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Our Town Volume 11 | Number 8 August 2020 Published by the Community News, Our Town is a monthly news magazine covering the cities of Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, and Olivette. Circulation is 7,000 monthly through over 105 monitored newsstands guaranteeing 100% pickup. Additional issues are distributed online, and a free online subscription is available at www.mycnews. com
N THIS SSUE Around Town St. Louis Area Foodbank distributes more than 16.7 million meals throughout the bistate region and more.
Feature PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Mathew DeKinder PUBLISHER EMERITUS/ GENERAL MANAGER Bob Huneke PRODUCTION Becky Brockmann Melissa Nordmann CONTRIBUTORS Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Cindy Moore STAFF WRITERS Brett Auten Charlotte Beard
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The show must go on The 10th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition will crown a winner amid challenges presented by COVID-19 pandemic By Charlotte Beard
Our Thoughts Moore on Life author Cindy Moore tries to keek her hands to herself while Avalanche enjoyes a brief respite from an unseasonally hot and dry summer.
Lifestyle Kia’s new 2021 Seltos is a bold entry into the SUV market in Automobile Alley. Remembering Robin Williams in Entertainment. Make a commitment to more family meals in For the Love of Food.
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In Depth The Missouri Environmental Education Association is adding to the food distribution services of Operations Food Search by providing families 6,300 outdoor learning kits.
Events Calendar
Staff Writer – Charlotte Beard Cover Photo – Bigstock
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AroundTown
Major milestone Christian Extended Care & Rehabilitation Resident celebrates 106th birthday Jessie Trice O’Bryant, a resident at Christian Extended Care & Rehabilitation (CECR), is turning 106-years-old and her family organized a drive-by birthday parade in celebration at Christian Extended Care & Rehabilitation at 11160 Village North Drive on July 18. “Miss Jessie” was seated in the circle drive outside of CECR. Her family and others who have known her through the years drove by in their decorated vehicles sending their congratulatory birthday wishes at a safe social distance. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Blues at the Arch Gateway Arch Park Foundation to hold Virtual Blues at the Arch Concert Series The Gateway Arch Park Foundation concert series Blues at the Arch, presented by Emerson, returns for its fifth anniversary year – this time as a series of online events, with new performances every Friday in August. This popular end-of-summer celebration pays tribute to St. Louis’ storied blues history and showcases the talents of our hometown artists. Blues at the Arch, produced by the Gateway Arch Park Foundation in partnership with the National Blues Museum and the National Park Service, will stream free of charge on the Gateway Arch Park Foundation website, archpark.org, and @gatewayarchpark Facebook page. Blues at the Arch begins Aug. 7. The entertainment schedule includes: • Aug. 7: Uvee Hayes • Aug. 14: Little Dylan • Aug. 21: Kingdom Brothers • Aug. 28: Carolyn Mason
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“Emerson is proud to call St. Louis home and to continue to support Blues at the Arch in celebration of the music that makes this city so special,” said Dave Rabe, vice president of corporate social responsibility at Emerson. “Although this year’s event will take a different form, we at Emerson, along with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation and the National Blues Museum, are dedicated to bringing the community together virtually to enjoy the best of St. Louis blues music.” “Blues at the Arch has become a beloved event for us each year, where we invite folks to relax and picnic in Gateway Arch National Park,” said Ryan McClure, executive director of Gateway Arch Park Foundation. “While we wish we could gather in the same way this year, we look forward to sharing the love and experience of blues music with our community in a new way.” For more information about Blues at the Arch, visit archpark.org/ bluesatthearch.
AroundTown
Improving parks
Creve Coeur City Council approves ballot measure to fund parks and stormwater Creve Coeur City Council approved an ordinance at its July 27 meeting to place a proposition on the Nov. 3 ballot for voter consideration. The ballot will read as follows: “Shall the City of Creve Coeur impose a sales tax of one-half of one percent for the purpose of providing funding for local parks and stormwater control for the City of Creve Coeur?” If approved by a majority of voters, the half-cent sales tax revenue will be used to improve and maintain local parks and stormwater infrastructure in Creve Coeur. Adopted in 2019, the Creve Coeur Parks and Recreation Master Plan is a community-driven guide that identifies needed improvements in city parks and includes recommendations for new amenities and renovations, trail system expansion and new recreation facilities. The sales tax would provide funding to implement this plan. “We know from the recent Parks Master Plan assessment that amenities in our parks urgently need attention to be safe and provide the expected value,” said Dave McCoy, Chair of the Creve Coeur Parks & Historic Preservation Committee. “Even though the city receives grants to supplement the Capital Improvement Program, they are not sufficient and predictable to support the current infrastructure and the future vision of the
Parks Master Plan.” The Stormwater Master Plan, adopted in 2012, identifies problem areas within Creve Coeur where excess runoff causes flooding, erosion and potential damage to properties. “The city’s Capital Improvement Program identifies approximately $13 million in stormwater-related improvements as ‘future projects’—projects for which no funding or schedule have been identified,” said Richard Koch, Chair of the Creve Coeur Stormwater Committee. “Many of these projects – to address erosion, flooding, and stormwater infrastructure – will not be addressed in the foreseeable future without a significant increase in funding.” The city’s Finance Committee joined the Parks and Historic Preservation Committee and Stormwater Committee in recommending the measure be placed on the ballot. The proposed half-cent sales tax is estimated to generate $2 million annually, to be placed in a special fund dedicated solely to city parks and stormwater control. Creve Coeur is one of a small number of cities in St. Louis County that has not implemented the parks and stormwater sales tax. More information the Proposition is available at www.crevecoeurmo.gov/PropP-SW.
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AUGUST 2020 | OUR TOWN | 5
AroundTown
Feeding St. Louis St. Louis Area Foodbank distributes more than 16.7 million meals throughout the bi-state region The St. Louis Area Foodbank has distributed 16,795,542 meals since March 16 as part of COVID-19 relief efforts, significantly more than the goal of 10 million meals by the end of June announced on April 23. Prior to the pandemic, there were more than 400,000 people in the 26 counties served by the St. Louis Area Foodbank (14 in
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Missouri and 12 in Illinois) struggling to put food on the table. That number has increased due to job losses, furloughs and kids being out of school for an extended period as a result of COVID-19. “When we set the goal of distributing 10 million meals back in April, none of us knew what the future held,” said St. Louis Area Foodbank President and CEO, Meredith Knopp. “There is no playbook for something like this. Would we run into food supply chain issues? Would people continue to donate if their employment status changed? Would we still be able to utilize volunteers and if so, would they show up? People in this community rising to the challenge time and time again is how we were able to exceed our goal. We are so grateful because we know food is desperately needed by so many people in the bi-state region right now and will continue to be for the foreseeable future,” Knopp concluded. The foodbank has brought on 70 new food distribution sites since mid-March to address the increasing need in the region. Those 70 sites are in addition to the network of more than 500 community partner agencies that made up the organization’s hunger relief network prior to the pandemic. Across the foodbank’s service territory in eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois, 552 mobile distributions of food, cleaning supplies, and hygiene items were conducted from March 16 through June 30. For perspective, during the organization’s previous nine-month fiscal year (10/1/18 – 6/30/19), there were 676 similar distributions conducted. Bringing on new distribution sites and increasing the number of mobile distributions became a necessity as the foodbank saw a 41 percent increase in the amount of product the organization was getting out to the community compared to the same time period in 2019. A big part of that poundage increase was nutritious food the St. Louis Area Foodbank received through the USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program (aka the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program or CFAP). Through the end of June, the organization received 3,033,428 pounds of food through this program. In addition to the food being distributed during the pandemic, Foodbank staff members also helped 363 people in Missouri and 127 people in Illinois complete SNAP applications to help put food on their tables and inject dollars back into the local economy. Those 490 completed SNAP applications represent a 23 percent increase over the same period last year. Support from the community - in the form of financial donations, food drives, volunteerism, and advocacy - has helped the Foodbank expand pandemic response and recovery efforts and will be needed in the coming weeks, months, and likely years to continue addressing the need in the bi-state region. More information on the St. Louis Area Foodbank’s COVID-19 relief efforts, where people can go to find food assistance, and ways the public can help feed neighbors in need can be found at https://STLFoodbank.org/Covid19.
AroundTown
Education on the house An opportunity for learning - STLCC invites students to ‘Take a Class on Us’ St. Louis Community College is offering scholarship and grant opportunities to students to help them get closer to graduation, transfer to a four-year college or get a jump-start on a career. The Take a Class on Us CARES Scholarship opportunity is open to new and current students who enroll in at least nine credit hours during the fall 2020 semester. In alignment with the U.S. Department of Education requirements, students who meet established criteria are eligible to receive a Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act scholarship or grant. The CARES Act Scholarship and Grant program provides a variety of opportunities for students. Take a Class on Us Scholarship STLCC will pay for one three-credit hour class at the in-district rate of $116.50 for the first 6,000 students who meet the program criteria and register for at least nine credit hours in the fall 2020 semester. Students will automatically receive the three-hour class scholarship credit on their student account without the need to register for the program. First Time in College (FTIC) Laptop Scholarship Package STLCC will provide a laptop scholarship package to the first 1,500 FTIC students who are Pell Grant eligible and meet the CARES criteria. Missouri A+ Book Scholarship STLCC will provide online course materials for two classes for the first 2,000 Missouri A+ Program students who are registered in at least two online courses for fall 2020. Continuing Students Grant STLCC will provide a CARES grant in the amount of $250 for the first 1,500 continuing students who have completed at least 45 credit hours in their current program of study, meet the CARES criteria and are registered in at least nine credit hours in fall 2020.
Students who meet the following criteria will be eligible to receive a CARES Act scholarship or grant: 1. Eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. 2. Completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 3. Currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program at STLCC. 4. Register and attend the required number of courses for which the award is granted. 5. Take an online or hybrid course in the fall 2020 semester. 6. One scholarship or grant opportunity per student. 7. Must secure payment for tuition, be on a payment plan or be receiving financial aid. STLCC’s fall semester begins Aug. 24; 12-week classes begin Sept. 21; and the first day for the second session of eightweek classes is Oct. 19. For students who are registered by July 31, scholarships will begin to be awarded Aug.1 and paid on their accounts 10 days before the start of the semester. Fall course adjustments St. Louis Community College made adjustments to the fall schedule of courses for the health and safety of students, faculty and staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Classes will be offered in different formats, depending on the course content:
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• Face-to-face – Instruction takes place in-person in a campus classroom. • Hybrid – A combination of online and face-to-face learning for students. • Live virtual lecture – Class meets online at a specific date and time using a streaming service. • Online – Students work with class material and projects on their own schedule in a virtual environment.
AUGUST 2020 | OUR TOWN | 7
AroundTown
Passport to St. Louis ‘Board, Explore & Win’ campaign launches with the release of the St. Louis Transit Passport
SUBMITTED PHOTO
As local communities continue to reopen, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT), Metro Transit and St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) launched the Board, Explore & Win campaign to reinforce how easy it is to utilize the region’s safe, reliable and robust public transportation system to access hundreds of St. Louis’ hottest attractions. From July 14, through Aug. 31, individuals visiting St. Louis area destinations via MetroLink or MetroBus can log their trip at www.cmt-stl.org by entering their name, email address, venue visited and route taken. Each trip they track equals an entry to win a weekly prize package for restaurants and other venues accessible via public transit. To aid in these summer adventures, a St. Louis Transit Passport has been released. It serves as a 2020 guide to exploring some of the top, local tourist destinations and provides instructions on how to get to each via transit. The free passport is available at the MetroStore (801 Pine St. in St. Louis), A Quick Bite at the Belleville Transit Cen- Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT), Metro Transit and St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) launched the ter (718 Scheel Street in Belleville, Illinois) and Board, Explore & Win campaign to reinforce how easy it is to utilize the region’s safe, reliable and robust public Citizens for Modern Transit (911 Washington, transportation system to access hundreds of St. Louis’ hottest attractions. Ste. 200 in St. Louis). Those interested in having Metro Transit continues to execute enhanced cleaning and disa passport mailed to their attention can email their name and mailing address to info@cmt-stl.org. It is also available for digital infecting protocols, provide personal protective equipment for download at www.cmt-stl.org. Throughout the campaign, CMT’s front-line team members, and require that all riders wear face (@CMT_STL) Metro Transit’s (@STLMetro) social media channels masks while riding on Metro Transit vehicles. The transit agency will feature informational posts, videos, interviews and other con- installed 38 hand-washing stations along the system, launched a tent highlighting how to use the local transit system to Board, contactless mobile fare payment via the Transit application, added polycarbonate shields on 425 buses and posted signage to Explore & Win. “As the region reopens, more and more people are getting out encourage individuals to follow CDC guidelines. “Ridership on the region’s public transit system was up for the and visiting area attractions,” commented Kimberly Cella, Executive Director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “In doing so, we want first time in 40 months before COVID-19 hit, and we want to to remind people that MetroLink and MetroBus can safely get you encourage area residents to get back on board,” stated Taulby Roach, President and CEO of Bi-State Development. “A robust were you want to go.” plan is in place to keep riders safe, so we encourage them to make plans to take part in the Board, Explore & Win campaign and see all the fun places they can go via public transit.” Managing Director for St. Clair County Transit District Ken Sharkey add, “Southwestern Illinois plays a key role in the economic vitality of the St. Louis region. Public transit provides seamless access to a host of restaurants, attractions and entertainment venues on both sides of the river. We encourage individuals to come see all St. Clair County has to offer during this campaign and throughout the year.” The Board, Explore & Win campaign provides a valuable opportunity for the partnering organizations to interact with riders, strengthen relationships and reinforce their collective commitment to a safe, world-class, customer-focused transit experience. To learn more, visit www.cmt-stl.org or www.metrostlouis.org. WWW.FOREVERCLEANGUTTER.COM 8 | OUR TOWN | AUGUST 2020
AroundTown
Fighting hunger Operation Food Search receives $75,000 grant from MAZON
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Operation Food Search (OFS), a nonprofit hunger relief organization, recently received a $75,000 grant to support its policy work from MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. MAZON is a national advocacy organization working to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel. MAZON funds a strategic grants program – the Emerging Advocacy Fund – to identify, seed and support new anti-hunger advocacy initiatives in the top food insecure states in the nation. MAZON prioritizes organizations in locations with underdeveloped anti-hunger advocacy ecosystems, high food insecurity rates and challenging political and social dynamics concerning the nutrition safety net. “This generous grant enables our agency to dedicate specific resources to anti-hunger advocacy work,” said OFS’s Director of Policy & Innovation Trina Ragain. “MAZON’s partnership allows us to focus on food insecurity and its causes while advancing social and economic justice in the state of Missouri.”
Patients’ journey 42 doors tell story of hope Last week, 42 doors took on special significance as part of a new art installation series to raise awareness and funding for Hope Lodge St. Louis across the bi-state region. The American Cancer Society’s 42 Doors of Hope showcases local artists’ interpretations of cancer patients’ journeys. Residents can vote for their favorite door throughout the campaign. “Cancer patients and their caregivers who travel to our city for treatment rely on the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge for a free home away from home,” said Jim Kavanaugh, CEO of World Wide Technology and chair of the society’s capital campaign to renovate the facility. “We are in the midst of a much-needed renovation that will create 42 suites to help connect cancer patients to the care they need. It will take the community’s support to truly make the space a home away from home and maintain open doors to these important services.” The society has partnered with local artists to create 42 doors, symbolizing the 42 guest suites that will be available at the new facility. Each door is unique, as is each patient’s journey to wellness. At the same time, the doors are part of a collection and community that represents what each guest experiences at Hope Lodge St. Louis. The campaign features art from popular local artists including The Muny scenic artist Andy Cross and high school art teacher Byron Rogers and will be displayed across the metro — from Busch Stadium to Ferguson Brewing Company to the Alton Riverfront. “A door is a symbol of a journey, a transition or metamorphosis — many of the same feelings cancer patients and their families experience on their quest for wellness,” said Jason McClelland, se-
nior director of regional corporate relations for the American Cancer Society North Region. “42 Doors of Hope brings awareness to the challenges facing cancer patients and their families, while also bringing art to new and unexpected corners of the community.” Since 1995, Hope Lodge St. Louis has served tens of thousands of people. The facility offered 11,481 nights of free lodging in 2019 alone. Renovations will improve guest and caregiver experiences, keep pace with their needs and provide a better quality of life during their stay.The new facility also includes additional safety measures to protect immunocompromised guests from COVID-19 or other health threats. A map of the doors is available at 42doorsofhope.org, along with information about each art installation and the artist who brought it to life. Community members are encouraged to safely visit as many doors as possible and share pictures of themselves with the doors. Community members can also vote for their favorite door and can continue to connect cancer patients to the care they need by making an online donation at 42doorsofhope.org or by texting DOORS to 20222 for a $10 donation through mobile carriers. Funds raised during this campaign will stay in St. Louis to support our Hope Lodge. Money raised will have a direct impact on the care of local guests so they can focus on just one thing: getting well. To learn more about Hope Lodge St. Louis and the support the facility offers individuals seeking cancer treatment away from home, visit hopeishome.org.
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SUBMITTED PHOTOS
THE SHOW MUST GO ON BY CHARLOTTE BEARD
The 10th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition will crown a winner amid challenges presented by COVID-19 pandemic
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The Fabulous Fox Theatre has been on a rather long intermission amid COVID-19. However, they temporarily broke that intermission when they welcomed St. Louis teens to its stage in July to pre-record the 10th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition which will air on Nine PBS Aug. 10 at 8 p.m. The annual competition, which allows high school students to compete for scholarships and prizes, was produced by the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation (FoxPACF). The final round of the competition normally takes place in front of a live audience but this year competitors were subject to just entertaining select guests. “Guests were kept to a minimum of less than 10 per student in a theatre that holds 4,500,” stated Marla Stoker Ballenger, Public Relations for the competition. “They sat in the very back, spaced out. Housekeeping kept disinfecting (around) the clock.” “As the saying goes ‘the show must go on!’” expressed Mary Strauss (FoxPACF co-founder and Board President). “While I am disappointed the contestants can’t perform in front of a live audience at the Fox, we’re pleased they were able to perform on stage and we are thrilled and grateful Nine PBS has stepped up to provide a platform for the St. Louis Teen Talent Competition.” The finalists include a variety of singers, musicians, aerialists, dancers, and a juggler. A list of acts can be found at https:// www.foxpacf.org/programs/teen-talent-competition/. Broadway actor, dancer, director, and St. Louis native, Tony Parise has written the competition’s script and directed the finals every year. “I am grateful to the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation for seeing to it that this year’s contestants can move through the entire St. Louis Teen Talent Competition process in spite of the challenges of the day,” stated Parise. Like most events or services effected by COVID-19, the teen competition, annually watched by more than 120,000 viewers, did require getting over some hurdles to make it successful. “Our biggest challenges were safety related,” stated Ballenger. “Each act was taped in isolation with minimal crew. Everyone wore masks, kept properly distant and we cleaned throughout (the event). No shared dressing rooms, costumes were picked from the contestants’ closets (and) no shared microphones. Judging was done remotely by video from the judges’ homes.” This year’s judges are: Audrey Kwong (Operations Manager at the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra), Antonio Douthit-Boyd (Co-Artistic Director of Dance at COCA), Carl Nappa (Grammy nominated Executive Music Producer), Taylor Louderman (Broadway Actress and 2018 Tony Nominee), Ken Page (Awardwinning Actor, Director and Singer), and Denise Thimes (Awardwinning Jazz Vocalist and Recording Artist). The finalists were judged on technical ability, stage presence, interpretation and originality. The first, second and third place winners will be announced at the conclusion of the televised program. Following the broadcast, Joanna Serenko, Kirkwood High School Alumni and last year’s winner will be part of an online celebration on FoxPACF’s website (www.foxpacf.org). The singer/songwriter who was recently part of Team Blake on The Voice, will do a special performance. Additional prizes and scholarships will also be announced including voting for the $1,000 cash prize for the Audience Choice Award. For more information about the Aug. 10 airing visit www. ninenet.org
SUBMITTED PHOTOS Competitors in the 10th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition perform at the Fox Theatre.
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OurThoughts MOORE ON LIFE BY CINDY MOORE
Untouchables Untouchables We’re in a new phase of living now. It’s called the “don’t touch era.” No-no’s include: any door handles or knobs; elevator buttons; bank pens; touchscreens for ordering; credit card machine buttons; shopping cart handles…basically anything that involves the use of your fingers or hands should be avoided. What this all means is that unless you bind your arms behind your back straightjacket style and can float outdoors a good ten feet above this vat-of-virus we call Earth, you should stay home and bingewatch Netflix while ordering through DoorDash for the remainder of your life. Things are complicated. In the old days, circa February, a person greeted another with a charming little custom known as the “hand shake”. This quaint old tradition involved human contact. A person would extend their hand and interlock it with the hand of another person. While grasping one another they would then move the hands together in a coordinated up down movement. 12 | OUR TOWN | AUGUST 2020
Aww, our silly forefathers and their dangerous disease-spreading rituals. Today we are much wiser and sophisticated when greeting a person, such as when I recently met my friend for a social-distancing lunch. Me waving from six feet away: “Hi Fiona. How’s it going?” Fiona: “Sorry you must have me confused with someone else. I’m Wanda.” “Oopsie, my mistake. From this distance all I can see above your mask is your eyes and they look like my neighbor’s. Oh, there’s Fiona.” (I recognized her because after the virus hit, she never got out of her pajamas.) “Hi neighbor,” she said as we approached one another cautiously. She extended her hand in a fist bump, but I already bent my arm to do an elbow nudge. She immediately pointed her elbow to follow suit, but in the meantime I have made a fist to bump her fist. We were thoroughly confused. I extended my hand to shake. She declined. We both knew that
wasn’t right. Then she jutted out a hip in an attempt to bump butts, but in the confusion I lifted my hand to high five. She smiled and we smacked our hands together slapping flesh to flesh. “Uh oh!” Fiona’s eyes grew wide as softballs. My jaw dropped in disbelief. “Corona!” we shrieked out in unison then rummaged in our purses for hand sanitizer and squirted great gobs onto our palms and arms and tongues. We decided to FaceTime each other from home over a cold tuna sandwich.
Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder.
OurThoughts ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE BY AVALANCHE
A brief respite The wind had been blowing for days, with no relief even during the overnight hours. Awnings attached to houses were battered, with a few being taken down, either deliberately by their owners, or rudely twisted and flung to the ground by the relentless gusts. Lawn furniture was similarly put away, or put “out to pasture,” coming to rest wherever it happened to stop rolling, usually against a rock or tree or other immovable object. Tree branches large and small were broken and scattered on the ground and roadways. Windows partly opened to keep the heat down were battered back and forth on their hinges, with the crank hardware loosening up. A fine coating of dust covered everything in the house, reappearing within a few hours of being wiped away. Conversations were held indoors, in cars, or at least on the lee side of buildings, as it took too much effort to either yell or keep repeating the last statement. It wasn’t just the wind, but the heat was oppressive as well. Daytime temperatures were in the 90s, a rarity at this elevation. It was hard to believe we had been experiencing late season snow and having to cover up the garden plants with blankets just a couple weeks prior to the gusty maelstrom. The dogs didn’t care for the blast-furnace conditions either, as they spent their days sleeping inside, instead of their favored locations in the yard. More than one of our newer neighbors
asked if the wind was normal for this area. No, this was not even close to normal. Living in a canyon just downwind of a very narrow section in the valley, and at the intersection with another valley leading down from the higher mountains, gusty winds – sometimes impressively strong - accompanying storms are fairly common, but the days-long endless blowing that we’d been experiencing has only been seen in the last couple of years. One of our neighbors had managed a nearby motel in the early 1980s, and he recalled one summer when the temperature had hit 80 degrees around the 4th of July. No one could believe it, as temps in the high 70’s were then considered “hot.” Regardless of viewpoints as to how or why, there is no denying that weather patterns have changed dramatically, especially here in the mountains, over the last few decades. The forecast called for a chance of showers with temperatures dropping after arrival of the front. The wind increased that day and we went to bed hoping that windows wouldn’t need to be replaced after the storm had passed. Sometime after midnight, the wind calmed down and the rain began. Sleep came easy, and we woke up to a soggy yard and clouds hanging low in the valley. Temperatures were in the low 40’s. Many of the neighbors were out that morning, having traded shorts and teeshirts for long pants and puffy jackets. A sense of relief was shared by all.
As the morning clouds began to lift, a light dusting of snow was visible on the surrounding mountains, all the way down to the treeline. As wonderful as that day was, it was but a brief respite from the severe drought in progress. Of course, with the extreme (by mountain standards) heat and lack of rain, the fire danger is frequently in the critical stage. Walking through the woods is a crunchy experience, with tinder dry dead leaves and pine needles covering the forest floor. Our neighborhood was able to procure a power-pole-mounted fire alarm which, with luck, won’t need to be put into service. We’re keeping our fingers crossed and doing rain dances to summon some moisture, which is seemingly all gathered in the lakes and streams of the Midwest. As I type this, it is 90 degrees, with 10 percent humidity and the winds are gusting to 30 mph; the forecast calls for even higher temperatures for the coming week. Our brief summer taste of snow is but a fond memory; we dream of more cool, wet relief soon.
Avalanche is a functional illiterate who left the St. Louis area three decades ago in search of adventure. He enjoys motorcycling and all things outdoors. He lives with his wife and dogs.
AUGUST 2020
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OurLifestyle
KIA’s NEW 2021 SELTOS Positioned between the Soul Crossover and the bold-appearing Sportage, the allnew 2021 Seltos is Kia Motors latest entry in this popular fast growing sport utility segment. Imported from Korea, Seltos includes a welcomed level of ruggedness and basic refinement within the subcompact SUV category. Offered in five trim levels: LX, EX, S 2.0L, S 1.6T and SX, the Seltos LX includes all-wheel-drive with a base price point of $22,000. Similar to Kia’s larger three-row, awardwinning Telluride, the design theme is an engineering blend of their bold appearance footing which helps set it apart from other rivals such as the: Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3, Nissan Kicks, Fiat 500X, Hyundai Venue, Jeep Renegade, Chevy Trax and the Mini Countryman. The vehicle’s expressive presence is further defined by Kia’s signature tiger nose front grille. The side view includes a distinctive, fairly-modern profile that tends to form a streamline appearance. If “offroading” is something that appeals to you, the lower front has 7.2-inches of ground clearance. The factory’s optional, two-tone roof layout gives Seltos an added layer of head-turning coolness and character. Additional key aspects include the vehicle’s fairly long wheelbase, large engine hood cover, full LED headlights (depending on the trim) aggressive front bumper design, front and rear protective underside skid plates and black wheel arch cladding. Red wheel center caps are included as are dual-exhaust outlets with chrome trim pieces 14 | OUR TOWN | AUGUST 2020
and a uniquely engineered tailgate housing that connects the rear tail lamps to create a sense of width and overall stability. And depending on the option packaging, you’ll discover either their standard 17-inch alloy wheels and tires or their attractive 18-inch tire and wheel combination. Powering this sub-compact SUV is a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter four cylinder engine. A more robust and spirited 1.6-liter Turbo engine is also within the product mix. The 2.0-liter, multi-port fuel injected engine, produces 146 horsepower. Its EPA rating for city/highway is 27/31 MPG. It’s matched with a Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission on the LX, S and EX models. The Turbo 1.6-liter gas direct injected engine has an output of 175 horsepower and reflects 25-MPG city/30-MPH highway. It’s paired with a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission on the S and SX variances. Also standard is keyless entry, tinted privacy glass, eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear camera with parking guidance, one USB port and a dual level rear cargo storage floor. Under the heading of safety technologies: six airbags with rollover sensors are standard as is electronic stability control, traction control system, tire-pressure monitoring and downhill brake control. The interior cabin comes with a wide and sophisticated instrument panel. It has a high-tech feel with an asymmetrical, easy-to-interrupt design. The spacious interior within has notable hip, shoulder, leg and head room in both rows. Two-stage
a bold entry into the
SUV MARKET
reclining rear seats enhance the second row comfort. I also uncovered dubious exterior road noise at highway speeds and some of the interior “touch points” have hard-surface materials. The vehicle’s strong and rigid body is composed of 61 percent advanced high-strength steel. Seltos is packed with technology features including the “Kia Drive Wise” suite of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems as well as a choice of three drive modes – Normal, Eco, Sport – each using specific settings for powertrain, drivetrain and steering. Also optional is an eight-speaker Bose premium sound system. The Kia warranty consists of 10-year/100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty and five-year/60,000 mile limited basic warranty. Also included is their five-year/60,000 mile roadside assistance. The Turbo S model I drove had a sticker price of $26,740 after the shipping charges of $1,120. Currently, there are some 800 Kia dealers here in the U.S. BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN
David Finkelstein is a Master/ Skill Automotive Service Technician and a shop owner. He’s also invented garage service tools for mechanics and has served on both National and local Automotive Trade Industry Boards. He pioneered “Car Talk Radio” starting out with KMOX/CBS Radio and hosted “Auto Talk” on KFTK/FOX News Radio for 15-years. David tests and evaluates new vehicles weekly and does some consulting with various auto manufacturers.
OurLifestyle
REMEMBERING Robin Williams
Prolific director, producer and writer Garry Marshall introduced an alien character on his popular 1970’s sitcom “Happy Days” in Season 5 that became a sensation. Robin Williams, who had appeared on “The Richard Pryor Show” and a reboot of “Laugh-In,” played Mork, an alien from Ork who wanted to take Richie Cunningham (Ron Howard) to his home planet. Williams’ manic energy was captivating, extremely funny and led to the spinoff series “Mork & Mindy.” Williams passed away in 2014, but his legacy lives on in reruns, comedy specials and a long list of movies. He starred in “Popeye,” a 1980 live-action adaptation of the popular cartoon and comic book hero. Williams’ comedic talents helped him morph into the spinach-eating sailor and Shelley Duvall played Olive Oyl, the woman who became his girlfriend. Robert Altman directed this adaptation and it is a fun film to watch if you come across an old DVD or see it on a streaming service. “Good Morning, Vietnam,” a film based on the experiences of Adrian Cronauer, a disc jockey for the Armed Forces Network, was a solid vehicle for Williams. In character as Cronauer, he unleashes an unrelenting barrage of jokes, humorous voices as well as some great rock-n-roll tunes for the Vietnam troops. Williams acting ability and improvisational skills earned him critical praise as well as several award nominations and wins. 1993’s “Mrs. Doubtfire” almost compels you to watch it when it shows up on cable. Based on “Alias Madame Doubtfire,” it tells the story of Daniel Hillard (Williams), a voice actor who abruptly quits his job. After his wife files for divorce, Daniel disguises himself as a proper English housekeeper to be closer to his children. “Mrs. Doubtfire” has a plethora of memorable scenes, especially the one where Daniel transforms into his alter-ego and back again several times in a restaurant bathroom. Williams earned an Oscar for “Good Will Hunting,” a compelling film written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Damon plays Will Hunting, a janitor at M.I.T. who has a brilliant analytical mind. He quietly solves complex mathematical problems written on a blackboard in the hallway and catches the attention of Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard). Lambeau helps him stay out of jail and get into therapy to deal with his personal issues. Williams is outstanding here as Dr. Sean Maguire, the therapist who has incredible dialogues with the young genius. No tribute to Robin Williams is complete without “Aladdin,” the 1992 Disney animated classic. He plays the fast-talking Genie whose newest master is Aladdin, a young man who lives on the streets. Suffice it to say, Williams steals the show as the funny, compassionate resident of the magic lamp. His energetic performance here is the perfect showcase for his boundless talent for comedy. Rest in peace, Robin Williams. You always put a smile on people’s faces and still do. BY STEVE BRYAN
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 wide-eyed kid who spent countless hours watching classic movies at neighborhood theaters.
(From top) ‘Mork & Mindy’, photo courtesy Paramount Television; ‘Mrs. doubtfire’ photo courtesy Twentieth Century Fox; ‘Good Morning Vietman’, photo courtesy Touchstone Pictures; ‘Popeye’, photo courtesy Paramount Pictures AUGUST 2020
| OUR TOWN | 15
OurLifestyle
Make a commitment to more family meals Spending moments together with loved ones carries obvious benefits like time to catch up and opportunities to bond, but sharing meals actually provides definitive value for families. With restricted social interactions and confinement at home due to COVID-19, many families are facing meal challenges that have shifted from juggling busy schedules to seeking new ways to mix up the traditional menu or using digital solutions to reconnect at a virtual table. A study published in the “Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior” funded by the FMI Foundation shows that more frequent family meals are associated with better dietary and family functioning outcomes. The results build on years of previous research studies to punctuate the creation of the Family Meals Movement, which encourages Americans to pledge to share one more family breakfast, lunch or dinner at home per week. Consider these notable findings from the study: • Family meals improve fruit and vegetable consumption. Studies show a positive relationship between family meal frequency and fruit and vegetable intake when examined separately, but also when fruit and vegetable intake are combined. • Family meals improve family dynamics. Nearly all the studies included in the systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated a positive relationship between family meal frequency and measures of family functioning. Family functioning is defined as family connectedness, communication, expressiveness and problem-solving. Find tips, recipes and ways to increase your family meal frequency despite COVID-19 circumstances at familymealsmovement.org. 16 | OUR TOWN | JULY AUGUST 20202020
German Fruit Tart
Recipe courtesy of Deanna Segrave-Daly on behalf of the FMI Foundation Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour 1/2 cup sugar 1 egg 1 tablespoon half-and-half or cream 1/8 teaspoon almond extract or 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, thinly sliced cornstarch sliced strawberries sliced kiwi sliced banana blueberries 2 teaspoons turbinado or powdered sugar (optional)
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 F.
To make crust, beat together flours, sugar, egg, half-and-half and almond extract. Add butter slices and mix together until sticky ball of dough forms. Refrigerate 30-60 minutes. On heavily floured surface, knead dough a few times and roll out to fit greased 10-inch tart pan. Carefully spread dough into tart pan and bake 15-20 minutes, or until tart starts to turn golden brown. Remove from oven and cool. Dust crust with cornstarch to help fruit stick to crust. Arrange strawberries, kiwi, banana and blueberries on top of crust; sprinkle with sugar, if desired.
OurLifestyle Hawaiian Chicken Pizza
Recipe courtesy of Toby Amidor on behalf of the FMI Foundation Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients: Nonstick cooking spray 1 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken 3/4 cup barbecue sauce 1 ready-made pizza crust or whole wheat pizza crust (10 ounces) 1 cup canned or jarred tomato sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese or part-skim mozzarella cheese 1 cup finely chopped fresh pineapple or canned pineapple tidbits packed in 100% juice
Directions: Preheat oven to 375 F. Coat pizza pan or baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
In medium bowl, combine rotisserie chicken and barbecue sauce. Place pizza crust on pan and evenly spread tomato sauce over crust. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Top evenly with rotisserie chicken mixture and pineapple. Bake until crust is crisp and browned around edges, about 10 minutes. Let pizza cool 10 minutes before cutting into eight slices.
Peanut Butter Banana Protein Baked Oatmeal Recipe courtesy of Lauren Harris-Pincus on behalf of the FMI Foundation Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes | Servings: 6 Ingredients: 2 cups old-fashioned oats 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 packets stevia (sugar substitute) or preferred sweetener 1/2 cup powdered peanut butter 1 scoop (1/4 cup) vanilla plant-based protein powder
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt 3 tablespoons liquid egg whites 1 ripe banana (4 ounces), mashed 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 ripe banana (4 ounces), sliced into 24 slices
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 F.
In large bowl, combine oats, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, stevia, powdered peanut butter and vanilla protein powder.
Line 9-inch brownie pan with parchment paper. Pour mixture into pan and spread evenly.
In separate bowl, combine almond milk, yogurt, egg whites, mashed banana and vanilla extract.
Top with banana slices in four rows of six slices each.
Add oat mixture to wet ingredients and gently stir until fully combined.
Bake 27-35 minutes, or until golden brown and set. Let cool and cut into six rectangles. Wrap and refrigerate extras until ready to eat. AUGUST 2020
| OUR TOWN | 17
InDepth BY CHARLOTTE BEARD
Encouraging outdoor TURES ADVEN
BY CHARLOTTE BEARD
PHOTOS COURTESY ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The Missouri Environmental Education Association is adding to the food distribution services of Operations Food Search by providing families 6,300 outdoor learning kits
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Volunteers with the Missouri Environmental Education Association assemble outdoor learning kits to be distributed along with meals with the distribution services of Operations Food Search and St. Louis County Libraries. 18 | OUR TOWN | AUGUST 2020
The Missouri Environmental Education Association (MEEA) along with community partners, have developed an additional opportunity for families to venture outdoors. Previously scheduled to begin July 13, MEEA is adding to the food distribution services of Operations Food Search (OFS) and St. Louis County Libraries by providing 6,300 outdoor learning kits, on a first come first serve basis, at 10 libraries this summer. Traci Jansen, a teacher at W. W. Keysor Elementary in the Kirkwood School District states that the pilot program originated due to OFS’ increased involvement with families due to COVID-19. There are three separate themes for the kits. The first kit that was scheduled for distribution July 13, was the Food and Pollinators kit. Jansen who has also used various components of the kits with her students this past school semester, stated the kit provides education of healthy food options to pair with what families receive from Operation Food Search. The kit will also help participants identify the food that comes from pollinators and the variety of pollinators in the St. Louis region, such as honeybees, butterflies and hummingbirds. “In the kits are informational pamphlets that talk about the perks, benefits and how awesome are our insects and pollinators,” stated Jansen. She went on to explain that recipients of the food and pollinator kit will include activities to make headbands and masks, read a book, and participate in search and observation for the pollinators. The next kit scheduled for July distribution is the Observing and Nature journaling kit which will educate participants by way of observing the greenspace they explore and how the things connected to it are associated with that space. Participants will record what changes within that space over time. Jansen stated that the Outdoor Play kit, set for distribution in August, will include activities for search-and-find – hiking and scavenger hunts – incorporating components of the two previous kits.
InDepth “We tried to design kits that would incorporate family involvement as well as education for pre-K through 12th grade,” stated Jansen. Jansen stressed that the goal is for families to get out to explore the outdoors where there is greenery and not be confined to home. “You can go into any greenspace. It can be between your road and your sidewalk – just looking at that green area. (Participation) can be just looking at a container plant or taking a day trip to the zoo and looking at (the plants). It does not need to be in (a) backyard; there is greenery and landscapes
Jansen states, “We’re proud of what we’ve started. We’re eager to see how the deployment goes.” Jansen shared that each kit includes website information for family feedback via an online survey to help the initiative in determining needs for extending the pilot to rural communities. In addition, each kit’s activity guide and suggested materials will be available online, free-of-charge, at www.meea. org this fall. The 10 libraries that are receiving the current pilot (visit https://www.slcl.org/drive-thru-meals) were determined based on community needs. Moylan shared, “Missouri Foundation for Health, along with
all around in urban and suburban environments.” According to Jansen, all kits have recipe-like cards that include resources for each kit’s theme and a pencil, pencil sharpener along with a journal. “I’m blown away by the enthusiastic response of so many partners so quickly,” stated Lesli Moylan, MEEA Executive Director. “We’re all so happy to have a tangible way to make a positive difference for kids who are going through so much right now. This collaborative project will help bring the joy of nature to many families this summer, and I’m very grateful to Operation Food Search and St. Louis County Libraries for providing our distribution pathway.” The additional partners involved in this pilot include Missouri Foundation for Health, Saint Louis Zoo, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri 4-H, Missouri Coalition for the Environment, St. Louis Community Foundation, Gateway Greening, Earthways Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden, Way 2 Fresh Eats, Urban Harvest STL, Greenscape Gardens, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, O.K. Hatchery, and the North American Association for Environmental Education. Moylan states that they have worked together in various ways to make the initiative happen. “Some (partners) provided activity guidelines,” stated Moylan, “some donated materials, and some have provided volunteer hours for kit assembly/transporting. (In addition), some (partners) have (supported all efforts). It is really neat to see organizations from across the state come together for this project!”
partners St. Louis County Library, Operation Food Search, St. Louis Area Food Bank, and EdPlus, developed a plan for summer food distribution in St. Louis County using an equity lens as described below. Our limited capacity meant we couldn’t supply kits to all the distribution sites, but our available resources lined up with the library distribution pathways – they provide 2,100 meals each day they distribute and we were able to pool enough resources to provide three kits through them this summer.” The equity lens Moylan provided states the following: “Given the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on low income communities and communities of color, specifically African-American communities, an equitable approach to food distributions is recommended. School, library and additional community mobile sites were selected with an equitable lens to ensure the most vulnerable communities are centered in this response. Sites were identified based on locations in the county where incomes fall below the federal poverty level: 1) school districts where the percent of students on free or reduced lunch is high, 2) zip codes where COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact, and 3) zip codes where African Americans make up a significant proportion of the population.” Various sources were used to make the assessment not limited to data from the St. Louis County Department of Health, Census Bureau, and American Community Survey.
AUGUST 2020
| OUR TOWN | 19
August 4
Coast Guard Birthday
7
Purple Heart Day
19
National Aviation Day
21
Senior Citizens Day
26
Women’s Equality Day
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