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September - OCTOBER 2015 contents
VOL 6 | NO 4
Our Town is a Community News publication. It is published every other month and directmailed to 7,150 business executives in North and Northwest St. Louis county, plus online circulation. Online subscriptions are FREE and available at www.mycnews.com
Publisher Robert Huneke Editor Mathew DeKinder Art Director Chris Oth
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Around Town Statewide Economic Development Organization recognizes NCI for recovery initiatives and more
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MY THOUGHTS, COMMENTS AND CONCERNS A trip back to high school
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Moore on Life Big things come in small towns
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Automobile Alley 2016 Scion iA is small, sporty and made-to-order
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FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD Olive oil offers nutrition, flexibility FEATURE A sweet legacy Robins Apiaries has been providing the St. Louis area with honey since 1922
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Contributors Avalanche, Cindy Moore, Russ Patton, Charles Callison, MD, Erica R. Van Buren Photographer Ray Rockwell
By Sara Hardin
ADVERTISER PROFILE RVs enjoying record year in 2015
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Staff Writer Sara Hardin
By Russ Patton
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ENTERTAINMENT The quirk-free version of Johnny Depp
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THE MEDICAL MEMO Stroke risks start early, prevention should too
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ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE Morning boil
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Copyright 2015 Huneke Publications, Inc. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
On the Cover: Photo courtesy Jim Robins 3
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around town Area leaders celebrate North County Inc.’s anniversary To commemorate North County Incorporated’s (NCI) service to the community, NCI recently held an exclusive Anniversary Celebration at Hendel’s Market Café & Piano Bar. 80 area leaders enjoyed an elegant dinner with wine pairing and silent auction at the sold out event. “NCI, for decades has worked on challenges and opportunities to improve our communities’ quality of life, making a difference for both business and for the people that call North County home: said Chairman of the Board for NCI, Dan Boyle. North County Incorporated is a regional development organization, which acts as a catalyst to define and advocate economic and community development for North St. Louis County. NCI was established in 1977. The Board is composed of community leaders and business owners. Dan Boyle, Esq.
Submitted photo (From left) Former State Rep. Tom George sits with Senator Gina Walsh, Normandy City Council woman Terry Gannon and Rich Gannon, St. Louis County Executive Office Tom Curran, St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger, Jo Roche with St. Louis County Council Mike O’Mara’s office and Rich Roche.
with The Boyle Law Firm is the current Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Children should be immunized to protect their health and prevent classroom outbreaks As children return to school, it’s important that they are up to date on their vaccinations for vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, mumps and pertussis. What better time for parents to ensure that their children’s – and their own – immunizations are up to date, before children and germs gather in the classroom. Vaccines are the most effective means of protecting children from potentially serious infectious diseases and stopping the spread of disease. Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases once thought to be well controlled, including measles and pertussis (whooping cough), are still occurring in this country. Last winter’s multi-state outbreak of measles that began in a California amusement park sickened more than 170 people, most of whom were unvaccinated. Outbreaks of pertussis have been affecting schools. More than 28,000 cases of this highly contagious disease were reported in 2014 in the United
States, many in school-age children. Children with pertussis can develop a severe cough that lasts for weeks or even months. Infected children also can pass pertussis onto unvaccinated infant siblings, who face the greatest risk of serious illness and death. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations, pregnant women, family members, and caretakers also should be vaccinated to protect infants, especially those too young to get their own immunizations. The flu season also follows fast on the heels of the new school year. The flu can be serious, and each year about 20,000 children younger than 5 years of age are hospitalized with flu complications. The best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a yearly flu vaccine, with rare exception. This is especially important for pregnant women who face a higher risk of 4
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flu complications for themselves and their babies, according to the CDC. “A back-to-school check-up is an ideal time to make sure that your child’s immunizations are all up to date,” says Edward R.B. McCabe, MD, MPH, March of Dimes chief medical officer. “The more children who are fully immunized, the less the risk of exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases.” The March of Dimes has a long history of supporting vaccines. The organization was founded in 1938 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, himself a polio survivor, to combat polio. At the time, polio was an epidemic disease that paralyzed or killed up to 52,000 Americans, mostly children, every year. The March of Dimes funded the development of the first safe and effective polio vaccine by Dr. Jonas Salk in 1955, followed by the oral vaccine developed by Dr. Albert Sabin in 1962. Nearly every baby born today receives a lifesaving polio vaccine.
AROUND TOWN Statewide Economic Development Organization recognizes NCI for recovery initiatives North County Incorporated (NCI) is pleased to announce Rebecca Zoll, President/CEO of NCI was recognized by the Missouri Economic Development Council at their Annual Conference. Zoll was awarded the 2015 Resilience Award for the leadership she and NCI provided during the month’s following the Ferguson Crises in 2014. NCI’s work to bring regional partners together to help the area’s small businesses and school districts during and after the crises was one of the reasons MEDC leaders honored Zoll. “Rebecca Zoll and NCI are deserving of this honor due to their commitment to community based economic development in North St. Louis County. Rebecca’s bold leadership during a time of challenge and uncertainty should be commended. Her contributions to the small business community in the Ferguson area will have a lasting impact on the area,” said Joe Reagan, President and CEO of St. Louis Regional Chamber. The organization led a broad initiative that accomplished the following: (1) stabilized the business community by providing immediate grant assistance to businesses impacted by the unrest; (2) provided high touch outreach to build relationships with business owners and to assess needs; (3) marketed Ferguson, Dellwood, and Jennings businesses to attract more customers to the area; (4) established a series of workshops to support the ongoing development and growth of businesses in the impacted corridors. Zoll was nominated by the City of Hazelwood and St. Louis Regional Chamber. “NCI has supported the North County community for nearly 40 years, this is a situation in which there was no existing organization “on the ground” that could provide immediate support. NCI took this role upon itself,” said David Cox, Department of Economic Development, Director, city of Hazelwood. “Economic Development professionals pride themselves on
Photo courtesy North County Incorporated NCI President/CEO Rebecca Zoll accepts award from MEDC Pres. John Engelmann.
being able to think on their feet and face challenges, but what Rebecca did to marshal local, state and federal resources, while addressing inquiries from around the world is beyond what many of us would ever expect to be faced with. The resilience that Rebecca has demonstrated with the support of her board is something we will be learning from for a long time,” said John Engelmann, CEcD, President of MEDC. The Missouri Economic Development Council (MEDC) is a statewide, nonprofit association of economic development professionals and community leaders, MEDC has been the unified voice of Missouri economic developers since 1979. North County Incorporated is a regional development organization, which acts as a catalyst to define and advocate economic and community development for North St. Louis County. NCI was established in 1977. The Board is composed of community leaders and business owners. Dan Boyle, Esq., of The Boyle Law Firm is the current Chairman of the Board.
Express Scripts donates school supplies, backpacks for Hazelwood students in need Express Scripts employees recently presented a donation of school supplies and 75 backpacks to the Hazelwood School District. The donated supplies will be distributed to families in need in the District. Shown here with Express Scripts staff (in blue shirts) are (from left) Michelle Pendleton, HSD Families in Transition specialist; Raishelle Scott, HSD social worker; Dr. Maxine Valdez, HSD assistant superintendent for student services; and Audrey Cherry-Bates, director, HSD enrollment. Photo courtesy Hazelwood School District
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My Thoughts, Comments and Concerns
A trip back to high school Its official, summer vacation is over and the new school year is starting. For teenagers the first day of school, no matter if they’re starting the 6th grade or entering into their freshmen year of high school, there’s this sense of excitement, nervousness and wonder about what to expect. Author DuEwa Frazier captures all of these feelings and more in her young adult fiction novel titled “Deanne in the Middle.” Frazier is a poet, author, speaker, educator and literacy advocate. She’s also the author of a book of poems titled “Goddess Under the Bridge” which I couldn’t put down. Frazier was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in St. Louis. As an educator she’s spent many years as a public school teacher and literacy specialist. She’s served students in charter schools, library and adult basic education programs and nonprofit organizations. “Deanne in the Middle” is a story about a young lady named Deanne that starts her freshmen year at Stonywood High school. She’s made all this plans to meet some new people, join some extracurricular activities and excel in her classes. What she doesn’t account for is the drama and how her plans and new attitude will affect the people around her, mainly her neighborhood friends. In the process of allowing herself to be open to the idea of making new friends, Deanne gets bullied for choosing friends outside of her race. Her new friendships cause her to be a target for teasing and even get her into a fight with a classmate. “Deanne in the Middle” tackles issues with prejudice and being teased for exceling academically. Deanne is strong, smart, confident and unafraid to do what’s right. After a brief one on one with the author, this is what she had to say: “There’s a push for more diverse children’s books, within the We Need Diverse Books campaign. I support the increase of diverse books within children’s publishing,” says Frazier regarding
the books made available to the young adult audience. “I enjoy supporting literacy development among our youth. As a writer for children and young adults my goal is to add to the cannon of children’s literature and to provide youth with reading experiences that they enjoy. I was inspired to write my young adult novel, ‘Deanne in the Middle,’ after many years as a teacher, working with young people and understanding their language, the way they think and how their identities are impacted by their peers and the world around them,” Frazier said. Read young adult books. Understand the market of children’s publishing. Write consistently and imagine the audience you want to reach, stated Frazier for those looking to get into the young adult genre. When it comes to writing poetry or fiction Frazier says that both genres require a writer to study the craft, take workshops, read and receive critique of ones’ work. When asked the question, “Where do you pull inspiration from?” she replied, “My work with young people, my imagination, interesting tidbits in life.” Frazier is a wonderful and talented writer and I enjoyed being transported to a time where everything was a crisis and yet I started to learn who I was, what I wanted to be and excited and nervous about the journey ahead. I look forward to reading her future work.
By Erica R. Van Buren
Erica Van Buren is a freelance writer. She enjoys spending time with her family which includes a one year old all white Siberian husky named Ghost, a teenage son (pray for me) and a loving husband. She’s an advocate for getting kids to read more and encourages all kids to go outside, being active.
www.treesbywoody.net
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Big
moore on life things come in small towns
Big cities don’t have anything on good ol’ small towns. Our family recently vacationed in Marysvale, Utah – population: very tiny. How tiny you ask? So tiny its entire phone book fits on one sheet of paper…it’s called a phone paper. It’s so small that it doesn’t even have a stoplight yet. Of course, it’s not needed; the people waving from their porches and yards are enough to keep the traffic slowed down to an even pace. It used to have a movie theater back in the heyday when the small mining town was booming. Now, another nighttime event collects crowds of watchers. One evening, we carried our lawn chairs out and circled around. Nearing twilight, the main attraction began. From out of the roof top, bats began emerging, dropping down and fluttering about like disoriented butterflies on a sugar high; whirling, twirling and swirling and dive bombing just above our heads. Talk about an action-packed event. We never knew whether to drop, tuck and roll or run for cover. It got more screams out of us than any b-list horror movie could hope for. The only store in town is Tug’s gas station. This is the hub of the community, where the gossips gather. The old retired men assemble each morning to disperse the news of the day – better known as the town’s Internet. The lead story is the price of gas followed by subtopics which include, the skunk that broke into Violet Gibbs’ chicken coop and the sack of garbage strewn all over Darvill Heber’s lawn, courtesy of a marauding raccoon. If you need a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread or maybe a dozen eggs from Tugs, you’re in luck. If you forgot to load up on fresh produce from the next town over—40 minutes away, you may have to rely on a makeshift farmer’s market in the neighborhood and hope someone set out a basket of zucchini or tomatoes for sale. You’ll see a Mason jar next to it with a “make your own change” sign attached. The transportation of choice is ATVs. They’re all over the place since the famous Paiute off-road trail runs right next door. You’ll hear them chugging through town at all hours. People leave them out in the open. You never have to worry about crime. Law-breaking equates to some young rascal flooring his machine and spitting gravel all over the place. That’s considered rude and could get you a stern “talking to” for such a misdemeanor. That kind of reckless hooliganism is saved for the trails high up in the Tushar Mountains. Down in the city, keeping the peace is an unwritten rule and civility still rules the day. We happened to arrive as the town celebrated Pioneer Days with a parade. The kids’ grandpa, a Korean Veteran, led the parade alongside the other honored Veterans of the community. The day continued at the fairgrounds and began with the na7
tional anthem and a prayer – something so simple and pleasant that the atheists didn’t even protest. Then on to the rodeo; that’s where brassy cowboys pay good money to climb on board an agitated 1,000-lb hunk of hair and hooves and see if they can teach it some manners. Too many horses are unteachable and give the rider an embarrassing taste of country dust. They saunter away with their chaps between their legs, black and blue from shoulder to shin hanging onto their Stetsons and what’s left of their bruised egos. Failure’s a hard thing to handle for these country boys, especially after being out-ridden by the mutton-busters. These are kids a third of their age who cling on tighter than a tick to the woolly backs of giant sheep. They’re set loose and ride until they fall off or pass the six-second mark. Afterwards, the little cowboys and girls head for the outdoor cement pavilion, which has been flooded and transformed into a pond loaded with freshwater trout. The fish derby begins with splashing and dashing and little fingers chasing after slick fish while the kids shrieks when contact is actually made with the slippery skin. Later, dinner is looped around their fingers through the gills and ready to be filleted. All too soon it’s time to dodge traffic and head back to deadlines and drudgery, but we take along sweet memories of Marysvale.
by Cindy Moore
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. Our Town
2016 Scion iA
is small, sporty and made-to-order It was some 12-years ago when Toyota Motors launched their Scion Automotive line in the United States. Their business model was to offer personal-size vehicles marketed towards a select customer base that included first-time buyers and younger motorists. Their business model was to make them available to consumers with dealer installed “post assembly addon’s” for personalizing their beloved means of transportation, regardless of the model. Cars would arrive here stateside-all equipped about the same from the factory with the exception of body colors and transmission choices. From there, the dealer network would get busy making “your Scion” as unique as possible with back-room/bolt-on accessories. Well, this business direction even continues today. As a matter of fact, when ordering the all-new 2016 Scion iA four door, front-wheeldrive sedan, the car can only be requested with a choice of the outer body color you prefer and the choice of a six speed manual gear box or a six speed automatic. The iA’s are jointly engineered, developed and manufactured in conjunction with Mazda Motors at their assembly facility located in Mexico. The vehicle itself has a front end design that clearly resembles a new Camry, but in miniature. The iA is bold in appearance while having a fairly elongated hood, a short rear deck assembly and sculpted body side stampings with a distinctive character about it. The Scion iA has a quality interior materials throughout. It’s designed to seat five; however, back seat comfort maybe somewhat compromised with full-size adults. From the driver’s seat position there is plenty of unobstructed viewing of the road and your surroundings. The dash assembly is easy to understand and its layout is simplistic. I will add though, right out of the Mazda design play-book, the standard push button start button is completely obstructed by the wiper control stock, as we see this exact problematic issue with the Mazda CX-5 SUV. 8
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The glove box is fairly large for stowing your things but when it opens, it doesn’t have any damping system, therefore if you aren’t cautious, it will smack the front seat passenger right on their knees! The cars performance is quite spirited for its small 1.5L DOHC direct injected 4-cylinder, 16-valve engine. It’s rated at 106-horsepower and the EPA numbers are 33-mpg city and 42mpg highway with the automatic transmission. When equipped with the manual gear box, expect 31-mpg city and 41-mpg highway, slightly less fuel efficient than with the automatic. This sedan delivers sporty handling, precise, responsive steering and a progressive positive braking feel when cornering. All models also come with a no-cost, 2-year/25,000-mile maintenance plan and 24–hour Roadside Assistance. The base price is $15,700 when equipped with the six-speed manual. That doesn’t include the posted $795 necessary for destination charges. The factory’s policy is for “no haggle pricing” to further streamline the buying experience. This new iA for 2016 clearly offers up a lot of value for the money. Plan to see it at Scion dealerships nationwide in September. Keep in mind though, only some 80 percent of Toyota dealerships also handle Scion automobiles. By 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 manufactures, both import as well as with domestic nameplates.
for the love of FOOD A kitchen staple
Olive oil offers nutrition, flexibility You may be surprised to learn that cooking with olive oil is a simple way to add heart-healthy “good” fats to your diet. In fact, the health benefits, flavor and versatility of olive oil are all good reasons that olive oil is a staple in many kitchens. Not only can you replace other oils in recipes with olive oil (or extra virgin olive oil for added flavor), in many recipes you can also replace butter with olive oil to reduce saturated fat, cholesterol and calories. Studies show that your body absorbs nutrients from greens and vegetables better when they are consumed with a monounsaturated fat such as olive oil. These recipes help you get the most out of your veggies, and enjoy a decadent dessert too. Learn more at www.aboutoliveoil.org.
Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 romaine hearts, cleaned and leaves separated 4 hard boiled eggs, cut into quarters 25 Haricot Vert/French green beans, blanched 4 Olive Oil Poached Tuna portions, recipe follows 4 yellow potatoes, peeled Salt and pepper to taste 20 Kalamata olives, pitted 12 grape or cherry tomatoes, washed 8 lemon quarters
Olive Oil Poached Tuna with Crisp Romaine Salad
Directions: 1. Prep romaine, eggs and green beans, and chill the day before. Poach tuna and let cool to room temperature. 2. Boil potatoes until tender and drain. Season potatoes with salt and pepper while still hot. Let potatoes cool to room Serves: 1
temperature, cover with plastic and reserve. 3. Arrange romaine, eggs, green beans, olives, tomatoes and potatoes on four dinner plates. Break and flake tuna on top and drizzle with olive oil from poaching. Squeeze one lemon wedge on each plate and season with fresh pepper and salt. Serve with another lemon wedge.
Grilled Flat Bread Pizza with Hidden Vegetable Sauce
Ingredients: 1 large slice peasant bread cut 1/4- 3/8-inch thick, or any type artisan/ crusty bread Extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Hidden Vegetable Tomato Sauce, recipe follows Mozzarella, grated Parmesan Reggiano, grated
Directions: 1. Heat oven to 350°F and heat gas grill or grill pan to medium high. 2. rush bread generously with extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill bread crisp on each side and transfer to baking sheet lined with baking paper. Top each slice with tomato sauce. Cover with grated mozzarella and sprinkle with grated parmesan Reggiano.
3. Bake until cheese is melted, about 10-15 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve. Hidden Vegetable Tomato Sauce Ingredients: 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 cups peeled and small diced eggplant 1 cup small diced onion
Olive Oil Poached Tuna Ingredients: 4 tuna portions (5 ounces each) 2 cups extra virgin olive oil Kosher salt to taste Black pepper, freshly ground to taste 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary 4 tablespoons parsley cut in long, thin strips 2 lemons, zested and juiced Directions: Drizzle tuna with extra virgin olive oil. Season tuna generously with salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary, parsley and lemon zest. Place tuna in 12-inch saucepot and cover with extra virgin olive oil and juice of lemons. Heat over moderate heat until tuna poaches to medium rare, approximately 7-10 minutes depending on thickness of tuna. Remove from heat; allow tuna to continue to poach and cool to room temperature. 1 cup small diced carrot 1 cup small diced celery 2-3 garlic cloves, chopped 3 quarts canned crushed tomatoes 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme 2 tablespoons fresh basil cut in long, thin strips 1-2 dry bay leaves Salt and pepper to taste Directions: In large (5-quart or bigger) thick-bottomed pot, heat extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add eggplant, onion, carrot, celery and garlic, and saute gently (not browning vegetables or garlic) until vegetables start to become tender. Add tomatoes, herbs and bay leaves. Simmer, uncovered, for about 1 hour, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Puree until all vegetables are hidden in tomato sauce. Chill and reserve to make quick pizzas. Freeze unused sauce in smaller portions for future use.
Serves: 6
Garnish with sliced strawberries and mint.
Ingredients: 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 3 tablespoons honey 2 teaspoons Sriracha chili sauce 1 golden pineapple Olive Oil Ice Cream, recipe follows Mint sprigs Sliced strawberries
Olive Oil Ice Cream
Olive Oil Ice Cream with Grilled Pineapple
Directions: 1. Combine extra virgin olive oil, salt, honey and Sriracha. Set aside. 2 Cut top and bottom off pineapple and remove outer skin. Turn pineapple on side and cut even slices about 3/8-inch thick leaving the core in. Place cleaned pineapple slices in large resealable bag, pour marinade over them, and gently rotate 9
bag to distribute. Marinate overnight or at least 4 hours. 3. Heat charcoal or gas grill for direct grilling. Use sharp round cutter to remove core before grilling, if preferred. (This is optional; you can eat the core and it is easier to grill with it intact.) Brush grill grates and wipe with rag soaked with olive oil. Grill pineapple on each side about 3 minutes. 4. Transfer grilled pineapple to plate and top with scoop of Olive Oil Ice Cream.
Our Town
Ingredients: 12 ounces heavy cream 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped 2 pinches ground cinnamon 12 ounces milk 1/2 cup egg yolks 1/2-2/3 cup honey 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, delicate/fruity flavor profile Directions: In saucepot scald cream, vanilla, cinnamon and milk. In bowl whip yolks and honey. Temper whipped mixture with scalded cream mixture. Pour tempered mixture back into saucepot and cook until it coats the back of a spoon. Don’t boil. Strain mixture and cool. Stir in olive oil. Cool and freeze in ice cream machine.
A sweet legacy Robins Apiaries has been providing the St. Louis area with honey since 1922
Jim Robins holds a photo his father, Leonard Robins, climbed a tree to take in the 1920s of his truck and bee yard. Leonard taught Jim how to keep bees when Jim was 9 years old, and founded Robins Apiaries in 1922.
By Sara Hardin
Photos by Sara Hardin TOP: The four different types of honey that Robins Apiaries produces are (from left) Black Locust Tree, Edamame, Wildflower, and Cotton. The flavor of the honey depends on where the nectar was obtained to create the honey. Not all beekeepers keep their honey types separate, but each of Robins’ has a distinct flavor profile. BOTTOM: Jim Robins removes the frames from a beehive to show the cells, bees, and honey.
After watching Jim Robins work with skillful precision around thousands of swarming honey bees, it is difficult to imagine that he ever disliked the idea of beekeeping. Nevertheless, Robins, 78, claims that he was less than thrilled when his father had him start working in the bee yards at only 9 years old. 69 years later, Robins is a master in his field, and displays an impressive depth of knowledge about honey and honey bees, both of which he has ultimately decided aren’t all that bad after all. Robins’ father, Leonard Robins, founded Robins Apiaries in 1922. At one point, Robins recalls, 8,000 hives were under their care, making them the largest beekeeper in Missouri. Robins now has 400 hives scattered across 30 different locations around the state, but says that he is satisfied with the amount of honey he is producing, which he sells at various locations such as the Tower Grove farmers market, Local Harvest Grocery and Lucky’s Market, among others. Today, Robins Apiaries is, in Robins’ words, “an accumulation of years and years of knowledge.” This is perhaps most beautifully captured within a treasured photo, showing his father’s own bee yard from the late 1920s. “There’s nothing really remarkable about this picture, other than my dad climbed a hickory tree in the 1920s with a box camera to take a picture of his bees,” says Robins, pointing out his father’s hives in the black and white pho-
to. “Thank God he left his truck in the picture. That is a Model T, and he said it would hold four hives of bees in the truck bed. This was on my dad’s farm.” With the advancement of technology and transportation over the years, hives can now be moved by the hundreds or even the thousands from place to place in order to cultivate new colonies and pollinate different types of vegetation. The importance of honey bees in our lives, Robins stresses, doesn’t end with honey. “One-third of the food you eat is pollinated by bees or some other insect,” says Robins. “The only pollinator that’s really controllable is the honey bee – we can pick them up and haul them from one spot to another. Fruits and vegeta-
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bles are pollinated by the bees, and this causes the fruit to develop completely. The unpollinated fruit you’ll find isn’t uniform – this is true for anything that isn’t pollinated. Supposedly, Albert Einstein said that when the bees go, human beings go four years later. It’s that important. Believe it or not, there are places in China right now that have no bees, they’ve killed them out completely, and humans go out with brushes to move pollen from flower to flower. So, bees are absolutely essential.” With the rising concern of declining honey bee populations over recent years, Robins explains that the biggest conservation effort he is making is keeping his hives as far away from pesticides as possible, which he believes are a large part of the problem that honey bees are seeing today. He warns that we must be careful with how reckless we are if we want honey bees to continue living and making their valuable contributions to our lives. After securing a bee veil around each of our heads, Robins pries off a lid to one of the hives that lies on a piece of land that he leases on Lambert International Airport property. As hundreds of bees spill out into the air, he pumps smoke from a bee smoker to calm them and make it easier for him to extract one of the hive’s frames. Inside each frame are hundreds of cells, some of which contain honey. Other cells are covered with a layer of pollen, through which new bees emerge
Right Photo courtesy Jim Robins. A honey bee from Robins Apiaries. Left Photo by Sara Hardin. Bees cover one of the beehives at Robins Apiaries.
and become introduced to their colony. Each bee colony is independently efficient and protective of their own, and even assigns guard bees who guard the hive’s entrance from intruders. Robins explains that bees are more complex than many people think, and even have been discovered to have their own “language,” which they use to tell one another where sources of nectar can be found away from the hive. Robins uses a system that separates the type of honey his bees produce, leaving each kind with a distinct flavor. Some of his varieties include Wildflower, Eda-
mame, Alfalfa, and even Cotton. Robins’ personal favorite is Black Locust, which he says has a mild flavor ideal for sweetening tea. “I’ve always said that it’ll give your tongue a hug and a kiss,” says Robins with a smile. “It sweetens, but it doesn’t give you a honey-flavored tea.” There is a purpose for every type of honey that Robins produces, and even after almost 70 years making it, even he can’t get enough of the sweet stuff. “I make homemade bread from time to time, and I cut it and I get real, arteryclogging butter, and I put it on there with
honey. When I get through eating, about a third of the honey is gone,” Robins laughs. “It is so good you can’t believe it!” Robins Apiaries will be passed onto Robins’ son, David, who currently assists with honey production. After spending his life beekeeping, Robins has gathered an extraordinary amount of knowledge which he has poured into research on the subject in order to educate those without his experience. “Nothing is forever, and that includes me, but this is something I can leave behind. It never ends. You just keep learning.”
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Promotion
RVs enjoying record year in 2015 By Russ Patton, owner of Byerly RV Do you ever feel like your car is on autopilot? You pull out of the driveway and head for work, school, the mall … everyday just like yesterday? Just imagine that the road in front of your house will lead you to anywhere in the United States. And with an RV you can take your home with you! So turn off the autopilot and turn on your imagination. Autumn is the perfect RV season. The campgrounds are not full, the colors are changing and the weather is comfortable. Every weekend can be a mini vacation. New RV sales have grown almost 20 percent in 2015. Many customers have traded up to new models, so Byerly has a good variety of lower-priced, good quality, pre-owned RVs. No excuse! The Midwest Gateway RV Dealers Association sponsored fall show in September will bring in a new batch of pre-owned RVs. Check out our inventory at www.byerlyrv.com. But realize that many trades are sold before they are listed because our sales people maintain lists of waiting buyers. We realize that websites are only screen deep. We invite you
to visit the real Byerly RV on I-44, just five minutes east of Six Flags in Eureka, Missouri. Compare not only our vehicle selection, but check out our parts, service and rental areas. Our investment in servicing RV owners “after the sale” is one of the reasons why Byerly is the number one motorhome and number one travel trailer dealer in the St. Louis market area. Visit our website frequently to keep up with current events and sales, or visit our Facebook page. Byerly RV, the center of the RV world.
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entertainment The quirk-free version of Johnny Depp I will say this up front, if Johnny Depp’s performance as real life criminal Whitey Bulger doesn’t become his greatest shot for an Oscar win this year, then that would be a stunner. “Black Mass” is the movie, set for release on Sept. 18, that tells the true story about the infamous Boston mob criminal who became an FBI informant in order to take down a rival mafia. All eyes will be on his blue eyes - which look scary enough on Depp in all the right ways. There’s nothing quirky about his portrayal, a form we’ve become very familiar with over the years since he incredibly became Captain Jack Sparrow. This time he’s just flat out creepy and terrifying. Seeing him as Bulger, I couldn’t help but think about the straight characters he played throughout his career - a form that’s become a rarity in his work. Now I’m not saying that he’s turning to easier roles - definitely not the case. As Bulger, he’s put on a thick Boston accent, along with some serious – yet seamless – makeup work altering his looks. This is not a comedic performance, though I’m sure there’s plenty of room for dark humor Depp wouldn’t mind stirring up for thrills (see the first teaser trailer that reveals his wicked personality). He’s the kind of actor that always keeps his choices interesting throughout his career. For nearly two decades he’s already had a solid career before he became superstar in “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” in 2003. It was never something he cared too much for in his work, but in the end it was inevitable after all. Here are a couple other examples of more conventional roles Depp
took on over the years. “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” (1993) If there were a role where we see Johnny Depp at his most ‘normal’ – at least to his standards - it would be as Gilbert Grape. Watching his work here, more than twenty years after the film’s release, you realize what a truly well-rounded performer he really is. Gilbert runs the father-figure-less family household with his eldest sister, Amy (Laura Harrington). Together they take care of their teenage sister, Ellen (Mary Kate Shellhardt), teenage brother, Arnie (Leonardo DiCaprio) and their obese mother (Darlene Cates) who hasn’t left the house in seven years. They live in a poor, small town in the Midwest where nothing ever happens. The heart of the story is how well Gilbert takes care of his mentally handicapped brother Arnie. Depp’s portrayal as Gilbert is wisely contained – mixed with some self-coping sarcasm (a Depp specialty here) - because everything in Gilbert’s environment is the opposite of his ‘normality.’ His life gets extra complicated when he falls for an out-of-town visitor, Becky (Juliette Lewis), and finds himself at a crossroads. There’s no argument that it’s DiCaprio’s irresistible performance as Arnie – his first Oscar-nominated performance - that steals every scene he’s in, but it wouldn’t be as special if not for Johnny Depp’s true professionalism of how he carried the film – selflessly – on his shoulders. That’s exactly what Gilbert does with Arnie too. Depp’s Gilbert is a brilliant under-appreciated performance for an under-appreciated
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movie that did not make all of its money back for the studio at Paramount. However, the film more than survived over years because of high praises and word-of-mouth. “Public Enemies” (2009) When Johnny Depp took on the role of real life bank-robbing gangster, John Dillinger, the possible path to his casting in “Black Mass” was possibly realized. Depp’s straight-tothe-vest portrayal as Dillinger was a breath of fresh air for him at the time. The movie served as a well-disciplined period-action film for the summer of 2009. Unfortunately, the movie gathered no Academy Award attention that year despite the historical accuracy and shooting locations - particularly the log cabin shoot-out scene filmed at the exact location of the incident. Depp proved to be a pro as a character that posed as a major threat – so much so that you could easily believed he done it many times before, like Robert De Niro or even James Cagney. By Brian GuerRero
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.
Charles Callison, MD
Stroke risks start early, prevention should too Most of us only think about health risks when health emergencies happen. When it comes to stroke, we should really be concerned about prevention long before we fear a stroke could strike. The Cause of Stroke To start preventing stroke, it helps to know what causes one. “A lot of things can cause a stroke,” said Charles Callison, MD, neurointerventionalist with SSM Health Neurosciences at DePaul Hospital. “It can be from a blood clot traveling up to the brain from some source like the heart. It can be from atherosclerosis – an inflammatory disorder of arteries that reduces blood flow. It can be from a bulge in a blood vessel wall that ruptures and causes bleeding in or around the brain.” Different causes of stroke lead to different types of stroke. Clots can be ejected from the heart because of abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation. This condition allows clots to form in the inner chamber of the left heart atrium that are then ejected from the heart. Other clots are formed and then sent out from the heart during or after a heart attack. Sometimes, an infection in your bloodstream can settle in your heart and create clumps of infected material on your valves or lining of the heart. Those clumps can break off and go to the brain causing a type of embolic stroke. Small vessel disease can cause stroke when the tiniest capillaries close up. These types of stroke can be either minor or very devastating, leading to sensory loss, paralysis or double-vision depending on where in the brain the stroke occurs. Other strokes happen after trauma. A blow to the head can cause bleeding outside of the brain called subdermal or epidermal hematomas. Certain medical conditions or lifestyle choices also contribute to stroke. Smoking, diabetes and high blood pressure can all cause capillaries in the brain to narrow and either shut down or start bleeding. Another blood vessel condition called amy-
loid angiopathy causes proteins to develop within the wall of a blood vessel. Those vessels can bleed and cause hemorrhaging in the brain. Then there are strokes caused by aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages. That’s when a blood vessel wall bulges out and ruptures. These strokes are often very serious with a high risk of death. Risk Factors Because the cause of stroke can vary so widely, there are many risk factors to consider. Some we can’t control – things like age, ethnicity and family history. If you are a man over 45 or a woman over 55, you may be at an increased risk for stroke. A family history of stroke can also increase your risk. Other risk factors come in the form of health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, atrial fibrillation and a personal history of stroke or heart attack. Having one stroke can put you at a higher risk for having another one. Lifestyle choices also contribute to your risk of stroke. Smoking and spending time around others who smoke can increase your risk, as can a diet high in sodium and cholesterol. Being more than 20 pounds overweight and a lack of exercise contribute to stroke risk. Prevention “If we think about what is our best treatment for stroke, we’ve set up programs to rapidly evaluate people and medicines to dissolve blood clots and catheter therapy where we can pull clots out of arteries, and those are all valuable and can be very successful,” said Callison. “But you know what our best treatment for stroke is? It’s to prevent it before it happens.” Making small changes now – things like increasing daily exercise, limiting alcohol consumption and reducing saturated fats while increasing the vegetables in our diets – can make a big difference in reducing the risk of stroke. Dr. Callison stresses that parents need to start early to help their children and grandchildren avoid stroke even decades down 15
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the road. While we generally think about stroke happening in older people because that’s when issues like atherosclerosis start showing up, it actually starts in youth. Some kids with abnormal lipids can start getting fatty streaks in their aorta, which leads to problems later in life. Another issue to consider is what we allow our kids to do and to eat. “The best gift parents can give their kids is a good example,” said Callison. “A good example of what to eat, how to conduct yourself, how to exercise. You can’t just say ‘do this, don’t do that’ and continue to smoke or eat the kinds of foods you tell your kids not to eat.” Recognizing and Responding to Stroke The signs of a stroke can be tough to recognize. Some signs are obvious: face drooping, arm weakness and speech difficulty. Other signs can be harder to spot. “Sometimes we get patients who end up in the ER and they’re confused,” said Callison. “Well, in fact, they’re not confused. They have damage to the language center in their brain which makes it difficult to understand or speak.” Another sign you might not realize as stroke: a severe headache. If you get a sudden, severe headache that is worse than any headache you’ve ever had, especially if you can’t bend your neck, it could indicate bleeding in your brain. Getting treatment quickly is key to treatment and recovery. For every minute the brain goes without oxygen, you lose a billion brain cells. So don’t just wait for symptoms to go away. “Call 911 immediately. Don’t dawdle,” said Callison. “Our best time to intervene with stroke and alter the outcome is to quickly get somebody to the hospital. Don’t drive them – call 911. The ambulance will get them to a stroke center like DePaul faster.” Dr. Callison is a neurointerventionalist with SSM Health Neurosciences at DePaul Hospital, the only Joint-Commission Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center in St. Louis County.
ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE
Morning boil Editor’s note: Avalanche suffers from nasty migraines, the result of a career-ending eye injury. This was written several years ago, when things were quite difficult. I awaken a few minutes after 5 a.m.; it’s still dark outside. The all-too-familiar railroad spike driving through my eyeball and brain is mercifully absent. A cup of coffee and a little exercise get the blood moving. A layer of fleece to ward off the early morning wind chill, and on goes the riding suit. I grab helmet, gloves, glasses and key, and double check the registration and insurance. I roll the two-wheeled race-replica out of the garage, thumb the starter and the motor begins its day with a rough idle. After a couple of minutes, the idle smoothes out; I get on, click it into first gear, roll up the driveway and make my way down the washboard gravel road to the highway. Someone in a hurry for work pulls up right behind me, impatient for me to be out of their way. It will be the last traffic I hold up this morning. After a right turn onto the highway, the motor winds up. I shift into second gear, already up to highway speed, then third. No need to run hard here, as tires, shocks, motor and brain all need time to warm up. The first four curves behind me, the road opens up into a stunning morning view of mountains and meadows. It is plenty
light out now, but the sun is still behind the mountain for another hour or so, giving me time to play, before that burning orb rises in the east and sears a hole in my brain, driving me to the cool, dark refuge of the basement. Just past the Castle, a rocky cliff on the inside of a 90-degree right-hander announces the entrance to the canyon. Visibility is the limiting factor on speed here, as the corner is blind. Just as I set up for the entrance to the corner, two vehicles come around the curve, both well into my lane. I’m rewarded for my cautious approach, as there is plenty of time and space for me to avoid their lack of lane awareness. Hazards avoided, I bring the motor up to a rolling boil. A combination of a hard lean and moderate throttle brings me through the apex, my senses now dialed all the way up. I accelerate out of the curve, then back off, engine braking preparing the way for the next 90-degree lefthander. This corner is not blind, and there are no other drivers, pedestrians, driveways, bus stops, or other hazards to impede progress. The corner goes fast, the tires providing enough adhesion to make good use of the plentiful horsepower on hand. I bring it down a couple of notches, passing a subdivision access road, then set up 16
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for another 90-degree right. The pavement is a little rougher here, but is good enough for a deep lean. Lots of throttle here, then back off, and power up again, through a hard left as the highway runs by a roadside waterfall. No gravel in the road today by this popular turnout, so more throttle. The curves open up a bit now, providing a good sight-line through the canyon. There is no other traffic, and I’m totally in the moment, running the bike hard with perfect concentration. Speed, power and balance meld together in a high velocity symphony. Pain, anxiety, frustration and fear disappear behind me along with the blurred scenery. The rush of speed and adrenaline is exhilarating. For this one totally engaging moment, everything is perfect. I exit the canyon and the spell is broken. A few more miles and a U-turn bring me back to the canyon. The throttle is opened, but with more restraint. Skid marks and a stain of vehicle fluids on the pavement mark the location of yesterday’s sirens. Someone’s moment was not perfect; perhaps a lack of concentration, or a rock falling at precisely the wrong moment. This highway is beautiful, exhilarating and deadly; the penalty for failure is marked by the crossed skid marks on the pavement, the flowers at the roadside memorial. Much pain has been experienced here. But today, this place has given me relief from it. The ride plays out with a nice, moderate run through the corners, a quick pass around a dawdling truck and an easy couple miles back home. As the sun comes out, I smile, knowing that I’ve won today’s battle. By 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.
nonprofit profile
Alzheimer’s Association, St. Louis Chapter:
providing help and hope for those affected in the 38-county service area
Submitted photo
The 2014 Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
The Alzheimer’s Association, St. Louis Chapter, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all persons affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders through comprehensive educational programs, compassionate services, access to resources and support for research. Nationally, there are more than 5 million people living with Alzheimer’s with a new case developing every 67 seconds. Locally, more than 110,000 people in Missouri are living with the disease. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s include gradual memory loss, disorientation, a decline in the ability to perform routine tasks, loss of language skills, impaired judgment and personality changes. Eventually people with Alzheimer’s become incapable of caring for themselves. The first link for families is the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline, 800-272-3900, a telephone support service that provides easily accessible, direct information about the disease. Staffed by highly trained vol-
unteers, many with first-hand experience, Helpline volunteers provide a listening ear, understanding and resources on how to cope with the disease. Volunteers also provide ongoing follow-up assistance with families, and offer caregiving tips and information throughout the course of the disease, which can last from two to 20 years. In addition, chapter services include support groups, care consultations, respite care assistance, programs for early diagnosed persons and the Safe Return identification program. Education programs include “Know the 10 Signs” classes, family seminars and training for health-care professionals. To support the programs and services provided, the Alzheimer’s Association St. Louis Chapter hosts the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is more than a walk. It is an experience for the nearly 12,000 participants around St. Louis who will learn about Alzheimer’s disease and how to get 17
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involved with this critical cause, from advocacy opportunities, the latest in Alzheimer’s research and clinical trial enrollment to support programs and services. Each walker will also join in a meaningful ceremony to honor those affected by Alzheimer’s disease. There are eight Walk’s in the area, including St. Louis, St. Charles, Washington, Rolla, Festus, Cape Girardeau, Edwardsville and Belleville. The St. Louis Walk to End Alzheimer’s will take place on Sept. 12 at the Scottrade Center. The St. Charles event will be held on Sept. 26 at St. Charles Community College. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, Walk to End Alzheimer’s or more visit alz.org/stl or call 800-272-3900.
photo op St. Louis Rams’ training camp Photographer Ray Rockwell strapped on his gear and headed out to the St. Louis Rams’ training camp at Ram’s Park on Aug. 10. Even though he didn’t make the team, Ray did come back with these photos from this annual, open-to-the-public event. Photos By Ray Rockwell
GO!
GO!
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CALENDAR of Events
September:
OCTOber:
11 - 9-11 ceremony
A commemorative ceremony will be located at the parking lot of the VFW. Mayor Schneider will be the guest speaker. Please join us for this solemn tribute at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois starting at 7 p.m. For more information call 314-831-6121.
5 – Child Health Day 9 – Leif Erikson Day 12 – Columbus Day
12 - Community shred event This event is free to the community so feel free to bring old tax returns, old credit card statements, old bank statements, etc. and have those documents containing important personal information securely shredded on-site at Provident Insurance Agency LLC at 2875 Patterson Road in Florissant from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. We will also raffle off some great gift certificates; as well we will be collecting donations for T.E.A.M (The Emergency Assistance Ministry) to help keep the shelves of our local food bank stocked. We just ask that participants limit their shred contents to two banker sized boxes (13 x 13 x 17 inches each).
16 – Boss’s Day 31 – Halloween
12 - 3rd Annual Taste In Ferguson Annual Taste In Ferguson takes place 3 – 6 p.m. at Savoy Banquet Ctr. at 119 S. Florissant Rd. in Ferguson. Tickets available, $20 per person, children U10 free. Over 20 culinary vendors will be present. For more information visit www.TheTasteInFerguson.com.
13 - Fall festival St. Mark’s United Methodist Church at 315 Graham Road in Florissant is having their annual Fall Festival at 12 p.m. Activities include, bobbing for apples, crafts, three-legged races, hula hoop and pie eating contest, cake walk, bounce houses, face painting, food truck and many other fun events. This is a free event.
19 - Suicide prevention awareness event The 7th Annual Suicide Prevention Awareness Fundraiser includes a 5K race and a one mile fun run, as well as a men’s and coed softball tournament at St. Ferdinand Park in Florissant. There will also be a barbeque hosted by the Florissant Youth Advisory Commission. All proceeds from the tournament walk and barbeque will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. This event is held in loving memory of Alex McArthur. Registration is open online or at the James J. Eagan and John F. Kennedy Community Centers. For a link to online registration, visit www.florissantmo.com click Recreation tab, and click “Suicide Prevention Awareness Fundraiser” under Topics of Interest. For additional information call the JFK Center front desk at 314-921-4250.
20 - Celebrating AAUW The American Association of University Women Ferguson-Florissant Branch (North County) opens its program year with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. All individuals interested in women’s equity are invited to attend. State President Diane Ludwig will be in attendance. An overview of AAUW\s mission, programs, and activities will be featured and the latest research report dealing with women in STEM fields will be distributed. For additional information and directions, call 314-831-6884, 314-831-5359 or e-mail sbreeze@mindspring.com.
23 - Red Cross blood drive Blood drive at Blessed Savior Lutheran Church at 2615 Shackelford Road in Florissant from 2:30 - 6:30 p.m. Call the church at 314-831-1300 or sign up on line at redcrossblood.org sponsor code BlessedSavior.
26 - Trivia night St. Marks United Methodist Church at 315 Graham Road in Florissant is having their 13th annual Trivia Night starting at 6:30 pm. Cost is still only $10 per person with up to 10 people at a table. We have a terrific silent auction and snacks and soda are provided. You can bring any food items for your table; this is a really fun family event with babysitting provided by our certified staff at only $2 per child. You must sign up for babysitting by Sept. 23. Call Debbie or April in the church office at 314-837-9404 to reserve a table as we expect a sell-out.
27 - Car show The Third Annual Olivette Car Show will be held (rain or shine) from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. No entry fee required as all automotive categories are welcomed. Trophies will be given out at the conclusion of the event. Area-wide first responder vehicles will also be on display. Registration begins at 9:15 a.m. The event itself will take place at Stacy Park at 9750 Old Bonhomme Rd, in Olivette. Registration is available on-line at: www.olivetteonthego.com or phone at 314-991-1249. 19
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