N THIS SSUE Around Town Olivette names developer for I-170 Interchange Gateway District and more
Feature Giving the past a home Historic Tappmeyer House in Millennium Park serves as a window into Creve Coeur’s early days By Sara Hardin
Our Thoughts Moore on Life Author, Cindy Moore, looks at tasteful Mother’s Day gifts while Avalanche sees the good and bad of fire in the wilderness The 2016 Kia Sportage stands apart from other crossovers in this month’s Automobile Alley
Lifestyle How a “Twister” led to a “Civil War” in Entertainment Swapping seafood for meat can transform dishes in For the Love of Food
Caring Partners Shoes & Hope
Events Calandar Cover Photo – Erica Avellone
5 12 15 18 20 23
AroundTown
Safe connections In a continuing effort to improve communication with residents and businesses during an emergency situation, the city of Creve Coeur has contracted with CodeRED, an emergency notification system which allows city officials to quickly deliver emergency alerts. CodeRED will serve as the backbone of the city’s emergency planning and communications outreach to those who live, work, and do business in the community as well as city personnel. The system enables the city to send important alerts with phone calls, text messages, email and social media posts as well as broadcasts through the CodeRED mobile alert app. The city expects to use the system to notify residents in specific areas of police emergencies along with hazardous conditions, road maintenance, missing children notices and other critical information. “It is our priority to promote the safety of all Creve Coeur residents and visitors,” said Chief of Police Glenn Eidman. “This system will allow
us to quickly notify people about hazardous situations so we can keep our community safe.” The Creve Coeur Police Department encourages residents to sign up for CodeRED to stay informed on important local information. To find out more or to sign up, visit www. creve-coeur.org/codered. Residents may also download the CodeRED app from iTunes or the Android App Store to receive alerts from anywhere they travel. Along with the introduction of the CodeRed Emergency Notification system, the Creve Coeur Police Department has enrolled in a free personal property inventory for residents called Report-It. Citizens can create an online account of personal property which allows them to store serial numbers, item descriptions, pictures, and scans of receipts so items may be more easily identified in the event of theft. Citizens wanting to participate in Report-It can register for the free service at reportit.leadsonline. com.
Painting with Purpose Bringing the visual and sensory stimulation of colorful amateur paintings to our nursing home residents is the goal of the PAINT PAL program. Each resident chooses a painting of their preference from a selection to hang in their personal space and receives a greeting from an amateur artist. The PAINT PAL art program intent is to activate sensory development, stimulate resident conversations and individualize and brighten each room. The personal interaction lifts spirits and provides companionship from the PAINT PAL messages long 4 | OUR TOWN | May 2016
after the visit. The Paint & Wine studios are sourcing the paintings with surplus instructor-led examples and acting as repositories for the ‘bring backs.’ Customers of the studio parties will be able to align with the nursing home program three ways: Opt to leave behind their art for the residents, return previous art from partiesgone-by from any store, or simply leave a PAINT PAL note for a resident while onsite (supplied). The program is expecting a May launch servicing nursing homes as inventory expands.
Our Town Volume 07 | Number 04 May 2016
Published by the Community News, Our Town is a monthly news magazine covering the cities of Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, and Olivette. Circulation is 15,000 monthly through over 200 monitored newsstands guaranteeing 100% pickup. Additional issues are distributed online, and a free online subscription is available at www. mycnews.com Publisher Robert Huneke Editor Mathew DeKinder Production Lisa Moran Melissa Nordmann Contributors Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Brian Guerrero, Cindy Moore Photographer Erica Avellone Staff WriterS Brett Auten Sara Hardin For advertising information, please contact us at:
info@mycnews.com or
Community News
2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366 Ph: 636.379.1775 Fx: 636.379.1632 www.mycnews.com Copyright 2016 Huneke Publications, Inc. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
AroundTown
Olivette Names Developer Olivette City Council announces developer for I-170 Interchange Gateway District The Olivette City Council named Keat Properties, LLC as the preferred developer to redevelop a twelve-anda-half acre site at the southwest corner of Olive Boulevard and I-170. The area is part of the city’s “M-U Gateway District,” a zoning designation adopted in 2012 to promote coordinated mixed-use development at this major intersection. Olivette Mayor Ruth Springer said, “The city is excited to partner with Greg Yawitz (Managing Partner of Keat Properties LLC) on this very important development.” The city previously worked with Keat Properties on the four-acre mixed-use Shoppes at Price Crossing development at 9200 Olive Boulevard. Springer continued, “The success at Price Crossing, coupled with Greg’s track record of working collaboratively with Olivette citizens, council, and staff made him the best choice for this development.” Greg Yawitz of Keat Properties said, “My team and I are excited to have been selected as the preferred developer for this project in Olivette. As the developer of Price Crossing and a 22 year resident of Olivette, I look forward to working with Olivette staff and elected officials to create another successful project in the community my family calls home. Being able to provide my friends and neighbors with more of the services and amenities they deserve makes me very proud. I thank all those involved in the selection process for their time and dedication to making what I believe was the best choice for Olivette” While plans are still conceptual, during his presentation Yawitz stated that project would be anchored by a grocery with gathering spaces,
sensible access, and quality design. The city first envisioned the 12-anda-half acre redevelopment area as a single, comprehensive development in 1969. Subsequent city strategic plans in 1991 and 2006 both identified the opportunity to assemble property to create a larger development. However the complexities of assemblage, easements, utilities, and topography have all served to make redevelopment in the private market difficult. “The city’s intent is to partner with Keat Properties to overcome the development challenges, resulting in a redevelopment reflective of
the city’s vision.” said Carlos Trejo, Director of Planning and Community Development. The city intends to work with the developer to utilize any necessary economic incentives permissible by the State of Missouri. The city requested development proposal in December 2015. Four developers submitted proposals for the area. During the process one developer withdrew. Proposals were reviewed by city staff together with the city’s development consultant, Development Strategies, the Economic Development Commission, and City Council.
May 2016 | OUR TOWN | 5
AroundTown
Just a Song Before You Go Local musicians perform for arrivals and departures at Lambert Airport
Some of the best names in the St. Louis music scene are making appearances at Lambert Airport as part of its Live Spring Music Series. The series was launched Feb. 18 and will run through May 20, with performances taking place in the concourses on Thursdays and Fridays from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Jeff Lea, Lambert Public Information Manager, says that providing travelers to the entertaining performances is an ideal way to expose them to St. Louis’s rich music culture. “We know from experiences in our own airport and traveling in other airports that music is a great way to both welcome and send off passengers,” said Lea. “It’s a way to introduce folks to a taste of the St. Louis culture through music. The airport can be kind of a stressful place, and to have live music is a way to sort of offset that. It’s also a way of introducing music as an art in an unexpected place.” Jeremy Segel-Moss, guitar player for The Bottoms Up Blues Gang, is scheduled to make two appearances in the series alongside the group’s singer Kari Liston. Through their soulful renditions of both original and cover songs in styles ranging from blues, folk, rock and jazz, Segel-Moss hopes that passengers will observe what the city has to offer in music and performance. “St. Louis is one of the greatest music cities in the world,
6 | OUR TOWN | May 2016
Ray Rockwell
By Sara Hardin
The local musician Johnny Chase (right) performs in Terminal 2 at St. Louis Lambert Airport.
and I think it’s really important to have music at the airport because it’s a great reminder of how great we have it here,” said Segel-Moss. “There’s an incredible music scene here. Being visible to people coming in from out of town might turn them onto what’s going on at clubs and venues throughout the city.” Although the program is only scheduled to run through May, Lea says that the series’ excellent reception from airport passengers and staff will likely mean similar, more extended programs at Lambert in the near future. “We’re going to see if there’s way we can extend it or do a larger campaign this year,” said Lea. “We’ve gotten a tremendous response from our passengers, many that have time before their flight and will hang out and listen. We have varying acts from blues to jazz, soft to rock and pop, to covers. We’re getting a taste of a little bit of everything. So far everyone exposed has been very pleased with the series.”
AroundTown
Advertorial
First-time buyers may find that a used RV better suits their need by russ patton, Owner of Byerly RV
Photo courtesy Byerly RV Not only are RVs fun for the users, but the makers have fun designing them. Few industries are so creative and innovative. I don’t know about this one, but it sells! Maybe it’s not for the “first-time buyer,” but for the outdoorsman who wants to range the wide world where few others dare to venture.
There is a common cycle: buy the first camper then trade it in a year or two later for the one you really want. Meanwhile, they have lost big money on depreciation and some of the other “extras” like a long-term service agreement, insurance and towing equipment which may have to be upgraded for your next purchase. In fact, some dealers specialize in products priced for first time buyers and aggressively push the extras. To save big, why not buy the late model RV that last years “first-time buyer” traded in? You don’t need a seven-year service agreement on a new entry level RV when you have a one-year warranty on the vehicle you may likely trade in soon. We know, because we get a lot of them every year, like new, but you can save thousands of dollars. The difference between a 2016 and a 2015 model in condition is almost negligible, but the savings is a “no brainer.” Byerly has a great selection of 2015, 2014, 2013 and older travel trailers. Think about it. Byerly RV, the Center of the RV World. Check us out on Facebook and at www. he t h t byerlyrv.com. Wor ive Dr
Byerly RV 295 East Fifth St. | Eureka, MO 63025 800-878-3325 | 636-938-2000 www.byerlyrv.com
New Road Olive Blvd. resurfacing to take place between N. New Ballas Rd and Pavillion Dr. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is beginning a project along Olive Boulevard that will last through the summer. This project will extend from North New Ballas Road to Pavillion Drive, and it will involve sidewalk improvements and roadway resurfacing. In addition, the Olive Boulevard Transportation Development District (Olive TDD) has contributed funding to include decorative medians as part of this project. These medians will be added from North New Ballas Road to Old Ballas Road and will have lights and planter boxes to match the other medians along Olive. Most of the work for this project will be completed during the overnight hours so as not to interfere with rush-hour traffic. Completion of the project is anticipated for early fall.
Welcome To Our New Members!
A & G Auto Spa & Mobile Detailing Abba’s Hands Home Healthcare Abshers Professional Painting ApexNetwork Physcial Therapy Big Baby Q and Smokehouse British Swim School of St. Louis Caring Solutions Complete Auto Body & Truck Repair Continential Commercial Products LLC Dimerco Express Eclipse Media Edward Jones- Russ Gatewood Electronic Restoration Services Gateway Fire Protection Services Gateway Residential Remodeling Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Imperial Contracting K’z and A’z Catering
Kazanas LC Law Firm Legal Shield- Lance Roshel Nettworth Financial Group Patrick M. Weaver Health Markets PHH Home Loans Renew Church Rodan + Fields- Lori Lander Smart Pain Solutions Staybridge Suites- Westport Street Scape Magazine The Brew House The Ecchic Group The Rice House III U.S. Bank Vinsion Mortgage Way Cool Ballons YP Marketing Solutions
AND
Proudly Present:
The
23 rd
Golf Classic
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Returning to
Proceeds Benefit the Education Foundation
Interested in golfing or sponsorships? CALL 314-576-6603
May 2016 | OUR TOWN | 7
AroundTown
Beautifying Creve Coeur The city of Creve Coeur Horticulture, Ecology and Beautification Committee invites all residents, community groups and local businesses located within the city limits of Creve Coeur to participate in the Eighth Biennial Beautification Contest. This friendly competition is a way of encouraging residents and businesses to landscape and beautify the community. Contestants may enter up to thirteen award categories best describing their entry. Categories include: Best in the City, Best Commercial, Best Institutional, Best Use of Native Plants, Best Use of Small Space, Best Subdivision/Condominium Entrance/ Common Ground, Best Stormwater/ Raingarden Solution, Best Container, Best Curb Appeal, Best Water Feature, Most Creative Garden, Most Outstanding Tree, and new this year, Best Butterfly Garden. One award is permitted per selected properties. The Horticulture, Ecology and Beautification Committee serves as the contest judges. Winners will be notified by mail and announced in future Creve Coeur resident and business newsletters. A convenient online nomination form is available at www. creve-coeur.org/beautification. Up to four digital photographs of entries can be uploaded. Entry forms are also available for pick up at the Creve Coeur Government Center at 300 N. New Ballas Rd. in Creve Coeur. For more information, contact Sharon Stott, Assistant to the City Administrator, at sstott@ci.creve-coeur.mo.us or by calling 314-872-2516. Entries must be postmarked or electronically submitted no later than May 22. 8 | OUR TOWN | May 2016
Chris Cross
Nominations now accepted for Creve Coeur Eighth Biennial Beautification Contest
Rabbi Yosef Landa stands in the Chevra Kadisha Cemetery in St. Louis before a ceremony where the remains of an unknown victim of the Dachau Concentration Camp were laid to rest.
A Solemn Look to the Past Remains of an anonymous concentration camp victim are laid to rest in St. Louis By Sara Hardin A burial service was held under very special circumstances on April 3 at the Chevra Kadisha Cemetery in St. Louis. The service laid to rest a small bundle of human remains obtained by William Elston from Dachau Concentration Camp, which was liberated on April 29, 1945. Elston, who served in the European Theater in World War II, brought the remains back to the United States as proof of the terrible events that occurred during the Holocaust. Debra Cordy, Elston’s daughter, recovered the remains after Elson’s death and decided that the best course of action would be to entrust them to the St. Louis Holocaust Museum.
“Once the remains were brought to the museum, they were accepted to become part of our Holocaust Museum archives,” said Dan Reich, Curator and Director of Education at the St. Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center. “Debra Cordy was extremely eager that these remains be treated respectfully and appropriately, which is why she wanted to bring them to a Jewish organization. We accepted them with the intention of doing the proper thing with them. While we know there were other prisoners at Dachau in addition to Jewish prisoners, such as political prisoners and other victims of the Nazis, the majority were Jewish, so
AroundTown we were told that we could assume that the remains were “We are a repository for documents, letters, artifacts from those of a Jewish victim. In that case, the proper thing to survivors, veterans, families of victims of the Holocaust,” said do would be the same as with any other deceased Jewish Reich. “This was a sort of unusual donation that required a human being: return them to the earth.” certain amount of investigation and consideration of how to Reich decided to consult Rabbi Yosef Landa, Chabad of handle it the most proper way. It became an interesting sort Greater St. Louis, on how to handle the remains. For Landa, of learning experience for us. While I knew it was going to be the answer was simple: a Jewish burial as mandated by a moving event, it was far more powerful and moving than Jewish law, among the Jewish people. The history behind the I expected it would be. It took on this much larger message remains and the fact that of having these human they belonged to a victim remains find peace.” of the Holocaust created In her remarks at the an especially powerful burial service, Cordy spoke atmosphere at the service. of her father’s journey “[The service] had a and that of the remains tremendous amount of he brought back with meaning,” said Landa. him. Through the efforts “The namelessness of the of the St. Louis Holocaust remains makes it somewhat Museum and Rabbi Landa, symbolic of all of the victims the opportunity for her and of the Holocaust, not too others to witness the closure different from the respect of a journey from Dachau that Americans pay to the 70 years ago to a proper Tomb of the Unknown Jewish burial today was Soldier. The fact that so made possible. many years later we can “Perhaps it was intended participate in the burial that these remains be of a victim that somehow found again after all of personifies the victims of these years,” said Cordy. the Holocaust makes the “With only a handful of moment even larger and veterans from World War more powerful. The very II left to personally speak unique set of circumstances to younger generations, made the moment very, very my hope is that this can be powerful and awesome.” used as a symbol of a time Rabbi Yosef Landa lays to rest the remains of an unknown victim of the Dachau Concentration Camp in the Chevra Kadisha Cemetery in St. Louis on April 3. After attending the burial in history when the world service, Cordy explained promised ‘never again’, that she is confident that the decision she made to turn the and a reminder that prejudice and intolerance are not the remains over to the St. Louis Holocaust Museum and Rabbi answer for humanity.” Landa resulted in the most appropriate conclusion of the remains’ journey. “The Holocaust Museum and Rabbi Landa did a marvelous job and I have the deepest respect for them,” said Cordy. “When I look back now, my goal was to treat them with the utmost respect. They did not know who I was, I’m not Jewish, they had not ties to the family, and they had no way of knowing if what I was saying was truthful. I was very deeply moved, not only by the beauty of the service, but also by all of the obvious time and effort that was taken to eloquently and responsibly handle this situation.” Reich expressed hope that the special care that went into the handling of the remains will attract attention to the St. Louis Holocaust Museum’s extensive archive. Chris Cross
“Perhaps it was intended that these remains be found again after all of these years.”
May 2016 | OUR TOWN | 9
The voices come out from tiny speakers covering miles and miles of the St. Louis region. Their timbre brings to their listeners a bounty of news, entertainment and knowledge. MindsEye, the virtual newsstand radio broadcast, is there to serve those who cannot read the printed word. Some listeners are totally blind while others have low vision due to any number of diseases or afflictions. There are listeners who can no longer turn the pages of a newspaper or a magazine because of a stroke or a debilitating disease. There are others who are unable to read because of learning disabilities. There are multitudes
Submitted Photo
AroundTown
Allan Newsham reads during the St. Charles County News, a show that includes the Community News.
Lending their eyes MindsEye radio broadcasts feature volunteers reading the printed word for the visually impaired By Brett Auten
Submitted Photo
that fall under any number of those umbrellas. For them, MindsEye and its dedicated staff are there for them, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. MindsEye’s radio broadcasts are based in Belleville, Illinois at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows and reach a
10 | OUR TOWN | M AY 2016
75-mile radius around the area. The signal spreads as far west as Hermann, as far north as Louisiana, as far east as Centralia, Illinois, and as far south as Murphysboro, Illinois. Although broadcasts are mostly designed for individuals living within this scope, those
outside of it hear MindsEye online from anywhere with Internet access, which is perfect for transplanted residents who want to keep up with the community. “The fun part is talking with our listeners and getting their feedback and input,” Amelia Christ, Community Outreach Coordinator with MindsEye said. “We also provide a listener survey, which helps determine our programming. For instance, there was a lot of interest in cooking and beer and wine making, so we added a program for that. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in more humorous programming, like The Onion (a satirical national news publication).” All print material is up for grabs. In fact, grocery store and department store ads are consistently the top-rated programs at MindsEye. “That is difficult information for our listeners to get,” Christ said. “It really helps our listeners to be more independent.” It all began when WMRY’s Talking Book was born in 1973 through a partnership of local oblates, the Lions Clubs, and other dedicated community organizations and individuals made a way to provide readings of newspapers and magazines to thousands of people Charlie Barron and Pat Downen, the morning news readers for MindsEye radio.
AroundTown who were blind. At the time, it was the third reading service of its kind in the world. There are 26 different ways to hear MindsEye. One of the more popular ways is through SCA (subsidiary communications authorization) radios, which are free preset radio receivers that are readily available. The process is simple; you sign up for a radio, or download a PDF radio application and send by mail. The radio is free and on loan to you for as it is needed and will be shipped off in a matter of days after the application is approved. You can also signup online and listen in on MindsEye’s website and you’ll immediately have access to programming live or downloadable podcasts of every program produced. MindsEye’s live stream is also available on TuneIn.com. Just search “MindsEye Radio.” Victor Reader Streams, and Smart phone and tablet apps are also available. In a long term care facility, through its OWL (Older Wiser Listeners) Program, MindsEye can be heard on the in house television channels at many nursing homes, assistive living centers, hospitals and retirement villages. “We have expanded to many different platforms, like apps,” Christ said. “We want to reach listeners where they already are. If they have an iPhone, we want to be there.” Volunteers are the backbone of the program and they stand over 200 strong. MindsEye is always looking for readers, producers, listener outreach, radio repairs and many others. For all and any information, email at mindseye@mindseyeradio. org or call 618-394-6444 to get connected.
A Fresh Slice Pieology Pizzeria opens new store in Creve Coeur Pieology Pizzeria, where pizza lovers go to create artisan-style custom pizzas in endless flavor combinations for one affordable price, is proud to announce the opening of its new location in Creve Coeur. Located in the Plaza Shops at the corner of Olive Blvd. and N. New Ballas Rd., Pieology Creve Coeur offers locals the opportunity to enjoy personalized pizzas and the newly implemented made-to-order custom salads, using an unlimited selection of over 40 toppings. “We’re thrilled to introduce Pieology to Creve Coeur and provide the community with a brand new way to enjoy pizza and custom salads!” said Jeremy Bonk, Director of Operations
for Midwest Pie, LLC. “At Pieology, we wholeheartedly encourage creativity and, with over 40 fresh toppings to choose from, we’re sure our new guests will enjoy coming up with flavor combinations that are as unique as they are.” Pieology Creve Coeur features an industrial-chic and friendly environment where inspirational quotes decorate the walls, menus and employee uniforms. The restaurant is open Monday-Thursday from 10:30 am to 9:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 10:30 am to 10:30 pm and Sunday 10:30 am – 9:00 pm. Customizable pizzas and salads start at $8.45.
May 2016 | OUR TOWN | 11
Giving Home the past a
Historic Tappmeyer House in Millennium Park serves as a window into Creve Coeur’s early days By Sara Hardin
F
rom a distance, the historic Tappmeyer House resembles an idyllic doll house. Its Italianate style, white clapboard siding, dormer windows and careful craftsmanship come together to form one stunning piece of history. The house, built in 1880 by Frederick and Maria Tapmeier, was relocated in 2003 from its original home on Olive Boulevard to make room for a shopping center. It now sits in Creve Coeur’s Millennium Park, where it serves as an event space and provides a unique opportunity for learning about 12 | OUR TOWN | May 2016
how people lived during the years when it served as a home. “It was necessary to preserve the house and to have an opportunity for the community to see what life was like in that time period,” said Laura Dierberg-Ayers, President of the Tappmeyer Homestead Foundation board. “We want the house to tell its own story.” Dierberg-Ayers, who was part of the original group that assisted in the preservation and relocation of the house, explains that the house’s historical significance can be un-
covered with just a little bit of detective work. Careful observation of the house’s architecture and detailing shows glimpses of how homes were built and how supplies were obtained in the 1880’s, harkening back to a time when life was drastically different. “Looking closely, you can see the sawblade marks on the upright beams,” said Dierber-Ayers. “Animal fur acts as a binding agent in the mortar. There were clay pits in the West County area, so we suspect the bricks were made either on-site or locally. They probably got the lumber on the home’s property. The clapboard was probably brought in from Forest Park Lumber, which was right on Olive. The risers have this cutout detailing on the exterior. The detail is unbelievable. You won’t see that kind of detail in most houses you see today.”
A doorway to the past
The painstaking effort that went into the house’s construction and maintenance is undeniable. The feat is especially impressive after considering the lifestyle that the Tappmeyers needed to maintain during a time when modern conveniences were not available. “Each piece of the Tappmeyer house was custom built, from the hand-cut limestone blocks for the foundation to the hand-hewn lumber used to construct the house,” explained Jim Heines, Creve Coeur Director of Public Works. “In addition to building the house, the Tappmeyers were running a farm to be able to survive. Almost everything depended on hand labor to produce product or to farm. The thought of only working eight hours a day never entered their minds. Most people worked sun up to sun down at least six if not seven days a week.” Heines served as the project manager in charge of the Tappmeyer Relocation Project in 2003. He recalls Olive and Mason Road being closed to traffic as crews worked to move the 220 ton house down a Missouri State Highway and a St. Louis arterial road to Millennium Park. “To be able to save the house by moving it to its new home in Millennium Park and knowing that the house will still be there long after I am gone is a special feeling,” said Heines. The house continues to be as beautiful a landmark as it is excellent a learning opportunity. For example, upon taking up the home’s linoleum flooring, Dierberg-Ayers and her team discovered the words ‘Floor installed November 7, 1929’ and ‘Stove installed November 7,1929’ written on the original floor in pencil. This led to a connection
Photos by Erica Avellone (Across) The Tappmeyer House sits in Creve Coeur’s Millennium Park after being relocated in 2003 from its original home on Olive Boulevard. (Top right) Laura Dierberg-Ayers, President of the Tappmeyer Homestead Foundation board, stands inside the Tappmeyer House next to a vintage photo of the home. (Right) This hinge is one of the many original fixtures that can still be found in the home. (Far right) The stairway is one of the first things you see when you enter the Tappmeyer Home.
May 2016 | OUR TOWN | 13
between the Tappmeyers and how they must have been forced to deal with the Stock Market Crash, which would have started just a week earlier on October 29 of the same year. “I suspect the Tappmeyer family didn’t have money in the stock market,” said Dierberg-Ayers. “Their investments were in their cattle they were raising, the crops they had in the field, and the orchard they had out back. It was more important to them that they had a clean, sanitary kitchen, a new floor and a new stove so that they could can their produce and take care of their meals versus having anything in the stock market. They were very self-sufficient. They were the original recyclers; you used everything until it was unusable. You reused and adapted with what you had, because you couldn’t just run out to the store and buy more. It doesn’t hurt to study what they did in the 1920’s and see what worked and what didn’t work. It’s instructive to how we can react today and how we can be proactive.”
Team Tappmeyer
In addition to the valuable insight it offers on life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Tappmeyer House and the space around it provides great opportunities for various organizations to get involved in its upkeep and community relevance. Most recently, events at the house have included a Vintage Baseball Game, an exhibit on the vintage game bagatelle, Mommy and Me Tea and Arbor Day activities. In the meantime, the area surrounding the house is maintained by a group of dedicated volunteers known as Team Tappmeyer. The team is a result of the efforts of Claire Chosid, who was asked to create a landscape design for the house before it was opened to the public in 2010. The volunteers that were attracted to the project formed a close-knit group that remains active today, tending to the house’s heirloom vegetable gardens and clearing honeysuckle and invasive plants from the
“We dont want to keep the house to ourselves. We have a story to tell with the house.” surrounding forest area. “I was born about a mile from Millennium Park and I wanted to turn that area back into the way a forest would have been when I was a kid,” said Chosid. “Every person that volunteered had something different to contribute and made for a very good team, so I started calling us Team Tappmeyer.” Creve Coeur Girl Scout troops have helped Team Tappmeyer in the planting of about 1,500 daffodils in the past six fall seasons, and Boy Scout troops have assisted in work throughout the forest. The team attracts the attention
of individuals who feel a drive to be productive in an area they feel passionate about, a drive that motivates Chosid to continue to remain active in the team’s activities. “Almost everybody who walks down the path will tell us what a difference it makes,” said Chosid. “It’s been a really rewarding project. It doesn’t take a whole lot of time or management. We have a great group of volunteers. A lot of us have become good friends.” There is a great room for growth in the way of volunteers who would like to be involved with the running of the Tappmeyer House. The impressive and beautiful historical landmark is only able to be most fully appreciated by a visit in person, where one is able to tour the homestead and see firsthand how meticulously and lovingly the building was crafted. “We don’t want to keep the house to ourselves. We have a story to tell with the house,” said Dierberg-Ayers. “We’d like to see more volunteers be involved and bring forward their ideas and show how they would like to participate. We want to continue the momentum so that the next generation will be able to enjoy and learn from the lessons that the house can show us.” To learn more about volunteering for the Tappmeyer House, contact Laura Dierberg-Ayers at ljdayers@aol.com.
(Top) This sitting room is at the front of the house and to the right upon entering the front door. None of the furniture is original to the house. (Bottom) This vintage photo of the Tappmeyer House sits above the fireplace.
14 | OUR TOWN | May 2016
OurThoughts Moore on Life by Cindy Moore
Bigstock
Mutter’s Day
I
passed by a local pharmacy and noticed a sign announcing the perfect gift. This was obviously for all those giftchallenged givers who have reached the bottom of the idea barrel and cannot think of a single thing to get their mom’s for Mother’s Day besides new vacuum bags. Well luck has arrived because some genius visionary came up with the perfect solution – varicose vein screening. (This was probably thought up by the same genius who nearly got disowned when he presented his mamma with vacuum bags.) Yes, vein screening is important to have done, don’t get me wrong, but really…as a gift? It’s kind of like giving your employer a colonoscopy gift card for Boss’ Day. Actually, that makes total sense. Never mind. I guess at least with this idea, there would be no worry about copycat gift givers or your lousy sister beating you to the punch. Sure, she usually brings over something lame like diamond heart-shaped earrings (and you wonder why Mom likes her best). And yes, fancy earrings might make all of Mom’s friends jealous or remorseful about their children who gave them a Chia Pet in the shape of Richard Nixon. But seriously, are lumps of shiny, rare, expensive rocks gonna save your momma’s life – I don’t think so? So hurry fast and make an appointment to get your mommy’s leg veins checked out while the other siblings pound the sides of their heads wondering why they didn’t think of something so kind, considerate, useful and unique. And at the same time, maybe Mom will nudge you up a couple of rungs on the favorite-child ladder – you’re welcome! As for me, I’ll pass on the vein check. I prefer my kids invest in a more needed screening for myself that will benefit all humanity as well. Of course, I’m referring to swimsuit screening. If only department stores would post fashion police at the dressing room entrances to inspect everyone who is trying suits on. Wouldn’t it be wonderful? Then incidents such as the following would be dealt with accordingly: 1. The amply-padded older gentleman who packs in everything he owns below the equator into a tiny little
teabag-sized stretchy Speedo and fails to warn the public before strolling on the beach. His fitting room obviously did not come equipped with a full length mirror or a do-not-purchase siren. Now if there were guards available, he wouldn’t have made it past housewares without being tackled and tased. 2. The itty-bitty, teeny-weenie, no-bigger-than-a-polkadot bikini worn by not-so-itty-bitty, buxom bitties who most certainly did not read the tag which recommended it only be used as a Band-Aid in case of a papercut. These ladies would have been ticketed and incarcerated so fast by the police that beach season would be long over before their case ever came to trial. 3. The thong, which by no accident, rhymes with wrong and is too often worn by all the “wrong” people. This contraption appears to have been made for the astronomy-loving crowd who enjoy exposing their moon to everyone in the solar system and neighboring galaxies. Usually that moon is waxing full and leaving fellow bathers pleading, “Where’s a lunar eclipse when you need one?!” Solitary confinement for this crime! 4. The sagger, opposite of the little, tiny suit, but equally disturbing. Someone’s planning on eating their way up three sizes bigger this summer and to prepare, they’ve invested in large baggy swimwear. Problem is, after getting wet, these tend to move around and reveal monstrous things that are best kept for the screaming segments in horror movies. Five to life with no chance of parole! So, I’ll soon be in need of a screener to inform me if I should buy a swimsuit or not, and if I can’t pass the strict official scrutiny, then so be it. My kids can just throw together a gift bag with a coupon for hair plugs, a complimentary colonoscopy, the vein screening, and as an added bonus, a free toenail trimming. That way I’ll be covered from head to toe, unlike some people’s bathing suits…see No. 2 above. May 2016 | OUR TOWN | 15
OurThoughts Always An Adventure by Avalanche
T
he helicopter was dropping flares onto the brushy hillside as I drove to town to get groceries. After the exceptionally warm and dry winter, the planned burn was proceeding quickly. The spots where the flares landed were already sending up dense clouds of smoke. Fire crews and equipment were staged at the mouth of the valley, both to help initiate the blaze, and control it if necessary. Fire is an indispensable tool of land management. Farmers and ranchers burn ditches in the spring and use fire early in the year to improve their land. Loggers burn their slash piles, turning waste product into soil fertilizer. Forest and wildlife agencies deliberately burn selected public lands to reduce the potential size and severity of subsequent wildfires and improve wildlife habitat. While Smokey the Bear had good intentions, decades of zero-tolerance fire suppression across the West has interrupted the natural fire and regrowth cycle on thousands of square miles of land. Dense, impenetrable brush has taken over and degraded formerly high-quality wildlife habitat. Frequent, small, naturally-occurring fires have given way to less-frequent and sometimes massive conflagrations that damage the landscape for long periods of time and threaten human habitat as well. Steady encroachment 16 | OUR TOWN | May 2016
Avalanche
in nature plays the role of both friend and foe
of human development has reduced wildlife habitat and made “controlled” burns much more necessary – and potentially risky. In recent years a number of “controlled” burns have become uncontrolled. A state forest agency conducted a planned burn that blew up and destroyed dozens of homes and killed several people. This incident was on my mind as I headed back home. Large clouds of smoke filled the valley and were billowing over the mountains. What had started off as several small spot fires had progressed to a two hundred-acre blaze during the hour-and-a-half since I had left home. The wind was pushing the flames uphill, where the vegetation gave way to the steep rocky slopes of the mountainside. This fire would not have the opportunity to run away, uncontrolled – provided that the wind did not shift. I walked over to the closure gate at the end of the valley, camera in hand. The fire crew members said that the fire had moved much more quickly than they had anticipated, and they had ceased any further ignition, despite only burning one portion of the planned burn area. Staying out of the closed area, I hiked up a small hill across from the burn and took the photo shown above.
The fire had moved up the hillside in a seemingly haphazard manner. Some areas were completely blackened and charred, while a few seemingly undamaged trees stood out in green contrast to the charcoal background. Other spots did not ignite at all, and showed no signs of damage. The fire settled down by nightfall, and continued to smolder for another few days, before a storm arrived and extinguished the embers. This particular burn did not get much media attention, as there are few residents in this area, and we were aware that the burn was taking place. Another controlled burn a week later and several miles away was quite visible from a busy highway; the huge, towering clouds of smoke triggered numerous calls to 911 from those who were not aware of the springtime “maintenance” of the forest lands. Seeing a springtime wildland fire within a mile of one’s home tends to cause a bit of apprehension. However, those burned areas will not catch fire later in the summer, which helps to reduce the anxiety as fall approaches. And the wildlife temporarily displaced in the spring will return to freshly fertilized new growth. Smokey the Bear has had to change his message to reflect that while fire is dangerous, it can also be good and necessary.
2017 Kia Sportage stands as a ‘breed apart’ by David Finkelstein The all new, fourth generation 2017 Sportage crossover utility vehicle is the longest-running automotive nameplate from Kia Motors America. With its contemporary design elements, this new model is striking in its appearance. Despite its increased footprint, Sportage remains instantly recognizable, due in part to its sloping roofline and sharply-raked rear window. Tasteful chrome trim surrounds the windows, giving both the Sportage LX and EX a more upscale look. The top-of-the-line SX Turbo model adds new “ice cube” LED fog lamps, HID headlamps, LED tail lights, satin exterior trim and 19-inch alloy wheels. With an emphasis on the structure itself, it’s now both stronger and stiffer than that of the outgoing version; which results in a safer, quieter vehicle overall. The welcomed feeling of spaciousness is further enhanced with an available panoramic sunroof with an opening that comes out to be just over four inches longer than the outgoing model’s. Even after a brief evaluation, you’ll quickly discover the notable gains in the ride quality and handling characteristics. The lateral design of the dashboard helps showcase the upper display zone engineered to channel information via the instrument panel by way of a new color touchscreen.
“Simply put, the Sportage is a breed apart in the compact CUV segment,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning at KMA. “Instead of bland utility, the Sportage combines distinctly European and sporty styling with thoughtful design and functionality, including innovative packaging, premium materials, a turbocharged engine and surprising features.” With the use of advanced high-strength steel, the body now has a higher degree of structural rigidity throughout, making this model the safest ever. The 2.0-liter four cylinder turbo produces 240 horsepower. EPA numbers show 21-city/26-MPG highway with FWD. Their 2.4-liter engine generates 181 horsepower. Its MPG numbers reflect 23-city and 30-highway/ FWD. Either engine operates just fine or regular-grade unleaded fuel. The base 2017 Kia Sportage LX has a starting price of $22,990 excluding their $895 destination charges. At road test with their flagship SX and AWD, the sticker pricing came out to be $34,895. The warranty shows 10-years/100,000 miles for the powertrain and 5-year/60,000 miles for basic coverage. The vehicle generally competes with the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4 and the Nissan Rogue. May 2016 | OUR TOWN | 17
OurLifestyle
‘Twister’ hits twenty just as a ‘Civil War’ breaks out by brian guerrero “From the producers of ‘Jurassic Park’… and the director of ‘Speed’…” Those were the first clues we’re given letting us know that we were about to experience a sneak peek at a big movie event twenty years ago. It had our attention considering the promotion had no music – just the sound of nature’s wrath and people (played by actors with familiar faces) telling others to “get on the ground and take cover.” “Twister” was that movie and it opened on May 10, 1996, jumpstarting what was about to be one of the most memorable summer movie seasons of that decade. Twenty years later “Captain America: Civil War” will be the action movie that will blast the summer season wide open with expected recordbreaking box office results. The visual effects in the last Captain America installment, “The Winter Soldier,” had some of the most pristine visuals I’ve ever seen in a Marvel flick (it even earned an Oscar nomination). For “Civil War” I’m curious as to how awesome the visuals will be this time around – with so many characters in the rumbling mix. So, as we prepare for Captain America to open this summer season of movies, this would be the perfect time to salute a film that began the expansion of the ‘actiondisaster flick’ twenty years earlier. Visual effects of the magnitude of “Twister,” in the mid-nineties, were still somewhat rare and unmatched since 18 | OUR TOWN | MAY 2016
the visuals of “Jurassic Park” in the summer of 1993. Warner Bros. – along with Universal Pictures – were hoping for this movie to be the next best summer movie since those dinosaurs got loose in “the park.” It achieved exactly that (until “Independence Day” opened nearly two months later). “ Tw i s t-
er” became the second h i g h e s t- g r o s s i n g film of 1996. To this day, I don’t believe any disaster flick – most especially naturaldisaster flicks – have ever come close to living up to what made “Twister” so appealing to audiences; even baffling the ones who didn’t like it. The cast of characters are the kind you connect with easily because they have that chemistry where you instantly believe that these storm chasers have worked with each other for so many years and have that “family” mentality, which is what brings out the film’s occasional
comedy so naturally. Most disaster films simply don’t have this. We have a female protagonist here (Helen Hunt as Jo Harding) who is the film’s real driving force. She’s on the brink of divorce from her husband Bill (Bill Paxton) who’s a former storm-chaser and now a weatherman. The plot is never complicated enough that it would slow down the film’s fast pace. It’s a tricky balancing act that most people realize is how most disaster flicks fail. It’s really the impeccable chemistry and snappy dialogue between the actors that make this movie really good (who could forget Philip Seymour Hoffman as Dusty!) from a script by Michael Chrichton and Annemarie Martin. It’s not as easy as it sounds. The director is Jan de Bont whose had a lifelong career as a director of photography for films such as “Die Hard,” Lethal Weapon 3,” and “Basic Instinct.” His debut success as the director of “Speed” is what got him this job and like that film the same (un-credited) script doctors were used to spice up the dialogue a bit for the characters in the form of Joss Whedon (famed for writing and directing both of Marvel’s “The Avengers” movies) and Steven Zaillian. The word “debris” has never been the same again thanks to Bill’s (Paxton) perfect response of yelling out the word in disbelief as tractors fall out of the sky while he Jo (Hunt) attempt at maneuvering them – and while outrunning a F-5 tornado behind their path. The movie is thrillingly crazy and so much fun. As we all enjoy the opening of the 2016 summer movie season with “Captain America: Civil War” let’s also not forget the 20th anniversary of an original blockbuster.
OurLifestyle
N
ow more than ever, food choices matter. People want healthy, environmentally friendly foods without sacrificing flavor. Substituting the traditional protein in your favorite dishes with seafood is one deliciously smart way to satisfy these demands. Seafood offers numerous health benefits. In fact, because seafood is high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids and essential vitamins and minerals, but low in saturated fat and calories, several health organizations recommend two servings per week. When it comes to the environment, seafood offers an advantage as well – it’s the most environmentally friendly of all the animal proteins. In a comparison of environmental costs, wild-capture fisheries have a miniscule cost compared to foods such as beef, chicken, pork and dairy. Changing up traditional meals to incorporate the goodness of seafood is easier than you may think. Just pick a non-seafood protein dish that you regularly enjoy, and replace the protein with one of Alaska’s many species of seafood. For example, replace veal in veal parmesan with delicious Alaska cod or the chicken in chicken Marsala with flavorful Alaska salmon. Find more easy, meatless recipes and inspiration at wildalaskaseafood.com.
What’s in a name? For many ingredients, substitutions are no problem. For example, pollock, which is a member of the cod family and shares many of its attributes, including a firm texture, mild flavor and snow-white fillets loaded with lean protein, works in any recipe calling for cod. However, at the fish counter it pays to pay attention to names because the Food & Drug Administration regulates what foods sold in the United States are called. This allows consumers to know more about their origin and be confident in the safety and environmental standards used to raise or harvest the product. Recently, the FDA made a change regarding pollock. Alaska pollock was previously a species name, which meant pollock from Russia or China could be sold as Alaska pollock. To clear up the confusion and help ensure consumers know the source of their food, now only pollock from Alaska can be called Alaska pollock.
Swap meat for seafood See how seafood transforms traditional dishes Smothered Cod or Pollock Serves: 4 | Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil 1/2 cup red onion 2 teaspoons garlic, chopped 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced salt and pepper, to taste 4 tablespoons flour 2 cups chicken stock 1/2 cup tomato, seeded and chopped 2 teaspoons fresh thyme 4 wild Alaska cod or pollock fillets (4-6 ounces each) 2 cups mashed potatoes, warmed 4 fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish Directions: In hot saute pan, cook olive oil, onion and garlic for 1 minute. Add both peppers and salt and pepper, and saute 2 minutes. Add flour and stir until flour turns light brown. Add chicken stock and stir until liquid smooths and starts to thicken. Add tomato and thyme. Season fish with salt and pepper, to taste, and place into simmering sauce and cover. Cook 3-4 minutes,
carefully turn, cover and continue to cook until done, 3-4 minutes. To serve, place 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes on 4 serving plates. Carefully remove each piece of fish and place on top of mashed potatoes. Evenly divide sauce over each piece of fish. Garnish each plate with 1 sprig of fresh thyme, if desired.
Cod Parmesan with Zucchini Noodles Serves: 4 |Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 2 medium zucchini (5-6 ounces each), thinly sliced 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 teaspoon olive oil salt and pepper, to taste 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/8 teaspoon dried basil 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano 1/8 teaspoon onion powder 4 Alaska cod fillets (4-6 ounces each) 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese, divided Directions: In nonstick skillet, saute zucchini slices in butter and oil just until soft. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Keep warm. Heat oven to broil setting. Mix grated Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, basil, oregano and onion powder together. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Divide and spread topping onto the top of each fillet.
Place fillets on foil-lined broiler pan. Broil 5-7 inches from broiler element for 3 minutes, or until top is browned and bubbly. Reduce heat to 300 F and cook 3-5 more minutes. Cook until fish is opaque throughout. To serve, place 1/4 of zucchini on each plate. Top with cod fillet and garnish with 1/2 tablespoon shredded cheese.
May 2016 | OUR TOWN | 19
Christy Weber
NonProfitProfile
By Christy Weber Founder of Shoes & Hope
Christy Weber and her daughter Cheyenne Zlatic with dear friend Santos in Guatemala.
H
ave you ever given much thought to your toilet? Probably not. It’s just there and it’s part of life. We all have at least one toilet in our homes. Some of us may have two or three or even more. In our house, we joke that having several toilets is great when you have to go, but not so great on cleaning day. First world problems. Did you know that 2.4 billion people in the world live without basic sanitation facilities? 946 million people still do their business out in the open in the streets, behind bushes or in to open bodies of water perpetuating a cycle of disease and poverty. Nearly 1 million people die each year as a result of inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene. These are the things that keep me up at night. After traveling on mission trips to different countries in the developing world, I realized that my “helping” people wasn’t enough. In fact, they didn’t need Americans coming in to “help” and “fix” what we think is broken. They needed partners; partners that talk with them and hear what their ideas are, what their assets are and how we can share our resources in helping them achieve their goals in bettering their lives and communities. That’s where Shoes & Hope was born. What do shoes have to do with water and toilets? Shoes & Hope collects new and gently used shoes but it’s not really about the shoes. The shoes are 20 | OUR TOWN | May 2016
a tool for us to tell others about the mission. The mission starts with clean water, sanitation and hygiene for those that live without, primarily in Central America. Where can you donate your shoes? You can go to shoesandhope.org to find locations to drop off your shoes. Want to do more than donate your own shoes? Why not help us collect more shoes? You can organize shoe drives at churches, schools, places of business, Scout troops, sports teams, etc. You can also be a part of Shoes Plus, Double Your Impact. This is where you can donate $1 for each pair of shoes that you donate to literally help us double the impact! What do we do with the shoes? When we pick up the shoes, the shoes are taken to a local organization, Community Living. Community Living works to enrich the lives of adults with disabilities. Their day program adults sort the shoes for us. They pair up the shoes, rubber band them together, and count them in to bags of 25 pair. This creates a job for them at no charge to us. Other organizations are getting involved through Community Living. For example, a local church asked Community Living what they could do to help them. Community Livings’ answer, “We need more shoes!” That’s three organizations in partnership. The bags of shoes are then picked up and stored until we’ve collected enough shoes to sell. A local business
owner has donated an unused retail space to store the shoes at no charge. Again, partnership. Impact? Shoes & Hope operates with no paid staff and mostly donated resources. The money from your shoes and Shoes Plus donations pay for project materials. The labor is done by the men of the village. For example, in summer 2015, a new water system was put in the village of Quebrada de Agua, Guatemala. Shoes & Hope provided the materials but the 110 men of the village dug through the 3.2 miles through the mountains to lay the pipe. This is not a giveaway program, it’s a true partnership. It is also important to us to have an impact in our local communities as well. We are working on a partnership with Bright Futures Lincoln County to see how we can help people in our own rural communities that face some of the same water and sanitation challenges. Challenges? Our biggest challenge is how to get our friends and family to see what's going on outside of our own little world. How could anyone possibly understand if they haven’t been to a place where there’s no water, no food, no electricity and no sanitation. How do we get you to care and to get you to do something? When you do, all of a sudden you are making a difference! It's contagious! For more information, contact Christy Weber at christy@shoesandhope.org, 314-594-7463 or visit shoesandhope. org.
Bigstock
CaringPartners
Medical Memo™ By Dr. rhodes DC, BCIM
Take Charge Of Your
T
here are many factors that influence weight. You may be under the impression that in order to lose weight you have to burn more calories than you eat. But this works only when your metabolism is healthy. In a person with a damaged metabolism, eating less and exercising harder can actually lead to further damage of the body’s metabolic process. You may think you are doing everything “right” in order to lose the weight (dieting, restricting calories, exercising harder and longer, etc.), but it can sometimes make you worse depending on how damaged your metabolism is. The bottom line is you must be healthy to lose weight; you don’t lose weight to be healthy. We focus on fixing the “damaged metabolism.” Cause No. 1: Hormonal Imbalances The hormones that control blood sugar and stress need to be in balance in order to lose weight and keep weight off in a healthy manner. Weight loss programs that ignore hormone balancing will have little to no benefit of permanent weight loss. The main
Weight!
adrenal stress hormone cortisol is a “glucocorticosteroid.” This means one of the major functions of cortisol is to work together with insulin to keep your blood sugar stable. When cortisol is out of balance, fat will end up being stored instead of burning for fuel. I refer to cortisol imbalance as a “damaged metabolism” because your normal fat burning mechanism is broken. Calorie restriction, skipping meals, eating too many carbs, overeating, eating sweets, and exercising excessively will all cause a cortisol imbalance. Cause No. 2: Digestive System The inability to digest and absorb nutrients properly can lead to food cravings and overeating. Deficiencies in digestive enzymes and stomach acid are often common causes of poor digestion and absorption of nutrients. When you are not absorbing properly you will tend to overeat so that your basic nutrient requirements for protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals will still get met, no matter the amount of calories it takes you to get them. Another common cause of weight gain is untreated yeast
overgrowth, often referred to as candidiasis. Any significant disruption in immune function will trigger yeast overgrowth, thereby leading to the excessive consumption of carbs and sweets and undesired weight gain. Cause No. 3: Detoxification System People who have a chemical toxicity in their body will tend to hold excess fluid in an attempt to buffer the harmful effects of the toxic chemical substances. This results in weight gain due to bloating and fluid retention that is often mistaken for fat. What compounds this is that most toxic chemicals are also fatsoluble, meaning that your body will essentially trap the chemicals in the fat tissues in order to “protect” the vital organs, making it even harder to lose weight. If you are ready to find out the root cause of your weight issues and do something about it before the summer approaches, consider attending our next free seminar on May 12 at 7 p.m. Contact 314-9839355 today.
May 2016 | OUR TOWN | 21
Bigstock
CaringPartners Medical Memo™
Dr. Elie AzRak
More than a flutter:
How to know if your irregular heartbeat is atrial fibrillation
W
hen asked to describe how atrial fibrillation feels, often patients will say it’s like their heart just flutters. This seemingly benign symptom could signal a much bigger issue. According to Elie Azrak, MD, SSM Health DePaul Hospital cardiologist, if you are experiencing heart symptoms – like a fluttering sensation – you should talk with your doctor. “Heart palpations can be a sign that something in your heart is not working properly,” said Azrak. “It is vital to find the cause of these symptoms and treat them promptly and properly to avoid more serious conditions or complications.” While heart palpations can indicate a number of heart conditions, one common condition is called atrial fibrillation. What is atrial fibrillation? Atrial fibrillation, also called AFib or AF, is a condition that causes a quivering or irregular heartbeat. It can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. According to the American Heart Association, approximately 2.7 million Americans live with atrial fibrillation. In a normal heart, the muscle contracts and relaxes to a regular beat. In patients with atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart – the 22 | OUR TOWN | May 2016
atria – beat irregularly. This means the heart is unable to effectively move blood to the lower chambers – the ventricles. About 15 – 20 percent of people who have strokes also have atrial fibrillation. “When blood slows down or is allowed to pool in the body, the risk of developing a blood clot increases,” said Azrak. “It can also increase your risk for stroke.” If a blood clot comes loose, enters the blood stream and lodges in an artery leading to the brain, it can cause a stroke. This increased risk of blood clots is why patients with atrial fibrillation are typically put on blood thinners. Atrial fibrillation patients have an increased stroke risk of about five percent per year. Even though atrial fibrillation is the most common serious heart rhythm abnormality in people over the age of 65, many patients are unaware that it is a serious condition. Untreated atrial fibrillation doubles your risk of heartrelated death and causes a four- to five-fold increased risk for stroke. What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation? For many patients, the first sign of atrial fibrillation is a quivering or fluttering heartbeat. The abnormal firing of electrical impulses in the heart causes the muscle to quiver. Sometimes
people with atrial fibrillation do not notice any symptoms at all. For these patients, their condition is only detected during a physical exam by their doctor. Or, for some patients, the following symptoms indicate something is wrong: • General fatigue • Rapid and irregular heartbeats • Fluttering or “thumping” sensations in the chest • Dizziness • Shortness of breath coupled with anxiety • Weakness • Faintness or confusion • Fatigue when exercising • Sweating • Chest pain or pressure If you notice any of these symptoms, call your doctor to set up an appointment. If you experience chest pain or pressure, call 911. Chest pain or pressure is a sign you could be having a heart attack and medical care is needed immediately. “It is vital to call 911 immediately if you think you may be having a heart attack,” said Azrak. “When it comes to heart attacks, time is muscle. Don’t try to drive yourself to the emergency room. Call for an ambulance.”
May 1
Law Day
3
Ribbon cutting
6
National Nurses Day
8
Mother’s Day
9
Truman Day (observed)
10
14-15
Ribbon cutting at Moi Bella Artistry at 11756 Olive Blvd., Ste. 6 in Creve Coeur at 10 a.m. This is a free event.
Golf tournament The Corporate Challenge Golf Tournament takes place at The Quarry at Cyrstal Springs. At 11a.m. check-in
Watch and enjoy many amazing pilots including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels doing some of their amazing stunts in celebration of the past, present and future of science, technology, engineering and
Ribbon cutting
21
Armed Forces Day
22
Triathlon
30
begins and driving range opens, at 12 p.m. is the shotgun start. Cost is $125 per player or $420 per foursome.
Air show
20
25
EventsCalendar
math (STEM) at the 2016 Spirit of St. Louis Air Show. 2016 marks the Blue Angels 70th anniversary year of performing across the USA. For more information please visit www.spiritairport.com
Ribbon cutting at Anytime Fitness at 9654 Olive Blvd. in Olivette at 4:30 p.m. This is a free event.
MSE Racing is proud to introduce one of the flattest, fastest triathlons in the Midwest area, the Saint Louis Triathlon. Taking place at the scenic and local favorite, Creve
Coeur Park, the St. Louis Triathlon is ideal for both veterans, and those new to the multisport experience. For more information please visit www.stlouistriathlon.com.
Food trucks at Creve Coeur Park Food trucks are taking over Creve Coeur Park. Follow the caravan of various mobile menus and join family and friends for dinner in a beautiful park setting. Events run from 5 – 8 p.m. Bring out your lawn chairs or your favorite blan-
ket and enjoy the live music from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. No coolers allowed. For more information and a full list of the bands please visit www.stlouisco.com/ ParksandRecreation/ThingsToDo/FoodTruckFest
Memorial Day May 2016 | OUR TOWN | 23