we’re watching through your camera portal.

In 2017, more content than ever will be released across multiple platforms; more books on digital devices, more games on consoles and via online portals like Steam, more videos produced

for Vimeo, more songs for SoundCloud – and far, far more ads.

Even though you think you’re watching less ads if you DVR the TV fare you digest regularly and gleefully skip through the commercials, they are slipping into your social media, your text messages, movie theatres, and electronic billboards. Heck, some of the advertising tells better, more entertaining stories than the content itself.

So will you watch more or less this year? And when you watch, will it be in that horribly out of date old 4K resolution, or will it be in the crisp, uber-lifelike new 8K resolution? Will you dedicate some hours in each week (besides sleeping) to unplugged, inthe-moment experiences with friends and family, or will you continue drunkenly kayaking the digital stream of endless content?

Will your kids see you putting down the new smart phone, the upgraded tablet, the latest e-reader, to converse with them or whoever else is in the room, even if it’s just Alexa?

I will be marveling at the new year’s resolution of 8K, but will definitely be spending more time outside, where the view is always 3D, always lifelike, often surprising, boasting an inarguable, outstanding, best-in-class resolution of A-OK. ¤

In this book, Superhero Healthy Henry shows children the importance of healthy habits in a fun way, there are even kid friendly jokes that keep this a lighthearted read.

Superhero Healthy Henry's mission is to help his Earth friend Dan learn why it is important to eat nutritious food and exercise. Dan has been in a routine of bad habits and has low energy. Dan finds out how much better he feels as he becomes much healthier with Superhero Healthy Henry's advice and helps others do the same.

This book promotes the importance of eating "real food" from nature and why excessive amounts of fast food, junk food, and processed foods should be avoided.

Healthy habits begin early. This book encourages children to be on the right path to life long health.

"Lifestyle disorders are the #1 killers in the US. Heart disease, diabetes and autoimmune disorders are increasing at staggering rates. Healthy habits start early. As a mom of two young children, I wanted to give kids a healthy living role model. To my knowledge there was not this type of role model already out there, so I created this book."

Angela Lamb, Author Superhero Healthy Henry Discovers Planet Earth

Winter 2017

91

Society

Crisis Nursery Over the Top for Tots November 4 • Ameristar Casino Grand Ballroom

Crisis Nursery raised a record breaking $120,000 at the 11th Annual Over the Top for Tots event.

Mistress of Ceremonies was KMOV's Claire Kellett, the event benefited the Nursery’s Healing Hearts Program, which provides art and play therapy for children who need help mending their broken spirits. Over 550 people enjoyed boutique shopping, a live auction, raffles and a semi-formal program on November 4th at The Ameristar Conference Center in St. Charles.

Photos by Michael Schlueter

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A. Dr. Nanci Bobrow, Roberta Cohen, Crisis Nursery CEO DiAnne Mueller & Judy Shaw B. Kathy Hamilton, Crisis Nursery's Ebonee Shaw and Venus Martz, Judy Shaw C. Heidi Sowatsky, Mary Ellen Renaud & award winner Tom Hannegan D. Penny Rogers, KMOV's Claire Kellett, Crisis Nursery's Bonnie Define and Brittany McDonnell E. Award winners Jillian Anderson, Michelle McElfresh & Tom Hannegan with Crisis Nursery CEO DiAnne Mueller F. Tom Hannegan with artist Jennifer Hayes G. Crisis Nursery CEO DiAnne Mueller with Shop 'n Save's Linda Markus & Coca-Cola's Angela Owen and the Coca Cola Polar Bear H. Jodi Lang (center) with Kelly Services table

92 StreetScape Magazine

Society

Beyond the Best

November 7 • Ameristar Casino Grand Ballroom

StreetScape Magazine honored 50 community leaders at its 7th Annual Beyond the Best Awards, held Nov. 7 at Ameristar Casino Resort Spa. Bev Randles, Attorney-at-Law, was our keynote speaker and Sara Dayley, Emcee. A special shout out to our Sponsors who made our event a huge success!

Photos by Michael Schlueter

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A. Bev Randles, Tom Hannegan, Sara Dayley B. Honorees and guests enjoy the envening C. Erica & Lonnie Land D. Dianne Garrison, Connie Petree E. Chris Watts; President of BJC St. Peters, Tom Hannegan, Kristin Williams F. Chad Gildig, Dianne Isbell, Bob O'Brien G. Michael and Michele Brown H. Jennifer Jaeger, Rachelle Bartnick, and Karen Englert I. Lindsay and Drew Weber J. Bev Randles, Anitra Galmore, Tom Hannegan K. Kim Hannegan, Tom Hannegan, Molly Dempsey, Linda Sanchez

Winter 2017

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Society

St. Charles Care to Learn Grand Gala November 12 • St. Charles Convention Center

The St. Charles chapter of Care to Learn held their 2nd annual fundraising Gala at the St. Charles Convention Center to benefit students in the St. Charles School District. Care to Learn is an organization that provides immediate funding to meet emergent health, hunger and hygiene needs so every child can be successful in school. The evening was enjoyed by an attendance of 250 guests with live & silent auctions, 50/50 raffles, dinner & dancing to live band.

Photos by Michael Schlueter

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A. Advisory Council B. Zack and Brie Smithey at banner with abstract painting C. Donn Sorensen and Alicia Deck D. Dusty Panhorst - Emcee E. Donn Sorensen & friends looking at Care to Learn article in StreetScape Magazine F. Jeff Marion and Optimist Club table G. Ed & Pam Gettemeier - winners of the "Just Chillin' & Grillin" auction item H. Zack Smithey's STL Cardinal's painting with Ed Gettemeier I. Lori Wootten - chairperson

94 StreetScape Magazine

Society

Taste of St. Charles

November 17 • St. Charles Convention Center

The Rotary Club of St. Charles hosted their 22nd Taste to benefit local St Charles County Charities. We were supported by 30+ restaurants, who supplied an amazing selection of food, wine and spirits. The evening was filled with music, great food and wonderful friends!

Photos by Michael Schlueter

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A. Don Boschert, Rotary President Elect B. Rotarians, Brittney Smith and Nancy Cavozos C. Rotary member Basil Zarkadis, with family and friends D. Drew Goellner and Dan Badock E. Steve Ehlman, Shawn Saale with guests F. Vito and Bessie Reid and friends

Winter 2017

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Society

Brrrr Bash December 3 • HWY 40 Brews

The 4th Annual Little Black Book BrrrBASH to benefit Toys for Tots was an overwhelming success. The 2016 campaign produced a cash donation of $6,000 and 2,000 toys. Little Black Book has donated $21,000 and 12,000 toys to Toys for Tots since 2013. The campaign represents 20% of the amount of toys distributed by the US Marines annually in the Greater St. Louis area. The women of LBB could not do it without the continuing support of our sponsors, business owners, civic leaders, and community.

Photos courtesy of Eichelberger Photography

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A. Wentzville Mayor Nick Guccione with LBB Founder Angel Magasano B. BrrrBASH Sponors Gregg Merkel, The Glass Guru and Debbie Kinsinger, Two Blind Guys C. BrrrBASH Sponsor and LBB Member Dawn Baker, USA Mortgage D. Over 2,000 toys were collected at BrrrBASH 2016 E. BrrrBASH sponsor and owner of Cool Touch Graphics Veronica and Eric Schwab F. The Women of LBB G. LBB Member Shanna Palans, owner of Pinot's Palette raised $600 for Toys for Tots H. StreetScape Magazine has been a proud sponsor of BrrrBASH since 2013. LBB thanks Founder Tom Hannegan, Sales Director Scott Mell, and Content Director and LBB Member Jeanne Strickland I. Wentzville Assistant Fire Chief assists Santa unload a palette of toys donated by Wentville Fire Protection District J. Wentzville Firefighters and US Marines are on Santa's Nice List

96 StreetScape Magazine

Society

Thanksgiving on the Farm

November 25 • Weisenstein Farm

Lindenwood Belleville President Brett Barger and the school’s Student Life & Leadership organization hosted a group of about 30 students from 10 countries including the U.S. Thursday at the Belleville farmhouse of Linda Weisenstein. There, they learned about the origins of Thanksgiving before dining on a feast of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and other fixings.

“What a treat it was to be with our international and domestic students as many of them had a s’more made over an open fire for the first time in their lives.” said Barger as he explained about the inspiration for the gathering. “If they can’t be home with their families over the short holiday break, we want them to be able to spend some time with their Lindenwood family.”

Photos courtesy of Lindenwood University

Winter 2017

97

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98 StreetScape Magazine

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