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Around Town
Creve Coeur receives Municipal League of Metro St. Louis award for art and culture and more
Feature Keeping hot dogs cool. Humane Society of Missouri reminds pet owners to keep their furry friends safe this summer By Sara Hardin
Our Thoughts Moore on Life Author Cindy Moore struggles with the complications of traveling with a toddler while Avalanche revels in having an office with no walls and a great view. The 2016 Toyota Corolla has design options for every taste in this month’s Automobile Alley
Lifestyle Matt Damon is back as Jason Bourne in Entertainment Cook up something dazzling for the Fourth of July in For the Love of Food
NonProfit Profile Citizens for Modern Transit
Caring Partners The importance of a good night’s sleep and more
Events Calandar Staff Writer - Sara Hardin
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AuthorBiographies
Our Town Volume 07 | Number 06 July 2016
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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
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.
Avalanche
Sara Hardin is a senior English and Writing student at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. After earning her degree, she hopes to continue her writing journey with Community News, through which she has been able to meet and speak with many of the community’s most influential individuals from her home in North County.
Sara Hardin
David Finkelstein
David Finkelstein is a Master/Skill Automotive Service Technician, maintaining that role for over 45 years, coupled with being a shop owner in that time frame as well. He’s also invented a number of garage service tools for mechanics and has served on both National as well as local Automotive Trade Industry Boards. Additionally, he pioneered “Car Talk Radio” over 40 years ago, starting out with KMOX/CBS Radio as well as hosted “Auto Talk” on KFTK/FOX News Radio for some 15-years. David tests and evaluates new vehicles weekly and also does some consulting with various auto manufacturers, both import as well as with domestic nameplates.
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.
Cindy Moore
Brian Guerro
Brian Guerrero is a former resident of Los Angeles and a current resident of New York City with extensive experience in front of and behind the camera for film and television.
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
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
A Place to Learn & Play
HealthWorks!
New HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum St. Louis lets kids have fun while learning about health and nutrition
By Sara Hardin
Lachlan Woodcock sits on the Interactive Dude at HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum St. Louis.
Imagine you’re spending your afternoon at the local farmers market to find fresh produce. Each fruit and vegetable is perfectly ripe, and the farmers are ecstatic to put their healthy goods on display. What makes this farmers market scene special? The farmers are kids! They’ve spent the day learning about the importance of healthy foods, and are now selling their own to their family and friends in a mock farmers market. This is a typical day at the newly relocated HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum, the first museum in the St. Louis region devoted to health education. The museum, originally located in Laclede’s Landing for 38 years, has a new home at 1100 Macklind Avenue, about a block away from the St. Louis Science Center. The new location opened to the public on May 14, and allowed HealthWorks to expand into a 12,000 square-foot facility full of hands-on learning exhibits.
“The museum currently has 11 exhibits total,” said Shannon Woodcock, President and CEO of Healthworks! Kids’ Museum. “We are very educationfocused. Here, you will most likely always be with a HealthWorks employee who is able to answer your questions. That’s one thing that sets us apart. We’re very program heavy, but we are so focused on making kids excited about health and about changing their behaviors and living healthier lives.” Kids can learn about how different medicines affect different parts of the body, what a pharmacist’s role is and who they should accept medicine from at the museum’s mock pharmacy exhibit. They can participate in nutrition programs in the full-demonstration kitchen, and create healthy, colorful plates with the produce they raise and sell in the mock farmers market. Mock demos are available in the doctor’s office, and a dental office will hopefully
be available as well by early June. After watching their face age to 72-yearsold at the Face Your Future exhibit, kids can learn about how tobacco use and food choices can affect their image over time. In a 4D movie experience, viewers learn about oral health before getting chewed up and swallowed for a tour of the digestive system. Kids can interact with the world’s largest fiberglass teeth by brushing them from yellow to white with an interactive light show. Perhaps the most exciting piece is the Interactive Dude, an indoor
playground in the shape of a human body. “The Interactive Dude is a 55-foot-long, 25-foot-wide, all-inclusive playground,” said Woodcock. “He has multiple interactive pieces. Kids and caregivers can learn together and do the different games and educational opportunities he has.” There is no end in sight for HealthWorks, as Woodcock explained that the museum has every intent of adding an additional 15,000 square-feet of space with a second Learning Theater, a multipurpose room and
JULY 2016 | OUR TOWN | 5
AroundTown many more hands-on exhibits. Area residents and businesses can help to support the museum’s efforts by becoming a Founding Member of HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum St. Louis. “We are still trying to wrap up our capital campaign. Every little bit helps! We have founding memberships available for a very limited time,” said Woodcock. “Any family can sign up for $250 for this year only. Not only will they get free admission for the year and the other perks of the family membership, they will also have their name recognized as a founding member of the museum.” Entrance to the museum is $7 per person. Children two-and-under enter for free, and field trips and groups with 10 people or more enter for a discount of $5 per person. The museum is open every Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and is closed on Mondays. Parking is free. Reservations can be made at 314-241-7391.
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Parking Lot Sold City of Clayton sells city-owned parking lot to Centene Corporation The city of Clayton announced that the sale of a parking lot has demonstrated how Clayton is able to balance the needs of residents and development during this season of growth and investment in downtown Clayton. As part of the $4 million sale of a city-owned parking lot, Centene Corporation has agreed to additional terms of sale that will help buffer the impact of the new campus and invest in the area surrounding The Crescent building and retail. The parking lot, which is adjacent to Kaldi’s Coffee at the corner of Carondelet Avenue and Hanley Road, is part of Centene’s planned utility relocation. Residents of The Crescent building and nearby retail owners had expressed concerns to city officials about parking, retail access, views, and other common
growth issues. As part of the terms of sale, Centene has agreed to: Pay for five new meter spaces in front of Crescent retail; Dedicate 20 public spaces in their future parking garage, which is to be relocated within 750 feet of current lot east of Hanley; and Design the new Centene building to be set back from the south property line to allow view from Crescent balconies to the west. The sale kicks off an ongoing public development process for the Centene project. Starting June 6 with a conceptual review at the Clayton Plan Commission meeting, the public will have many public meetings and hearings over the next several months to learn more about the project and provide input. “We understood that this was a critical piece of property for the upcoming Centene expansion plan, but wanted to respect the impact to adjacent property owners. Luckily we were able to get Centene what they needed and put in place some very important protections for residents for the long term. Any change in this environment can be challenging, but good residential and corporate citizens working together can build something very special,” said Clayton Mayor Harold Sanger. “This is an exciting time.”
AroundTown
Swatting the Mosquito Threat The Zika virus poses no danger in Missouri, but local officials stay vigilant
The two mosquito species that carry the Zika virus (the Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus) are usually present in Missouri, but the presence of the mosquitoes does not necessarily mean they will be carrying it.
But what about Missouri? The two mosquito species that carry the Zika virus (the Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus) are usually present in Missouri, but the presence of the mosquitoes does not necessarily mean they will be carrying it. “As of June 2016, St. Charles residents shouldn’t be concerned with the Zika virus unless they are traveling to places like South America, Central America, Mexico, or the Caribbean,” Doug Bolnick, Public Information
Vector Control Assistant Tony Patullo checking standing water for the presence of mosquito larva near Creve Coeur Park
Officer with the St. Charles County Department of Public Health said. “It is a scary thing when you see what (Zika) can do to babies. It is horrible. But the media has played it up a little bit. You should be worried about other mosquito-borne diseases. Zika may come to Missouri next year or even next month, but as of today, you don’t have to worry.” The United States’ most common mosquito-borne illness is the West Nile virus, which usually causes no symptoms or maybe a mild fever, aches and pains. In rare cases, the illness can attack the nervous system and cause brain swelling and death. St. Charles County has recorded only five local cases since 2010. West Nile activity peaked in 2002, when nearly 120 people were stricken with it in the St. Louis area. Dr. Faisel Kahn, Director of St. Louis County Department of Health, acknowledged the buildup around the Zika virus. “There has been a lot of media hype but the infection is not really new, it is just being noticed on a larger scale and has grabbed a lot of media with it,” Kahn said. Kahn knows that the U.S. Public Health system is fully prepared to deal with Zika should it loom larger in the
United States, citing examples such as the West Nile Virus and chikungunya virus’ as recent examples. Kahn implores that we use the universal precautions to mosquitoborne diseases. Water containers like old tires and pet dishes must be kept dry. “You must deprive them of their breeding ground and deprive them of their opportunity to breed,” Kahn said. “If you can communicate that to your friends and neighbors that in itself will go a long way.” Bolnik added that bird baths and even low-lying areas in a yard can also be home sweet home for mosquitoes. “It takes anywhere from 10-14 days for the breeding to start,” Bolnik said. “If you have a pond or something of that nature, make sure the water is St. Louis County Department of Public Health
St. Louis County Department of Public Health
The Zika virus is one of 2016’s hot-button topics, insomuch that it is looming large over the upcoming Summer Olympics in Brazil. The mosquito-borne virus usually causes mild symptoms, such as fevers and rashes, but in Latin America it has been linked to birth defects like microcephaly, where babies are born with abnormally small brains and Guillian-Barre syndrome, a rare condition in which the immune system attacks nerve cells leading to paralysis. It’s the first mosquito-borne virus known to be both transmitted sexually and from a mother to her fetus.
St. Louis County Department of Public Health
By Brett Auten
Vector Control Assistant Tony Patullo setting up a Sentinel-2 Mosquito Trap in Olivette to check for the presence of Aedes mosquitoes.
getting disrupted on a regular basis to help clear out.” Bolnik also added, do not forget about our furry family members as well. “Make sure your pets have their heartworm medication,” he said. “And be especially aware of tic-borne diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky continued on pg 9 7 | OUR TOWN | JULY 2016
CityArchRiver
AroundTown
Foundation Construction continues on the grounds of the Gateway Arch.
A Remarkable Renovation As reconstruction of the Arch grounds nears completion, activity increases through the summer By Sara Hardin There is plenty of excitement in store for visitors to the Gateway Arch this summer. With new additions and renovations to the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial park and to the monument’s museum and visitor center, there will be plenty to see and do for new and seasoned Arch visitors alike. Construction for the CityArchRiver project began in August 2013, and has since resulted in roadway improvements and the Park Over the Highway that allows seamless, stairfree walking or biking from the Old Courthouse to the Arch to the river in a continuous greenway. “The Arch experience is going to be a whole new world for folks coming to this iconic monument,” said Ryan McClue, Communications Director for CityArchRiver. “The park will be 8 | OUR TOWN | JULY 2016
better connected to the river and to downtown. There is going to be a lot more to do, and there are a lot more spaces for special events and programming that didn’t exist before. We’re opening things up as they are completed, and people are going to be able to participate in this new experience starting now.” The newly-renovated Riverfront, which now boasts new trees, lights, bike racks and benches, celebrated its ribbon cutting on June 2. The space has transformed into an ideal venue for community events and performances, and will eventually be joined by the South Park, North Park and Kieiner Plaza as construction continues into 2017. Jefferson National Parks Association is celebrating the opening of the new The Arch Store in the Arch’s Visitor
Center. The new 4,000-square-foot store, built on the site of the former Odyssey Theater, opened to the public on May 11. It replaces the former Levee Mercantile and offers a wider selection of products and a fresh, mid-century modern atmosphere. “We wanted a design for this store that really matched the mid-century modern look and feel and would also complement the renovations that are underway for the entire CityArchRiver project,” said Liz Forrestal, Senior Director of Jefferson National Parks Association. “We have more space now for some unique products that we haven’t sold before. We have many more products now that relate to a lot of the stories that stem from the reasons that the park exists. It is a monument to the vision of Thomas Jefferson and expanding the country into the West,
AroundTown hence the name of the park, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.” New western-themed products in The Arch Store include reproduction Remington bronze statues, authentic Native American headdresses, and Native American jewelry, pottery and Kachina dolls. The store is now also carrying furniture designed by Gateway Arch designer Eero Saarinen, such as his tulip chair and tulip table. Architectural books, stacking cards, a large selection of high-end jewelry and the popular Gateway Arch replicas are also available. “We’re delighted to be a part of the CityArchRiver project, which is really going to transform this national monument in the next couple of years.” said Forrestal. “Every purchase in the store supports the work of the national park.” Shoppers are invited to join in on celebrating the opening of The Arch Store by downloading a coupon for 20 percent off their entire storewide purchase. Coupons can be downloaded from archstore.jnpa.com and must be presented at The Arch Store in person during the month of June. There will be no lack of fun to be had on the Arch grounds this summer as the National Park Service celebrates its centennial year. “We’re inviting our park neighbors and visitors this summer to come to the park to play, learn and have fun,” said Rhonda Shier, Chief of Museum Services and Interpretation for Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. “We are celebrating the centennial year as we pass from the past 100 years to prepare for the next. There will be education outreach programs and we will be using the park as a venue for various performing and visual arts as well as a lot of recreation opportunities.” Ranger-led riverboat sightseeing cruises in Luther Ely Smith Square are available through Sept. 5 at 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. The cruises are $20 for adults, $10 for kids ages 3-15
and free for kids under three. Visitors can call 877-982-1410 for availability. Free Family Fridays at the Old Courthouse will run through Sept. 4 from 10-11 a.m. These themebased programs offer guests of all ages hands-on opportunities to learn about St. Louis history and westward expansion. RSVP by calling 314-9821410. Gateway to the Stars Stargazing Program is a free, ranger-led event for all ages and includes a special talk followed by telescope viewing led by the St. Louis Astronomical Society. Dates for the event are July 10 from 8-10 p.m. and Aug. 14 from 7-10 p.m. Fourth of July Programs at the Old Courthouse will take place July 2-4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Centennial Activities will run from Aug. 25-27 with a three-day extravaganza. A picnic from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in Luther Ely Smith Square on Aug. 25 will feature food trucks, music from the New Orleans Centennial Jazz Band and free birthday cupcakes. Performances of a two-person play called “Lift Every Voice; The Black Experience in the Heartland” and park ranger presentations about the historic court cases of the Old Courthouse will take place on Aug. 27. To find out more about what is offered at the Arch this summer, visit gatewayarch.com or facebook.com/ gatewayarchNPS. For construction updates on the CityArchRiver project, visit cityarchriver.org.
continued from pg 7 Mountain spotted fever.” Kahn encourages those who are outside for an extended time to wear long sleeves and pants and use offthe-shelf mosquito repellent. The St. Louis Department of Health is vigilant about mosquitoes as it has traps spread throughout the county where they can exam which species are in the area. The Vector Control Section of the St. Louis County’s Environmental Protection Division operates a disease surveillance program and offers a mosquito control service to residents of unincorporated areas of the county. These control services are also available to residents of incorporated areas on a contract basis. To report mosquito problems contact the St. Louis County Vector Control at 314615-0680. Decreasing populations of nuisance pests and preventing related disease outbreaks are the primary goals of the St. Charles County Department of Public Health’s Mosquito Control program. Teamed with the department’s Division of Environmental Health and Protection, the program works with the community to monitor traditional problem areas and applies specific products as needed. Staff members target habitats to control larvae before maturity and treat adult populations with small amounts of insecticide to reduce numbers.
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AroundTown
A Passion for the Arts The city of Creve Coeur received the 2016 Muni Award for Art and Culture from the Municipal League of Metro St. Louis. The award was presented at the Fifth Annual Muni Awards and Installation Ceremony. The city of Creve Coeur’s public art efforts have been guided by the Creve Coeur Arts Committee. The ninemember committee was established in 2011 to raise awareness for art in the community, serve as curator for the city’s public art collection, work to obtain funding for art-related projects and advise the city on all matters relating to cultural arts. Among other projects, the arts committee has been working to integrate art with public transportation by commissioning two artist-designed
transit shelters. The first shelter, titled Window Tree by artist Christopher Fennell of Birmingham Alabama, was installed on Olive Boulevard near the corner of Old Ballas Road on February 18. The second shelter, titled Convex Country by Bland Design of Jackson Wyoming, will be installed on Olive Boulevard near the new entrance to the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. Installation is anticipated for spring of 2017. In addition to the transit shelters, the committee has also commissioned local artist Genevieve Esson to design street banners to be displayed along Olive Boulevard based on the theme of “whimsical motion.” Installation of the banners is anticipated for September of 2016. The committee is
Bess McCoy
Creve Coeur receives Municipal League of Metro St. Louis award for art and culture
Creve Coeur Mayor Barry Glantz accepts the Muni Award for Art and Culture from Municipal League of Metro St. Louis Executive Director Pat Kelly.
also working with Thalden Boyd and Emery Architects, the developers of the Shoppes at Westgate located on Olive Boulevard at Tempo Drive, to create an art on loan program. The program will feature rotating artwork to be displayed in front of the property for a period of one to three years. “I would like to thank the dedicated citizens who serve on the Creve Coeur Arts Committee,” said Creve Coeur Mayor Barry Glantz. “Their hard work and passion for the arts have made a lasting impact on our community.”
Spreading the Word As school lets out and summer begins, area middle schoolers have a new way to find books to enjoy, thanks to the creativity and efforts of a local Girl Scout. Katie Eisenman, a seventh-grade Girl Scout at Ladue Middle School, completed her Girl Scout Silver Award project by creating a book review blog for teens and middle schoolers. An avid reader, Katie said she wanted other kids her age to be able to enjoy reading and have a resource for finding books they would like. She named it “The Reading Ram’s Book Blog” after her school’s mascot, and wrote and published a book review every week for a year. She also occasionally posted about special readings and events at area libraries. “Keeping a blog up and running is a lot harder than I thought it would be,” 10 | OUR TOWN | JULY 2016
Katie said. “But hopefully it will make kids have fun reading books, and then they’ll be introduced to the world of reading. Everyone needs to read a good book.” The Silver Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette, girls in grades six through eight, can earn, and requires girls to identify a need in their community and dedicate at least 50 hours toward addressing and solving the issue. Over the year she spent working on the blog, Katie worked more than 156 hours on the project. After a year of blogging and reviewing books—which ranged from fantasy to historical fiction to non-fiction—Katie handed over the reins to her teacher and Silver Award advisor. Students in the teacher’s class write and post book reviews each week. Katie said she’s
Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri
Book blog created by Ladue Girl Scout helps middle schoolers discover joy in reading
Katie Eisenman completed her Girl Scout Silver Award project by creating a book review blog for teens and middle schoolers.
happy the blog will continue to help middle school students for years to come, across the country and even the world; her blog received reads from countries as far away as Poland, Spain and Russia. Readers can check out “The Reading Ram” at www.thereadingramsbookblog. blogspot.com.
Sara Hardin
AroundTown
A cyclist takes advantage of a warm spring day in Forest Park. The St. Louis area ranks as the 18th most polluted metropolitan area in the nation for ozone pollution.
Clearing the Air
Ozone pollution lands region on list as 18th most polluted metropolitan area in the country By Sara Hardin The American Lung Association’s latest State of the Air Report, released April 20, named the St. Louis area as the 18th most polluted metropolitan area in the nation for ozone pollution. With the approach of the first summer season since the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) strengthened National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the Clean Air partnership is working hard to increase awareness and assist residents in reducing the emissions that lead to air pollution. “The same recommendations that we’ve been giving forever still apply,” said Susannah Fuchs, Director of the Clean Air Partnership with the American Lung Association in Missouri. “Making different choices about your transportation is important. If you can use transit, whether it’s by bus or the Metrolink, your decision makes a big difference in taking single occupancy vehicles off the road. You can carpool or vanpool, maybe you can flextime or telecommute. Anything related to transportation and reducing vehicles on the road during the high commute times – the times when you would be
idling instead of driving – makes a huge difference. That’s huge for all metro areas, not just here in St. Louis.” The stricter NAAQS were released by the EPA on Oct. 1, 2015 after extensive scientific evidence was found about the effects of ozone on public health and welfare. The standards were updated with particularly at-risk groups in mind, such as children, older adults, those who suffer from lung diseases such as asthma, and those who are active outdoors. Although the effects of ozone pollution may not be immediately evident to St. Louis residents, there are serious implications if measures are not taken in an attempt to reduce harmful emissions. “People are really not as aware of the pollution problems in St. Louis as you think they would be,” said Fuchs. “Usually you can’t see it here. We don’t have as much of a problem with the visible pollution as we do with ozone pollution, which you can’t see or smell. People may not even know that we have a pollution problem here in the metro area. We have of one the highest child asthma prevalence rates in the country.
Asthma can be irritated, exacerbated, and some studies say caused by air pollution. Exposure to air pollution has so many health implications, it’s not to be taken lightly, but I think most people aren’t even aware of it.” In the battle against harmful emissions and the pollution they cause, one thing is certain: every conscious act makes a difference in the effects that our air have on our health. “People think that their behavior changes won’t have a big effect, but I think that we need to keep in mind that each of us and every one of our consumer decisions – where we buy, what we buy, what we drive to get where we go – all of these things do make a difference for our air pollution and our lung health,” urged Fuchs. “If you can be mindful about your decisionmaking and about your commuting, you yourself as an individual do make a difference. Every single one of us makes a difference on our environment and on the impact of our air pollution.” To learn more and to find out what steps you can take to improve air quality, visit www.lung.org. 11 | OUR TOWN | JULY 2016
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Keeping Hot Dogs Cool Humane Society of Missouri works to remind pet owners how to keep their furry friends safe in the summer By Sara Hardin
I
t’s a hot summer day and Mike Perkins is sitting in his car, windows rolled up and ignition off. He’s doing an experiment under the supervision of his peers, who stand outside watching with plenty of water at the ready. The sun has heated the air to a toasty 95 degrees, and it only takes a matter of minutes for Perkins to feel like he’s baking in an oven. The point behind his discomfort? If humans can’t sit for long in a hot car, then certainly our furry companions shouldn’t either. Now that summer temperatures are at full force, Perkins, Director of the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force, harkens back on his experience as a critical reminder to all pet owners. “My typical day is anything but typical,” he said. “I’d say 95 percent of our job is education. Not only are we educating the public on proper ways to care for their animals, but we’re also educating them on the importance of watching out for their animals during inclement weather. In the winter time it’s dealing with the snow, ice and road salt. In the summer time, the focus changes to leaving your animal in a hot car. Unfortunately, no matter how much we try to get 12 | OUR TOWN | JULY 2016
that word out, there’s always an instance of people leaving their animals in cars” Perkins says that the Task Force receives several calls daily over the course of the summer months reporting animals in extreme heat conditions. The danger of these conditions for animals inspired the Humane Society’s current promotion, “70 Degrees and Over, Don’t Take Rover,” encouraging pet owners to leave their animals inside when the temperature outside is potentially harmful. “If it’s going to be 98 degrees outside, leave your animals inside,” advises Perkins. “If they are staying outside, make sure they have plenty of fresh, cool water and make sure they have shelter and shade, somewhere where they can get away from the elements. There are several animals that we deal with daily that are in backyards or left in vehicles, that tend to either succumb to or are affected by the temperature.” Even cracked car windows won’t protect a pet from overheating in a car on a warm day. If the outside temperature is 70 degrees or higher, temperatures inside vehicles can rise to dangerous levels because of the lack of
Humane Society of Missouri
air movement. A dog’s healthy body temperature runs at about 101-102.5 degrees, quite a bit higher than that of a human’s. If left unattended in extreme heat, however, an animal’s body temperature can rise to 106-107 degrees, at which point the risk of serious effects such as brain damage, damage to their central nervous system and physical effects can result in deadly consequences. “The first thing we want to do for an animal that is suffering from extreme heat exposure is to get the pet’s internal body temperature down,” explains Angela Smith, Communications Manager for the Humane Society of Missouri. “That can be done in a variety of ways. Usually it’s done by applying cool – not cold – water to the extremities. Sometimes pets are given oxygen. They’re definitely kept in a cool place, given fluids and monitored to make sure that they’re stable. In some cases of flat-out neglect or cruelty, we can recommend charges. We do everything we can to Humane Society of Missouri staff members come to the aid of a dog that was left in a hot car. encourage people to not leave their pets in hot cars.” The rise in social media has resulted in the reveal of public outcry in support of animal welfare. These voices have since experience and as President of the Missouri Police Canine been listened to, and have helped in the passing of several Association, Perkins has had his fair share of exposure to measures including the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act, an distressing situations involving both people and their pets. increase in enforcement through After five years with the Humane the Department of Agriculture Society of Missouri, he says that with licensed breeders the motivation that he and his throughout the state, as well as team have for helping animals more concerns regarding the is completely unwavering. conditions of animals. Now, with “My team represents the light the help of cell phones, animals at the end of the tunnel for the in distress can be helped almost animals that we help,” said immediately by the Humane Perkins. “We’re going to remove Society and police forces. them from that situation, get “I urge anybody who sees them to a vet and put them in an an animal that is a victim of cruelty or neglect to contact enclosed area with bedding, clean water, wholesome food 314-647-4400,” said Perkins. “Let us know about it, let our and medicines for any of their ailments. They’re going to be trained investigators go out there and address the situation, checked and brought up to the standard of adoption. I’ve educate people and hopefully create a better life for the seen dogs that have come in that didn’t have a lick of hair on animals. If you see something, say something.” them, were covered in fleas and crusty scabs from mange. After 23 years police experience, 19 years police canine Two-to-three months later, I see these dogs on the adoption floor and think, ‘Hey, I rescued a dog that had that same name…what a minute! That’s the dog that I remember rescuing!’ And they look totally different. The resilience of these animals that allows them to bounce back from a terrible environment or mistreatment or malnutrition and still trust people is just mind boggling. I take some time every day to walk around the kennels and the shelter to see the animals and realize that that’s what I’m here for and that’s what my team is here for. We want to provide a voice for those that have none and hopefully a home for them as well.” Another top concern for animals over the summer is making sure they are spayed or neutered. With an influx in pet population in the summer months, shelters experience Humane Society of Missouri
70 Degrees and Over, Don’t Take Rover
JULY 2016 | OUR TOWN | 13
Humane Society of Missouri
Mike Perkins delivering dog food, compliments of Purina and the Humane Society of Missouri, to displaced flooding victims last December.
an increase in the number of animals that have to be needlessly euthanized. In order to prevent this, the Humane Society of Missouri provides spay and neuter surgeries for a discount to Missouri residents. “To ensure as many animals are spayed and neutered as possible, we have the SNIP program. The program is subsidized through grants and donations and makes it possible for us to offer spay and neuter surgeries for Missouri residents for $24.95, which is a deep, deep discount,” said Smith. “The surgeries are done at our Animal Medical Center of Mid-America. In addition to cutting down pet overpopulation, there are great benefits to spay or neutered animals such as behavioral improvement and longer lifespan.” To learn more about the Humane Society of Missouri, measures you can take to ensure your pet stays safe over the summer or the SNIP program, please visit hsmo.org. To report an animal in dangerous or cruel conditions, call the Animal Cruelty hotline at 314-647-4400. The Humane Society is a not-forprofit company that does not take federal funding or tax money from the city, state or local governments. To help the Humane Society continue to provide its invaluable services, please visit hsmo.org/ donate. Rocky Humane Society of Missouri
OurThoughts
OurThoughts Moore on Life by Cindy Moore
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JOY RIDE
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aking a drive is a snap unless you cart along a toddler – then you’re in for a real ride! I recently attempted to take my daughter and 18-month-old grandbaby out for an afternoon excursion. I intended to drive to a local indoor playground to amuse the little prince. Back in my day, it was stress-free. Toss a few items in a bag and off we went. But things have changed since the covered-wagon days. Now there are strict schedules to adhere to, special diets to maintain and mandatory items to bring. We began packing. What used to be carried in one’s purse now requires a sleeping-bag-sized container with all manners of pockets and compartments. It must be able to store every possible item a child would need to survive any scenario; from becoming stranded for six days on the highway in a snowstorm in the middle of gridlocked traffic to the impending zombie apocalypse. Along with diapers, wipes, bottles and binkies and formula and food, it contained five additional changes of clothing because toddlers, like babies, are little burp and barf machines that need to be fed twice as much since everything put into them comes out of the top or bottom and onto their clothes. Numerous items of entertainment such as books, balls, noise makers, stuffed animals and plastic figures needed to be gathered and taken along. Unfortunately, they will prove useless for amusement because the novelty has long ago worn off. Although, they may temporarily distract him as he tosses each out the car window. I wised up long ago and chose to save some cash. I let the baby pick up an old used paper cup off the ground and then grab a notso-clean tree branch. He was entertained for hours free of charge. Specific snacks were packed. His grape juice must be 100 percent pure. No fake flavors, colors, additives or preservatives. The fruit must be grown in organic vineyards of vintage Tuscany; handpicked by saintly nuns and juiced in large wooden vats by the tiny prancing hooves of baby unicorns.
Edible snacks must please the eye, taste buds and nose. Crackers must be formed in delightful teddy bears or goldfish shapes. Fruit snacks must take the form of sharks or dinosaurs and not the shape of mermaids – the baby knows the difference. Also he despises the yellow ones and insists they be removed or else he will jam them into the A/C vents. Peanut butter crackers are a favorite, not to eat, he just likes to mash them between his fists and smear them across his face then throw them on the floor. Strollers are not just a set of rubber wheels anymore. They now must come with cup holders, snack holders, phone holders as well as room enough for one piece of carryon luggage. Also required is a sunroof so baby can see above, a rain cover in case of inclement weather, reclining seats, power steering and brakes, a back massager and complimentary personal butler assigned to remove any and all offensive yellow fruit snacks. Car seats are mandatory and must be certified, classified and bona fide; plus, given to a family of crabby gorillas to test for sturdiness. These plastic-molded straitjackets consist of so many belts, buckles, straps and locks that it’s as if we had a baby Houdini in training. They are crafted out of the stuff bulletproof vests are made from. If the car rolls the roof will be removed; the side doors collapse; the engine will sail across the freeway and the baby will be in a fit of hysterics. Not because of the jarring accident, he will be fine, but because a yellow fruit snack tumbled into his treat cup during the implosion. Kiddie songs must be included. My daughter chose a non-stop recording of his favorites. After a day of this, I will know for an undisputed fact how to spell Bingo and that the wheels on the bus do indeed go round and round. Finally, we had located and loaded up every particular need for our adventure. At that exact moment the baby yawned. The time had come for his mid-morning snooze. We had to unpack everything to find his favorite naptime Snuggle Bear. I grabbed the bear and the baby. After all that exertion I needed a nap of my own. JULY 2016 | OUR TOWN | 15
OurThoughts
An Office with
a View Avalanche
Always An Adventure by Avalanche
I
’ve spent a significant amount of time working in small, cramped offices with little contact with the outside world. Staring at and typing on a computer, endlessly watching video monitors and spending entirely too much time on the phone occupied much of the workdays – and nights. Such work environments are an indication that one has moved up, or, “arrived.” Work with one’s hands, in the field, gives way to administrative tasks. Breadth and depth-ofknowledge becomes more important than task-performing abilities. While the pay is usually commensurate with increased training and experience, the work becomes more abstract, more isolated from the end beneficiary. The last office I worked in was completely isolated from the outside, a series of rooms located in the interior of a building. No natural sunlight could ever penetrate the hallways and doors surrounding the room. Some of that isolation was due to security concerns; some was simply due to the building’s construction. It was a good job, but it also triggered in me a subtle, nagging sense of claustrophobia. That good job and paycheck also came with the multiple leashes of radio, pager, cell phone and someone to come by the house in the middle of the night to summon me if I failed to answer the other three devices. These days, most of my work is done outside. Far from the hustle and bustle of urban environs, the work here is simpler and usually involves a certain amount of dirt on the hands. Rain, snow, mud, ice, odd humans and sometimes aggressive wildlife are part and parcel of the workplace. As far as pay goes, well…you take your paycheck in scenery, reciprocal work agreements with others and a refreshing lack of pagers and cell phones. Last week’s project involved helping my friend Paul put up an electric bear-resistant fence around a shed containing bee hives. Driving up the rough, rocky four-wheel-drive road to his house was a jarring indicator that the end of the pavement was a couple miles behind in the rearview mirror. Like humans, bears really like honey. Bears operate under no moral or legal restraints against burglary, theft, 16 | OUR TOWN | JULY 2016
menacing or assault. If they can get something, they’ll do it, using whatever level of force they deem necessary. In fact, the law frequently protects the bruins in their mischief and mayhem, and woe unto the homeowner who chooses to defend their pets and property against them. Thus, the fence was the front line of prevention, in order to avoid any conflict and potential legal repercussions. The fence was to be constructed around a shed, which would soon contain several hives. Any two or four-legged thief would have to touch the charged fence to access the coveted ambrosia inside. Touching the fence would complete the circuit, applying a remarkably unpleasant shock to the unwelcome interloper. The solar-powered fence was supplied as a kit, with helpful illustrations showing fence posts being pounded into soft dirt. However, Paul’s ground was a combination of small and mostly large rocks, none of which would accommodate a fence post. The only nearby soft dirt had been trucked up the hill and was pulling duty in Paul’s indoor garden. The nearest big-box construction supply was not quite two hours away. Improvising and pilfering useful parts from other projects became the order of the day. Posts were wired into place against the shed. Wire would be later replaced with more substantial strapping and brackets after the next visit to town. The weather was typical mountain spring at 9,000 feet - a mixture of sun, rain, sleet and wind, occasionally all at the same time. Stunning vistas opened up in between snow squalls. We got the posts secured and the main body of the fence installed around the perimeter of the building. Paul was grateful for my help, despite my less-than-journeymanlevel carpentry skills. He finished up the electrical portion of the fence later on his own and will gradually improve the construction materials after assorted trips to town. My compensation was taken in good company, incredible scenery and the promise of honey in the future; provided that the fence keeps the bears out.
OurThoughts
2016 Toyota Corolla
features a bounty of design options for every taste by David Finkelstein Frankly speaking, it’s a real challenge to get a total grip on all of the build combinations and trim levels offered from Toyota Motors in respect to the 2016 Corolla compact four-door, five-passenger sedan. Of course, the choices help tailor-make this automobile to appeal to a wide customer-base. For example, their entry-level car is designated as their L model. Focused on the car’s exterior, it includes LED low beam headlights with halogen high beams, LED daytime running lights, color-keyed power outside door mirrors and outside door handles, 15inch steel wheels with wheel covers and P195/65-R15 tires, color-keyed front grille assembly plus intermittent windshield wipers and an in-glass AM/ FM antenna. Next is their LE version which also includes all of the above items plus a front grille with special graypainted inserts, color-keyed heated power outside door mirrors, 16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers and P205/55-R16 tires as well as variable intermittent windshield wipers with mist cycle. Next up is their LE Eco model. In addition to, or in place of LE-grade features, it also includes a rear wind spoiler. Then there is their LE Plus trim. It has all of the LE and LE Eco-grade features, as well as integrated front fog lights from the factory. Toyota also offers the ‘16 Corolla in their LE Eco Plus build version which contains added chrome accents around the windows. The LE Premium grade is next in the class structure. LE Premium has a power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade plus a roof-mounted antenna. From there, the factory has their LE Eco Premium grade. You’ll discover added chrome exterior accent
trim, a rear spoiler as well as unique 16-inch aerodynamically designed alloy wheels. Then we transition into their “S” grades. The S model has an attractive front chrome grille surround with piano-black inserts that tend to give the car dominance, color-keyed heated power outside mirrors with built-in turn signal indicators, a rear wind spoiler,
16-inch steel wheels with special wheel covers and all season tires as well as a chrome-tipped exhaust tail pipe outlet. The S Plus is nicely equipped as it also has a power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade (standard with the six-speed manual and optional with the CVT automatic transmission), 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/45-R17 tires and a roof-mounted antenna. Moving forward is the “S Special Edition” Corolla. In addition to everything on the S Plus grade, there is Special Edition exterior badge as well as unique 17-inch alloy wheels with a gloss black finish. And finally, there is their “S Premium” grade of which is fully-equipped including a poweroperated moonroof and sliding sun shades. As expected, with each trim level upgrade, assume additional amenities with the car’s interior as well however, even the entry level “L” model has a notable list of included items What further helps make this automobile so attractive is the fact that the rear seat legroom is among the most generous in its category. It’s about six-inches larger than what’s generally offered from most of the competitors. This unique “class above” feature has made Corolla one of the best-selling vehicles in its category. And when it comes to fuel savings, it reflects 42-MPG EPA (estimated) highway fuel economy for the Corolla LE Eco model for 2016. Marketing has indicated that their LE Trim suite is the most popular, with the base “L” MSRP model pricing starting at $17,300. It elevates up to $23,125 for their top end model, excluding shipping charges that reflect $835. The basic warranty is for three-years/36,000 miles and also included is their two-year/24,000 mile fundamental complementary vehicle maintenance package. 17 | OUR TOWN | JULY 2016
OurLifestyle
Damon + Greengrass = A New Bourne by brian guerrero It’s been known that Matt Damon would only do another “Bourne” if director Paul Greengrass would return to direct. It’s been nine years since their last collaboration, “The Bourne Ultimatum” - the third film of the Bourne franchise. After “Ultimatum’s” long and intense shoot, Greengrass joked that he would call the next film “The Bourne Redundancy” meaning he wanted to move on from the “Bourne” series. Nine years is a long time and things did change as Universal somehow struck a deal with both Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass to reunite once more for the next film “Jason Bourne.” Here’s a look back on the history of the Bourne films… “The Bourne Identity” (2002) Other summer blockbusters surrounded the first film of the series the year it was released, and although it wasn’t the season’s biggest hit (opening after “Spider-Man” for starters), it was truly one of the most outstanding – and original – films to come out that year. The role of Jason Bourne was Matt Damon’s shot at being a new man of action in the vein of Jack Ryan or even James Bond. Bourne is a character suffering from amnesia not knowing his true identity or how he inherited such lethal physical abilities. This new franchise was intended to have a new kind of realistic approach to the spy genre, but one with just as much 18 | OUR TOWN | JULY 2016
entertaining action to keep the viewer on the edge of their seats. “The Bourne Identity” was directed by Doug Limon – his first outing as an action director after his success of the dark comedies of “Go” and “Swingers.” Limon later directed films like “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” and the recent “Edge Of Tomorrow.” “Identity” also was a breakout for composer John Powell who brought a unique score to the film (along with the second and third entries) – one that required multiple intense sounds of percussions that gave the spy genre a new and modern feel that may have opened the door to new ways to create the action-movie score. “The Bourne Supremacy” (2004) Although Doug Limon did not return to direct any more films in the series, he did stay on as executive producer for (both) this film and the third. “The Bourne Supremacy” was the film that brought director Paul Greengrass on board as he brought his own brand of visual – and jittery hand-held shooting – techniques. As a result this Bourne entry had more of a raw feel and the pacing was more intense thanks to its cutting choices by editors Richard Pearson and Christopher Rouse. Damon’s Bourne was still recovering more lost memories of his past and under Greengrass’ view he looks even more mysterious than before. This film was practically deemed as an equal success to the original – if not better, depending on who you ask. “The Bourne Ultimatum” (2007)
The true height of the franchise rests here in “The Bourne Ultimatum” and by this point director Paul Greengrass mastered the hand-held shooting technique (coming off of an Oscar Nomination for directing “United 93”). Damon’s take on Bourne is better than ever in terms of character – and physical – delivery. It also feels like the actor’s amount of dialogue is even less than the previous films, making him even more mysterious and threatening in appearance. The action – and particularly the fight scenes – have never been better here and if I were to pinpoint the greatest scene if would be the very long spy-and-chase sequence that takes place in Tangiers (on location) that ends in the franchise’s greatest hand-tohand combat sequence. Nobody does it like Greengrass can and by this time his visual style is fully realized and inspired by other filmmakers. “Ultimatum” won three Oscars – including winning both of the sound categories and the other for Christopher Rouse (Best Editing). In fact, many in the industry regard Greengrass’ films as some of the best edited films in recent times especially after the massive success of his last film “Captain Phillips,” another Oscar nominated gem by this director and his editor (Rouse). “Jason Bourne” (2016) This film will open on July 29 and with Damon and Greengrass back on board, you might want to bet on this film to be very good.
OurLifestyle
OurLifestyle
Star-spangled celebration
A Fourth of July menu that pops
Blueberry Vanilla Ice Cream Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Prep time: 20 minutes | Freezing time: 6-12 hours | Servings: 10-12 Ingredients: 10 ounces (about 2 cups) fresh blueberries, cold, plus extra for decorating 16.9 ounces heavy whipping cream, cold 6 ounces white granulated sugar, chilled 1 packet vanilla ice cream cake mix 1 tub (14 ounces) cream cheese frosting sliced strawberries Pour in ice cream cake mix and then add blueberry puree. Mix on low for 30 seconds. Cover mixing bowl with dish towel to prevent splattering. Turn mixer to high and mix for 4 minutes. The mixture will become wavy and creamy, and almost double in volume.
Mango and Avocado Salsa Prep time: 10 minutes | Servings: 8 Ingredients: 2 firm but ripe mangos, peeled, pitted and diced 2 firm but ripe avocadoes, peeled, pitted and diced 2 tablespoons serrano pepper, seeded and minced 1/4 cup red onion, diced 1/4 cup red pepper, diced 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves 1 lime, zested and juiced 1 teaspoon chile powder 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Directions: In blender or food processor, puree 10 ounces blueberries until smooth then place in refrigerator. Pour heavy whipping cream in bowl of stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Add sugar.
Remove sides of pan and decorate cake with
frosting and berries. Return to freezer until ready to slice and serve.
Barbecue Popcorn Seasoning Mix Makes: about 1/3 cup
Directions: Combine all ingredients. Allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend.
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon paprika 1 teaspoon dry mustard 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon cardamom 1/2 teaspoon celery salt 1 1/4 teaspoons cayenne pepper
Serving suggestions: Pairs well with grilled chicken or grilled fish, such as tuna or Mahi Mahi.
Directions: In small bowl, mix all ingredients together. Store mixture in airtight container. To use: Pour melted butter over warm pop-
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Pour mixture into 9-inch springform pan. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze at least 6 hours. Once frozen, ice cream cake will easily release from pan.
corn or spray popped popcorn with cooking spray. Sprinkle popcorn with 2 teaspoons of seasoning mix for each quart of popcorn. JULY 2016 | OUR TOWN | 19
NonProfitProfile Citizens for Modern Transit are advocates for
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he regional transit advocacy organization, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT), has been leading ongoing efforts to establish and expand an integrated, affordable and convenient public transportation system for more than 30 years. With light rail expansion as the critical component, CMT works to help drive economic growth and improve quality of life in the St. Louis region. More specifically, CMT’s ability to creatively secure local matches for federal funding aided in the opening of the MetroLink line in 1993 to record ridership and played a key role in its continued expansion over the last 23 years. The organization’s leadership has helped increase support from both the public and private sectors so that this regional investment can continue to stimulate economic development opportunities, expand to further increase service and connectivity, and provide St. Louisans with access to employment and community resources. In 2014, CMT led a feasibility study to examine the benefits of adding a new MetroLink station in the Midtown/ CORTEX area. The study played an integral role in Metro’s ability to secure a $10.3 million TIGER grant to move the project forward. Construction will soon begin on the new station, which will serve as the first addition to the alignment since the opening of the Cross County Extension in 2006. Last year, CMT also commissioned a transit financing study to draw attention to the lack of transit funding in the region and demonstrate how this funding deficit continues to prevent other large-scale, capital public transit projects from moving forward in the St. Louis area. In addition to these efforts, CMT spearheads numerous programs to promote the many transportation options available in our region and to increase transit ridership. These initiatives include: The Try & Ride Program, an innovative program that has helped more than 3,400 area residents “test drive” MetroLink and MetroBus, and experience, first-hand, how easy and advantageous transit use can be for the workday commute. In addition to workday commuters, this program is now also available to college and trade school students. The Ten Toe Program, which has more than 8,000 older adult participants who take part in guided walk tours around the St. Louis region. The tours are designed to demonstrate the link between healthy living and transit, while enabling seniors to get familiar with the region’s transit system. The Guaranteed Ride Home Program, a incentivebased initiative with 15,000-plus registrants that provides a
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in the St. Louis region
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public transportation
free car ride home for transit, bike and walk commuters in the event of an emergency. The Great Race, an annual event that places local media personalities and other local influential leaders on teams as they utilize biking, MetroLink, MetroBus, carsharing and walking to see who can travel from their respective starting points to the finish line the fastest during the evening commute. The unique event is designed to showcase all of the viable transportation options offered in the region. To learn more about Citizens for Modern Transit, call 314231-7272, visit www.cmt-stl.org, find them on Facebook or follow the organization on Twitter @cmt_stl.
CaringPartners Medical Memo™
Bigstock
DR. Nikhat Salamat, MD
Tired? Your sleep may not be what you think
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erhaps you spend a good eight hours in bed every night, yet you feel inexplicably sleepy the next day. How can this be? Surely, you should feel refreshed and vibrant after a full night’s sleep. It’s possible that your sleep isn’t the renewing break you think it is. That’s because not all sleep is created equal. “A good, deep sleep in which your brain cycles through the various sleep states, allowing for the natural progression of brain waves, is what the body needs,” said Nikhat Salamat, MD, a pulmonologist at SSM Health DePaul Hospital who specializes in sleep medicine. Many people are unaware that they have sleep disorders, which compromise their amount or quality of sleep. “Because you may not wake fully, as is often the case with sleep apnea, you don’t realize that your sleep is disrupted. You feel tired the next day, and you don’t know why,” said Salamat. Fatigue, especially if it affects your life for more than a couple of weeks, can be a symptom of many medical conditions – from a simple virus to a serious illness. Unremitting or crushing fatigue should be assessed by your primary-care physician. In some cases, especially if you exhibit additional symptoms of a potential sleep disorder, your doctor may recommend seeing a sleep specialist or having a sleep study. “Sometimes sleep apnea, in which the patient stops breathing repeatedly during sleep, is most evident to the
individual’s bed partner who notices the common pattern of snoring followed by a short period of silence, and then a gasp or snorting sound as the patient resumes breathing,” said Salamat. “The fragmented sleep that results can cause abnormal daytime sleepiness, problems with memory and attention, high blood pressure, weight gain and headaches.” Fortunately, once identified, sleep apnea, like most other sleep disorders, is treatable. Diagnosis is made after reviewing data collected during an overnight sleep study at the hospital’s Sleep Center in which the patient’s sleep patterns, oxygen levels and body movements are monitored. If a patient exhibits frequent episodes of apnea during the sleep study, a technician may intervene with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), adjusting the pressure as needed until the patient is able to breathe continuously while asleep. “A lot of people are afraid of CPAP, but it’s not what most people think,” said Salamat. “The air typically comes through a small nasal apparatus, which most tolerate just fine. For the majority of people, the payoff of finally sleeping well and feeling better is definitely worth it.” If you think you may have sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, insomnia or other types of sleep disruptions, talk with your doctor and consider seeing a sleep specialist, who may recommend a sleep study. It could be the best night you’ve had in a long time. 21 | OUR TOWN | JULY 2016
CaringPartners
Fixing Safe, effective options for long-term treatment
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merica is in the midst of an opioid epidemic. Sales of prescription opioids have nearly quadrupled since 1999. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2012 alone enough opioid prescriptions were written for “every American adult to have their own bottle of pills.” Prescription opioids – medications that reduce pain by interrupting pain signals to the brain – only mask the sensation of pain, and they come with side effects including depression, overdose and addiction, plus withdrawal symptoms when stopping opioid use. Pain relief doesn’t have to come in a bottle, however. Physical therapists can provide a safe, drug-free alternative for treating pain. When to Choose Physical Therapy In March 2016, the CDC released guidelines urging prescribers to rely less on opioids in favor of non-drug alternatives. The guidelines recognize that prescription opioids are appropriate in certain cases, including cancer treatment, palliative care and end-of-life care, but for most long-term pain management non-opioid approaches are recommended. The American Physical Therapy Association, through its national #ChoosePT campaign, is reminding patients that they have the right to choose their method of pain treatment. Physical therapists treat pain through movement and patients get to play an active role in their recovery. Based on the CDC guidelines, patients should choose non-opioid alternatives, such as physical therapy, when: The risks of opioid use outweigh the rewards. “Experts agreed that opioids should not be considered first-line or routine therapy for chronic pain,” according to the CDC. “Given the substantial evidence gaps on opioids, uncertain benefits of long-term use and potential for serious harm, 22 | OUR TOWN | JULY 2016
Getty Images
the pain problem
patient education and discussion before starting opioid therapy are critical so that patient preferences and values can be understood and used to inform clinical decisions.” Physical therapists can play a valuable role in the patient education process, including setting realistic expectations for recovery with or without opioids. As the guidelines note, even in cases when evidence on the long-term benefits of non-opioid therapies is limited, “risks are much lower” with non-opioid treatment plans. Pain or function problems are related to low-back pain, hip or knee osteoarthritis or fibromyalgia. The CDC cited “highquality evidence” supporting exercise as part of a physical therapy treatment plan for those familiar conditions. Opioids are prescribed for pain. Even in situations when opioids are prescribed, the CDC recommends that patients should receive “the lowest effective dosage” and opioids “should be combined” with non-opioid therapies, such as physical therapy. Clinicians should continue opioid therapy only if there is “meaningful improvement in pain and function that outweighs risks to patient safety.” Pain lasts 90 days. At this point, the pain is considered “chronic” and the risks for continued opioid use increase. An estimated 116 million Americans are living with chronic pain, but the danger of masking pain with prescription opioids is clear. More than 165,000 people in the United States have died from opioid pain medication-related overdoses since 1999, and every day more than 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments for misusing prescription opioids. If you or a loved one needs help managing pain, talk with your health care provider about safe alternatives to opioids. Additional information on the #ChoosePT campaign, including a pain self-assessment that patients can use to facilitate conversations about their care, is available at MoveForwardPT.com/ChoosePT.
CaringPartners
Getty Images
Be a superhero of summer safety
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ummer is a time for playground fun, camping, boating, swimming, biking and other fun outdoor activities. Playground falls, lawn mower accidents, campfire and fire pit burns are some common and potentially lifealtering childhood injuries that happen during summer months. Darren Rottmann knows first-hand how easily accidents can happen, particularly in the summer months when outdoor activities increase. He lost his leg in a lawn mower accident when he was 3 1/2 years old. He was treated at Shriners Hospitals for Children – St. Louis, where he was fitted for different prosthetic legs as he grew. Despite his injury, Rottmann was able to walk then run, and eventually, play baseball, basketball and football. Now 37 years old, Rottmann is a certified prosthetist at the same hospital where he was treated. He was inspired to help children the same way he was helped as a boy. “I started out as a technician building the prosthetic legs but have worked my way into patient care,” he said. “I think it puts the kids’ minds and their parents’ minds at ease to see that somebody else has been through it.” Today, Rottmann is helping Shriners Hospitals for Children encourage kids to become “Superheroes of Summer Safety” by learning and following a
few simple rules of safe summer play. “We’re here to help kids who need us, but we’d prefer that a child isn’t injured in the first place,” Rottmann said. “These tips, like keeping children inside while mowing the lawn, are good reminders for all of us.” Including the St. Louis location, there are 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children in the United States, Canada and Mexico that provide specialized care to children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. “Sustaining a serious injury can be a life-altering event for a child,” said Jerry Gantt, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Shriners Hospitals for Children. “We see patients every day with injuries caused by accidents and we are committed to raising awareness about how to stay safe.” Here are some tips from Rottmann and Shriners Hospitals for Children to help your family enjoy a fun, injuryfree summer. Go Outside and Play The physical and mental health benefits of outdoor play are great for children. It provides opportunities for exercise, creative expression, stress reduction and access to a free and natural source of vitamin D – sunlight.
Before sending kids out to play, make sure they always wear shoes to protect feet from cuts, scrapes and splinters, and wear sunscreen to protect from sunburns and harmful ultra-violet rays. Playground 101 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger every year for playground-related injuries. Before your kids head to the playground, keep these precautions in mind: • Choose parks and playgrounds that are appropriate for their age and offer shock-absorbing surfaces. • Teach children that pushing and shoving on the playground can result in accidents and injuries. • Remind kids to go down the slide one at a time and to wait until the slide is completely clear before taking their turn. Teach them to always sit facing forward with their legs straight in front of them and to never slide down headfirst. • Remind children to swing sitting down. Encourage them to wait until the swing stops before getting off and to be careful when walking in front of moving swings. 23 | OUR TOWN | JULY 2016
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July Free concert
A night of free summer fun! The concert starts at 7 p.m. and pre-show entertainment for the kids starts at 6 p.m. at Creve Coeur Park: Tremayne Shelter. Cancellations due to inclement weather will be announced by 4 p.m. the day of the show at www.marylandheights.com. Call 314-738-2599 for more information.
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Independence Day
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Recycling event
The city of Maryland Heights is hosting an electronics recycling event at the Government Center, 11911 Dorsett Road from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Recycling services will be provided by Midwest Recycling Center (MRC), a company certified in environmentally safe and secure recycling. They accept almost any item that has a cord or battery. With the exception of CRT TVs, this recycling service is free.
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Free concert
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Free concert
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Parents’ Day
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National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
The Creve Coeur Recreation Department is proud to offer its third summer of free family-friendly concerts in Millennium Park, 2 Barnes West Drive. Gather your family, call your friends and invite your neighbors! Pack a picnic basket or purchase a snack from a food truck as you enjoy live music in the park. Bring chairs or blankets for seating. All shows begin at 6 p.m., but come early to get a good seat! The Gateway City Big Band, which features two vocalists and 17 instrumentalists, has been entertaining audiences in St. Louis and beyond since 1966. Specializing in the big band era music of Miller, Herman, Basie, Kenton and more, they are sure to provide an enjoyable and entertaining evening for people of all ages. A night of free summer fun! The concert featuring the Diamond Cut Blues Band starts at 7 p.m. and pre-show entertainment for the kids starts at 6 p.m. at Creve Coeur Park: Tremayne Shelter. Cancellations due to inclement weather will be announced by 4 p.m. the day of the show at www.marylandheights.com. Call 314-738-2599 for more information.