AuthorBiographies
Avalanche
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.
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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.
David Finkelstein
Brian Guerro
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
Sara Hardin
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.
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.
N THIS SSUE Around Town Creve Coeur officer receives police officer of the year award and more
Feature Story ‘A whole new Maryland Heights’ Inside the building boom that is reshaping the look and feel of the city By Sara Hardin
Our Thoughts Moore on Life Author, Cindy Moore, looks at sticking to a diet while Avalanche reflects on life with limited cell phone coverage The 2016 Dodge Charger offers lots of build combinations in this month’s Automobile Alley
Lifestyle A look at the career of Hollywood’s most celebrated cinematographer in Entertainment Taking a closer look at coffee drinks in For the Love of Food
Caring Partners How to pick where to go for medical attention and more
Events Calandar Cover Photo – Erica Avellone
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AroundTown Municipalities using REJIS court system launch new online public portal A new website will provide a very convenient way for the public to check their pending cases, outstanding fines/ court costs and other information that will assist them in resolving those cases. The information can be accessed at municourt.net. Area municipal court administrators, prosecutors and judges have worked with the Regional Justice Information Service (REJIS) Commission to create a very user friendly tool to access this information. This is just another way to show that our municipal courts are responsive to the needs of the public and strive to make the judicial system a more positive experience. On occasion, people lose their copy of a traffic ticket, forget a court
date or need information about a case and this website will provide a quick, convenient way to access that information. People can enter their name, case number, ticket number or court date to locate the information they need. The website is intuitive and user friendly. This website will only include information from the municipal courts that use REJIS services. The REJIS Commission is a government entity created to provide information technology services to criminal justice and government agencies. REJIS was founded in 1974 under a cooperative agreement between St. Louis City and St. Louis County.
Volunteer with your heart in 2016 and bring comfort into someone’s life Everyday people say “I would like to be a part of helping someone” and just don’t know where to start…you can start here!! Perhaps you cannot help others financially but you can give of your time and self which is priceless. Hospice is a special kind of care designed to provide sensitivity and support for people in the final phase of a terminal illness. Heartland Hospice’s goal is to provide palliative and supportive services to meet physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of patients and their families in a health care facility or other residential settings. Volunteers can provide one-on-one attention to residents who are lonely or cut off from their families, thereby reducing feelings of isolation and contributing to their sense of belonging. Veterans dedicated to visiting with other veterans are also needed in our 4 | OUR TOWN | april 2016
hospice care. The benefits are endless when one can make a “difference.” We depend on our hospice volunteers to help us provide the extra love and care our clients and their families need at this time in their life. Heartland volunteers offer support, companionship and practical, caring help to this special group of people. Staying with the patient so family members can take a break, reading scripture to patients, or holding their hand. The help and support our volunteers give is returned to them in countless ways. You can make a difference. All assignments are in close proximity to your home, work or school. You can donate as little or as much of your time as you desire. Please contact Virginia at 314-4530990 if you would like to bring something special into someone’s life. Be sure to inquire about our next training class.
Our Town Volume 07 | Number 03 April 2016
Published by the Community News, Our Town is a monthly news magazine covering the cities of Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, and Olivette. Circulation is 15,000 monthly through over 200 monitored newsstands guaranteeing 100% pickup. Additional issues are distributed online, and a free online subscription is available at www. mycnews.com Publisher Robert Huneke Editor Mathew DeKinder Production Lisa Moran Melissa Nordmann Contributors Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Brian Guerrero, Cindy Moore Photographer Erica Avellone Staff WriterS Brett Auten Sara Hardin For advertising information, please contact us at:
info@mycnews.com or
Community News
2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366 Ph: 636.379.1775 Fx: 636.379.1632 www.mycnews.com Copyright 2016 Huneke Publications, Inc. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
AroundTown Maryland Heights Chamber and At Work Personnel Services host ribbon cutting ceremony The Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce was honored to celebrate new member At Work Personnel Services with a ribbon cutting ceremony held on Feb. 26. Both members and community supporters joined together to support this great addition to the business community. At Work Personnel Services, located at 11520 St. Charles Rock Road, Suite, 201 in Bridgeton, provided a
wonderful spread for breakfast and was beyond excited to showcase their location. At Work Personnel Services opened in St. Louis in November of 2015 and they are excited to be a part of such an engaged community. At Work Personnel is available to accommodate your staffing needs, large or small. For more information: 314-942-6896 or www.atwork.com. Submitted Photo
Submitted photos
Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce hosts ribbon cutting ceremonies
Celebrating a new member and business with a ribbon cutting ceremony held for Companion Bakery.
Celebrating Gateway Residential Remodeling with a ribbon cutting ceremony held on March 2.
Celebrating the grand opening of The Rice House III with a ribbon cutting ceremony held on March 3.
The Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce was honored to celebrate new members and businesses with ribbon cutting ceremonies held on March 1, 2 and 3. City officials, community members and local businesses joined together to celebrate these new businesses. Companion Bakery, located at 2331 Schuetz Road in St. Louis County, provided an amazing look into their business, with both café and baking. Companion Bakery is now open for business 6 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Their new 41,000 square foot location also provides space for a baking school, providing a handson aspect to baking. For more information call 314-352-4770 or visit www.companionbaking. com. Gateway Residential Remodeling is a new familyowned company in the Maryland Heights business community.
Samantha Townzen, President, is so excited to share her knowledge of remodeling with the rest of the community. Gateway Residential Remodeling can handle all of your remodeling needs and participated in the HBA St. Louis Home and Garden Show at America’s Center from March 3 to 6. For more information call 314-731-6999 or visit www. grrstl.com. The Rice House III provided an excellent atmosphere for attendees to connect and enjoy great food in Maryland Heights. Kenny Truong provided a sampling of his Asian fusion cuisine including the cheeseburger egg rolls, special fried rice, and crab rangoon. The Rice House is home to the original Philly Cheesesteak Wontons and provides unique opportunity for dine in, carryout and catering services for corporate and special events. For more information call 314-733-5301 or visit www. ricehousestl.com. april 2016 | OUR TOWN | 5
AroundTown Creve Coeur officer receives police officer of the year award Detective Thomas Exline of the Creve Coeur Police Department was recently recognized by the Creve Coeur Olivette Chamber of Commerce as the 2015 Police Officer of the Year. Exline joined the department in December of 2005 and has been assigned to the Creve Coeur Police Investigations Bureau since 2013. Before then, he held the position of a Traffic Safety Officer and Accident Reconstructionist. Exline has demonstrated his skill as a thorough investigator, clearing several significant cases in 2015 including serving as the lead detective in a complex homicide that occurred outside of a local movie theater that included activation of the Major Case Squad. He was recognized as Officer of the Quarter twice in 2015, first for his investigation into the burglary of a local car dealership which led to the recovery of the vehicles and development of numerous suspects, and second for his investigations into an armed robbery and a suspicious death. In both of these cases, Exline was able to resolve the case and bring closure to the victims and their families. In addition to his duties in the detective bureau, Exline has also been recognized for his professionalism in his repeated deployments to areas of civil unrest demonstrations throughout the St. Louis area from October 2014 through January 2015.
Submitted photo
Detective Tom Exline (left) with Creve Coeur Olivette Chamber of Commerce President David Peterson at the annual Auction and Award Dinner on Feb. 19.
“Detective Exline’s dedication and empathy he shows to victims and their families truly embodies the spirit of the professionalism in his ethics and demeanor,” said Chief of Police Glenn Eidman. “He has shown continued dedication to his duty and the citizens he serves, and is well deserving of this recognition.” The chamber also recognized patrolman Derek Selsor of the Olivette Police Department, firefighter and paramedic Tim Davila of the Olivette Fire Department, and firefighters and paramedics Matthew Booth and Geoffrey Theodore of the Creve Coeur Fire Protection District for their dedication and service to the community.
Spring/summer sport league registration open in Maryland Heights Coed softball and volleyball leagues will start in early May and continue into July, depending on the league. Registration for each league is done as a team, and must be completed at least a week in advance of the first game in that league. All league games will take place sometime between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on their scheduled nights.
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Registration fees are $760 per team ($720 with resident discount) for softball and $168 per team ($148 with resident discount) for sand volleyball. Multiple leagues are available. For more information or to register, stop by the Maryland Heights Centre, visit www.marylandheights.com/register or call 314-738-2599.
Advertorial
What do we do? by russ patton, Owner of Byerly RV Byerly RV would like you to meet Michelle and Eric. What do they do? They are the experts who gather and organize all the details in preparation for delivering your new RV. I remember when a sale involved little more than a signed title and a title application. Now some folders can be a quarter inch thick! Each form is designed to inform and protect, but check carefully. In the process of “just sign here” make sure you are not paying for something you didn’t request. The business office also coordinates and explains the delivery process and offers other opportunities. They have answers to frequently asked questions like “What if we have a flat tire?” (What if we can assure that you never have one?) “Do you sell insurance?” (Yes, especially written for RVs.) “Where can I get service on the road?” (Road service or complete service agreements are available.) “How can I protect my $1,500 windshield from chips and breaks?” (Thanks to space-age technology we can almost eliminate the hazard.) All of these products have value and can offer peace of mind. So, now you know what they do. Of course, these extra services or products are not free, but they are affordable and can often be included in your financing if arranged beforehand. But, remember that thing about “check carefully?” Some big chain outfits have been known to surreptitiously “pack” extra items into your purchase price when you show up for delivery. They are not free and federal law mandates that they should not be included in your contact unless you have previously discussed and authorized the inclusion. Visit Byerly RV in Eureka and at www.byerlyrv. com or Facebook. Byerly RV a family/ employee owned local RV Dealer serving e th th r o St Louis since 1948. W e D riv
Byerly RV 295 East Fifth St. | Eureka, MO 63025 800-878-3325 | 636-938-2000 www.byerlyrv.com
AroundTown Girl Scouts recognized for outstanding leadership and service Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri recently awarded two outstanding Girl Scouts with $5,000 higher education scholarships, recognizing their exceptional leadership and impressive Gold Award projects. Jessica Thoelke, a 13-year Girl Scout and senior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School, noticed a lack of opportunities for students in her area to learn coding, and worked with teachers and administrators in the Ladue School District to create a Code Red Coding Club. Each week, she leads 30 to 40 middle school students in learning coding and computing, inspiring them to pursue their passions and careers in STEM fields. Thoelke said completing her Gold Award project helped her feel more comfortable speaking in public and with adults. “I learned a lot about teaching and leading a classroom, which was a valuable experience for me,” she said. “I’ve gotten more comfortable with communication in general. I had lots of meetings with administrators where I was the only student there, and had to send a lot of emails. Doing your Gold Award, you learn a lot about yourself while also doing good for your community and meeting a lot of cool people.” The most rewarding part of completing her Gold Award project, Thoelke said, was witnessing the students learn, and seeing them grasp concepts. After graduating, she plans to study engineering at Washington University, with hopes of becoming an aerospace engineer. Myra Dotzel, a junior at Parkway Central High School, wanted to honor local veterans with her Girl Scout Gold Award project. She created Project Patriot, a supply drive benefitting the VA Medical Center at Jefferson Barracks. With help from area businesses, including Sam’s Club, she collected more than 6,000 items, such as toothbrushes, deodorant and clothes, worth more than $17,000. Even after completing her Gold Award project, Dotzel repeated the collection a year later. “A lot of people, especially today’s youth, don’t really understand the challenges that veterans face,” Dotzel said. “I was just so happy that the community responded to my project and that it has educated others to help resolve the issue.” Both Dotzel and Thoelke said they were excited to receive the scholarship, presented at Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri’s annual fundraiser, Dessert First, on Feb. 25. The event also recognized Commerce Bank and Maurita Stueck as the 2016 Corporate and Individual Legacy Builders, respectively. “I was so honored to have been recognized amongst these distinguished people in the Girl Scout community,” Dotzel said. “It was truly an amazing experience.” april 2016 | OUR TOWN | 7
AroundTown ‘Spring Art Fair at Queeny Park’ set for April 1-3 a range of established artists from all over the country to show at the fair for the first time,” said Maggie McCarthy, artist and co-chair of the event. “I think people enjoy the relaxed setting and the opportunity to talk to the artists
• Live music provided by the Ann Dueren trio. • Three drawings each for $50 or $100 in “art dollars” that can be spent at any artist’s booth. activities • Children’s include the popular Art Discovery Adventure on Sunday afternoon that will encourage their interest and knowledge of arts and crafts by letting them create their own works. • Pottery and egg shell carving demonstrations. • A refreshment café serving meals and snacks during the show hours. • ATM on site. Proceeds from the $5 admission go to GSLAA’s Art Scholarship Fund and help cover show expenses. Additional scholarship donations may be made at the door. St. Louis-area high school seniors are eligible to apply for the art education scholarship, which is sent directly to the college of his or her choice. Scholarship winners will have their work displayed at the Spring Fair. For information about the show or the scholarship program please call 314-889-0433 or visit www.ArtFairAtQueenyPark.com Bigstock
The Greater St. Louis Art Association (GSLAA) presents the 2016 Art Fair at Queeny Park, April 1–3. The show is held at the indoor, climatecontrolled Greensfelder Recreation Center in Queeny Park, on Weidman Road between Manchester and Clayton Roads. The Art Fair at Queeny Park is one of the most popular, reputable and longest-running art fairs in the bi-state region. Now in its 38th year, the spring fair is perfectly timed for gift giving and springtime home spruce-up decorating. With over 130 selected, juried artists, both local and from across the country, displaying original works in media ranging from printmaking, ceramics, photography, jewelry, glass, sculpture, painting, and more, there is a wealth of opportunity to find the perfect item. Collectors and first time art purchasers enjoy the discovery of a new find, chatting with the artist and learning the story or process behind the piece selected. Fine art and craftwork are both available in a wide price range. “The Art Fair at Queeny Park brings in favorite artists who return year after year, while at the same time attracting
and find out what inspired their work. With a wide selection and a wide range of pricing, it is very easy to walk away with something you love.” Rounding out the experience is: • Wine tastings during all three show days.
Olivette Police will be conducting sobriety checkpoints The Olivette Police Department may conduct sobriety checkpoints at various locations within Olivette during the months of March 2016 through September 2016. The checkpoints are aimed at reducing the number of intoxicated driver related crashes, which occur on our roadways. The checkpoint will involve briefly stopping traffic for the purpose of checking for impaired motorists. 8 | OUR TOWN | april 2016
Intoxicated drivers will be arrested. Others will be allowed to proceed after a short delay. “While citizens may be delayed for a short period of time, these checkpoints have been proven highly successful in getting intoxicated drivers off the streets. Should you come upon one of these checkpoints, your cooperation and patience will be appreciated,” said Chief Rick Knox.
Part of the Olivette Police Departments mission is to enforce the law, establish good order for the city and provide safe and secure environments for its citizens. Chief Knox encourages all area motorists to report drunk drivers so that we may all have safer roads for our families to travel on in Olivette. You may report drunk drivers to the Olivette Police Department by calling 314-645-3000, or dialing 911.
AroundTown Artist-designed transit shelter installed in Creve Coeur The city of Creve Coeur has commissioned an artistdesigned transit shelter to be installed along Olive Boulevard near the corner of Old Ballas Road. Installation was scheduled for Feb. 18. On June 9, 2014, the Creve Coeur City Council commissioned Christopher Fennell of Birmingham, Alabama to design the shelter. The art piece was recommended by the Creve Coeur Arts Committee, which serves as curator for the city’s public art collection. Titled “Window Tree,” the shelter is shaped like a tree made of oak board planks with a canopy of leaves made of car windows. The sculpture is finished with an automotive dark metallic green, and the canopy includes LED lights to illuminate the sculpture at night. “The bus stop shelter sits upon a road that used to be made of planks,” said Fennell, “so therefore why not build the trunk of the tree out of planks that start as a wide deck and progress up the tree, circling over the viewer, narrowing as if a road in forced perspective.” The project is partially funded through a development agreement with the Koman Group for CVS Pharmacy and St. Luke’s Urgent Care, located at 11550-11560 Olive Blvd, and partly funded by the city. The Creve Coeur Arts Committee has also recommended a second artist-designed transit shelter to be installed on Olive Boulevard in front of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. Designed by Bland Hoke of Jackson Wyoming, the shelter, titled “Convex Country,” will consist of intersecting sucker rods and overlapping spent tilling discs. Creve Coeur City Council approved the design on Dec. 14, 2015. An installation date has not been finalized. In addition to the transit shelters, the Creve Coeur Arts Committee is also in the process of creating an art on loan program. The first site for the program will be the Shoppes at Westgate, located on the corner of Olive Boulevard and Tempo Drive. The program is funded through a development agreement with Thalden Boyd Emery Architects and is anticipated to begin in summer 2016. The Arts Committee has also recently recommended the installation of three donated sculptures in city parks. The art pieces are the work of local artist and Parkway North High School graduate Shawn Burkard, who chose to donate the sculptures to the city after hearing about the city’s efforts to increase public art in the community. “I had the idea that these works could activate a space and bring art into the mind-set of a city,” said Burkard. “Creve Coeur was accepting of the idea of donated artwork that can hopefully drive a social interest in arts in the community.” Titled Odd Shape 1, Odd Shape 2, and Odd Shape 3, the sculptures will be installed in Millennium Park, Malcolm
Photo courtesy of Christopher Fennell
Artist Christopher Fennell sits on the bench under Window Tree, an artist-designed transit shelter.
Terrace Park, and Conway Park respectively. “We want to enhance the lives of citizens by making more art available for them to encounter,” said Jessica Witte, Arts Committee Chair. “Placing original artwork delights and adds character to our wonderful parks.”
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AroundTown Ladue Middle School physical education teacher recognized as national grant recipient Jason Theodosiou, a health and physical education teacher at Ladue Middle School, was selected as a 2016 SHAPE America Jump Rope For Heart/Hoops For Heart Grant recipient in recognition of the school’s passion for and commitment to the Hoops For Heart program. Theodosiou will be recognized on April 7, during the Celebration of Professional Excellence Ceremony, at the National Convention & Expo in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ladue Middle School held the annual school-wide Hoops for Heart event on Feb. 11 as part of American Heart Month. The jointly sponsored SHAPE America and American Heart Association program promotes physical education and provides children with knowledge
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of heart disease and stroke. The funds raised go toward cardiovascular disease and stroke research and health education. This grant is one of only ten national Jump Rope For Heart/Hoops For Heart (JRFH/HFH) grants from SHAPE America - Society of Health and Physical Educators. The grant will allow the department to expand both its curriculum and focus on Theodosiou submitted a breakdown of how the funds would be used to promote student health. “I tried to base it around the heart and things that would help our department,” he said. The grant will be used to purchase a Polar GoFit H7 Bluetooth Heart Rate sensor 10-Kit, a Volley-Racket
Class Pack and a Homedics Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor. The grant was based on the efforts of the entire LMS Physical Education Department over the course of the past 16 years of doing the Hoops for Heart fundraiser for the American Heart Association. Since 1998, the Ladue Middle School has raised and donated more than $56,000 to the program. Last year, the school raised the largest donation yet at approximately $9,500. “Having our school participate in programs like Hoops For Heart and National Wear Red Day (the first Friday in February) for example, helps promote physical activity, giving back to the community and results in a wellrounded school experience for my students,” Theodosiou said.
AroundTown
Advertorial
Forrest Keeling Nursery wants to become your ‘Habitat Headquarters’
Forrest Keeling Nursery offers 65 years of experience in creating native landscapes of all sizes. The local, family-owned nursery and community leader is newly focused on bringing their conservation expertise to home and farm habitats. “Our Habitat Headquarters Collections are specially selected combinations of native wildflowers and grasses,” explained Kim Lovelace-Young, Forrest Keeling vice-president. “We want to make it easy, affordable and fun for home owners and landowners to work with nature to create beautiful, problem-solving landscapes.” “Hardy native plants,” Kim continued, “evolved over centuries in their environment and provide important conservation benefits and wildlife needs. By adding wildflowers, for example, we can help support pollinators like the honeybee that are critical to our agricultural industry. Similarly, deep-rooted native grasses, shrubs and trees help reduce stormwater runoff and filter pollutants from our groundwater.” Forrest Keeling has offered a garden center for years but has updated it and renamed it Habitat Headquarters in honor of their emphasis on bringing working landscapes to homes and farms.
Wayne Lovelace, Forrest Keeling president, is excited about bringing the Nursery’s conservation concepts to the general public. “From container sized to multi-acre, we have the ‘right recipe’ to help even the inexperienced create attractive, lowmaintenance areas from the backyard to the back forty! You might say natives are a natural for easy-care landscapes.” Forrest Keeling’s Habitat Headquarters Collections include: Rain Garden to reduce runoff and soggy spots, Hummingbird Haven for attracting hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators, Pocket Prairie which minimizes watering, fertilizing and mowing. And much more! “When you plant native plants,” Wayne concluded, “you’re a native hero! You and your native landscape will partner with the environment to conserve resources and provide needed food and cover.” Visit Forrest Keeling’s all-new Habitat Headquarters at their location just south of Elsberry, Missouri on Hwy. 79 and less than an hour’s drive from St. Louis. Forrest Keeling is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Forrest Keeling 88 Forrest Keeling Ln | Elsberry, MO 63343 573-898-5571 | 800-356-2401 www.fknursery.com
Parkway honored at Special School District banquet Parkway teachers and faculty were recently honored for their commitment to students at a Special School District Salutes banquet. Dedication and collaboration among teachers in the English Department at Central High has proven to be an important factor in closing the achievement gap among the students at the school. By differentiating instruction to meet individual needs, teachers Jason Lovera, Nora Biggs and Anilise Loomis are working to identify creative options for students to develop content mastery. The teachers create an environment in their classrooms where students feel safe and respected, according to Amy Brecher, SSD teacher and Special Ambassador nominator. “Jason is always able to maintain order, keep to a schedule and be flexible as situations may arise,” said Brecher. “Nora recognizes that many students have behavioral and learning issues, and she always has a calm nature to help reduce the level of stress in the room. And Anilise has an ability to adapt to each student’s individual learning style.” Brecher added that the techniques used by these three teachers incorporate strategies specifically designed to meet the needs of all learners. “We have learned a great deal working and collaborating with them each and every day,” she said. With her strong commitment to both Parkway and SSD, Dr. Jami DeBosch has a passion for education that supports success for all students and staff. DeBosch is committed to providing an inclusive culture in her school as evidenced by her participation on various committees and task forces, as well as by attending professional development to learn more about her students with autism, and bringing in specialists to train her staff so they are better equipped to work with students with disabilities. april 2016 | OUR TOWN | 11
(Top) New Maryland Heights Community Center under construction. Middle (Left) Tom Baxter, Laborer Foremen from Ballwin and Nick Gittemeier, Superintendent of TW Constructors go over plans for the WWT site. (Bottom) The future site of a large auditorium with an outdoor patio with the lake at the edge. Photos by Erica Avellone
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‘A whole new Maryland Heights’ Inside the building boom that is reshaping the look and feel of the city By sara hardin The current construction boom in Maryland Heights will result in plenty of exciting changes and additions, bringing with them good tidings to the city’s community and businesses. “The Chamber is always supportive of any new development in the area,” said Sherry Huibonhoa, Executive Director of the Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce. “We have so many things going on that we’re excited about. Everyone’s reaction seems to be ‘Oh my goodness, we’re going to have a whole new Maryland Heights!’” Some of the most anticipated developments coming to the city include a new $6 million Fire Station, a $14 million Humane Society of Missouri and a $24.2 million Community Center. The new Humane Society building, which is said have taken some decorative and architectural inspiration
from the Living World building at the St. Louis Zoo, will include a pet adoption center and a dog park. The Community Center will replace the existing 40-year-old facility and will feature a gymnasium, indoor pool, fitness center, preschool and babysitting areas, a senior center and meeting room space. The Community Center’s anticipated completion is late summer of 2016. World Wide Technology’s six-story, 208,000 square-feet office building will bring a shiny new facelift to Westport Plaza, including public lawn space and a new boardwalk that will stretch across the neighboring pond. The aesthetic improvements, along with the completion of the new World Wide Technology space, are hoped to increase the foot traffic and marketability of the area. “The World Wide Technology office building and their april 2016 | OUR TOWN | 13
(Left) New Maryland Heights Community Center under construction. (Middle) Current Maryland Heights Community Center directly next to the new site. (Right) Westport World Wide Technology site, the rest are the Maryland Heights Community Center.
investment in Westport will sort of be the ‘renaissance’ of the [Westport] plaza,” said Michael Zeek, Maryland Heights City Planner. “As part of the incentive package, a portion of the public monies that were put into that project is specifically for physical improvements to the plaza, including the shopping and retail area. The expectation is not only that World Wide Technology will help market and make it more leasable, more dynamic, more exciting, but there are provisions put into place to insure that it happens. We’re going to see a resurgence in Westport Plaza.” Zeek explained that numerous hotel construction projects are underway in anticipation of the increased consumer and employee traffic in the city. The new hotels include a Staybridge Suites to be open in June 2016, as well as St. Louis Metropolitan Area’s first dual-branded Marriott facility with a Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn & Suites. “Between the two projects combined, there is $40 million of new construction coming to Maryland Heights to support its future growth with the new businesses that are entering the community,” said J.T. Norville, Manager and CFO of Midas Hospitality.
More people moving through the area on a daily basis means a better outlook for the existing businesses in the city, particularly for those dealing with food and retail, according to Huibonhoa. “I think the largest benefit that the community will see is going to be in the growth of our restaurant and our retail,” said Huibonhoa. “Probably about 75 percent of people who work in Maryland Heights don’t live here. When 5 p.m. hits it’s almost like a ghost town. The hope is that bringing in all of these new employees and developments will help businesses stay alive a little longer than just lunchtime.” Needless to say, this construction boom doesn’t mean the city’s development will slow after the completion of the current projects. In fact, says Zeek, the volume of growth now only means more to expect for Maryland Heights in the future. “Anytime you bring people into town it will benefit all of the existing businesses,” said Zeek. “There’s a lot of relationships between businesses; they feed off of one another. Development leads to other development.” For more information, visit www.marylandheights.com.
(Below) Ariel view of WWT site in Feb 18, 2016 when the lake was drained. They built a new dam before refilling. Photo provided by Cardinal Aviation Services.
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OurThoughts Moore on Life by Cindy Moore
FAT
Bigstock
Chance
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t’s been four long months since the big binge of the holidays ended, and still my husband and I are trying to get off the lunch wagon and eat better to reduce the chubs. We made our commitment in January to go on a diet of some kind, but it was too hard to choose from the long list of plans. We’ve checked into many of them and are still looking and hoping one will stick as well as the fat sticking to our thighs. First there was the Master Cleanse regimen. It required drinking lemonade with maple syrup and cayenne pepper to clean out toxins in the body during the day. The lemonade and syrup sounded yummy, but the pepper ruined it for me. That’s just like giving someone a delicious banana split, and before taking the first bite some rude hater pours mulch all over the top of it. The misery continued; for dessert at night the plan demanded an herbal tea laxative washed down with a quart of tasty salt water. So basically we would have to don adult protection then overwhelm our plumbing systems before retiring to bed, only to awaken with a drooping diaper saturated in sea water. That scenario may very well occur in old age, but I do not presently need such a cruel glimpse into my future. Next came the Paleo Plan. The problem here was that we had to ingest things that our Jurassic ancestors used to eat. Sticks and rocks were very plen-
tiful, but the closest thing to a T-Rex patty I could find, was a chameleon at Pets R Us. Scratch that one. The Ear Stapling diet intrigued us at first. It’s flaunted by acupuncturists who claim that an area of the ear regulates the appetite. Apparently the constant pressure of the staple on the “stomach” of the ear is supposed to curtail the urge to eat. Finally we came to the conclusion that mutilating our bodies was not going to be enough to stop us from raiding the refrigerator when a midnight craving occurred. We would need a more advanced plan – the Mouth Stapling. It could definitely “curtail” all eating activity, provided we were kept far away from a staple remover. Now the Biblical Diet seemed to have possibilities. It permitted clean food and prohibited unclean food according to Biblical standards. Sadly, it failed miserably; however, our faith developed immensely. After many days of being subjected to its restrictive meal plan we prayed fervently for a quick and painless death. We moved on to research the HCG diet. While this plan offers dramatic weight loss, it also requires supplemental injections of pregnancy hormone. My husband immediately put the kibosh on it. Since he already had a belly that looked as if he were expecting, he didn’t want to chance a set of twins taking up residency in it. I agreed. I added that if anyone was
going to stab me with a pointy hypodermic needle, it better be filled with chocolate sauce. Our last effort led us to the Breatharian Diet. With this you must align yourself to the universe, and after making that connection you no longer have need for food or water and can survive on air alone. Hmm, no kitchen, no cooking, no pans – no kidding? I was totally on board until I found out I couldn’t purchase cans of bacon-flavored oxygen anywhere. So we’ve been through months of trial and error and despair. One day my husband was thumbing through a health magazine that had come in the mail and made a startling discovery, “Do you think it’s any coincidence that the first three letters of diet are D-I-E?!” We stared blankly at each other as this tidbit of reality settled in. I looked at the pile of mail he had retrieved and picked up a flyer on top – yet another ad for some overpriced exotic starvation scheme with bizarre and unrealistic foods? But no, this one seemed different. The eating schedule was attainable, the price was affordable, and the fare and portions were phenomenal as well. We readied ourselves and headed out to McChubbers all-you-can-eat buffet with our two-for-one coupon! Now there’s a meal plan we could L-I-V-E with. april 2016 | OUR TOWN | 15
OurThoughts Always An Adventure by Avalanche
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he Jeep loaded with brand-new camping gear pulled up and stopped in the middle of the main street in the little town. A woman passenger got out and frantically walked around with her “smart” phone held up high, moving this way and that, searching for a non-existent signal with the same desperation of a junkie tearing apart the house in the hopes of finding the next fix. The shopkeeper stood in front of his store watching the scene, one he had seen many times before. The exasperated woman spied him, and immediately approached while hurriedly stating, “I can’t get a signal, where can I get a signal?” The shopkeeper, weary of those few unhappy visitors who demand all the comforts of home, in his best dumb-local-yokel voice drawled, “Well…the nearest signal is about 10 miles that way down the highway,” while pointing north, “and it’s about 40 miles if ya go thata-way,” pointing south. The woman became more agitated and stomped around a bit before getting back in the Jeep, while yelling, “What’s it like, living in Suckville?!?!” The Jeep sped off and was not seen again, much to the relief of the locals. It’s simply a matter of numbers and geography. Cell phone signals are only reliable for line-of-sight coverage, and don’t travel through mountains very well. The lines of sight, while 16 | OUR TOWN | april 2016
Avalanche
gas, phone spectacular, are fairly short in this narrow valley as it is surrounded by peaks several thousand feet above the river below. With maybe a thousand residents scattered along 20-plus miles of valley, it doesn’t make economic sense for a carrier to install one or more towers – that have to be built and serviced on a mountaintop via helicopter – for such a small customer base. The local sheriff and fire chief both want better coverage. When there’s an incident on the highway, many times one emergency responder has to drive up to a mountain pass in order to relay radio traffic from the personnel at the scene on the valley floor, to the dispatch center located 40 miles away, across two counties and one mountain range. However, neither the chief nor the sheriff have addressed how many more accidents will occur due to drivers paying attention to their now-functional mobile devices instead of the road, and its attendant hazards such as rockslides, mudslides, snow, ice, wildlife and other distracted drivers. Whether or not the added communication capability will have a net benefit to public safety is open for debate. Likewise with fuel, a low-volume, high-cost service station is doomed to economic failure. Thus, as the sign says, you can’t buy gasoline for a 60 mile stretch of highway. More than one traveler has desperately tried to find a
place around here to fill up, despite having read the sign, thinking that it couldn’t be real. Those drivers are then reliant upon the goodwill of a stranger with a full gas can. For those accustomed to urban living, it can be quite a shock to be without support services and supplies within a five-minute drive. Conversely, those of us who live here can’t fathom driving on less than a half-tank of gas, or picking up dinner at the grocery store every night. After all, the nearest grocery store and gas station are a half-hour away under good conditions, and the highway isn’t always easy, or possible, to travel. It’s best to keep the larder well-stocked in case you can’t make it to town for a few days. Most of the local businesses here don’t offer free Wi-Fi, as the available bandwidth is marginal for a limited number of private users, let alone unrestricted public access. A real benefit is that it makes people actually talk directly to each other and pay attention to the right-here-and-now, a pleasant respite from the artificial “virtual reality” of the digital age. Most who choose to live and visit here happily view that as an asset. So if you head out this way, be sure to fill up the tank and get your calls and web-surfing out of the way first. That way you’ll be able to better enjoy your visit to Suckville.
2016 Dodge Charger offers drivers an endless number of build combinations by David Finkelstein Thinking about the 2016 Dodge Charger, it’s difficult to comprehend what appears to be an endless amount of different build combinations offered to consumers. Manufactured on a rear-wheel-drive architecture (with all-wheel-drive as an option on certain trim levels), the extensive product mix also includes performance-oriented powertrains that features the latest rolling technology breakthroughs. All of this translates to a soughtafter automobile with world-class passing power and acceleration, overall efficiency and head turning styling. This vehicle’s exterior was unmistakably inspired by the iconic second-generation Charger from the late 1960s. It further shadows precise design cues from the historic and popular 1969 model. Today’s Dodge Chargers have indisputable scalloped body lines and a streamline modernappearing design. The car’s hood stampings, fenders, front and rear fascia assembly, wrap around headlamps, tail lamps, front doors and rear deck spoiler all work together to provide the Charger with a chiseled yet nimble confident stance. With the thought of the cars product mix, here is a rundown of the models offered. It starts with their SE model and from there, they make available their SXT, R/T, R/T Scat Pack and SRT 392 and then their SRT Hellcat. As we peek under the car’s hood, the engine choices are quite extensive as well. If you choose the Hellcat, you bet-
ter have some serious accomplished driving skills as this car not only looks great, it will pass just about every other make and model on the road. Standard on every Charger model includes their eight-speed computer governed automatic transmission for the ‘16 model year. Charger’s driver-focused interior cabin features premium/up-scale soft-touch materials. A full-color, highly detailed 7-inch customizable brilliantly lit driver information dash display gauge cluster is offered plus the factories latest Uconnect system with the segment’s largest available 8.4-inch touchscreen display. This midsize sedan seats five adults in comfort. Also new for 2016 is their engaging Blacktop Appearance packages. It includes a lengthy list of equipment that helps set this model apart from the other Chargers. More than 80 standard and available safety and security features also help frame the appeal of this four door automobile. The warranty coverage shows 5-years/60,000 miles for powertrain componentry and 3-years/36,000 miles for the basic limited bumperto-bumper coverage. At road test, the SXT Plus, all-wheel-drive version I drove with the V-6 engine had an MSRP of $37,770. That pricing also included a few equipment groups as well as shipping and destination charges. The EPA numbers with this 3.6-liter engine showed 18-mpg city/27-mpg highway. april 2016 | OUR TOWN | 17
OurLifestyle
The long shots of Emmanuel Lubezki by brian guerrero There are countless jobs and responsibilities when it comes to making a film. The assurance that a director’s vision is perfectly captured through the lens falls to the director of photography (also known as the cinematographer). It is his/her job to not only manage the camera operations (including the lighting and grips department), but to also ensure that a scene is accurately – and properly – lit for what’s to be shot. Emmanuel Lubezki is today’s most celebrated director of photography having just earned his third-consecutive Oscar for Best Achievement in Cinematography for “The Revenant.” He previously won last year for “Birdman” and “Gravity” the year before. What all three of those films have in common are those long tracking shots that helped to capture the unique intensity and reality of the stories in these films – all of which were major Oscar contenders. The long-term collaboration with Alfonso Cuarón Many directors tend to keep using the same cinematographers throughout their careers and the filmmaker that has been Lubezki’s main collaborator is director Alfonso Cuarón. Lubezki has worked on most of Cuarón’s films since the Mexican short “Vengeance Is Mine” in 1983 and the two are as thick as thieves when they conjure up some of the most breathtaking and challenging shots ever put on film. Those favored long tracking shots really took notice beginning with the 2006 film “Children of Men.” Taking place in the near future where humanity’s downfall is nearly complete, women have become unable to have children. The most famous shot is an action scene viewed entirely from in18 | OUR TOWN | april 2016
side a car where our main characters (including the world’s first pregnant woman in eighteen years) are eventually attacked by a mob of people from outside the traveling car. The film crew had to construct a massive device on the roof of the vehicle in order for the
camera to capture Cuarón’s specific vision of real-time terror. Emmanuel Lubezki’s work was recognized and was nominated for an Oscar for his work on “Children of Men.” It was a seven-year process for Alfonso Cuarón to complete his next film with Lubezki at his side; the terrifying, outer-space-thriller “Gravity.” The film’s opening shot is about twelveand-a-half minutes long as we witness our American astronauts (played by Sandra Bullock and George Clooney) completing a routine space walk then surviving a horrific accident that left them stranded in space as their shuttle is destroyed. The rest of film lives up to that opening as it won seven Oscars,
including Lubezki’s first win and Cuarón becoming the first Mexican to win Best Director. Working with Alejandro González Iñárritu Emmanuel Lubezki soon began working in two back-to-back films directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu. The first was “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).” The story is about the progress of making a Broadway play by a former popular actor, played by Michael Keaton, who is trying to prove to the world that he is a true artist and not a wasted, hasbeen actor. Lubezki’s work comes into play as we continuously follow all the play actors and crewmembers on and off the stage throughout the entire film – almost as if it was all one long take – thanks to some clever seamless editing. Iñárritu’s unique vision, along with Lubezki’s signature photographic touch earned each of them an Oscar win. The second film, “The Revenant,” is the most recent – and more challenging – visual gem achieved by both men. Not only were there more long takes, but the film was almost entirely shot with one hundred percent natural light from out in the snow-filled wilderness. The brutal opening action sequence and the bear-mauling scene of Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) are two of the film’s many highlights as some of the most outstanding long-take scenes in recent cinematic history. The film was so expertly shot that Alejandro G. Iñárritu took home his second consecutive Oscar for Best Director (now three consecutive Mexican wins in that category) and Lubezki’s third Oscar in a row. This film is a must see in the theater – if you can still find it in one today.
OurLifestyle But first,
COFFEE
Explaining different coffee drinks
How to Make... Cafe au Lait A cafe au lait is simply a strong-brewed coffee drink mixed with steamed milk. The best way to make one is to brew a dark-roast blend in a French press and mix with equal parts steamed milk. There are a few easy ways to froth milk at home. Use an inexpensive milk frother or try this DIY tip: shake your favorite type of milk in a jar until it froths up. Remove the lid and microwave to desired temperature. Now you’ve got warm milk for your coffee and foam to top it off.
Americans love their coffee. Millions of people drink at least one cup of coffee per day and many get their caffeine fix with a specialty coffee drink. Dairy milk is a great complement for any cup of coffee; it’s both a tasty addition and a way to add essential nutrients to your mug. Every type of dairy milk, whether lowfat, fat free or organic, contains nine essential nutrients, including high-quality protein. In fact, milk is the top food source for three of the four nutrients of concern, or the nutrients Americans, including chil-
dren, are most lacking: calcium, potassium and vitamin D. If you enjoy a morning cup of coffee, here are a few ways to create gourmet coffee drinks at home. Whether you prefer a cappuccino, latte or cafe au lait, adding milk to your coffee is a delicious, nutritious complement to your coffee beverage of choice. From espresso to strong brewed coffee – adding dairy milk only adds to the enjoyment. For more tips, tricks and recipes, visit milklife. com.
Spicy Latte Servings: 1
A Latte Lattes are two parts milk to one part espresso. Starting your day with a morning latte is a wonderful way to enjoy the buzz of coffee plus milk’s nine essential nutrients, including eight grams of high-quality protein per eight ounces.
A Cappuccino Another Italian coffee drink, the cappuccino’s name comes from the Italian word for “hood.” A cappuccino is made with equal parts espresso, steamed milk and foamed milk. A “dry” cappuccino has more foam while a “wet” cappuccino is closer to a latte in consistency.
2 tsps instant espresso powder or instant coffee granules 2 tsps unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/2 tsps sugar Pinch of ground cinnamon Pinch of ancho, chipotle or cayenne chile pepper 1 cup fat free milk Directions In serving mug, stir together espresso, cocoa, sugar, cinnamon and pepper. Stir in 2 tablespoons milk to make a paste. In saucepan, heat remaining milk until very hot. Pour milk into mug and stir to blend with paste. Serve immediately. Nutrition information per serving: 120 calories; 0.5 g fat; 0 g saturated fat; 5 mg cholesterol; 9 g protein; 22 g carbohydrates; 1 g fiber; 105 mg sodium; 309 mg calcium (30 percent of daily value). april 2016 | OUR TOWN | 19
NonProfitProfile
St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness works to raise the profile of ovarian cancer Submitted photo
Pictured are 2016 Living Out Loud Gala and Auction Chair, Ellen Levine, Teal Spirit Award Honoree Dr. David G. Mutch and 2016 Gala Speaker, Kim Carney.
S
t. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness (SLOCA) is a small but mighty group of women and men who are determined to raise the profile of ovarian cancer in our community. Founded in 2002 by Christina Carr and six women she met during ovarian cancer treatment, and trained by the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance to become an advocacy organization, this truly grassroots organization has grown into an army of 160 volunteers who campaign tirelessly to enable early diagnosis and improve survivorship. SLOCA is committed to increasing ovarian cancer survivorship by: 1. Promoting awareness of early warning signs; 2. Funding ovarian cancer research; and 3. Supporting ovarian cancer survivors. Each year SLOCA’s extensive Awareness Program reaches tens of thousands individuals through direct contact and millions more through newspaper and online articles with critical information about ovarian cancer and the early warning signs. In 2015 volunteers have handed out awareness materials to over 40,000 people at health fairs, festivals, Cardinal pep rallies, educational workshops, the Working Women’s 20 | OUR TOWN | april 2016
Survival Show, etc. Awareness articles were published in area newspapers and online sites, and advertised (selectively – most prominently during National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month) with nearly 6,000,000 media impressions. Additionally, all fundraising events feature an introduction to the early warning signs of ovarian cancer and a “mission moment” message from an ovarian cancer survivor. In 2015, the Living Out Loud Gala crowd numbered 400 people. Funding Research In 2015, SLOCA funded a $75,000 grant for Ovarian Cancer research through the Foundation for Women’s Cancer. SLOCA has given a total of 9 grants, ranging from $2,000 to $75,000 since 2002, totaling $340,000 to fund ovarian cancer research. Another grant will be announced in March 2016. Supporting Survivors 200 Sister Gift Boxes are placed in gynecologic oncologist offices throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan area annually in hopes of reaching all 200 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Sister Gift Boxes are packed with gifts found to be helpful during
treatment and follow-up care and link women and their caregivers to referral and support services available through SLOCA. SLOCA will once again partner with Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis (CSC) to produce its Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day. The purpose of the day is to help women understand key issues related to their diagnosis (such as risk factors and genetic implications), disease management, optimal treatment options, side effect management, clinical trials and research, sexuality and other quality of life issues. Their knowledge of these issues will empower them as they advocate for their own health to make the best decisions relative to their lives. The event is offered for free to attendees and features local and national gynecologic cancer and wellness specialists. On Sept. 24 an estimated 125 attendees will gather at The Lodge at Des Peres to take part in educational sessions. One medical and one wellness session is offered in each time slot, except for the last session, in which there will be three breakout sessions. SLOCA collaborated with CSC in 2012 and in 2014 on the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day event.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
CaringPartners
Urgency or Emergency?
How to pick where to go for medical attention
W
hen unexpected health mishaps arise, many people’s first reaction is to head to an emergency room. But when those illnesses and injuries aren’t true emergencies, not knowing the best option for care can end up costing both time and money. So how can you know where to go when medical attention is needed? Urgency or emergency? Urgent care centers provide a way to keep up with patients’ daily healthcare needs, serving as a vital link between the emergency room and primary care physicians. “Urgent care is growing across the country because it provides patients with an alternative to the emergency room, which can be too costly and time-consuming for situations like common illnesses and minor injuries,” said Dr. Robert Kimball, president of the board of directors, Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA). “While ERs are best equipped to handle life-threatening illnesses and injuries, it’s important that patients are aware that there are more affordable options available for less serious situations.” Due to shorter wait times – 90 percent
of urgent care centers offer a wait time of 30 minutes or less, according to the 2015 UCAOA Benchmarking Survey – and much lower prices, urgent care centers are a more convenient and affordable option than, but not a substitute for, an emergency room. When care is needed for true emergency situations, such as heart attacks, strokes, major bleeding or severe burns, it’s vital to go to an emergency room immediately, as urgent care centers are not equipped or designed to treat life- or limbthreatening conditions. Dollars and sense When patients visit an emergency room for a non-emergency, they risk incurring a substantial financial loss. Emergency rooms are more expensive, charging an average of $1,300 for treatment of non-life-threatening situations, while urgent care centers charge an average of just $150, according to a Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Plus, 27 percent of all emergency room visits could take place at an urgent care center, which would save American consumers approximately $4.4 billion annually, according to
“Health Affairs.” Additionally, many insurance plans feature lower co-pays for urgent care services than treatment in an emergency room. Understanding the options “With a growing variety of facilities available, patients need to take care to understand their options,” Kimball said. “The rise of free-standing emergency rooms is especially concerning because they look like urgent care centers. While they may seem convenient at the time, the emergency room prices can cause sticker shock for patients who aren’t aware of the distinction.” Free-standing emergency rooms are not physically connected to a hospital and are located in areas similar to urgent care centers, so it can be easy to confuse the two. A free-standing emergency room will offer emergency care – and charge emergency room prices. Patients should be sure to confirm the type of facility they’re visiting, as treatment at a free-standing ER may cost thousands of dollars more than an urgent care center. To find a conveniently located urgent care center near you, visit whereissurgentcare.com april 2016 | OUR TOWN | 21
CaringPartners
Bigstock
When Quitting Is Winning
Q
uitting tobacco is hard, but it’s never too late to quit and begin reaping the health benefits of a tobacco-free lifestyle. Whether you use cigarettes, cigars, snuff, chew or e-cigarettes, all forms of tobacco are harmful and can be addictive. Tobacco products contain several chemicals, as well as a substance called nicotine that stimulates your nerves, increasing your blood pressure, respiration and heart rate. Risky Business Understanding how tobacco affects your body is the first step toward quitting. Using tobacco can shorten your life expectancy by at least 10 years. When you smoke, tobacco’s harmful chemicals can damage your body, putting you at higher risk for health and bodily impact. Tobacco not only risks your health, but also affects your looks and social life. Because tobacco restricts blood flow in the body, smoking can cause erectile dysfunction or the inability to achieve orgasm. Other negative side effects include tobacco smoke, which sticks to your hair, vehicle, clothing and furniture. The residue and smell linger long after you finish smoking. Conversely, quitting tobacco use has nearly immediate positive results. In an otherwise healthy person, after 72 smoke-free hours, your lungs begin to repair. Between two weeks and three months after your last cigarette, blood flow and circulation improve and lung function increases by about 30 percent, 22 | OUR TOWN | april 2016
so you’ll get winded less easily and feel less tired. One year later, your risk of heart disease will be cut in half, and 10 years after quitting, the risk of lung cancer is about half that of a person who smokes.
Getting Help Although there are cases of people who successfully quit cold turkey, statistics show this is not the most reliable approach to quitting. Fortunately, there are several options to help you kick
the habit, manage your withdrawal symptoms and take back your health. Medication, counseling and support groups can all aid you on your journey of quitting tobacco while saving you money and lengthening your lifespan. Patches and Medications Tobacco cessation medication can double your chances of kicking the habit permanently. Talk to your health care professional to discuss the best treatment plan for you. Counseling and Support Groups If you want to take a non-medical route, a counselor or a quitting coach can give you advice and support while you are trying to quit. The more often you meet, the more likely your choice to quit will be a permanent one. Your quitting coach can help you set a start date, learn coping skills, know the common smoking triggers, gain social support and help you tobacco-proof your life. Other support options for quitting include national help numbers and online chat rooms. Free phone, chat room and texting resources from UCanQuit2 can be a useful supplement to personal counseling and coaching. Learn more at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or ucanquit2.org. In addition, you can find information about support programs in your state at map.naquitline.org. Find more resources to help you kick your tobacco habit from Guard Your Health, a health education campaign by the Army National Guard, at guardyourhealth.com.
EventsCalendar
April 1
April Fools’ Day
6
National Tartan Day
12
National Library Workers Day
13
Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday
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“Living Out Loud” Gala St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness (SLOCA) is hosting the annual “Living Out Loud” Gala and Auction in the beautiful William D. Purser Center at Logan University. The Gala event will begin at 5:30 pm with cocktails
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Tax Day
22
Earth Day
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Passover (First Day)
and appetizers, with a gourmet dinner to follow, and a silent and live auction. Tickets are available for $150 per person, or $1,500 for a table of 10. To reserve tickets, visit www.sloca.org or call 314-966-7562.
Vintage baseball game and bagetelle exhibit Join St. Louis’ own vintage baseball team in a game against the Lafayette Square Cyclones at 11 a.m. at Millennium Park. The unique afternoon features teams playing by the original 1860 rules of “base ball” in vintage uniforms and with traditional equipment. Bring your chairs and enjoy a great day in the park with your family and friends. After
the St. Louis Browns Vintage Baseball Game, head next door to the historic Tappmeyer House to view a collection of vintage baseball-themed bagatelle games including a walking lecture by the collector, Ed Nickels. Games will be on display from 12 to 4 p.m. on April 23 and April 24. Millennium Park, 2 Barnes West Drive
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Administrative Professionals Day
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Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
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Arbor Day
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Drug take back day The Maryland Heights Police Department is hosting a take-back day for prescription drugs and medications from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. There is no limit to the amount of medication that can be dropped-off, but medications will not be accepted from medical practices, doctor offices or pharmacies. Pills can
be submitted in their original bottles or combined in a sealable plastic bag (ex. Ziploc). The bottles and medications will be incinerated, so it’s safe to leave name labels attached. The collection will be held in the parking lot of the Maryland Heights Government Center at 11911 Dorsett Rd. april 2016 | OUR TOWN | 23