February 11, 2015
Hell on wheels Recipes
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Whole Grains for the Whole Day
Feature Section
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The Real Estate Guide
Photo by Brett Auten The St. Chux Derby Chix mix it up during a recent scrimmage. The Derby Chix are ranked in the top 35 in the world in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. The Derby Chix play their first home game on Feb. 21 at Matteson Square Gardens.
The St. Chux Derby Chix roller derby team mixes passion with action By Brett Auten The rolling thunder; chirps, sudden and sporadic. Instructions and signals, complaints and congrats echoed at different volumes. The occasional splaying of spandex skaters to the hardwood, like baby deer on ice. Roller derby. It’s alive and doing quite well here among us. The St. Chux Derby Chix have steadily built a legitimate club in the world, yes world-wide, sport of roller derby. If one has any memory at all of the sport it is mostly nostalgic. Roller derby was regarded as the bad step-sister to professional wrestling. Hair pulling and tripping was just the start of it. But the times have changed for the better. Roller derby has gone legit and the Derby Chix are not only having a ball doing it but inching their way toward elite status. The St. Chux Derby Chix are part of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), a national governing body for female-only, skater-owned, flat-track roller derby leagues. As of 2014 the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, (WFTDA), had 243 full member leagues. The Derby Chix were founded in 2009 and started competing in 2010. After a couple of seasons they became globally legit, becoming a full WFTDA club. They currently have two travel
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2015 STEM Extravaganza teams, the Pack in Black (the WFTDA squad) and the Hell’s Belles. After a surging 2014 campaign, the Derby Chix enter this season ranked in the top 35 of the WFTA. The sport has changed dramatically in its culture and standing. Look no further than the Roller Chix head coach. Andi Cook is a transplant from England who spends his daylight hours as a research scientist. He got into the sport and played briefly for the St. Louis men’s team, the Gatekeepers (who are currently ranked second in to world) before trading in his skates for a whistle. “I was just looking for something,” Cook said. “Something to meet people and hang out. I found that St. Louis isn’t the best place to randomly meet friends.” The majority of the Derby Chix roster comes from the St. Charles area along with a number from St. Louis. Jamielee Connor, of St. Charles, has been with the club for five seasons. She’s seen Derby Chix coaches come and go and some not even show. Because of a co-worker, Connor went out to watch a match and it snowballed from there. “I never really played sports growing up but it looked fun and appealing to me,” Connor said. “It was fast paced, action packed, it was all girls. It looked competitive and fun.” O’Fallon’s DeAnna Seithel had no rec-
ollection of roller derby’s past. Once she found out about a sport that hearkened to her childhood mixed with a little physicality, she knew it was a fit without even seeing it played. “I skated as a kid all the time and when I found out about it I was like, this is for me,” Seithel said. “I found out where the practices were and went and signed up. I had never seen it. But anything on quads (four wheels instead of inline skates) that’s right up my alley.” See HELL ON WHEELS page 2
Over The Fence
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FSF Mutation Meditation
Oscar Watch 2015
“Still Alice” photo courtesy of BSM Studio
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Around Town
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Vol. 17 No. 6
In This Issue...
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Around Town Community Garden Summit announced and more.
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Special Section Best of North County.
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Feature Section Real Estate Guide
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Business St. Johns Bank names new president and more.
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School STLCC offers truck driving training program and more.
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Learn and Play Discover a new book, check in with Cindy Moore and more.
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Movie Alzheimer’s disease at the Academy Awards. Sports Local sports with Gary B. Recipes Whole grains for the whole day. What’s Happening Classifieds Over the Fence Joe Morice brings his unique views to the Community News.
February 11, 2015 • Community News • www.mycnews.com
HELL ON WHEELS
from cover
Today’s roller derby differs substantially from what is lodged deep in your memory banks. Roller derby is played by approximately 1,250 amateur leagues worldwide, half of which are outside the U.S. Some of the biggest differences are the track (today’s game is on a flat track not a banked track) the pro wrestling-style fights (elbows, punches, and tripping are illegal) and, much again like pro wrestling, the staged games. Instead, there are two teams of five members skating in the same direction around a track. Game play consists of a series of short matchups (known as “jams”) in which both teams designate a scoring player (the “jammer”) who tallies points by lapping members of the opposing team. The teams attempt to hinder the opposing jammer while assisting their own jammer—in effect, playing both offense and defense simultaneously. There are still some leftovers from the sport that helps give it style and character. Players skate under pseudonyms or derby
names, most of which are creative word play. (For example; Connor is “GI Janie”, Seithel is “Vixen TaGetcha” and Cook’s “Knight Glider”) “You could spend an entire day just asking people why they are called what they are,” Cook said. The names of the bouts, tournaments, or double-headers themselves are also a fun with words; like “Nightmare on Main Street” or “Knocktoberfest.” It’s a cliché that’s as old as the times and applies to any sport, trade or hobby. But to a person, when asked what it takes to be a successful player in roller derby it’s practice, practice, practice. “We’ve had players who didn’t even know how to skate turn into one of our better players,” Cook said. “You don’t need a hockey background but we found if you do, it does springboard you to be contact illegible and competition illegible quickly. And lack of fear as well. We have a wide background
of people out there. Some who have never played a team sport before and others who have all their lives.” The squad practices at Great Skate in St. Peters with its home games held at Matteson Square Garden. The Derby Chix are road warriors. Last year’s itinerary had stops in Minnesota, Texas, and Wisconsin. The first road trip this year is a three game-tourney in Arizona. Fund raising is a must. Trivia and poker nights are a necessity. The Derby Chix do this all out of love, there’s no question. As Seither enters her mid-30s, she tires of answering the ‘but why?’ question. “Most of my friends think that I’m crazy and don’t know why I do it,” Seithel said. “Then you get with your derby girls and we all know why we do it.” For more information, including a complete schedule, visit: http://www.stchuxderbychix.com/
The Florissant License Office to remain open during appeal process
Horseshoes and disc golf available at Florissant parks
The Florissant Rotary Club filed an appeal with the State of Missouri after losing their state contract to run the Florissant License Office. Rotary has provided great service to Florissant area residents for more than 20 years and donated $2.3 million of its profits during that time to local organizations and charities such as T.E.A.M. food pantry, Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop and Marygrove Home for abused and neglected children. Mayor Thomas P. Schneider wanted to let the community know that the Florissant Rotary Club will continue to run the Florissant License Office during the appeal process, which will take several months. The office will remain open and continue business as usual until the appeal process handled by the Office of Administration is complete. Schneider and the Florissant City Council have put their full support behind the appeal, as have numerous other legislators and leaders. They include St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger, St. Louis County Councilmen Mike O’Mara and Sam Page, State Senator Gina Walsh, State Representative Sharon Pace (District 74), State Representative Margo McNeil (District 69), State Representative Keith English (District 68), Hazelwood Mayor Matt Robinson, North County Inc. Executive Director Rebecca Zoll, Hazelwood School District Superintendent Dr. Grayling Tobias, Ferguson Florissant School Board President Rob Chabot, Marygrove CEO Sister Helen Negri, LCCW, BCCSW and Valley Industries Executive Director Jim Guyre. The Florissant Rotary Club has prepared a petition which can be signed at Florissant City Hall and at both the JJE and JFK Community Centers as well as many business locations in and around Florissant. Rotary is also asking supporters to contact Missouri Governor Jay Nixon with phone calls, letters or e-mails to protest the Department of Revenue’s decision to award the contract to a for-profit business. The governor can be reached at PO Box 720, Jefferson City, MO 65102 by mail, 573-751-3222 by phone or online at www.governor.mo.gov.
One of the great amenities of Bangert Park is the horseshoe pit area. The horseshoe pits are open during normal park hours (daily 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.). Check our future brochures, and website often for information on horseshoe leagues and tournaments. Bangert Park is located at 275 New Florissant Road S. Florissant residents are encouraged to form leagues, organize tournaments and to schedule weekly matches with friends. You can also enjoy a day at the 18-hole disc golf course at Dunegant Park. The park is located at 1930 Derhake Road. Disc golf tournaments are held in the Spring and the Fall so check out www.florissantmo.com often for more information. Florissant residents are encouraged to form disc golf leagues and or regular weekly disc golf tee times.
Photos courtesy city of Florissant Park patrons enjoy both the horseshoe pit at Bangert Park and the disc golf course at Dunegant Park.
www.mycnews.com • Community News • February 11, 2015
Around Town
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Gateway Greening announces plans for 2015 Community Garden Summit
Program explores trauma’s impact on children
Gateway Greening, a non-profit organization that educates and empowers people to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture, will host its 6th annual St. Louis Community Garden Summit on Feb. 21. The event will take place at Saint Louis University High School from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Both community and backyard gardeners are encouraged to attend the summit which will give participants the chance to network with other gardeners and those working in sustainable practices across the region, and hear presentations from national experts on community gardening, horticulture and community development. Pre-registration for the event is underway now at www.gatewaygreening. org/summit. The cost is $12 for community gardeners and $22 for members of the general public. The 2015 event will feature a keynote address titled “Growing a Network of Deeply-Rooted, Self-Reliant and Resilient Community Gardens” from Michael Buchenau, Executive Director of Denver Urban Gardens (DUG). Buchenau holds a master’s degree in landscape architecture from Harvard University. “We are excited to host our 6th annual Community Garden Summit,” said Mike Sorth. “Whether you’re a community gardener, or an amateur gardener looking to expand your backyard garden, this summit is a great opportunity to hear from horticulture experts and mingle with other gardeners. We encourage anyone with a vested interest in gardening to make plans to attend this event.” For more information on the 6th annual Community Garden Summit or for information on Gateway Greening and its programs, visit www.gatewaygreening.org or call 314-588-9600.
An informational program on “How Trauma Impacts Children’s Social, Emotional and Health Outcomes” will be presented on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m. at the Missouri Institute of Mental Health at 4633 World Parkway Circle in Berkeley. The 90-minute program is open to the general public. The presenter, Patsy Carter, Ph.D., of the Missouri Department of Mental Health Office of Children, will explore the prevalence and impact of trauma on children’s brain development, and how to help children and families recover from trauma. There is no charge to attend. To register, visit http://goo.gl/XzpEZ2. For information, contact Tom Giles at the St. Louis Mental Health Board, 314-535-6964, ext. 19. The program is organized by Alive and Well STL, the Saint Louis Mental Health Board, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health. This program is the first training in a series to help create a trauma-informed community; check www.stlmhb.com for information about future workshops.
Hazelwood rewards teamwork of local heroes
Free screenings for young children
Free developmental screenings, health, hearing and vision functional screenings for children 3 months to 5 years are offered by the Ferguson-Florissant School District’s Parents as Teachers program. The benefits of screening young children are many, including: improved health and development; early identification of and treatment for developmental delays; fewer incidences of undetected physical and learning problems when entering kindergarten; and correction of early developmental delays before entering kindergarten. If you would like your child screened call the Ferguson-Florissant School District’s Parents as Teachers program, 314-506-9066. Parents as Teachers is a free parent education and family support Photo courtesy city of Hazelwood program for all families throughout pregnancy until their child en(from left) Hazelwood Mayor Matthew Robinson, Hazelwood Police Chief Gregg Hall, Robertson Fire Protection District Chief Don Miner, Paramedic Carey Palermo, Paramedic Dan Cantrell, Officer Matt Edsall, Officer Todd Greeves, Dispatcher Angela Pingel, Officer Scott Schnurbusch, ters kindergarten. Parents are supported by Parent as Teachers certified parent educators trained to translate scientific information on and Officer Mike Monticelli at an awards presentation at a Hazelwood City Council meeting. early brain development into specific when, what, how, and why adAt a recent council meeting, the city of the patient. The paramedics used a portable vice for parents. The program offers: Personal Visits; Prenatal Visits; Hazelwood recognized several of its own local Automated External Defribrillator (AED) to Parent and child activities and Resource Networking opportunities. heroes who made a team effort to save a person’s re-establish the heart rhythm and administered life at the St. Louis Outlet Mall. Two members of medication. Once the patient was stabilized, the the Hazelwood police force, Officer Matt Edsall Robertson paramedics transported the woman to and Officer Todd Greeves, received the Life Sav- a local hospital where she later recovered from a ing Award and five other individuals were given near fatal event. the Chief ’s Certificate of Recognition. During this situation, Officer Scott SchnurOn August 21, 2014, Officer Matt Edsall and busch and Officer Mike Monticelli arrived at the Officer Todd Greeves were assigned to the St. scene and provided back-up assistance. They atLouis Outlet Mall. Hazelwood dispatcher Angela tended to the victim’s family member, who was Pingel received a phone call on 911 from some- understandably panicked and scared, and kept one requesting emergency assistance in front of the crowd at a distance. This allowed Officers Cabela’s. Edsall and Greeves to focus their attention on the Officer Edsall and Officer Greeves immediately medical emergency. arrived on the scene and found the victim in a Because of the immediate action of Officer vehicle. She had gone into cardiac arrest. The Edsall and Officer Greeves, the victim’s life was Hazelwood police officers removed her from the undoubtedly saved, which is why they received car and laid her on the ground. They then began the Life Saving Award. Due to their direct assisperforming CPR on her. Within a few minutes, tance and team work, Officers Schnurbusch and two paramedics from the Robertson Fire Protec- Monticelli, Dispatcher Pingel, and Paramedics tion District, Carey Palermo and Dan Cantrell, Palermo and Cantrell were all given the Chief ’s joined them at the scene and took over treating Certificate of Recognition.
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Around Town
February 11, 2015 • Community News • www.mycnews.com
Best of North County
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h t C r o o . Ballot N f o t s e B Vote for your favorite Greater North County Chamber member or any other business in 63031, 63033, 63042, 63135, 63136, 63137, 63138, 63032 or 63034 in the categories listed below. All entries due no later than March 1, 2015. Vote as often as you wish. There will be two winners in each category. Accounting
Catering
Fitness Center
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Chiropractor
Florist
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Printing
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Jeweler
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Auto Repair
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Hair Salon
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Bank/Credit Union
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Roofing
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You can vote online at www.mycnews.com as often as you want to... or you can email your vote to bestof1@mycnews.com... or you can clip this and mail to: Community News 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366
www.mycnews.com • Community News • February 11, 2015
Patient openings available for free dental clinic for kids Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) announced that it currently has 150 patient openings for the second day of its two-day, free dental clinic being held on Feb. 20 and 21 at Saint Louis University’s Center for Advanced Dental Education. Comprehensive services will be provided completely free of charge for infants, toddlers and school-aged children through 8th grade, who are Medicaid-eligible, qualify for a school lunch program or need dental assistance due to other circumstances. Individuals are seen by appointment only. The registration deadline is Thursday, Feb. 12 and can be completed by calling 636-397-6453, and then filling out a health history and consent form. Current patient openings for Sat., Feb. 21 will be scheduled on a firstcome, first-served basis between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Those who register will receive comprehensive services in the form of X-rays, professional cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants, as well as restorations (fillings), endodontics (root canals) and oral surgery, as needed, by a team of more than 400 dental professional volunteers. Those in need of extensive dental services that cannot be completed within the allotted clinic timeframe can obtain the needed, and often critical, follow-up care at no cost through one of the many private dental offices enrolled in GKAS’s Smile Factories program. To learn more about Give Kids A Smile or to register by Feb. 12 for the upcoming clinic, call 636-397-6453 or log on to www.gkas.org.
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CMT and the Saint Louis Football Club team up to host ‘Transit Crush’ Love will be in the air along the MetroLink alignment on Feb. 13 as Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) and the Saint Louis Football Club outdoor professional soccer team will team up to host the first-ever Transit Crush event, designed to give transit enthusiasts the chance to unite in support of their love for the region’s transit system. That evening from 4 - 6 p.m., transit riders are invited to meet at various spots along the MetroLink alignment to create a flash mob-style “crush” onboard the trains during the evening commute. Prior to the ride, CMT volunteers will be stationed at the various MetroLink stations distributing information on CMT’s Guaranteed Ride Home program, while members of the Saint Louis Football Club will be meeting and greeting with fans at the stations before participating in the crush themselves. The event will wrap-up with a happy hour event at Tom’s Bar and Grill, located at 20 S. Euclid Ave. in the Central West End. Throughout the evening, Crush partici-
pants will be encouraged to help “blow-up” social media with transit love by posting their Transit Crush selfies and tagging their Twitter, Facebook and Instagram posts with #cmttransitcrush. “We are so excited to be teaming up with the Saint Louis Football Club to host this incredible event, which will give transit riders a fun and unique opportunity to show just how much love they have for transit,” said Kim Cella, Executive Director of CMT. “We want riders come out in droves so that we can pack the trains in support of MetroLink and transit use in the St. Louis region.” Volunteers are still needed to hand out information on the Guaranteed Ride Home program at the MetroLink stations prior to the event. Those that donate their time will receive a special Transit Crush t-shirt. To register to volunteer, or for more information on the Transit Crush event, visit www.cmt-stl.org, call 314-231-7272, find the organization on Facebook or follow CMT on Twitter @CMT_STL.
Busting first-time homebuyer myths When buying a first home, most people are making one of the biggest purchases of their lives. Without home buying experience, it’s hard to separate fact from fiction. “Buying a first home can be exciting and stressful for most young buyers, especially the financing process,” says Clete Thompson, vice president at imortgage, a division of loanDepot LLC. “There’s a lot of paperwork, many choices, and sometimes budgets don’t stretch very far. Our licensed loan officers specialize in helping first-time buyers navigate the home finance process, which can be stressful if you’re not working with a seasoned professional.” To help first-time buyers, the experts at imortgage are uncovering prevalent myths about financing a home purchase: Myth: It takes a 20 percent down payment to buy a home. Reality: Required down payment amounts vary by type of loan and they are on average much smaller than people think. Last year, the median down payment for all first-time buyers was 6 percent, according to the National Association of Realtors. One reason is that many first-time buyers use FHA loans, which require down payments as low as 3 to 3.5 percent. VA loans require nothing down for qualified veterans or active military personnel. If you want to take out a conventional loan, many lenders do require 20 percent down, but you can lower that percentage with private mortgage insurance. There are also hundreds of down payment assistance programs that eliminate or reduce down payment requirements for qualified borrowers.
Myth: If you owe a lot of student loan debt, there is no way you can get a mortgage. Reality: Don’t assume that having a lot of student loan debt automatically disqualifies you from getting a mortgage. The key factor is not necessarily the size of your loan obligation, but the amount of your total monthly debt payments compared to your monthly income. This is called DTI. imortgage, for example, has approved thousands of loans to first-time buyers whose monthly student loan payments were as high as $300, and many more could qualify by increasing their monthly income. Myth: If your credit score is low, you should not even try to get a mortgage. Reality: Millions of potential buyers assume they will not be approved for a mortgage even though many could qualify, according to a national survey commissioned by loanDepot LLC. Today, median FICO scores for mortgages to buy a home are 683 for FHA loans and 754 for conventional loans. But hundreds of thousands of buyers with scores lower than those are getting mortgages if they have good income and low levels of debt. Myth: Buying a home isn’t a good investment. Reality: Real estate, like other assets, rises and falls based on supply and demand. Over the past two years, home values in most markets have been rising. While all real estate is local, if you bought a home in March 2012, by August 2014 the national median home price as measured by Case-Shiller had risen 29.6 percent. Myth: The mortgage-interest tax deduction is going away.
Reality: Though the deduction has its critics, most observers believe it is unlikely that Congress will eliminate the mortgage interest deduction any time soon. Many states also allow homeowners to write off the interest they pay on their mortgages from their state income taxes. Check with your accountant or CPA on if you can qualify for this type of tax deduction. Myth: I’m about to get married and the wedding is so expensive I won’t be able to buy a home. Reality: According to TheKnot, the average wedding has 138 guests who typically give a gift valued at $100 each. That’s $13,800 in spatulas, baking pans and other things. If every guest contributed to a Down Payment Fund, you could have enough saved for a down payment on a $276,000 home in San Diego. “These are just a few of the myths about home buying that surface frequently in our conversations with first-time buyers,” says Thompson. “I always advise potential buyers, especially first- time buyers, to get in touch with one of our local imortgage loan officers if they’re interested in straight answers to specific questions about financing a home. We are here to help.”
www.paynefamilyhomes.com
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Business
February 11, 2015 • Community News • www.mycnews.com
1st Financial Federal Credit Union supports St. Louis area at-risk families
Gail (Niebur) Eagle named President of St. Johns Bank On Jan. 7, W. Douglas Branneky, Chairman and CEO of St. Johns Bank, announced the bank’s Board of Directors named Gail A. Eagle (nee Niebur) President of St. Johns Bank. A 15-year veteran of St. Johns Bank, Eagle was previously Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. She has been a member of the bank’s board of directors since 2011. Eagle has 30 years of banking and regulatory experience. Eagle is a lifelong resident of Edwardsville, Illinois, where she lives with her husband, Roy, and son, Noah. Eagle succeeds Jack Burleson as President. He retired in December 2014. Founded in 1926, St. Johns Bank is a locally owned, full-service community bank with five locations in St. Louis and St. Charles counties, serving the entire metropolitan St. Louis area.
Submitted photo Gail Eagle was named President of St. Johns Bank.
Sweetie Pie’s Kitchen celebrates grand opening
Photo courtesy 1st Financial Credit Union Pictured from left to right are Denise Wiehardt, Program Coordinator for the St. Louis Crisis Nursery and Tanya Forsythe, Hazelwood Branch Manager for 1st Financial Federal Credit Union.
The St. Louis Crisis Nursery is committed to the prevention of child abuse and neglect and provides emergency intervention, respite care and support to families in crisis. 1st Financial Federal Credit Union took part in the annual St. Louis Crisis Nursery Adopt-A-Family program this holiday season by collecting clothing and toys for a family in the St. Louis area. Additionally, Hazelwood Branch Manager Tanya Forsythe toured the St. Louis Crisis Nursery North County facility. At the end of her visit, Mrs. Forsythe presented a check totaling $500 to the St. Louis Crisis Nursery as part of the Helping People 1st Grant from 1st Financial Federal Credit Union. The Helping People 1st Grant program gives 1st Financial Federal Credit Union employees the chance to highlight 501(c)3 non-profit organizations that actively work to help the St. Louis area by providing resources for housing, financial literacy, job training, or education. “This partnership is so helpful and appreciated,” said Bonnie Define, Community Relations Director for the St. Louis Crisis Nursery. “With the number of admissions to the Nursery hovering just over 7,000 in 2014, we are incredibly grateful for our partnership with 1st Financial Federal Credit Union.” She continued, saying “Through their charitable giving program “Helping People 1st”, we are working together to ‘Save babies’ lives, keep kids safe, and strengthen families’ in our communities- one child at a time.”
Sweetie Pie’s Kitchen recently celebrated their grand opening in Florissant with a ribbon-cutting by The Greater North County Chamber of Commerce and Florissant Mayor Tom Schneider. Sweetie Pie’s Kitchen is located at 8180 N. Lindbergh Blvd. (in the old Del Taco building. next to Mattingly’s) in Florissant. Visit their website at www.sweetiepieskitchen.com
Submitted photo
Curves/Jenny Craig holds ribbon cutting ceremony A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for Curves/Jenny Craig on Jan. 12. Eileen Dyall, franchise owner is excited about the partnership between Curves and Jenny Craig and looks forward to serving the North County area. On hand for the ribbon cutting was Florissant Mayor Tom Schneider, Curves staff, Curves members as well as board member and ambassadors from the Greater North County Chamber. Stop by the location at 1817 Dunn Rd. in the Waterford Square Shopping Center or give them a call at 314-839-0077.
www.Windowworld.com
Submitted photo
www.mycnews.com • Community News • February 11, 2015
Hazelwood School District attracts students, families to 2015 STEM Extravaganza More than 750 members of the community spent a recent sunny Saturday talking to university representatives about summer engineering programs, getting their hands sticky in slime and learning how a 3D printer works; among other things. These were just a few of the activities and opportunities available at the Hazelwood School District’s STEM Extravaganza. The STEM Extravaganza was held Jan. 24 at Hazelwood Central High School and showcased a variety of educational opportu- Members of the Central High School Robohawks robotics team demonstrate the workings of nities in science, technology, en- their robot during the HSD STEM Extravaganza. gineering and math (STEM) for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. “The STEM Extravaganza provided an opportunity for students and parents to learn more about the STEM disciplines offered by the district and how these opportunities position our students for advanced study and even careers in these fields,” said Dr. Grayling Tobias, HSD superintendent. “As a school district we are always striving to increase student achievement and Photos courtesy Hazelwood School District strengthen the relationships with Students and parents ask questions during a demonstration with Mallinckrodt staff during our HSD families and the comthe recent HSD STEM Extravaganza. munity. The STEM Extravaganza provided a platform for our staff munity continues to move forward. On behalf of to reach out to HSD families, organizations, busi- the District and our students, we are grateful for nesses and other stakeholders to ensure our com- the support of all who participated.”
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Five FFSD schools receive national recognition for promoting health and wellness Five schools in the Ferguson-Florissant School District are among more than 500 schools across the country to receive national recognition for their promotion of health and wellness with students. Halls Ferry, Holman, Central, Wedgwood and Lee Hamilton Elementary Schools have reached Touchdown School status in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. Fuel Up to Play 60 is sponsored by the National Dairy Council and National Football League in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program encourages children to make healthy eating choices and engage in physical activity 60 minutes per day. In order to achieve Touchdown Status, schools must have demonstrated their commitment to Fuel Up to Play 60 and school wellness by completing all of the program’s six steps. The steps include implementing a healthy eating and physical activity play as outlined by the program. The goal of this is to make lasting, healthy changes in the school’s wellness environment. Each school must also identify a team comprised of students and staff who are responsible for identifying, coordinating and executing activities of the program that includes conducting a school wellness investigation to assess how the school can improve in its health and wellness efforts. Each Touchdown School will receive a banner to display in their building. The schools are also eligible for sweepstakes and funding.
Ritenour School for Early Childhood Education again receives national accreditation The Ritenour School for Early Childhood Education again received national accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Along with the accolades of being nationally accredited, Ritenour’s program boasts receiving all A’s from the NAEYC assessment team. The school has been nationally accredited since 2005. On its recent accreditation renewal, Ritenour’s early childhood program received top marks (all A’s) in all 10 standards reviewed by NAEYC team members during a two-day visit earlier this school year. The accreditation is valid until February 2020. The letter notifying Principal Dr. Gyniquea Davis that the school earned national accreditation status with straight A’s said: “The administra-
tion, teaching staff and families of Ritenour Early Childhood Center are all to be congratulated for continuing to uphold the mark of quality represented by the NAEYC accreditation system.” Dr. Davis said she is proud of Ritenour’s program and the strength of its teaching and support staff who help children learn and grow each day. “Our goal is to nurture all of our students so they are excited and engaged with learning each day they are here and to continue that sense of wonder at home,” said Dr. Davis. “Our teachers and support staff give 100 percent every day to build a solid educational foundation for our youngest learners. Although we are proud to receive high marks in all of the accreditation standards, we will continue to push ahead and make improvements to ensure that we meet every child’s needs.”
www.nccsedu.org
STLCC offers truck driving training program Individuals interested in a career as a professional truck driver are encouraged to enroll in a special program offered by St. Louis Community College. The five-week truck driving program prepares graduates to enter the commercial driving industry as an over-the-road truck driver. Truck driving is part of STLCC’s no-fee, high-value technical job training programs that are grant-funded and offered for limited periods of time at no cost to qualified students. Students will rotate through a combination of classroom, driving simulator time and several hours of road driving. The coursework covers areas such as safety, Department of Transportation (DOT) rules and regulations, proper shifting techniques, pre-trip inspections, map reading, log books, handling paperwork, cargo handling, highway driving, night driving and metro driving.
Students also will gain more than 40 hours of driving experience. Upon completion, students earn a Class A Commercial Driver License as well as job interview opportunities. Truck drivers are in high demand. The average starting pay is approximately $35,000. Enrollment is under way for spring classes, which begin March 16. There is no cost for this program for individuals who qualify. To participate, students must be 21 years old, have a good driving record, and pass both a physical and DOT drug screening. No prior experience is necessary. Those interested must fill out an application and attend an information session. For more information about the program and to download the application, visit www.stlcc.edu/TruckDriving. For eligibility requirements, contact Rene Dulle at 314-539-5296, or email her at rdulle4@ stlcc.edu.
www.gibsonprinting.com
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Learn & Play
February 11, 2015 • Community News • www.mycnews.com
By Cindy Moore
Middle Pick:
“Emmanuel’s Dream, the True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah” Community News is proud to offer our readers “Book Buzz.” This column will feature great books for children in three categories: Youngest Pick: early childhood to the first or second grade, Middle Pick: elementary school children, and Oldest Pick: middle school children. Enjoy!
Reprinted with permission, Missourian Publishing Company. Copyright 2015.
Born with only one leg, Emmanuel, a boy from Ghana, West Africa, seemed destined to be jeered at, to be a beggar, like others with disabilities in his country. But he had a loving mother — a wise woman named Comfort who encouraged him to be the best he could be, and to never give up. His life story makes for the inspiring read, “Emmanuel’s Dream, the True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah,” by Laurie Ann Thompson and Sean Qualls. Emmanuel didn’t have it easy; neither did his mother, whose husband left soon after their son was born. Emmanuel needed to go to school so she carried him, and when he got too big for her, he walked, two miles there and two miles back. At school the kids made fun of him, so he bought a used soccer ball. Instead of refusing to let them play, he invited them to participate. Soon they accepted and respected Emmanuel. The boy believed “being disabled (did) not mean being unable.” To raise others’ awareness to the needs of those with disabilities, Emmanuel cycled across Ghana. He continues to dedicate himself to improving the lives of those with disabilities.
Crossword Puzzle Theme: The Oscars ACROSS 1. They can sting 6. *Oscar winner Henry Fonda to Peter 9. ____ of operation 13. Traditional Inuit home 14. Site of 2016 Olympics 15. Unpleasant airport news 16. Beach souvenir 17. Australian runner 18. On or to one side 19. *”The Theory of Everything” physicist 21. *Filmed over a 12-year period 23. Take your pick 24. Wild guess 25. Bygone bird of New Zealand 28. Ogle or gape 30. School break 35. Great horned ____, pl. 37. Make-up artist? 39. Blind alternative 40. “I’m __ __!” 41. Where vows are often exchanged 43. Type of track 44. Renaissance fiddle 46. Deity, in Sanskrit 47. A hair treatment 48. *Yearly Oscar winner for Best Film Editing 50. *Warren Beatty won for directing this flick 52. Yellow ___ 53. “My bad” 55. Berg matter 57. Thorough 61. *”The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance” 65. Evian, backwards 66. In the past 68. Like a gymnast 69. Step 70. Create with cloth 71. Easter’s marshmallow treat 72. Church bell sound 73. Unagi 74. *Academy Award winner, _____ Lubitsch DOWN 1. ____ list 2. Turkish honorific 3. Boatload 4. “Roll Out the Barrel” dance 5. Putting on a new sole 6. Small amount of residue 7. Between “ready and “fire” 8. *Meryl Streep was nominated for this 2008 movie 9. Netting
Hum drum winter blues Once again the future of the nation has been left to a small-minded, ground-burrowing, nasty little rodent. Of course, I could be talking about any of our present-day, Washington politicians, but this time I am referring to another sort of mischief-maker—the groundhog. Yes, that rascally, furbearing foreteller of fate has called for another six weeks of frost and freeze. And thus, the winter doldrums are upon us. The happiness the holidays brought about are a thing of the past; the New Year’s celebrations have departed and along with them the cheering and revelry; the Super Bowl has come and gone and all our hopes have been deflated (pun intended). The only thing we had to look forward to was the anticipation of spring. Now that felonious Furby has even dashed that to bits. So what can be done with our time in the coming weeks to chase away the blues and get our bodies moving? Here are a few suggestions: 1 – Visit the dentist. From Halloween to the Super Bowl there has been an endless dumping of groceries into the old food hole. Just imagine the gunk that has piled up in between those teeth in that amount of time from the festivities. Time to chip it away. 2 – Schedule a colonoscopy. Since there will be a lot of lounging around till spring, might as well get the old seat sitter a safety test. Nothing brings more excitement to a dreary day like a backside adjustment. As a plus, both ends will now be cleaned and serviced and ready for that next holiday eating binge. 3 - Bathe the cat. Few things bring more pep and vigor to a dull day than dipping an unsuspecting, needle-clawed, water-hating beast into a tub of sudsy liquid. Your energy levels will soar as Mr. Tibbs exfoliates your face with one sharp-clawed swoop. Along with the complimentary facial peel, you’ll also receive that much-needed exercise as you chase your water-soaked feline up the walls, over the refrigerator and down the banister. If these ideas should only lead to more misery in your life, may I recommend instead a tasty groundhog barbeque? Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two selfindulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder. The opinions expressed in this column are Cindy Moore’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.
SUDOKU:
10. Assortment 11. Carpenter’s groove 12. Gave the once-over 15. A seat by day, a bed by night 20. African antelope 22. Argo propeller 24. Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner, e.g. 25. *Alice actress 26. Had title to 27. Cover story 29. *Witherspoon stars in this hiker’s story 31. Photoshop option 32. Bat dwelling? 33. Extra tire 34. *Famous march starting point 36. Leave in, as text 38. *Kind of film review 42. Forearm bones
Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column and 3-by-3 box includes all the digits 1 through 9.
45. *Nominee three years in a row 49. Decompose 51. Claw mark 54. _____ of the moon 56. Gardening tool 57. In or of the present month 58. Created in 1949 for security purposes 59. Obsolete phone feature 60. Bad to the bone 61. New Year’s Day game 62. Bearing 63. *Setting for 1965’s “The Sound of Music” 64. Hawk’s aerie, e.g. 67. “___ whiz!”
See answers on page 13 See solution on page 12
www.mycnews.com • Community News • February 11, 2015
Movie
Oscar Watch 2015: Alzheimer’s Disease at the 87th Annual Academy Awards
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By Steve Bryan
as a real-life companion piece to “Still Alice.” Keach had unprecedented access to Campbell, his wife Kim, and their children as the Rhinestone Cowboy made his farewell tour. In the opening scenes, Glen and Kim are watching home movies, but she has to tell him the names of his children. After his diagnosis, Campbell still maintains his sense of humor in the doctor’s office and at home. While performing in various cities, Campbell has a few memory issues, but his musical gifts are largely unaffected. It’s great to see his grown children performing as part of his back-up band on what became his farewell tour. Director James Keach doesn’t shy away from the painful moments, though. Like Alice Howland, Campbell has moments of anger and frustration when he can’t find certain things. Hours later, he forgets what he was looking for and why he was mad. Yet, the documentary is fairly optimistic and serves as a lasting tribute to Campbell. The singer/songwriter also co-wrote an Oscar-nominated original song, “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” which he performs in the documentary. It’s a beautiful piece that acknowledges his disease and its effects, but it also assures the listener that the singer will be okay. ABC will broadcast the 87th Academy Awards live on Sunday, February 22.
Alzheimer’s disease is devastating for both the victims and their families. Children often watch as their beloved parents slowly slip away from them. Husbands and wives take on a caretaking role while a lifetime partner forgets their lives together. The man or woman in the wedding photo isn’t the same as the one sitting on the sofa anymore. This year’s crop of Oscar nominees contains two stand-out films that put heartbreaking and haunting faces on the disease. Julianne Moore plays the lead role in “Still Alice,” a drama focusing on a brilliant linguistics professor who starts to forget simple things. Moore is on the fast-track to win an Oscar for this sensitive and “Still Alice” photo courtesy of BSM Studio powerful performance. Accustomed to being in control, Alice Howland fights hard against the disease. After failing a few simple memory tests, Alice continues to test herself at home while cooking Christmas dinner for the family. At her age, she can’t believe that she has Alzheimer’s, but she does get lost while jogging on the college campus. Moore captures Alice’s pain as she battles to save her memories. Her iPhone becomes a lifeline, reminding her to take her medications as well as testing her memories of her children. It’s heartbreaking, though, when Alice speaks to her youngest child Lydia (Kristen Stewart) as if she was a stranger. The former professor also creates an exit strategy to use when her memories are nearly gone. Alec Baldwin turns in a marvelous performance as Alice’s husband John. A successful “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me” photo courtesy of PCH Films physician, John can’t believe his beloved wife Born and raised in South St. Louis, Steve Bryan has the disease, but he’s forced to confront the truth. John loves his wife, but he seems unwilling to put his career on hold when is now based in Anaheim, California, and has been allowed access to movie and television sets to see actors and directors at work. Though his writing has taken him far from St. Louis, golden opportunities come his way. Steve is, at heart, still the same wide-eyed kid who spent countless hours watching classic “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me,” a brilliant documentary from James Keach, serves movies at neighborhood theaters.
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February 11, 2015 • Community News • www.mycnews.com
Sports
twitter.com/mycnews 28 Hazelwood School District seniors accept college scholarships Congratulations and do well in grades and sports:
Hazelwood Central High School • Andrea Robin - Softball - Westminster College • Samantha Creachbaum- Softball - North Park www.seniorshelpingseniors.com/stlouiscentral
University • Trystin Nance - Soccer - Illinois Central College • Jardin Crawford - Soccer- Illinois Central College • Cameron Price - Football - Missouri State University • Marcus George - Football - Fort Scott Community College • Jordan Croft - Football - Washburn University • Kevin Batt - Football - Robert Morris University • Austin Fraser - Football - Lyon College • Tyree Crowder–Brown - Football - Quincy University • Maurquise Bradford - Football - Avila University • Darion Crenshaw - Football - Avila University Hazelwood West High School • Jake Jaycox - Baseball - Jefferson College • Jared Littlefield - Baseball - St. Louis Community College-Meramec • Leo Lunatto - Baseball - Lewis & Clark Community College • Mike Puckett - Baseball - St. Louis Community College-Meramec • Rachel Hutchcraft - Cross Country - Southeast Missouri State University • Tydarrius Griffin - Football - Northwest Missouri State University • Rakid Hill - Football - University of Nebraska Kearney • Trey Merritt - Football - Washburn University • Arlando Van Hook - Football - Lindenwood University-Belleville • Anthony Williams - Football - Missouri Valley College • Roxane Dennis - Soccer & Softball - Brigham Young University-Hawaii • Erica Atnip - Soccer - Truman State University • Brittney Harris - Soccer - Greenville College • Alex Rutledge - Soccer - University of Missouri-St. Louis • Mark Skrivan - Soccer - Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville • Kaela Beger - Tennis - Missouri Baptist University
* Have fun and learn a lot
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St. Louis red-hot Cardinal baseball trivia Here is a quick brain teaser for you Mr. and Mss baseball fan. Who hit the longest home run in 2014 for the Cards? Here are a few candidates: 1) Matt Holliday-6’4” 235 lbs; 2) Matt Adams-6’3” 230lbs; 3) Randal Grichuk-6’1” 195 lbs; 4) Jhonny Peralta-6’1” 215 lbs; Answer at end of article. Compliments of Viva El Birdos5 * Test your Cardinal knowledge
93 days until Rascal’ baseball in the red-hot summer Get ready for another great season! * Ruffy is cleaning his dog house Gymnastics at Lindenwood excel The Lindenwood women’s gymnastics team put together its best meet in program history recently in Cape Girardeau. The Lady Lions finished with a team score of 194.700 at the event with in-state rivals Southeast Missouri and Missouri. Lindenwood finished second in the competition, with a victory over defending MIC Champions, Southeast Missouri. The Lady Lions set the tone early on the bars, as all six gymnasts scored a 9.7 or higher. Kierstin Sokolowski, Aubree Horn, Shayln Garay, and Trystien Charles all had a 9.7. Valeri Ingui scored a 9.8, and Courtney Heise led the team with a 9.85. The final team score of 48.750 was the second-best in program history, and Heise’s mark was the third-highest score. The Lady Lions scored a 48.525 on the beam, which was also the second-best in program history. On the floor, Lindenwood had its highest team score of the night with a 48.825. Once again, that mark was the second in program history for that event. Lindenwood finished on the vault and had a 48.600, which was a new Lindenwood event record. Heise led the team with a 9.85, which tied for third overall at the competition, and was second in school history. In the all-around results, Ingui (picture by Lindenwood) finished fourth with a 38.925 and that mark was the third-best in program history. * Thanks to Lindenwood’s Tyler Scheller-Sports Information Graduate Assistant Answer: HOME RUN DISTANCE KING: Randal Grichuk 449 feet with bat speed at 109.1 @ Busch Stadium 9-20-14. Tune into Your Health Plus Radio Show, Every Saturday at 8 a.m. on KSLQ 104.5 FM For more information go to www. YourHealthPlus.info. One-hundred percent natural products to help focus, reduce stress, more energy, curb your appetite, healthiest coffee, anti-aging serum and more… Gary Baute, a St. Louis native, may be educated in business but he lives and breathes sports. As a fan or an athlete, Gary is all sports all the time. He hosted a radio sports program on KFNS, emceed the River City Rascals’ inaugural season, and co-hosted SportsRadioSTL.com, among many other activities.
www.stangelawfirm.com
www.mycnews.com • Community News • February 11, 2015
Recipe:
Whole grains for the whole day
Getting enough whole grains into your family’s diet may seem like a whole lot of work, but one trick for getting more grains throughout the day is by using an ingredient family members of all ages will love – cereal. Starting the day off right begins with eating a breakfast rich in whole grains. Cereals such as Honey Bunches of Oats Whole Grain are packed with more than two-thirds of your day’s whole grain and a touch of sweetness for a deliciously
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wholesome breakfast. You can also use cereal in recipes for other meals and snacks to give your family extra servings of the whole grains they need with flavors they can enjoy all day long. For example, meatballs made with crushed whole grain cereal make for a tasty dinner, and you can feel good about satisfying your sweet tooth with easy to make whole grain sweet and salty clusters.
Whole Grain Porcupine Meatballs Prep time: 15 minutes | Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes | Servings: 8 (1 meatball each) Ingredients: 1 cup Honey Bunches of Oats Whole Grain Honey Crunch cereal 1 egg 2/3 cup milk 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice 1 can (3.8 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1 pound ground round beef, 90 percent lean 1 can (14.5 ounces) petitediced tomatoes, undrained 2 cups water 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 beef bouillon cube 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
www.medicallysupervisedweightloss.com
Directions: Heat oven to 350°F degrees. In food processor, grind cereal into fine powder. In large bowl, whisk together egg and milk. Stir in ground cereal, rice, olives, salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper; stir to combine. Crumble ground round into rice mixture. Stir or use hands to combine ingredients; mix well. Form beef mixture into 8 large
equal-sized meatballs. Place meatballs in 2-quart baking dish; set aside. In medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together tomatoes, water, cornstarch, bouillon cube and marjoram. Bring to boil and stir for one minute. Remove from heat and pour over meatballs in pan. Cover baking dish with lid or aluminum foil and bake for 1 1/2 hours.
Sweet and Salty No-Bake Clusters Prep time: 15 minutes | Total time: 1 hour | Servings: 2 dozen clusters Ingredients: 1 cup sugar 2 tablespoons cocoa 1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup milk 1 1/2 cup Honey Bunches of Oats Whole Grain Vanilla Bunches cereal 1/2 cup reduced-fat peanut butter 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 cup peanuts 1 cup pretzels Directions: In heavy saucepan bring sugar, cocoa, butter and milk to a boil. Let boil for 1 minute then add cereal, peanut butter, vanilla, peanuts and pretzels. Scoop 2 tablespoons of mixture at a time and drop on baking sheet coated with waxed paper. Place sheet in refrigerator until clusters are cooled and hardened. When ready, gently pull clusters off
waxed paper. Store clusters in refrigerator.
www.VillaAtRiverwood.com
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What’s Happening
February 11, 2015 • Community News • www.mycnews.com
Send your event to editor@mycnews.com and we'll print it! Events Feb. 11: Comprehensive Plan Public Forum Comprehensive Plan Public Forum on the future of Maryland Heights from 5 – 8 p.m. at Maryland Heights Centre at 2344 McKelvey Road in Maryland Heights. Feb. 11: Karaoke Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois from 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. All profits go to support Veterans. Call 314-8316121 for more information. Feb. 13: Fish fry Fish fry to be held at 16400 New Halls Ferry Rd. For more information call 314-921-2316. This event will be every Friday from 4 - 8 p.m. from Feb. 13 through April 3rd. Menu includes cod, jack salmon, & shrimp with various sides and homemade desserts. Feb. 13: Chicken fried steak dinner Dinner at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois from 5 – 8 p.m. All profits go to support Veterans. Call 314831-6121 for more information. Feb. 13: Valentine dance The City of Florissant Senior Office will hold its Valentine Dance at the James J. Eagan Center from 7 – 10 p.m. All residents and non-residents are invited. Tickets are just $8 in advance in the Senior Office in Florissant City Hall or $10 at the door. Light snacks (cheese & crackers, potato chips & candy) are included with admission. Beer, wine and soda are available for purchase. Get a table of friends together or come and make new friends! Call the Florissant Senior Office, 8397604, for more information! Feb 13-14: Valentine’s Day Dinner Theatre Gateway Church of the Nazarene at 11703 Old St. Charles Road is presenting two nights of Mystery Dinner Theatre. A fun, affordable date night or bring the family! Show times are Friday, Feb. 13 and Saturday Feb. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $20 per person or $35 per couple and includes the show and a threecourse meal. Tickets are available through the church office 314-2911763 or at the door. Feb. 14: St. Valentine’s feast The Friends of Old St. Ferdinand will host a luncheon on Valentine’s Day at noon at the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine. Reservations are currently being accepted. Meal price of $15 includes drinks, lunch and dessert and will be served in the 125 year-old schoolhouse. St. Ferdinand Shrine is home to a life-sized wax figure and relic of St. Valentine, SUDOKU answers from page 8
who was martyred in the year 270 A.D. Whether or not you join the lunch, please attend mass at 11 a.m. and learn more about this beloved saint. Rev. Father Keller will be the celebrant. After the luncheon, docents will provide free tours of the shrine complex which includes the 1819 convent, 1821 church building and 1840 rectory. The book sale will also be open. Please contact Mrs. Mary Ann Daub at 314-479-1749 for questions or to make a reservation and payment. Feb. 14: Silent auction A fundraiser to support The Megan Foundation, which in the past has raised money for research on Usher syndrome, will be held at Lumen, a private event space located at 2201 Locust Street. Tickets for the event, titled Sights and Sounds of Love, are $60 per person. Festivities will take place from 7:30 - 11:30 p.m. and feature a silent auction, cocktail hour and dancing to the Rhythm Rockers. Included in the cost of a ticket are three drinks, passed hors d’oeuvres and valet parking. Feb. 14: Flea market Flea market at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Contact Richard at 314-837-7057. Feb. 14: Breakfast Breakfast at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois from 8 – 10 a.m. All profits go to support Veterans. Call 314831-6121 for more information. Feb. 14: Texas hold ‘em Texas hold ‘em tournament with $10 buy in and great prizes at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois. Event starts at 5 p.m. All profits go to support Veterans. Call 314-831-6121 for more information. Feb. 14, 21 & 28: Volunteer training Jamestown New Horizons, a notfor-profit therapeutic horseback riding center located at 15350 Old Jamestown Rd. in Florissant, is holding volunteer training sessions on Saturdays, Feb. 14, 21 and 28, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., to teach adult volunteers how to serve as horse leaders and side-walkers for children with disabilities. For volunteer registration forms, you may visit the JNH website at www.jnh-goneriding.org. Send an email request to jnhgoneriding@charter.net, or contact the program director at (314) 741-5816. Come join the fun! Feb. 15: Chili cook-off The Episcopal Church Women of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church is sponsoring their annual chili cookoff at a cost of $5 for tastings of all entries the event is located at 2900 CROSSWORD answers from page 8
St. Catherine, Florissant across from McCluer North High School and begins at noon. Feb. 16: Program presentation Author and educator Dr. John Wright will present the program for Black History Month at the February Ferguson-Florissant (North County) AAUW meeting. His presentation is entitled “Noted African American Women from Missouri.” Copies of his latest book will be available for purchase. The American Association of University Women meeting will be at 10:00 am, in the Educational Building of Immanuel UCC Church at 211 Church Street in Ferguson. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 314-517-8973, 314-831-5359 or 314-831-6884. Feb. 16-17: Shoe Roads Production The Christian Hospital Auxiliary is teaming up with Laurie’s Shoes to provide a fine selection of better footwear on Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Feb. 17 from 7 a.m.– 3 p.m. in Christian Hospital Lobby at 11133 Dunn Rd. Feb 18: Tips for improving your posture Learn from a physical therapist how to check your own posture along with techniques to instantly improve your posture from 12:30 -2 p.m. at Northwest HealthCare – Entrance A Lower Level Community Room at 1225 Graham Rd. You will also learn important posture exercises and about devices you can use to make you stand tall. To register for this free class, call 314-747WELL (9355). Feb 19: NCCS open house North County Christian School (NCCS) invites you to attend an open house on Feb. 19, at 7 p.m. There will be a short welcome and introductory time in the library and then we will break into agelevel groups for a tour and time to meet several of the teachers and staff. NCCS offers preschool (age 3) through high school, extended care, reading in preschool, college preparatory curriculum, 95 percent matriculation into college, 23 ACT average, AP and dual enrollment classes and much more. NCCS is located at 845 Dunn Rd in Florissant. For more information on open house or fall enrollment, please call 314-972-6227 or visit www.nccsedu.org. Feb. 20: Fish fry Fish fry at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois from 5 – 8 p.m. All profits go to support Veterans. Call 314831-6121 for more information. Feb. 19: OASIS peer led discussion groups Laugh, reminisce and learn with OASIS during this discussion group program at Village North Retirement Community at 11160 Village North Dr. from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Enjoy fellowship and conversation on a variety of topics while making new friends or reconnecting with old ones. Attend one or attend every month. Light refreshments provided. To register, call 314-747WELL (9355) or 1-877-747-WELL
(9355). Feb. 21: Free show Beginning at 10 a.m. at the Florissant Parks and Recreation Department at 1 James J. Eagan Center Drive in Florissant he Trip-A-LightFantastic-Dancers will perform together with the play “Poor Liza,” a comedy presented by: The Adult and Young Adult Theatrical Troup. Reservations are not necessary and the show is suitable for all ages. Feb. 21: Justice For All Ball Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (LSEM) will be rolling out the red carpet during a special 25th anniversary celebration of the Justice For All Ball at the Hyatt Regency at the Arch. The black-tie event begins at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and a silent auction; dinner will be served at 8 p.m., followed by dancing to the sounds of the Charles Glenn Band. Tickets for the Justice For All Ball are $200 and $300 per person; tables of 10 may be reserved for $2,000, $2,100, $2,500, $2,750 and 3,250. Reserve your tickets online at www.lsem.org. For more information about the Justice For All Ball, please contact LSEM Special Events Coordinator Louisa Gregory at 314256-8736 (lmgregory@lsem.org). Feb. 21: Organizing panels The St. Louis chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers is sponsoring Keep Calm and Ask a Professional Organizer, an educational event for the public. The event will feature two panels: one panel of professional organizers and another of organizing related industry members. The event will be held from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. at The Lodge Des Peres at 1050 Des Peres Rd. Due to limited space, early registration is encouraged. Admission is $10. Register online at www.napostl.com/keep-calm. Feb. 21: 2015 Christian Hospital Heart Fair Registration opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 11 a.m. Screenings and Informational Booths: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Lectures: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Space is limited, please call 314-747-WELL and register today! Event will be held at Christian Hospital Detrick Building – Atrium 11133 Dunn Road at I-270 & Hwy. 367 Feb. 22: Cocoa with the Ice Queen Join the Florissant Parks & Recreation Department at the John F. Kennedy Community Center from 2 – 3 p.m. for a special visit from the Ice Queen and her sister! Kids will enjoy crafts, songs and an interactive story while sipping on cocoa and eating cookies. Cost for residents is $10 and $15 for nonresidents. Registration begins for Florissant residents Jan. 12 and for non-residents Jan. 20 at both community centers. Preregistration is required. The event will be cancelled if minimum participation is not met so please register early. Only children need to register and pay. This event is for children ages 10 and under and their parents or adult guests. For additional information contact the JFK center 314921-4250 or JJE center 314-9214466. Feb. 25: Karaoke Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW
Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. All profits go to support Veterans. Call 314-8316121 for more information. Feb. 27: Fish fry Fish fry at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois from 5 – 8 p.m. All profits go to support Veterans. Call 314831-6121 for more information. Feb. 28: Celebrate Life, Celebrate Local Held from 5 -8 p.m., this event will give attendees the opportunity to sample a wide range of wines, spirits, and chocolate— all while supporting a wonderful cause, SSM Hospice and Home Care Foundation. The Foundry Art Centre is located at 520 North Main Center in St. Charles. Tickets are $50 each. For more information or to register, please call 314-989-2775, 314-9892310 or visit www.celebratelifecelebratelocal.org. March 6 and 15: Parenting workshop The Ferguson-Florissant School District will host a free workshop for parents on Therapeutic Limit Setting at 9:30 a.m. on two consecutive Saturdays, March 6 and 13. The two-hour, two-part workshops will be held in the Staff Development Room at the Administration Building, 1005 Waterford Dr. Parents will learn to enhance the relationship between them and their child; help their child develop self-control; effectively discipline and limit inappropriate behavior; understand a child’s emotional needs; communicate more effectively with their child; and increase confidence as a parent. To register for the workshop, call 314-506-9069 or email tcosentino@fergflor.org. There is limited seating to this event. Light snacks and beverages will be served. This is an adult only activity and childcare will not be provided. March 6: Trivia night The Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce will host their 3rd Annual Trivia Night. A portion of the proceeds go toward the Shriners Hospital for Children. The event will take place at the Moolah Temple at 12545 Fee Fee Road in St. Louis County, doors open at 6 p.m., with games starting at 7 p.m. The cost for a table of 8 is only $160 and seating is limited. Call the chamber office for more information or to reserve your space at 314-576-6603 or www.mhcc.com. March 7: ‘Purses for Pantries’ Designer handbags, vintage pocketbooks, evening clutches and other accessories will be up for ‘grabs’ when Operation Food Search’s third annual ‘Purses for Pantries’ event is held at River City Casino & Hotel Event Center. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. for the silent auction, followed by a noon luncheon and a live auction that begins at 1 p.m. Prices start at $35 for a single ticket. Reserved tables and other opportunities with sponsorship recognition are also available. To learn more about sponsorships or to inquire about tickets, please contact 314726-5355, extension 24 or Derek. May@OperationFoodSearch.org
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toes: floodwa ter and perman If you believe mosquitoes. ent water Floodwater ing problem you have a mosquito breedmosqui their eggs on damp soil where toes lay sure, please on your property, but will occur are not call the Departm flooding or, in some munity Hea ent of Comcases, above water line lth and the the in tree holes, Environme tainers, or nt. Ofartificial con- ficials will make an inspecti other small on and evaluabodies of water. tion appointment, When rain and then recomm fills these areas (ARA) and floods the possible solution. end a - National St. Charles County resident Friendship stages, broods can upload s have the of mosquitoes greatest prevention method Day is Aufingertips. a two-mintoes are mainly Proper maintens right at their gust 5 and - propert of the ance ute video pest y is the first variety, and the first to of the in light of emerge in the are step toward describ ing mosquito spring months prevention. All trash Many of these a recent and refuse that . mosquitoes how a close ers and may are strong flycould survey that range up to propert friend lights ten miles or more drained y should be adequately i n d i c ate s up their life graded and , a blood meal to prevent women any pools or to lay .....................3 water that may to www.ra puddles of r story............. eggs. last place high Cove County mosqui ten days or longer. diance ribtheir eggs directly ....................6 to v a l u e control officer ider.... McCauley lists on the water bons.com. Barry Shelly Schne several things 9 on , surface, their may do to homeowners cies in this Florissant ..........8 friendships, group do - their summekeep mosquitoes from test closes Old Olay is offering venture ruining theirTown r: breeding sites. not ..10,far11from a chance to Aug. treat themsel women Charles......... 31, ves with a trip to New Explore St. York City. in October. .................12 See MOSQUITO No Olay is hosting City . . . . ............ Town page 3 sary. For official purchase is neces........ a summer On the ......... called “Light . 414 contest www.ra contest rules, School . . Up Chamb .Gary . . . .Baute. Your visit dianceribbons. er. . . . . . ...... Life.” Women ts with ..... Religion 5 com.
‘Light Up Your invites Wom Life’ Contest en to Honor Friendships
in the larval
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IN THIS ISS
a grand tic entry into al beauty basas well as automa g – a person prize drawin JCPenney. y of ket courtes emiants nine mini-s fair gives participfrom including inforcare, nars to choose e, fitness, breast surexercis mation on and plastic nence, and urinary inconti al improvement person and bra fitting gery. Other topics include for holiday awareness “dos” “ups” and and the “spirit wardrobe, p made easy, hair, makeu
Movie Talk
Spor ..... ........ Cheese . . 16 7 . . . . ... ........ 6 ...... St. Peters........... Better You 9 ........ It’s About .. 17 ...... 10 2139 Bryan...................... Movie Review Valley Commer cial23Dr. • O’Fallon .22, , MO 63366 eds ...................... P: 636.379.1775
Classifi topics to ercial Dr. the spirit. Valley Comm sessions (threetime frame) 2139 Bryan Seminar MO 63366 during each O’Fallon, a.m., and 1:30 choose from 636-379-1632 s a.m., 10:40 9-1775 • FX: t begin at 9:30 P: 636-37 centurytel.ne 1:15 p.m. E-Mail: cnews@ and runs until - 2007 at 11:45 a.m. 8:30 a.m. page 17 Wonderland at Christmas in the lunTAINMENT Doors open Film Group’s See ENTER feature duringigh-energy Electra in Yari Carmen special and h A ea Chris Kattan lin. year will b cheon this Dan Cough by author page 3 presentation N’S FAIR See WOME
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s.com
2011 May/June
COMMUNITY NEWS
COMMUNITY NEWS - St. Charles County
OUR TOWN MAGAZINE
CROSSROADS MAGAZINE
addresses in its service area, plus online subscribers. It is a
Wentzville and Lake St. Louis areas. It is direct mailed with
commerce news plus articles on the economy, technology, human resources, and marketing.
plus online subscribers.
First published in 1921, Community News is the longest published weekly newspaper in the St. Louis metropolitan area and has established a large audience of loyal readers. Community News circulates across a broad geographic region with newstands, home throw and online subscription.
Published weekly with a powerful circulation combination of newsstands, home throw, and online subscription. The St. Charles County edition features countywide coverage including the cities of: St. Charles, St. Peters, Cottleville, Weldon Spring, O’Fallon, Dardenne Prairie, Lake St. Louis, and Wentzville, plus Troy.
This monthly lifestyle magazine covers the’N fast-growing Published bi-monthly, Our Town is direct mailed to all business Our FREE publications are available in over 500 convenient locations, including every Dierbergs, Schnucks and Shop Save. -
Vol 9 No 28
Missouri is home to about mosquitoes. Some live less 50 species of while others than may live several a week, months. Community Health and ment states the Environ it is only the female mosqui that “bites” and she does to so blood meal needed to lay to obtain the viable eggs. While mosqui more than drive toes usually do little the family from doors to the the outindoors, they carriers of are sometim dangerous es d isea may contrac t malaria, yellowses. Humans gue, and encepha fever, denlitis; and dogs heartworm. may get Most of these the exceptio diseases, with n of canine heartwo human encephalitis and rm, have been eliminated fairly well from Health officials the entire United States. said outbrea to borne encepha ks of mosqui litis have periodic occurred in ally Missou “Canine heartwori. rm is an problem, with endemic costs to ers escalatin animal owng each warned. “Effecti year,” health officials measures includinve mosquito control g the elimina swamp areas, tion of to keep road and maintenance efforts ditches clear have done and much to control water free mosquito for disease transmission.”
S LOU
Schneider
C o o li n g It
Shelly A. Schneid
FIT!FUN!
o busy, e it gets to to dies, befor is the time corner. La for you. Now ovement and take a day impr se for selffun in the set a cour and to have s self-awareness n will find the answer process! Wome health, family, career, ns on the 2007 at to questio , and more image, fashion – Fun, Fit, and FabuSt. Fair Nov. 17, at Women’s ay, for Saturd . lous – set unity College Charles Comm in partnership the college St. Joseph sented by ey and SSM take with JCPenn -Hospital West, will StuHealth Center a.m.-3 p.m. in the 8:30 Campus, 4601 place from on the SCC ille. dent Center in Cottlev Mall Drive the area Mid Rivers throughout reWomen from day of education, for a will gather and fun, includfood, laxation, prizes,eminars, a fashion show than 50 ing nine mini-s r, and more speake e ts and serand keynot ing produc vendors display vices. a continental seminars and and s exhibit a fashion tickets include urse cial $20 VIP speaker, and full-co e in show, keynot Grappa Grill and catered by luncheon st, exhibits, the breakfa consecutive addition to For the fourththe lunchtime seminars. ey will host ages year, JCPenn with styles for all fashion show,
Follow the se tips to kee p your family and pets safe from mosquitoes . Mosquito Sea son By
IN THIS ISSUE
St. Louis
P 636.379.1775 F 636.379.1632
r 14, 2007 Novembe 46 Vol. 86 No.
additional copies available in newsstands, unique business-to-business magazine featuringat chamber of Or, sign up for a FREE ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION www.mycnews.com
February 11, 2015 • Community News • www.mycnews.com
ATTORNEY
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May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world, now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pray for us. St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, Pray for us. St. Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, Pray for us.
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CLASSIFIEDS 15
We are Serco We make a positive difference in peoples’ lives. Through the dedication and hard work of our people, Serco supports millions of Americans enrolling in the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance program.
We’re committed to service excellence. On every project Serco is committed to providing “Best-in-Class” customer service. We help deliver services that are smarter and more efficient while improving the end-user experience.
We support the local economy. It is an honor to provide an economic boost to the local economy with hundreds of people working in our Serco Wentzville office. These are good paying jobs with benefits such as health insurance, paid holidays, and paid vacation time, to name a few. We are extremely proud to have been chosen 2014 Employer of the Year by the St. Charles Community News and the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce. We are also proud of receiving a Proclamation from the Wentzville Mayor recognizing Serco’s employees for their continued efforts in giving back to the local community through charity support and donations, and community service.
To join the Serco team, apply online at http://jobs.serco-na.com http://jobs.serco-na.com/ Bringing service to life We offer competitive salaries, qualified medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k) plan, and professional growth opportunities. We provide a safe and drug-free environment for our clients and employees.
16
February 11, 2015 • Community News • www.mycnews.com
Over the Fence
By Joe Morice
FSF Mutation Meditation I was a victim of the newest flu bug that passed through town. I received the flu shot that became famous about two weeks later for being 23 percent effective. Apparently for me, that meant 77 percent ineffective. Anyway, I now refer to this as the “Flu-shot-flu” or “FSF”. It is said this new FSF virus was a mutation of the previous strain the vaccination was protecting us from. I’ve always believed these yearly viruses mutated from previous strains that probably started before Lewis and Clark founded gift shops in Oregon. I sometimes wonder if there was a physician in the expedition to
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administer care for sniffles and chest-congestion besides bunions and arrow wounds from clairvoyant natives that envisaged strip malls and subdivisions. On the other hand, Native Americans who Columbus thought were Indians allegedly made Aspirin from willow roots or so the story goes. Pretty clever, those natives; they lived off the land. Then European invaders arrived and lived off stealing the land and selling it to immigrants with bulldozers. Maybe the natives traded aspirin to Lewis and Clark for Coleman teepees. Who knows, but thanks to modern medicine, people live much longer since those heady days of forests and plains, before the developer dirge played. The life span of humans of that era before flu shots and indoor plumbing averaged somewhere in the upper thirties. Today it’s close to 80, much to the chagrin of congressional Social Security and Medicare antagonists the pharmaceutical lobbyists missed. I sometimes wonder if these flu virus mutations aren’t being grown in secret labs of drug companies that produce cold and flu meds. Customers buying the meds in drug stores seldom part with less than a twenty dollar bill and there’s the added factor of sneezing and sniffling while they check out and spread the bug to the next dozen shoppers in line. I’m surprised the clerks don’t wear protective clothing and surgical masks. Actually, I doubt the flu bug needs any help mutating and spreading. The only mutation help from the medical profession is alleged to be of a mechanical/chemical variety of the various scans to discover diseases hiding inside patients. Consumer Reports now claims that CT and PET scans may be causing the cancer they’re discovering due to the radioactive juice injected into the patients to light up cancer cells. How’s that for a scary paradox?
COMBINING QUALIT Y AND COST IS ONE OF THE THINGS W E D O B E S T.
My radiation treatments from last summer that cured lymphoma as proven by a CT scan returned in December as shown by a PET scan. Ain’t life grand? As a boy, I remember the yearly bout of whatever flu was passing through town. It went through the school like a tornado through a trailer park and the Moms and Dads got it from their offspring. Then, just as now, some parents sent their children to school with a runny nose only to discover it was the beginning of another variety of influenza. Since I hated school more than finding a dead cockroach in the peanut butter jar, my folks were highly suspicious if I pretended I was too sick to go to school. I was sent anyway. Once in a while, I really was sick. Sorry ex-school mates. Please forgive me…those of you that survived. I can hardly wait for the next thrilling mutation to send me coughing and sneezing to the drug store for Nyquil, Robitussin, 4000 super-strength Puffs and whatever antibiotics the doc prescribed from a safe distance. Perhaps I’ll wear a surgical mask but then, they might think I’m a robber and call the cops. “Achoo!” “Gesundheit. That‘ll be $29.85.” Joe Morice is Community News’s blue-collar philosopher. He was born and raised in Missouri and spent most of his childhood on a farm and adulthood operating heavy equipment. He has no formal training as a writer, unless a lifetime of writing about any and everything counts. The opinions expressed in this column are Joe Morice’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.
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