Issuu

July 13, 2011

Vol 13 No 28

November 26, 2014

Not banking on Black Friday Recipes

Brighten Holiday Entertaining

Around Town

Special Section

School

United Services Receive Award

Photo by Brett Auten Aaron Taylor restocks a row of guitar strings at Mid Rivers Music in St. Peters.

Smaller businesses focus on the bigger picture By Brett Auten The cloud of commerce that is Black Friday is nearly upon us. Across the country the sound of cards swiping at retailers offering deals by the dozens will fill the media airwaves and socialmedia statuses. While Black Friday is a near shooin for the big box, corporate retailers, what does it mean to some of area’s small businesses? “It’s just another day for us,” John Sherwin, owner of Mid Rivers Music said. “Our shoppers start getting serious a few weeks before Christmas.” Mid Rivers Music has been a fixture for over 25 years and while Guitar Center in nearby Bridgeton has sent daily reminders to its customers via email (which is a growing trend among all major retailers) promoting Black Friday sales, Sherwin has taken more of the tortoise’s than the hare’s approach to the holiday season. “Music stores are different. They are more of an anomaly than most mom and pop stores,” he said. “We’ve had some early shoppers and people putting things on layaway.” Mid Rivers Music cashes in later in the year when last-minute stocking stuffers like guitar strings, tuners, and other accessories a musician on the shopping list could easily use. More expensive items like guitars, drum

sets, and keyboards fluctuate when it comes to purchasing time. According to the latest numbers released by Forbes, about a quarter of all consumers plan to have their shopping done before Black Friday, and almost half of shoppers started their holiday buying before November. On the other hand, 55-percent of Americans plan not to shop at all on either Black Friday or Cyber Monday. David Brewer opened up his St. Peters hardware store three years ago. Nestled on Jungermann between Highway 94 and Interstate 70 (where nearby Lowes and Home Depot reside), Brewer’s had, and still has, the challenge of drawing customers to a location where no hardware store existed before. To Brewer, Black Friday is more of an obligation than a day of sales to build around. “The margins are so small that it’s more of a headache than what it is worth,” he said. Brewer’s is a Tru Value affiliate and will offer and honor some nationwide deals the corporation will offer. Along with Black Friday, there is Small Business Saturday, another concept designed to jumpstart retailers into the holiday season. American Express launched the campaign in 2010 naming the Saturday after Black Friday “Small Business Saturday.” It’s billed as a win-win-win with consum-

ers getting discounts at participating small businesses when they use an Amex card. In return, retailers receive free TV advertising for the event and American Express has added more retailers that accept its cards. “I think that is a wonderful concept,” Brewer said. “I have just yet to find a way to make it fit with what we do.” Brewer’s has found success catering to niche consumers. Wine-and-beer -making supplies are among the top sellers for the store around this time of the year. See BLACK FRIDAY on page 2

Holiday Shopping Guide

Four From SCC Recognized

“Nightcrawler” photo courtesy of Bold Films

Movie FREE Online Subscription at mycnews.com

November 26, 2014 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Vol. 16 No. 48

In This Issue... 2

Around Town Local news like O’Fallon launches Disabled Transportation Program and more.

Special Section Holiday Shopping Guide

School SCC recognized by Missouri Community College Association and more.

Movie Jake Gyllenhaal gives an unnerving performance as an entrepreneurial journalist in “Nightcrawler.”

10 Sports and Learn & Play

Local sports authority Gary B will fill you in on the week’s sporting events. Also, discover a new book with this week’s Book Buzz.

11 Recipes

Jamaican chicken and couscous and holiday kale salad.

12 What’s Happening

The only events calendar you need to stay entertained all week long.

14 Classifieds 16 Over the Fence

Joe Morice is to Community News readers what Wilson was to Tim Taylor: enjoy a fresh perspective from our in-house blue-collar philosopher.

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BLACK FRIDAY from Cover “To that specific customer we try to give them a little incentive,” Brewer said. Plenty of Black Friday sales will begin on Wednesday of this week and some big box stores have drawn the ire of the public by opening on Thanksgiving, something Brewer said he would never do. Scott Tate, the president of the Greater St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce, recognizes the challenges small businesses have in trying to grab some of the Black Friday attention. “I think if you have a niche product or sale that could definitely help,” Tate said. “We just want to stress that no matter when you shop that you consider shopping locally. It’s important and vital to the community.”

Photo by Brett Auten Bill Cooper adjusts the home brewing tanks at Brewer’s Tru Value. Niche sales is how this local store has approached Black Friday.

Around Town Melissa Joan Hart will highlight the St. Louis Working Women’s Show Melissa Joan Hart, the actress, producer and director who first earned fame as the lead actress in ABC Network’s “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” and currently appears in ABC Family Network’s “Melissa and Joey,” will appear Feb. 21 at 3 p.m. on the main stage at the 28th annual St. Louis Working Women’s Show, which

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runs February 20-22 at the St. Charles Convention Center. Hart’s company Hartbreak Films produced the “Sabrina” shows in association with Viacom and they are now in syndication around the world. They have inspired two “Wonderful World of Disney” movies, “Sabrina Goes to Rome” and “Sabrina Down Under,”

both of which she also produced and starred in. The original series was so popular that it launched a variety of “Sabrina” related ventures, including the soundtrack, “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” featuring songs by Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys and Hart herself singing the Blondie hit, “One Way or Another.” The ABC Family series, “Melissa and Joey,” which she executive produces with costar Joey Lawrence, stands as ABC Family’s No.1 series launch for adults 18-49. Hart has directed films for TV and the movies, including Disney Channel’s “So Weird,” Nickelodeon’s “Taina” and the short film, “Mute.” S h e recently published her memoir, “Melissa Explains It All: Tales from My Abnormally Normal Life.”

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www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 26, 2014

O’Fallon launches Disabled Transportation Program Thanks to the city of O’Fallon, legally disabled residents have a new option for getting around town to necessary appointments and shopping called the Disabled Transportation Program. And it’s free. The service was set up to provide rides to the disabled for essential living needs such as medical appointments, banking, grocery shopping and personal-care shopping. Funding for the program will come from a $5,000 allocation from the city’s annual Community Development Block Grant, and the program will be offered as long as funding allows.

To qualify for the program, residents must provide legal proof of disability, photo identification and proof of O’Fallon residency. A photo ID with an O’Fallon address and a disability award letter or Social Security information can be used to show proof of an O’Fallon address. To obtain a ride, residents should contact the service provider, ZipCare Transportation, 48 hours in advance by calling 314-292-7302 ext. 380, or by submitting a request for a ride – along with location, time and date – to the company’s website, www.zipcaretransportation.com. Access for wheelchairs is available on request.

Around Town

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United Services receives Stellar Performance Award Variety the Children’s Charity has honored United Services for Children with its Stellar Performance Award. Denise Liebel, president and CEO of United Services for Children, accepted the award Nov. 12 during Variety’s Champions for Children Summit at the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis. “We are honored and humbled that Variety has recognized our pediatric therapy services and our outstanding therapists,” Liebel said. Variety’s Stellar Performance Award recognizes agencies that have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the mission of serving children with physical and developmental disabilities. In addition to United Services, Variety presented Stellar Performance Awards to four other nonprofit

Photo by ProPhoto STL Variety volunteer Ann Warren, left, presents the Stellar Performance Award to Denise Liebel, president and CEO of United Services for Children, during Variety’s Champions for Children Summit Nov. 12 at the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis.

organizations: Team Activities for Kids (TASK), Central Institute for the Deaf, Academy of St. Louis, and Sherwood Forest. Founded in 1975, United Services operates pediatric therapy and developmental learning centers in St. Peters and Dardenne Prairie. Children with disabilities and typically

developing children learn and play together in an inclusive classroom environment. United Services offers outpatient physical, occupational and speechlanguage therapies through its Uncommon Grace Pediatric Therapy program. Variety the Children’s Charity serves children with physical and developmental disabilities in the St. Louis region. It partners with 61 agencies, including United Services, to support programs and give scholarships that directly impact the lives of Variety children. Variety committed to providing $3.1 million in grants to its partner agencies this fiscal year, including a grant to United Services. For more information, visit www.unitedservicesforchildren. org and www.varietystl.org.

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Around Town

November 26, 2014 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

A history of Christmas in Scotland In days of old, Christmas in Scotland was referred to as “Yule” and celebrated in Catholic fashion with feasting and colorful pageantry. With the Reformation in 1560, attitudes toward celebrations changed, causing the abolition of traditional Christmas practices in Scotland. The Puritans of the day felt that Christmas should be observed as a quiet, solemn event given to fasting and prayer with no decorations, singing or gifts. They even went so far as to appoint constables with large noses, it was thought the larger the nose the easier it would be to sniff out people baking Yule goods. Baker-

ies were allowed to bake Yule goods without prosecution as long as they surrendered their customer list. An act of Scottish Parliament in 1640 put an end to all Christmas vacations, making Christmas outlawed as a holiday in Scotland and instead, just another work day. It wasn’t until 1958 that Christmas was once again a legal holiday. Until then you could attend Christmas Mass before or after work or during your lunch break. It is believed that the banning of Christmas celebrations were due, in part, to the Church of Scotland, being Presbyterian, feeling that celebrating Christmas was too

papal. Anything associated with Catholicism was strongly disliked by the Scots as it was closely associated with England, which the Scots despised. Christmas traditions are not so easily found in Scotland because of this history. The benefit is, we as Scottish Americans can make our own traditions based on the information available from early Scottish history and early American history to create family Christmas traditions to hand down to our Scottish heirs. Merry Christmas – or in Scots Gaelic “Nollaig chridheil,” – from Jim and Karen at the Thistle and Clover!

Simple ways to kick the stress out of holiday shopping

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K C A BL Y A D FRIvember 28

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Traveling, cooking large meals, planning and surviving holiday office parties, and managing relatives - the holidays are stressful. Add in the time and money demands of holiday shopping, and you may be tempted to keep a therapist on speed dial. While you may not be able to avoid difficult relatives or the annual end-of-year trip to a client you’d rather not see, it is possible to reduce holiday shopping stress. “In my opinion, the best deals are post- Black Friday,” says Peggy Blum, a former retail trends forecaster, past Seventeen Magazine editor, and current lead instructor for the Fashion Retail & Management program at The Art Institute of Austin, a branch of The Art Institute of Houston. “Black Friday will have some deals, but it won’t be the end-all of sales through the season.” With that

in mind, here are three holiday shopping tips that are sure to help. Kate Campbell, a former buyer for Dillard’s, suggests starting with a search of hot lists or top-pick lists. Campbell currently serves as the director of the Fashion Marketing & Management program at The Art Institute of Tampa, a branch of Miami International University of Art & Design. Whether it is toys, apparel or electronics, major retailers and brand-specific websites are publishing “hot holiday lists” and top picks for almost anything. “I’ve seen top picks by Amazon, Toys R Us, and PC Magazine for electronics,” says Campbell. “There are even top pick lists for cosmetics and best buys for kitchen ware.” Blum adds that novelty gifts are also a great way to make an impact and a good place to start. She challenges shoppers

to step away from the large retail stores and buy from privately owned businesses like local boutiques and mom and pop stores. “People really respond to unique gifts, and it puts the magic back into gift-giving,” she says. “Think outside the box, anything from craft beers, to personalized yoga mats, to craft jewelry could all make great gifts.” If you’re constantly on the go and prefer to rely on some preliminary shopping via your cell phone or mobile tablet, many apps can make shopping a bit more organized and convenient. “There are apps for apparel such as Wanelo and Wish, and major retailers or brands also have their own apps such as Pink Nation for Victoria’s Secret,” Campbell says. Need to keep track of all your online purchases? There’s an app for that!

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 26, 2014

Around Town

Simple strategies to help you shop smarter online this holiday season ‘Tis the season for holiday shopping and the top trend for 2014 is to skip the crowds and long lines and purchase holiday gifts online instead. In fact, the average shopper will do 44 percent of their holiday shopping online, according to the National Retail Federation, spending just over $800 total on holiday goodies. If you plan to shop online for your friends and family this year, technology can help you save time, money and keep you organized - so long as you know the best tips and tricks of savvy digital shoppers. Here are some ways you can make the most of your online holiday shopping: 1. Organize email clutter Your inbox is likely to grow this holiday season, and according to Experian Mar-

keting Services’ shopping analysis, 89 percent of emails contain offers. Your goal is to discover the best deals without unnecessary clutter filling your inbox. Email organization tools like, Outlook. com’s Sweep option, allow you to keep just the latest emails from your favorite brands, or you can file email from designated senders into specific folders automatically. By creating sorting rules, you’ll stay organized and ensure you never again accidently delete an emailed receipt. To create a rule, simply choose “rules for sorting new messages” under the options menu. 2. Track discounts If you get holiday emails from brands and stores you follow, you’re sure to uncover some incredible deals. In fact,

67 percent of deals will only be offered for online purchases, according to Experian. Never miss another bargain by setting up a folder called “shopping,” and then create a rule to filter all emails with certain key words, like “free” or “discount.” Try to check it every day, as some deals are valid only for a very limited time! Again, tools like Sweep can help you track the latest mail while removing old ones. 3. Shop safe and securely Shopping online can be a safe and secure process if you take a few proactive steps to ensure your personal information is protected. When it’s time to check out, use sites that display the lock symbol on the status bar and have “https” in the URL. This means the site has SSL (secure

sockets layer) encryption - an industry standard for security. Additionally, never give businesses more of your personal information than is necessary to complete a transaction. For example, you should not be

required to enter your Social Security number or birthday to make a purchase online. Furthermore, never provide financial information through email; vendors requesting this are likely scammers.

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Welcome to Ragan’s Jewelry Every day we make custom, “just what I wanted” jewelry a reality. The quality and unparalleled professionalism at Ragan’s Jewelry will win you over the minute you walk into our showroom. If you are already a member of our extended family, welcome back. If you are new to us, we kindly invite you to get to know our staff while you explore our fabulous custom creations. Our staff is here to assist you in every way possible. We know that happy customers are repeat customers. We

thrive on continued relationships and we want to be trusted with your fine jewelry for many years to come. We know you work hard for your money, so when it comes time for you to make an investment, you want to trust your jeweler to provide you with a fair price and dedicated service. Whatever your budget, our staff will help you find or create the perfect piece, whether it’s for you or someone special

in your life. At Ragan’s you will find a stunning array of fine jewelry served up with hospitality. Our cases are filled with many unique designs created by us and a few select designers we work with. Come in and be inspired. We are located at 34 Crossroads Plaza, O’Fallon. Contact us at 636-294-5558, like us on FaceBook or visit our website, www.ragansjewelry.com.

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Around Town

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Girl Scout helps African school for Gold Award project LaVonda Reed decided to do a transatlantic Girl Scout Gold Award project, aiding a school in Gambia, Africa with supplies and lessons for one week. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest national award that a Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador, girls in grades nine through 12, can earn. Reed is a Francis Howell Central High School graduate. She worked with students and teachers at the Kotu Senior Secondary School in Banjul, Gambia. “The school needed some assistance to improve the learning environment,” she said. “The school had no chairs in some of the classrooms and very few school supplies. By filling a classroom with chairs and books for tutoring, the students can focus more on school and their grades.” During her visit, she and her team refurbished the school’s physics laboratory by cleaning and repainting walls, cleaning the floor and the windows. Then she donated 99 physics, chemistry and biology textbooks she brought from Francis Howell and installed 10 double-seated chairs joined with desks that she raised money to buy. In addition, she created a one-on-one tutoring program. One of the first lessons taught in the revamped laboratory involved simple harmonic motion as taught by the school’s physics teacher. The class was organized in such a way that the student who understands the topic will then teach it to the other students, also known as peer-to-peer teaching. According to teacher Ebrima Darboe, it was a very effective method because by the end of the

class, almost all of the students understood the concept and were able to solve at the blackboard in front of the rest of the students. Reed also stopped at the Girl Guides Center in Gambia, where she and the girls exchanged gifts, and she received the Girl Guides of the Gambia badge. All girls spend a significant amount of time completing their Gold Award projects. Reed and her team spent 109 hours over eight months completing her project. “Kotu School will continue to use the tutoring program that I set up, in addition enhancing education with the science library and desks,” she said. Reed explained what she learned from her Gold Award project. “I learned how to write professional emails and letters,” she said. “I learned how to lead a team and how to write thank-you letters and notes. I learned how to act when under pressure and how to overcome that pressure by asking questions. “The most successful aspect of my project was to actually see the one-on-one tutoring program in action. The students worked well together and had never experienced this type of learning.” Less than one percent of all Girl Scouts earn the Girl Scout Gold Award. With talent, passion, commitment and determination, they can make changes in their communities and impact people around the world. This year, 40 girls in eastern Missouri earned Gold Awards. They were recognized at a reception at Maritz in Fenton in June.

New program offers support to breastfeeding mothers

www.dpc4u.org

A GIFT FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Research shows that breast milk is the optimal food for infants and that breastfeeding establishes a lasting bond between a mom and her baby. However, because there is nearly an entire generation of women who did not experience breastfeeding, many new mothers have no one to answer questions or concerns. To provide accurate information and support to families who wish to breastfeed their children, the St. Charles County Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program has introduced a breastfeeding peer counseling program. Trained staff and women in the community with personal breastfeeding experience lead this innovative program. Peer counselors have breastfed their own babies and have undergone essential training to help assist others. Through regular con-

tact throughout the pregnancy and after the birth of the child, counselors will assist families with resources, questions and support, as well as referrals to additional agencies offering assistance. The WIC breastfeeding peer counselors have also begun a parenting support group for families. The group is open to the entire community, not exclusive to WIC participants, and all parties are invited to join — including spouses, partners, family (including children) and friends. The group will share successes and discuss common parenting topics in an open-forum setting. The free group will meet at 10 a.m. on the fourth Saturday of each month at the Kathryn Linneman branch of the St. Charles City-County Library District (2323 Elm Street in St. Charles). Interested participants may call breastfeeding

HOLIDAY SPECIAL YMCA OF GREATER ST. LOUIS

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Pay No Dues Until 2015

Join the Y between November 28 (“Black Friday”) – December 8 and pay no dues the remainder of 2014.* *Joining fee applies. Some restrictions apply. Please see branch for complete details and payment terms.

peer counselors Emily Hancock or Ally Stuhlman at 636-9497402, ext. 6250. Doctors consider a mother’s milk to be the ideal food for her baby since it provides all of the essential nutrients a baby needs to grow and to enhance brain development. As the nutritional composition of breast milk changes over time along with a baby’s nutritional needs and provides necessary antibodies that protect against infection, breastfed babies have a lower rate of sickness, which results in fewer expensive doctors’ visits and less lost work for parents. Mothers also gain the benefits of bonding more closely with their child, improved bone density, and a reduced risk for breast, uterine and ovarian cancers. For more benefits of breastfeeding, please visit http://www.sccmo.org/570/ Breastfeeding-Lactation.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 26, 2014

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School

November 26, 2014 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

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Visiting a church for the first time can be a little intimidating. People tend to worry about what to wear and what to say ... well, here's the deal: You can totally relax at Morning Star Church. We want to meet you wherever you are--spiritually, emotionally, relationally and just about any other "-ly" you can possibly imagine. We don't pressure or judge; we invite and encourage. For real. 1600 Feise Road, Dardenne Prairie, MO 63368

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Doctors Serving at

Progress West Hospital Hawk Ridge Medical Associates We know your life is busy, and injuries and illness don’t always happen during standard business hours. That’s why we’re pleased to offer 24-hour online appointment scheduling, extended office hours and secure messaging so you can consult with your doctor when and where it is convenient for you. Our primary care doctors provide compassionate care to patients of all ages, including pediatrics.

Four from SCC recognized by Missouri Community College Association St. Charles Community College was recognized by the Missouri Community College Association in four award categories at the 50th annual Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) convention held Nov. 5-7 in Branson, Mo. SCC student Maria Pizzo was honored with the MCCA Student Leadership Award. Pizzo is currently SCC’s Phi Beta Lambda chapter president and was vice president in 2013. She took the leadership role in the business student organization during the first days on campus and has since led the group in fundraising efforts, networking events and competitions at the national level. SCC alumna Laura Helling was honored with the association’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Helling attended SCC nearly 20 years ago and now serves as the director of development for Wings of Hope. Wings of Hope is an international nonprofit organization that supports humanitarian efforts that lift people out of poverty. In the United States, the organization provides access to healthcare for people in ru-

SCC alumna Laura Helling was awarded the Missouri Community College Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award at the 50th annual Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) convention. Helling, photographed with SCC president Ron Chesbrough, Ph.D., attended SCC nearly 20 years ago and now serves as the director of development for Wings of Hope.

ral settings through its medical mission and air transport service. The organization’s international efforts are diverse, from creating alliances to fight infectious diseases in Zambia to building wells to provide clean drinking water in Guyana. Callie Daniels, SCC professor of math, received the MCCA Senior Service Award. Daniels joined the college more than 20 years ago and is considered a faculty leader whose high standards are an inspiration to her colleagues. In addition to her service in the classroom, the math department has benefited greatly from Daniels’

leadership in assessment activities, development and teaching of an online statistics course and dedicated service on hiring committees. She has served as a department chair, chaired many critical committees and been president of the SCC Faculty Association. MCCA presented SunEdison’s Steve Edens with the Distinguished Business/Industry Award. The award was presented to SunEdison in recognition of the company’s $100,000 gift to St. Charles Community College’s pre-engineering program. The funding has allowed SCC to enhance and expand the pre-engineering program while keeping tuition affordable. MCCA celebrated its 50th annual convention by hosting several former community college leaders at the convention, including Dr. Norman Myers, founding president of Ozarks Technical Community College; Dr. Don Shook, founding president of Crowder College, East Central College and St. Charles Community College; and Dr. Jim Kellerman, former MCCA executive director.

Hawk Ridge Medical Associates Book online now! bjcmedicalgroup.org/hawkridge BJCMEDICALGROUP.ORG/HAWKRIDGE Call: 1-855-747-5400

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Segway Tours

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Carriage Rides

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Train and SIeigh Hayrides

Webster University kicks off 2014 Toys for Tots campaign Webster University’s first Toys for Tots campaign will run through Dec. 15. Coordinated by the Office of Military Affairs as a tribute to the university’s centennial celebration this year, the program is a perfect way to bring joy into the lives of so many families in need this holiday season. The public is invited to participate and bring unwrapped new toys and books to collection boxes at the Webster University Winghaven Campus at 2299 Technology Drive, #300, O’Fallon from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Friday. Webster University is pleased to partner with local Marine Corps Reserve units, who coordinate the donation of gifts to less fortunate young-

sters throughout the community this holiday season. Over its life span, the Marine Toys for Tots Program has distributed over 469 million toys to over 216 million less fortunate children. Toys for Tots collection areas are also being established in Webster University campuses around the world, including metropolitan, military and corporate, as well as American-style traditional campuses in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. The goal is to have participation on more than 75 campuses world-wide. Where this is not a local Marine unit, local charitable organizations will serve as partners for the program. For questions, please contact, Webster University Office of Military Affairs at 314-246-VETS or email oma@webster.edu.

Reservations required! CaII 636-379-5502 to scheduIe a ride.

November 28 – December 30

Sun, Tues–Thu 6–9 p.m., Fri and Sat 6–10 p.m. Fort ZumwaIt Park in O’FaIIon, MO

Free Parking & ShuttIes Shop vendors’ booths for hoIiday crafts and gifts HoIiday caroIing • Visit with Santa FestivaI food and beverages • Fireworks

Admission – $2

Ages 2 and under are free.

Tuesday, December 9 • 6–9 p.m. FIREWORKS AT 7:25 P.M.

Fort ZumwaIt Park in O’FaIIon, MO Free parking and shuttIes at First Baptist Church of O’FaIIon and O’FaIIon Christian Church. No vehicIes, Segway tours or carriage rides will be aIIowed in Fort Zumwalt Park on this speciaI night.

www.ofaIIon.mo.us/COL www.ofallon.mo.us/col Events HotIine: 636-379-5614

Get your event or good news published in Community News: email your information in calendar and article formats to editor@mycnews.com.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 26, 2014

Movie

“Nightcrawler”

By delivering an extremely precise performance, Jake Gyllenhaal just might earn an Oscar nomination for “Nightcrawler.” Director /writer Dan Gilroy places him in the after-hours world of video news journalists and Gyllenhaal rises to the occasion. The actor plays Louis Bloom, a guy who knows how to hustle during a slow economy. Bloom steals and resells items to make enough cash to survive. Louis thinks he’s found his calling, though, when he sees a cameraman filming an accident on the street. As he’s prone to do, Bloom peppers the videographer with questions about his work and equipment. Armed with new knowledge and a fairly small camera, Louis heads out a few nights later, but he doesn’t know his way around yet. Bloom is a fast learner though, and he might just change the way things are done. “Nightcrawler” allows Gyllenhaal to embrace a character that’s decidedly amoral. When trying to sell scrap metal that he “found,” for instance, Louis talks like a motivational speaker and even asks for a job. When he needs money for

By Steve Bryan - Rated: R

“Nightcrawler” Photos courtesy of Bold Films

a camera, he simply steals an expensive racing bike. Bloom’s relationship with Nina Romina (Rene Russo) also is especially troubling. Working as the overnight news producer at a low-rated TV station, Nina always needs some dynamite footage to increase the morning show’s rat-

ings. When Lou wanders into the station, Nina thinks she’s found her personal savior. But Lou always has ulterior motives. Though Nina mentors the novice cameraman at first, the student soon becomes the teacher. Nina has grown dependent on his killer footage, and Lou uses that to get what he wants from the producer. His calm, professional demeanor just barely disguises the malice behind his words. Bill Paxton offers great support as Joe Loder, a veteran video journalist who knows the Los Angeles streets extremely well. An amateurish Lou seems like kind of a joke to Loder, but he realizes that

the novice has become his rival. Their discussions about business and money look like two gladiators taking each other’s measure. Gyllenhaal also spends much of the film inside his car with Rick (Riz Ahmed), the young man who becomes his assistant. Louis tells Rick he’s getting valuable experience, but it seems like an excuse to bully and badger his young protégé as they race to a crime scene. Though it may get overlooked as “Interstellar” and the other awards contenders arrive in theaters, Jake Gyllenhaal deserves high praise for a complicated performance. By not playing the hero, Gyllen-

h a a l h a s never been better. “Nightc r a w l e r ,” rated R for violence, bloody images, and language, currently is playing in theaters. Born and raised in South St. Louis, Steve Bryan 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, Steve is, at heart, still the same wideeyed kid who spent countless hours watching classic movies at neighborhood theaters.

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November 26, 2014 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

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Sports Thankful for success in the water at Lindenwood The Lions men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams continued their winning ways recently in Liberty, as both programs defeated William Jewell and Missouri-St. Louis. Highlighting the women’s side, they defeated William Jewell by a 145-116 score and then defeated Missouri-St. Louis by a margin of 198-29. The men’s group took a few victories with wins over William Jewell and 215-23 over MissouriSt. Louis. The Lindenwood women’s team won nine events including a third of those by Hannah Vinyard. She was the fastest swimmer in the 200 free, 100 and 200 fly. Lena Kirchner won two events in the 400 and 800 free. Renata Xavier Cabral was first in the 50 free, and Alecia McGillivray won the 400 IM event. The Lady Lions also swept the two relays in the 200 medley and 400 free. The men’s team captured nine first-place finishes as well with three Lions winning two events during the day as Serghei Golbanwas first in the 100 back and 100 fly, Mateusz Pacholczyk won the 50 free and 200 breast, and Felix Eigel won the 200 back and 400 IM. Like the women’s team, the men also swept both relays during the competition. * Warm thoughts~Thanks to Lindenwood’s Tyler Scheller-Sports Information Graduate Assistant Rams toss game away at the goal line The St. Louis team traveled to San Diego to play the Chargers and was close to bringing home a victory. Trailing by three points with less than two minutes on the clock, the club was a few yards from scoring six. Rams quarterback Shawn Hill thought he had a game-winning touchdown pass completion but the Chargers strong safety picked off the pass in the end zone to seal a 27-24 victory. Highlights included: • Wide receiver Stedman Bailey caught seven passes for 89 yards and one touchdown. After

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earning special teams player of the week honors following his performance in week seven, Bailey hauled in a 19-yard pass from punter Johnny Hekker to convert on fourth-and-four. • Cornerback Janoris Jenkins picked off the Chargers quarterback at the Rams one-yard line and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown. • Linebacker Alec Ogletree led the team in tackles with nine (eight solo). • Running back/kick returner Benny Cunningham returned five kicks for 133 yards for a 26.6yard average and had a long of 33 yards. The Rams next home games include: • Sunday 11-30 against Oakland Raiders @ 12 p.m. • Thursday 12-11 against Arizona Cardinals @ 7:25 p.m. • Sunday 12-21 against New York Giants @ 3:05 p.m. * We were that close St. Louis Ambush soccer at the Family Arena Friday Your St. Louis Ambush plays professional soccer in the Central Division of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL). Andrew Haines Chief Executive Officer of the Ambush also holds that position for the indoor football team, the St. Louis Attack, who play at the Family Arena as well and they open their home season on April 4, 2015. Early in the soccer season’s campaign the team, with head coach Daryl Doran and assistant coach Joe Smugala, has won one out of the three games played. You can watch them at the Family Arena this Friday when they play the Milwaukee Wave at 7:35 p.m. The first 5,000 fans will receive a poster of number 12, forward Odaine Sinclar, the Ambush star from Kingston Jamaica. * Exciting time 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. Currently he broadcasts a radio show on 590 ‘The Man’ and 1380 ‘The Woman.’

Complicated characters embroiled in moral issues drive Ian McEwan’s literary novel, “The Children Act.” McEwan has amassed numerous awards for his writing, but perhaps is best remembered for “Atonement,” the Booker-Prize nominated novel made into a movie. “The Children Act” delves into the psyches of an older couple facing a marital crisis and a teen with cancer, refusing lifesaving treatment because of his religious beliefs. Their lives collide, changing them in a slim book packed with emotion. Fiona Maye, a High Court judge in London, is center stage, a caring judge who does her best to uphold the rights of young people in the cases she hears, thus fulfilling The Children Act, established in the United Kingdom to protect children’s welfare. Fiona and her husband Jack have settled into the rutted mediocrity of a 30-plus-year marriage. Fiona’s career takes precedence in her life, as she gives her energy to the “troubled Bens and Sarahs, huddling together while the gods above them fought to the last . . . She believed she brought reasonableness to hopeless situations.” Into their measured lives Jack drops a bomb. He tells Fiona he wants to have an affair with a statistician half her age, and asks his wife to put her stamp of approval on an open marriage. So begins a series of heartbreaking conversations that end with Jack packing and Fiona coming home to an empty flat. She escapes in her work, throwing herself into a case that involves Jehovah’s Witnesses, parents of a young man with leukemia. Adam is just shy of his 18th birthday. The treatment his doctors advise will cause anemia; without a transfusion he will die. Fiona must decide if the court should override the family’s wishes and force Adam to receive the transfusion. Because Adam is not able to appear in court, Fiona visits him in the hospital, an unprecedented move. She’s impressed with the young man’s beliefs, but shocked at his deterioration. Fiona makes a ruling that sets off a complicated series of events. “The Children Act” raises questions about the right to die and thrusts Fiona into a situation that, while confusing, may be understandable. But that’s another topic for discussion. There are many in this excellent book. Reprinted with permission. Missourian Publishing Company. Copyright 2014.

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 26, 2014

Recipes:

Brighten up your holiday entertaining

The holiday season is upon us, so celebrate by serving unique dishes and drinks bursting with flavor. The holiday hostess has a lot on her plate. But preparing for the big event doesn’t have to be a challenge — this holiday, focus on special dishes and refreshing cocktails guests will remember for years to come. Use these tips to make your holiday events shine: Shake It Up. From cool drinks, like the Pineapple Upside Down Mocktail, to delicious tropical twists on classic martinis, punches and warm ciders, canned Dole Pineapple Juice has recipes to shake things up this season. Made from 100 percent juice, free of GMO’s (genetically modified or en-

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gineered ingredients) and containing no added sugar, it’s also a good source of vitamins A, C and E. Captivating Courses. To celebrate the season, serve up recipes for delicious entrees, small plates and desserts that bring a taste of the tropics to any occasion. Start guests off with a Holiday Kale Salad and then serve them juicy Jamaican Chicken & Couscous, followed by divine Pineapple Pumpkin Pie. Party Planner Extraordinaire. Looking for bright ideas on how to turn your next party into paradise? Visit dole.com/sunshine/holidayrecipes to find refreshing new ways to make your party the event of the season, from eye-catching invitations to delightful decor tips.

Jamaican Chicken & Couscous Servings: 4 Ingredients: 2 tablespoons dry Jamaican seasoning 1 tablespoon curry powder 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 cup canned Dole Pineapple Juice 1/4 cup water 1 package (5.6 ounces) toasted pine nut couscous mix 1 1/2 cups Dole Frozen Mango Chunks, thawed 1/3 cup green onion, sliced 1 tablespoon lime juice 2 teaspoons black sesame seeds Directions: Combine Jamaican seasoning and curry powder in small bowl. Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pound (with meat mallet) to 1/4-inch thickness. Remove wrap. Brush both sides of chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle both sides with curry mixture.

Meanwhile, stir together juice, water and pine nut seasoning mixture from package in medium saucepan; bring to boil. Stir in couscous; remove from heat. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with fork. Stir in mango chunks, green onions and lime juice.

Cook chicken in oil over medium-high heat, 3 to 4 minutes per side or until brown and no longer pink in center.

Cut chicken in 1/2-inch slices and serve over couscous mixture. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Holiday Kale Salad Servings: 4 Ingredients: 1 package (4.5 ounces) Dole Baby Kale and Greens 2 ripe firm pears, halved, cored and sliced 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced 1/4 cup dried cranberries 1/4 cup pistachios, chopped 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup canned Dole Pineapple Juice 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger Salt and ground black pepper, to taste Directions: Combine salad blend, pears, red onion, cranberries and pistachios in large bowl.

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November 26, 2014 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Send your event to editor@mycnews.com and we'll print it! EVENTS Nov. 29: Craft fair A craft fair will be held at St. John’s U.C.C. Cappeln in the Family Life Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will be available throughout the day. St. John’s is located at 60 St. Johannes Lane just 2.5 miles west of New Melle on Highway D. For more information contact Loretta Micke at 636-828-5452 or Hazel Roever at 636-828-5698. Proceeds will benefit the activities and special projects of St. John’s United Church of Christ-Cappeln.

Nov. 30: “A Christmas Carnival” benefiting All Paws Rescue A family fun filled event, with games, prizes and crafts for the kids runs from Noon to 4 p.m, at VFW Post 5007, 8500 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, O’Fallon. We will have a country store and bake sale. Bring your camera for a photo opportunity with Santa and his live reindeer and sleigh (12:30 to 3 p.m.). Admission is $5 per person or $10 for family of 3 or more. Tickets for crafts, games and a raffle sold separately. Also available for purchase hot dogs, chili, hot chocolate, fun-

W E W I S H YOU A

nel cakes and kettle corn. Have a wonderful post-Thanksgiving afternoon and support a great organization! www.allpawsrescue.info T:636-288-2999. No pets, please. Nov. 30 Advent at Trinity Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 318 S. Duchesne Drive in St. Charles, will celebrate the First Sunday in Advent as follows: 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite 1, 9 a.m. Advent study for adults and children (fourth grade through high school), 10:15a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II with music and advent hymns, noon Advent event with food, crafts, advent wreath making and fun for all ages. For more information visit www.trinity-stcharles.org or call 636 949-0160. Dec. 2: Free band concert After Hours Community band presents their free Friends and Family Christmas Concert at 7:30 p.m. The concert is located at Harvest Ridge Elementary School, 1220 Harvest Ridge Drive, St. Charles. For information call 636-294-9710.

Joyous Holiday Season

Dec.5 Tree lighting ceremony The Lake St. Louis Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. at The Meadows Shopping Center in Lake Saint Louis.

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Dec. 6 “The Miracle of Jesus – A Christmas Event for Families” From 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., join us for an unforgettable family experience as we celebrate Jesus’ birth through interactive hands in our Marketplace Shops. Talk with Mary and Joseph, learn about Baby Jesus and experience a live petting zoo. Event takes place at SunRise UMC at 7116 Twin Chimneys Blvd, O’Fallon. For more information contact SunRise @ 636-978-2727 or email children@sunrisefamily.org Dec. 6 Las Posadas – procession to find “Room at the Inn” Following an old Spanish tradition, a procession celebrating the coming “Light of the World” begins at 6:30 on South Main Street, and ends at the Frontier Park pavilion in St. Charles with readings, carols, and lighting of a yule log – a tradition that began here in the mid-70s. For more information, see http://www.stcharleslasposadas.com/ or search Facebook for Las Posadas St Charles.

Dec. 6 The Miracle of Jesus/ Christmas Event & Bazaar for Families Event runs from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at SunRise UMC located at 7116 Twin Chimneys Blvd O’Fallon. For more information call 636-978-2727. Dec. 7 Lessons and carols service Zion Lutheran Church and School, located at 3866 S. Old Highway 94, St. Charles, invites the public to the 19th Annual Service of Lessons and Carols at 7 p.m. Pre-service music begins at 6:45 p.m. For more information and directions, log on to www.zionharvester.org or contact Mark Thoelke, Minister of Music at 636-441-7425. Dec. 7: Choral Arts Singers Concert will be held at 3 p.m. at Assumption Chapel in O’Fallon. For information contact Paul Godt at pwgodt@centurytel.net or call 636-745-8161. Dec. 7: Christmas concert The 90-voice St Peters Choral Society, under the direction of John H. Smith, will present its Annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, at 2 p.m. at the Fort Zumwalt South High School Auditorium, 8050 Mexico Road, St. Peters. The Choral Society will welcome special guests for an intermission appearance. The concert is free. Call 636978-8404 or 636-447-5341 or visit stpeterschoralsociety.org for further information. Dec. 7: Pancake breakfast fundraiser A pancake breakfast fundraiser will be held from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Dardenne Presbyterian Church, Christian Life Center, 400 S Outer 364, Dardenne Prairie. The Salt Corporation (Saving Aiding Loving Teaching), a St. Peters, Mo. based 501 c (3), seeks to raise funds and provide inkind support providing food and education to orphans and other indigent children of Haiti, to obtain a healthy quality of life and a quality academic education. Cost for adults, 13-years-old and older is $6; for children, 12-years-old and under is $2. Cost includes an unlimited menu of pancakes, sausage, fruit, milk, and orange juice. For more information please contact Ralph Kessler, 314-706-4594, or rkessler2002@charter.net. For more information on the Salt

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Corporation, please visit www. saltcorporation.com. Dec. 9 Free Social Security workshop presented by North Brothers Retirement Event is located at the St. Charles Co. Library McClay Branch at 2760 McClay Rd., St. Charles beginning at 6 p.m. Please call Sabrena at 636-614-0394 to register. Dec. 11 Free Social Security workshop presented by North Brothers Retirement Event is located at the St. Charles Co. Library K. Linnemann Branch at 2323 Elm St., St. Charles beginning at 6 p.m. Please call Sabrena at 636-614-0394 to register. Dec. 12 Christmas in Cricket County This drama/comedy begins at 7 p.m. at SunRise UMC located at 7116 Twin Chimneys Blvd., O’Fallon. For more information call 636-978-2727. Dec. 16 “Christmas in the Kitchen” show Join Thistle and Clover at the 10th Annual “Christmas in the Kitchen” Show with Mitzi MacDonald & Keltic Reign to Benefit Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center. The show is from 7-9 p.m. at the Sheldon Concert Hall. Show tickets available at Thistle and Clover located at 407 S. Main St. in St. Charles. Call 636-946-2449 for more information. Thistle and Clover is a collection point for non-perishable food, new toys and gently used coats. Dec. 19-21: “Miracle on 34th Street - The Musical” St. Charles Community College presents “Miracle on 34th Street – The Musical” at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21. The show will be held at the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building Theater, St. Charles Community College, 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Dr. in Cottleville. Cost is $10. For more information contact Young People’s Theatre at 636922-8233. Dec. 20: Youth orchestra concert St. Charles County Youth Orchestra Winter Concert is set for Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, Ehlmann Rd. St. Charles. Selections will include Vivaldi’s Gloria performed with the St. Charles Christian Home Educators Choir, A Chrismas Festival and The Nutcracker Suite plus many others. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for children (six-18 years old), five-yearsold-and-under free. Want to join the Orchestra? Mid season auditions will be held on January 10th & 17th. For more information email sccyo@sccyo.org, call 636-916-0515 or visit www. sccyo.org. Jan. 15, 2015 Wheelers and Dealers Square Dance Club Come join the fun. Stay active, exercise, meet new people and learn to square dance. Begins at 7:30 p.m at Memorial Hall in Blanchette Park. For more information call Lucy at 636-3913822, Joan at 636-922-3669, or Maxine at 314-291-4723. www. squaredancestcharles.com

www.mycnews.com • Community News - St. Charles County • November 26, 2014 Ongoing Events 1st Monday: Gardeners of St. Charles County Monthly Meeting 6:30pm. Location varies. 314.304.7480. 2nd Monday: Winghaven Civil War Round Table 6:30pm, Midwest BankCentre board room, 2299 Technology Dr. O’Fallon. For more informaiton call Mike at 314.276.5018. 4th Monday: American Legion Post 388 Meets 6:30 pm at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 8945 Vets. Mem. Pkwy. 636.219.0553. Every Monday: St. Peters Rotary Club Noon at St. Peters City Hall, One St. Peters Centre Blvd. www.stpetersrotary.org. Every Monday: Seasoned Eye Carvers Meeting 9am to noon at the St. Charles Senior Citizens Center, 1455 Fairgrounds Rd. in St. Charles. For more information, visit www.stcharlesareawoodcarvers.com. Every Monday: Cribbage Club 1pm, Heritage at Hawk Ridge Clubhouse, 235 Pigeon Dr. in Lake St. Louis. For more information, call 636.561.2970. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday: Fitness First Exercise Classes 9:30-10:30am, American Legion Hall, 504 Luetkenhaus Blvd., Wentzville. 314.369.6521. Tuesday and Friday Evenings: Tae Kwon Do Classes Dardenne Presbyterian Church, 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie. For more information, call 636.561.4347. 1st Tuesday: Fleur de Lis Garden Society 6:30pm at the Kisker Road Library, 1000 Kisker Road. Info: Jeanne at 314.605.8563. 2nd Tuesday: Show-me Stitchers Embroiderer’s Guild of America 7pm at the Ladue Chapel. Info: www.showmestitchers.com. Last Tuesday of every month, St. Charles American Legion Post 312 spaghetti dinner. 5pm, St. Charles American Legion Post 312, 2500 Raymond Drive in St. Charles. $5 per person. For

more information call Post 312 at 636.947.7666. 4th Tuesday: O’Fallon Garden Club 6:30pm at Sunrise Methodist Church, 7116 Twin Chimney Blvd. Info: Barb at 636.978.5930. Every Tuesday: Kiwanis Club of St. Charles Noon-1pm at Bogey Hills Country Club, 1120 Country Club Rd. in St.Charles. Every Tuesday: St. Charles Optimist Club Noon-1pm at Pio’s Restaurant.

Every Wednesday: Active Older Adults Game Day at the O’Fallon Family YMCA 10am Free. Bring a favorite snack to share. Anybody welcome. Every Wednesday: Crossroads Cribbage Club 10am Meets at 1380 Boone St., Troy, MO 63379. 636.528.8379.

Every Tuesday: Quilting Guild at the O’Fallon Family YMCA 1-4pm Free. Quilt for local charities. No sewing experience required. Every Tuesday: Toastmasters Meeting 7pm at the Renaud Spirit Center, 2650 Tri Sports Circle, O’Fallon. Info: 636.379.2505.

Every Wednesday: Charity Bingo 6:45pm VFW Post 5077 sponsors, at VFW Hall, 8500 Veterans Mem. Pkwy., O’Fallon. 636.272.1945 or www.vfwpost5077.org.

Every Tuesday: Gateway Spotlight ChorUS 7:15-9:45pm at First United Methodist Church, 801 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles. Info: www.gatewayspotlight.org or 636.256.6823.

Every Wednesday. Kiwanis Club of Harvester monthly meeting. Noon, Fratelli’s Restorante, 2061 Zumbehl Road in St Charles. For more information, please contact kellenj@ATT.net

Tuesdays & Thursdays: Get Fit Exercise Classes 9-10am and 5:30-6:30pm at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Hall, New Melle. 314.369.6521. Tuesdays and Fridays: TaeKwonDo Ministry 5:30pm, Dardenne Presbyterian Church 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie. Moses Kim brings Christian teaching into taekwondo. For more information, or to sign up, call 636.561.4347. Every Wednesday: Dardenne Presbyterian Church Basketball 8-9:30pm, Dardenne Presbyterian Christian Life Center, 7400 South Outer 364 in Dardenne Prairie. Open to 6th grade and up. Bring a light and dark shirt for different teams. 1st Wednesday of each month: Hope & Healing 5-6pm, Dardenne Presbyterian Rock Church, 7400 South Outer

364 in Dardenne Prairie. Unique service of music, worship, and prayer for those in need of hope and healing.

Every Wednesday: Men’s Golf League 5pm, tee off at 5:30 pm at Heritage of Hawk Ridge. www.lakesaintlouis.com, under the parks and recreation section.

Every Tuesday & Thursday: Tai Chi at the St. Charles County Family YMCA 8-9am & 10:15-11:15am. No experience necessary. 636-928-1928.

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Every Wednesday, Winfield Foley Firefighters Association Bingo. Doors open at 4:30, bingo at 6:30pm, Bingo hall is next door to County Market in the Winfield Plaza on Highway 47. For more information, call 636.566.6621 or 636.566.8406. 1st and 3rd Wednesday Each Month: St. Charles Area Wood Carvers St. Charles Area Wood Carvers have moved meeting location on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays from the Weldon Spring site to Hollenbeck Middle School, 4555 Central School Road, St. Charles, MO. For more information, visit www.stcharlesareawoodcarvers.com.

This Month’s Shelter: Almost Home Rescue & Sanctuary We are a is a 501c3, nonprofit, no-kill animal rescue. Inquire about our adoptable pets by calling 636.203.5800, or visiting www.almosthomesanctuary.org If you’ve adopted a new family member that you saw in Community News, send us a picture of you and your new pal. Also include a brief story about your pet’s background and how they’re doing now. We’d love to share your happy story with other readers! Community News, 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr., O’Fallon, MO 63366 or editor@ mycnews.com.

The U.S. Humane Society estimates 6 to 8 million dogs and cats enter shelters each year, and 3 to 4 million are euthanized. Please do your part to control overpopulation and to limit the number of unwanted animals. SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS!

November 26, 2014 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

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Our publications use a combination of online subscription, direct mail, home delivery, and voluntary circulation methods. Voluntary refers to a circulation method where readers “voluntarily” choose to pick up a publication to read. This method is powerful because locations are carefully chosen and newsstands are monitored for 100% pick up. Community News has developed a network of over 650 convenient locations including every major supermarket chain. Our voluntary method is powerful for three reasons: 1 QUALITY READERS A voluntary reader is an interested reader, actively outside of the home, in stores, seeking out information about the community 2 TOTAL UTILITY 100% pick up assures no wasted papers. Every paper reaches an interested reader, yielding a full value for the entire print run. 3 EXPANDING SET Every print run reaches a unique group of readers, because the majority of voluntary readers are occasional readers. Over time, these unique groups add up to a readership size about three times greater than the print run.

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FIT!FUN! U FAB

Schneider

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 doors to the from the outindoors, they carriers of are sometim dangerous es disea 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 animal ers escalatin 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

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 at the 2007 to questio more and , image, fashion – Fun, Fit, and FabuFair at St. Women’s ay, Nov. 17, Saturd for . lous – set unity College Charles Comm rship in partne 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, prizes, fashion show laxation, eminars, a than 50 ing nine mini-s and more sere speaker, and keynot ts and ing produc vendors display vices. a continental seminars and exhibits and 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,

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 in the larval County resident Friendship stages, broods greatest can upload s have the prevention of mosquitoes Day is Aumethod fingertips. a two-mintoes are mainly Proper maintens right at their gust 5 and - propert of the pest variety, ance of the ute video y the first to is the and are first step toward in light of emerge in the 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 , to prevent a blood meal ..........3 w any o to m pools lay ........... en water that may to www.ra or puddles r story............. eggs. of last place high Cove County mosqui ten days or longer. diance ribtheir eggs directly ....................6 to control v a l u e ider.... McCauley lists on the water bons.com. officer 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 School . . Up Your Life. contest www.radiancer contest rules, visit Chamber. .Gary . . . .Baute. . . . . . . ” .. 5 ........ ibbons.com. Women ts with Religion Spor .

‘Light Up Your invites Wom Life’ Contest en to Honor Friendships

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 exercis plastic surmation on nence, and inconti ement and urinary personal improv fitting and bra gery. Other topics include for holiday awareness “dos” “ups” and and the “spirit wardrobe, p made easy, hair, makeu

Movie Talk

........ 16 ............ . . . ... 6

St. Peters

.... Cheese . . ........ ...

... 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 and Carmen h A special a e Kattan b l l Chris lin. year wi cheon this Dan Cough by author 3 presentation FAIR page N’S See WOME

Movie . . . ........ ...... Sports . . . 12 ........ . . . . . . 14 Real Estate/A utomotive . . . . 15

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Coupon Crazy .... What’s Happen . . . . . . . . . . . 16 ing . . . . . . . . . 18 Classifieds ........ ....... 22

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2011 May/June

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November 26, 2014 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com

Over the Fence

Joe Morice

Why Is Thanksgiving On Thursdays? According to historians, the first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in 1621. This feast lasted three days, and it was attended by 90 Native Americans and 53 Pilgrims. New England colonists regularly celebrated Thanksgiving with days of prayer thanking God for blessings like military victories, the end of droughts and tall hats. I assume the Native Americans attended in a period before our ancestors started stealing their land and shooting them if they objected. We still celebrate, however. We often give thanks by sharing great fare with friends and relatives, or if our favorite football team wins with a Hail Mary in the last two seconds. I seldom celebrate Thanksgiving with enthusiasm. This is not to say I’m not thankful for avoiding famine, arrest warrants and IRS audits. I am grateful for all the things I have and all the people I know and love…even for my neighbor’s dog that uses my lawn for a toilet. It’s just that I’m not thankful for the Friday after. I mean why is Thanksgiving always on Thursdays? Historians claim George Washington, Abe Lincoln and a few others were responsible. For years, I thought the pilgrims forgot to bring calendars on their journey to the New World and thought it was Friday when they

gave thanks for 17th century cuisine and weird clothes. Besides me, I’m sure employers wish it would have been Friday. We start cooking early Thursday morning, sit down to dine in the afternoon and later, after cleanup chores are finished, many suffer in sluggish, bloated misery for the rest of the holiday while watching football on TV and chewing Tums. Chronic dieters often wait until midnight for sneaky leftover raids. Then it’s back to work on Friday morning with all the enthusiasm of a Chihuahua in a blizzard. I refer to the unfortunate minions doomed to work on the Friday after Thanksgiving. It‘s also known as “Black Friday” when shoppers trample each other for big-box-store bargains that run out of stock 20 minutes after opening. What’s the obvious solution? Move Thanksgiving to Friday in honor of the unfortunate souls who have to work on that day of intestinal misery. Not only would it leave Saturday to rest from cooking, cleaning and indigestion, it would give many a three-day weekend. There are still people who have to work on weekends but we can’t cure everything; merely toiling on Fridays with indigestion, hangovers and hoarseness from yelling obscenities at football referees. As for Black Friday; Bah! Lincoln didn’t declare a national shopping day. Black Friday indicates the point at which retailers turn a profit, or “in the black” as opposed to “in the red” like my back account along

2 Nights! 2 Locations! December 5th

Texas Smokehouse and Saloon 909 West Main Plaza Dr, Wentzville, MO 63385

December 6th

Side Pockets 1439 Bass Pro Dr, St Charles, MO 63301

BrrrBASH Toy Drop Locations Eastern St. Charles

Sidepockets Sports Bar 1379 Bass Pro Shop Drive - 63301 Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steak Burgers 1365 Jungerman Rd. - 63376

SE7EN Cupcakes & Martinis 5045 N Hwy N – 63304

Sullivan Jewelry 1155 Wentzville Parkway - 63385

Wentzville Parks & Recreation 968 Meyer Road - 63385

Diamond Shoppe Jewelers 7127 Mexico Rd. - 63376

City of Wentzville 310 W. Pearce Blvd. - 63385

Smilepros 1208 Flintshire Ln. - 63367

Western St. Charles

Lake Saint Louis Police Department 200 Civic Center Dr. - 63367

Cedar Lake Cellars 11008 Schreckengast Rd. – Hickory Grove 63390

Texas Smokehouse 909 Main Plaza Dr. - 63385

Streetscape Magazine 223 N. Main Street - 63301 Dynamic Life Chiropractic 109 Church St. - 63366

UnKorked Wine Garden 205 E. Allen - 63385

Edward Jones Michelle Perry 8646 Mexico Road - 63366

100.7 FM The VIPER 1000 Lake St. Louis Blvd - 63367

Schaibel Dental Group 340 Mid Rivers Mall Dr. Suite E - 63376 Marie Angelique Bra & Lingerie 220 N. Main St. - 63301 Aprils on Main 222 North Main St. - 63301 Lillians 124 South Main St. - 63301

Dunn’s Florist 532 West Pearce Blvd. - 63385

Unyson Logistics 1801 Park 270 Dr., #500 – STL 63146

6 North Cafe 10 Cliff View Dr. - 63385 The Wooden Door 1155 Wentzville Pkwy, Suite 107 - 63385

Parkway Family Dentistry 1063 W. Pearce Blvd. - 63385

Fridley Chiropractic 1126 W. Peace Blvd., #114 - 63385

Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce 201 E. Linn Ave. - 63385

Pizza Pro 1800 Wentzville Pkwy - 63385

Academy of Courage 950 Corporate Pkwy, Ste. 106 - 63385

Main Street Salon 116 South Main - 63301

Rhino Ftiness 1231 Wentzville Pkwy - 63385

Old Friends Vintage Guitars 1 E. Allen St. - 63385

SunnyStreet Café 1814 Wentzville Parkway - 63385

Main Street Vapor Worx 215 North Main St. - 63301

Ultimate Art Form 2 E. Main St. - 63385

Seven Stones Wine Garden 4612 State Highway Z - 63365

The UPS Store 1939 Wentzville Pkwy - 63385 The Fairfield Inn 130 Crossroads South Dr. - 63385 American Karate & Fitness 1465 W. Meyer Road - 63385 Julius Monroe Salon & Spa 939 Waterbury Falls - 63368

For Event Details:

www.BrrrBASH.com www.brrrbash.com Little Black Book: Connect. Promote. Share. Give. Become.

Anjon Manufacturing 1000 Liberty Industrial Dr. – 63366 Wesling Chiropractic 1229 Wentzville Pkwy #201 – 63385 Winghaven Orthodontics 9979 Winghaven Blvd. #200 – 63368 Crossfit 70 1840 W. Pearce Blvd. – 63385 Reliance Bank 985 Wentzville Pkwy – 63385 AntOn Dentistry 1871 W. Pearce Blvd. – 63385

with my eyes when I get wounded by a frenzied matron pushing an overloaded shopping cart. A national referendum would leave it up to the voters who presently work on the Friday after Thanksgiving and those who don’t. However, as most of us know, Congress hates referendums. I assume they might interfere with votes for sale or potential seven-figure salaries from consulting jobs with their corporate owners after retirement. I suppose TV network and big-box-store CEO’s might object to three days of big profits instead of four. I’m sure ‘how-dare-you-consider-this-withoutmy-permission’ calls to congressional legislators and threats of layoffs will burn their ears. Did I say easily solved? Oh well. Happy Thanksgiving and good luck on Friday. “Thanksgiving was when the Indians said, ‘Well, this has been fun, but we know you have a long voyage back to England.‘”- Jay Leno 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 big machines. He has no formal training as a writer, unless 60 years 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.