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Creve Coeur commissions artist-designed street banners and more.
Feature High and Dry? Maryland Park Lake District, nestled next to the Missouri river, generating both excitement and concern. By Sara Hardin
Our Thoughts Moore on Life author Cindy Moore faces off against another grandmother while Avalanche tries his best to stay out of the way of mudslides. The 2016 Honda Ridgeline is correctly billed as “amazing” in this month’s Automobile Alley
Lifestyle Two directors look to rejuvenate their careers in Entertainment Sweet and easy ideas for award-winning desserts can be found in For the Love of Food
NonProfit Profile TEAM Food Pantry
Caring Partners Watching your back and more
Events Calendar Staff Writer - Sara Hardin Cover Photo - Erica Avellone
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AuthorBiographies
Our Town Volume 07 | Number 08 September 2016
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Publisher Robert Huneke Editor Mathew DeKinder Production Lisa Moran Melissa Nordmann Contributors Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Brian Guerrero, Cindy Moore Photographer Erica Avellone Staff WriterS Brett Auten Sara Hardin For advertising information, please contact us at:
info@mycnews.com or
Community News
Avalanche is a functional illiterate who left the St. Louis area three decades ago in search of adventure. He enjoys motorcycling and all things outdoors. He lives with his wife and dogs.
Avalanche
Sara Hardin is a senior English and Writing student at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. After earning her degree, she hopes to continue her writing journey with Community News, through which she has been able to meet and speak with many of the community’s most influential individuals from her home in North County.
Sara Hardin
David Finkelstein
David Finkelstein is a Master/Skill Automotive Service Technician, maintaining that role for over 45 years, coupled with being a shop owner in that time frame as well. He’s also invented a number of garage service tools for mechanics and has served on both National as well as local Automotive Trade Industry Boards. Additionally, he pioneered “Car Talk Radio” over 40 years ago, starting out with KMOX/CBS Radio as well as hosted “Auto Talk” on KFTK/FOX News Radio for some 15-years. David tests and evaluates new vehicles weekly and also does some consulting with various auto manufacturers, both import as well as with domestic nameplates.
Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder.
Cindy Moore
Brian Guerro
Brian Guerrero is a former resident of Los Angeles and a current resident of New York City with extensive experience in front of and behind the camera for film and television.
Published by the Community News, Our Town is a monthly news magazine covering the cities of Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, and Olivette. Circulation is 15,000 monthly through over 200 monitored newsstands guaranteeing 100% pickup. Additional issues are distributed online, and a free online subscription is available at www. mycnews.com
2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366 Ph: 636.379.1775 Fx: 636.379.1632 www.mycnews.com Copyright 2016 Huneke Publications, Inc. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
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Sprucing Up the Camp Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri receives $225,000 gift to revitalize Camp Fiddlecreek Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri received a generous $225,000 gift from the Earl E. and Myrtle E. Walker Foundation. The money will support renovations and revitalizations at Camp Fiddlecreek in Labadie, Missouri, one of the organization’s three camps. Nestled on 83 wooded acres, Camp Fiddlecreek is the closest of the properties to the St. Louis metropolitan area, and is extremely popular with younger Girl Scouts. More than 11,800 girls participated in a Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri camping experience last year. According to a 2014 study by the Girl Scout Research Institute, Girl Scouts build their selfesteem, gain leadership experience and develop a deep appreciation for nature through camp. Girls who attend camp say they learn how to be their best, treat others with respect and learn valuable decisionmaking and team-building skills. Girls also participate
in various forms of physical activity, including canoeing, archery, swimming, hiking and team games. The donation from the Walker Foundation will help girls have an even better experience at camp for generations to come. The Earl and Myrtle Walker family has an extensive history of investing in girls. With three daughters in Girl Scouts, Myrtle was a longtime volunteer, serving as troop leader, cookie manager and member of the organization’s board of directors. Myrtle was wellknown for her eponymous 600-pound bronze turtles, which may be seen throughout the St. Louis area; two of Myrtle’s Turtles live near the shore of Camp Fiddlecreek’s Walker Lake, also named for the family. Earl Walker passed away in 2011 and Myrtle died in March of this year at age 95. The transformative gift makes possible numerous renovations and updates at
Camp Fiddlecreek, which will include upgrading two lodges, the swimming pool and dining hall, and constructing a day outing shelter by the newly opened climbing wall and zipline. The donation will also cover the cost of a spider weblike climbing facility and parking lot. The Walker family hopes the generous gift will inspire others to invest in girls. Additionally, the camp will host Camp Keeper Service days, inviting Girl Scouts, their families and community members to assist with painting, repair,
trail work and small building projects. “The Walker family has made a tremendous difference in the lives of girls, and this gift will help even more Girl Scouts get in touch with nature, create lasting friendships and build confidence at camp,” said Bonnie Barczykowski, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri CEO. “We are honored by the entire Walker family’s commitment to developing today’s girls into tomorrow’s leaders through quality outdoor experiences.”
If you plant them, they will come! Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and songbirds that is! Let Forrest Keeling partner with you to bring natural beauty to your home habitat!
Visit Forrest Keeling’s all-new Habitat Headquarters in Elsberry.
in the back yard to the back forty! Forrest Keeling Nursery
forrestkeeling.com
SEPTEMBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 5
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New Aquarium to be Part of Union Station Redevelopment
This rendering shows the façade of Union Station with the St. Louis Aquarium sign and the previously announced St. Louis Wheel which will also be a part of the extensively redeveloped historic train station.
By Brett Auten Something fishy is happening at St. Louis Union Station. Lodging Hospitality Management (LHM) announced the next phase of development at the National Historic Landmark train station in downtown St. Louis - the St. Louis Aquarium. Construction is planned to begin in fall 2016 with an anticipated completion in fall 2018. “All of us at LHM are excited to bring this highly anticipated attraction to St. Louis,” says Bob O’Loughlin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Lodging Hospitality Management and owner of St. Louis Union Station. “The St. Louis Aquarium will anchor the development that will transform St. Louis Union Station and reposition it as a family attraction destination similar to Chicago’s Navy Pier.” The 75,000-square-foot St. Louis Aquarium will be located in the former mall area within St. Louis Union Station. The $45 million attraction will feature one-of-a-kind exhibits and tanks with one million gallons of water housing 6 | OUR TOWN | SEPTEMBER 2016
thousands of aquatic species. A shark tank holding one of the largest collections of sharks in the Midwest will be a highlight of the new attraction. The exhibit will feature a Shark Bridge, a unique V-shaped rope bridge that will suspend visitors just inches above the 385,000-gallon shark-filled tank. For guests brave enough to walk across, the Shark Bridge will offer a thrilling vantage point above the sharks, stingrays and hundreds of fish. The attraction will be open 365 days a year from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. One million visitors are expected annually. The St. Louis Aquarium will be an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) which holds members to the highest standards in animal care and exhibition. The facility will employ an animal husbandry team of marine biologists and aquarists responsible for the long-term care of the animals in the exhibit as well as overseeing water chemistry, animal nutrition, veterinary care, education, staffing and safety. The aquarium will be an exceptional educational experience for school groups and an entertainment
destination for local and out-of-town visitors. An 8,500-square-foot private event space will feature the Shark Tank as a backdrop for weddings, social events and corporate parties. The St. Louis Aquarium will be part of a $70 million family entertainment complex located at St. Louis Union Station. Other components will include the previously announced St Louis Wheel, a 200-foot-high observation wheel with 30 fully-enclosed, climatecontrolled and ADA-compliant gondolas that seat up to six adults each. Wheel passengers will take three to four rotations high over the St. Louis skyline during the 10-to-12-minute ride. The St. Louis Wheel will be a new iconic attraction on the St. Louis skyline and will be operational every day of the year. Other phases of the entertainment complex at St. Louis Union Station are underway in an area beneath the historic train shed that will be known as The Train Park. The Train Park will feature food and beverage concessions served out of train cars and shipping containers, the Fire & Light Show at the Lake, the St. Louis Wheel, the Hard
AroundTown the national media as one of the best places to visit in Philadelphia and has become a popular gathering space for locals and visitors alike with floating gardens, colorful hammocks and food and drink from local restaurants. Enhancements also are continuing at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel which will add 32 new hotel rooms beneath the clock tower section on the Market Street side of the building’s northeast corner. Construction on the rooms will start in January 2017 with completion by fall 2017. The hotel currently offers 539 rooms and will increase to 571 rooms when the $5.5 million project is completed. The hotel also will add 15,636 square feet of new meeting space by expanding the Midway east to 18th Street. Six new breakout rooms ranging from 1,600 to 2,835 square feet will be added along with another 8,700 square feet of flexible event space created with one of the shark tanks as a backdrop at the cost of $3.5 million. Construction on the meeting space will begin in January 2017 with completion by fall 2017.
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Rock Café and Landry’s restaurants, and new retail and family attractions. The first phase of development - the Fire & Light Show at the Lake will open by November 2016. The show emanates from nine fire pods submerged in the watery pool. Tube lights, hung from trees in the Train Park, and a light show projected onto the ceiling panels of the train shed above the lake, will create a display synchronized to music on view every 30-minutes on the hour. A new boardwalk around the lake will allow guests to stroll completely around the water and connect to both the Hard Rock Café and Landry’s restaurants. A cantilevered net lounge will be installed between the restaurants where guests can relax in a hammock-style lounge that hovers above the lake to view the Fire & Light Show. The Train Park and Fire & Light Show are being created by Groundswell Design of Philadelphia. The company recently completed the popular Spruce Street Harbor Park in Philadelphia. That attraction was recently named in
Advertorial
RV equals family recreation by russ patton, Owner of Byerly RV The RV industry is returning to its roots. Smaller, lighter travel trailers which can be pulled by todays downsized SUV, vans and pickups are very popular. Tiny, but creatively designed, these mini trailers can feature bathrooms, kitchens, A/C, furnaces and sleeping for two-tofour people. Incredible! At the spur of the moment you can hook up and go. Where? Anywhere you can drive for a week or a weekend. Affordable? About $10,000-$15,000 which should fit into a budget at about $125 - $150 per month. And, of course, this is only the beginning. As you learn to enjoy the escapist lifestyle, your comfort level may entice you to seek more space and amenities. A larger travel trailer or fifth wheel can double or triple your living space with slide-out rooms and private sleeping areas. A few people will eventually gravitate to the “extreme” RVs as seen on TV, at campgrounds or on our lot. Some full-timer RVs are so large that it seems like your first tiny trailer could fit in their storage compartment! What’s it all about, this RV phenomenon? Until you look inside one, you have no idea. Take a peek. Come see us at Byerly RV on I44 in Eureka. Check us out first at byerlyrv. com or Facebook. Byerly, the center of e h t h the RV world. t Wor ive r D
Byerly RV 295 East Fifth St. | Eureka, MO 63025 800-878-3325 | 636-938-2000 www.byerlyrv.com
This rendering shows part of the completed St. Louis Aquarium. SEPTEMBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 7
AroundTown
On the ballot Creve Coeur residents to vote on police station bond measure Nov. 8 On Nov. 8 Creve Coeur citizens will vote on Proposition P, a bond measure that, if approved, would fund construction of a new police station. The ballot will read as follows: “Shall the City of Creve Coeur, Missouri, issue its general obligation bonds in an amount up to $10,690,000 for the purpose of constructing, furnishing and equipping a new police station on the current government center property and making safety, security and accessibility renovations to the existing building?” The Creve Coeur City Council unanimously approved the ordinance placing the measure on the ballot at their meeting on Aug. 22. This ballot measure is the culmination of more than two years of study by the citizens’ Needs Assessment Task Force, the city council and city staff. The task force reviewed numerous options presented in the form of a professional needs analysis before making its recommendation to city council identifying construction of a new police station on the existing government center property as the best course of action to ensure a continuation of high-quality police services well into the future. A new police station will address several deficiencies outlined in the needs analysis including: • Providing additional work space for police officers, detectives, crime prevention officers and support staff. When the police department moved into the existing government center after remodeling of the grade school building in 1989, the city’s population and corresponding policing staffing and needs were substantially smaller. • Addressing inadequate police training facilities, evidence storage and private interview rooms used with victims of crime.
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• Eliminating the unsafe parking lot configuration which creates hazards between police vehicles and community center patrons, both drivers and pedestrians. • Addressing safety, security and accessibility deficiencies in the current building. • Providing a vastly improved Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which is a critical component to managing public safety and security during major incidents. The squad room currently serves double duty as the EOC, lacking adequate space, technology or the physical strength to withstand natural disasters. “A new police station is a natural extension of the services that our officers currently provide, and the overall security of the community in which we live,” said Mayor Barry Glantz. “I consider Proposition P an investment in the future - ensuring the continuation of the high-quality professional law enforcement services that our residents have come to know, and expect.” If approved by the required four-sevenths majority of voters, the measure will provide funding for a new police station as well as safety, security and accessibility improvements to the Government Center. General obligation bonds totaling $10.69 million will be issued upon voter authorization, resulting in an estimated real and personal property tax levy of $0.080 for twenty years. This will result in an estimated increase in real estate taxes of $60.80 annually on a home with a market value of $400,000. At the Aug. 22 meeting the city council also authorized the hiring of an owners’ representative to manage the project, provide cost and quality control and ensure the project is completed on schedule and within budget, if the bond measure is approved by voters.
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Art in the Streets City of Creve Coeur commissions artist-designed street banners The city of Creve Coeur has commissioned local artist Genevieve Esson to design street banners to be displayed along a 1.5 mile stretch of Olive Boulevard. The banners, which were recommended by the Creve Coeur Arts Committee, will be displayed for the first time during September and October 2016 and will then join a rotation of seasonal banners. In conjunction with the display on Olive Boulevard, the Creve Coeur Arts Committee is host an art exhibit at the Creve Coeur Government Center at 300 N. New Ballas Road that will run through Sept. 30. The exhibit will include a display of 22 unique 30 inch by 60 inch vinyl banners designed by Esson along with the original scaleddown canvases on which she painted the designs. The Arts Committee instructed Esson to design the banners using the theme of “Whimsical Motion.” “The banners convey a sense of how the automobile and
Photos courtesy city of Creve Coeur Two sample banners from Genevieve Esson’s “Whimsical Motion.” The banners, will be on display at the Creve Coeur Government Center and will then be moved to the decorative street lamps on Olive Boulevard for the months of Sept. - Oct.
daily traffic has affected our perceptions of the world around us,” said Esson. “My artwork is not a map of Creve Coeur, but a general abstract viewpoint with touches of red, yellow, green, lights, road signs, street lines, buildings, store signs, the sky, billboards and other vehicles in a whirring maze of whimsy and line movement, flashing colors and wires cutting through the sky, becoming an abstract blaze of colors and expression.” The banners will be hung on the decorative street lamps along Olive Boulevard between North New Ballas Road and North Mason Road. The original canvas paintings, which will be available for sale, will remain on display in the Government Center Lobby through Sept. 30. Esson is a mixed media artist who primarily works with acrylics. Based in St. Louis, her work had been featured locally and internationally. Her work uses bright colors and energetic line movement and can be described as surreal and dream-like. Esson has completed 15 Public Artworks since 2009.
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SEPTEMBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 9
AroundTown
Walking to Fight Lung Cancer
St. Louis heroes unite to support innovative lung cancer research Hundreds of local residents are joining forces to fight lung cancer, united in the belief that surviving lung cancer should be the expectation, not the exception. These everyday superheroes will be meeting at the St. Louis Free to Breathe 5K Walk on Sept. 18 at the Tremayne Shelter in Creve Coeur Park. All proceeds from the event support Free to Breathe, a lung cancer research and advocacy organization dedicated to doubling lung cancer survival by 2022. It’s easy to join the ranks of these lung cancer heroes. Simply register, raise funds, and run or walk. “By fundraising and joining us on event day, you are bringing hope to those touched by the disease,” said volunteer event chair Angela Bennett of St. Louis. “More treatment options are needed, and the innovative research we’re funding can help ensure everyone diagnosed with the disease has a fighting chance.” The Free to Breathe events community has raised over $14 million to support groundbreaking research and educational programs since 2005. This year the organization will be funding two new lung cancer research grants totaling over $1.2 million dollars. Last year, community members, teams, and companies across the region supported the St. Louis Free to Breathe 5K Walk by raising over $38,000. Event chairs hope to surpass that total in 2016, which will go a long way in supporting programs specifically designed to ensure that more patients become survivors. Every dollar counts to the more than 224,000 people diagnosed in the U.S with lung cancer each year. In Missouri alone, an estimated 5,450 residents will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2016. This year’s event will feature a 5K walk. The day will also include a silent auction, children’s activities including face painting and games, the musical stylings of a local DJ and fun for the whole family. Special recognition will be given to top finishers and fundraising heroes. Gather your superhero squad, and join us for an inspiring day focused on doubling lung cancer survival. To register and begin fundraising, visit www.freetobreathe.org/stlouis. 10 | OUR TOWN | SEPTEMBER 2016
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Open for Business
Submitted Photo
Midas Hospitality and MC Hotel Construction hold ribbon cutting
Pictured (from left) holding the scissors are city of Maryland Heights’ council member Jim Carver with Midas Hospitality’s Managing Member and CEO David Robert.
Midas Hospitality, a premier hotel management group, and sister company MC Hotel Construction, a
general contractor specializing in new hotel construction and renovations, recently held a ribbon cutting for their
Aging on Film Discussants announced for Fourth Annual Silver Screen Series Maturity and Its Muse, along with the City of Creve Coeur Arts Committee, will host a series of film viewings and discussions on Mondays in September. The free series will focus on films that explore positive aging themes. Each film will conclude with an optional discussion between attendees and filmmakers, academics, and artists. All screenings will be held at AMC Creve Coeur 12 at 10465 Olive Blvd., from 1 - 4 p.m. The schedule will be as follows: • Sept. 12 “August: Osage County”: A family crisis brings the strong-willed women of the Weston Family back to the Midwest house they grew up in. Post-viewing discussion will be led by Sun Smith-Forét, artist and practicing psychotherapist. • Sept. 19 “Grumpy Old Men”: A lifelong feud between two curmudgeonly old neighbors intensifies when a new female neighbor moves across the street.
Post-viewing discussion will be led by Ellen Futterman, Editor of the St. Louis Jewish Light and former reporter, columnist, critic and Arts and Entertainment editor for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. • Sept. 26 “Quartet”: At a home for retired musicians, three retired members of an opera quartet perform a concert every year for Giuseppe Verdi’s birthday. Postviewing discussion will be led by Susan Fadem, veteran journalist,
new headquarters located at 1804 Borman Circle Dr. in Maryland Heights. The companies have a combined 45 employees. Their 20,000-squarefoot building was purchased for $1.85 million, and MC Hotel Construction made $750,000 in renovations. Gray Design was the project’s architect. Founded in 2006, Midas Hospitality has developed, opened and currently manages numerous properties including 26 hotels in 11 states. The company serves global brands including Hilton, IHG, Marriott, and Starwood. MC Hotel Construction has built seven hotels, completed five renovations, and currently has seven projects under construction for Hilton, IHG, Marriott, and Starwood since its inception in 2010. award-winning writer, author and host of her own movie salon group for 14 years. Thanks to the generosity of AMC Creve Coeur 12 and the city of Creve Coeur, the Silver Screen Series is offered free of charge to the public. These events would not be possible without the support of community partners: Cinema St. Louis, OASIS, The Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging at Washington University, and VOYCE: We Empower and Educate. For more information on the series, please contact Lynn Hamilton at lynn@ maturityanditsmuse.org or 314-4201444 or Bess McCoy at bmccoy@ crevecoeurmo.gov or 314-442-2081.
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High&dry? Maryland Park Lake District, nestled next to the Missouri River, generating both excitement and concern
By Sara Hardin
B
ig plans are in store for the development of the 1,800 acre Maryland Park Lake District site nestled between Creve Coeur Lake County Park and the Missouri River. The city of Maryland Heights has expressed a vision of a mixed-use development for the area, as well as a portion of the site reserved for green space, trails for walking and biking and other public use. As Maryland Heights City Administrator Jim Krischke explains, the city’s intent would be to incorporate the green and ‘blue space’, the water in the area, into a bustling area with both public and commercial destinations. “We want to make it all part of an amenity that coexists with a multi-use development,” said Krischke. “There would be retail, commercial uses, office uses, entertainment, hospitality, and even some residential uses. We want to complement the development that’s already there.”
Photos by Erica Avellone The Maryland Park Lake District currently features mixed-use land that is primarily agricultural. 12 | OUR TOWN | SEPTEMBER 2016
Because of the surrounding water and the low position of the site, the buzz of the development has not been without its controversy. Many who voice opposition to the plan have raised concern over the area being previously deemed a Missouri River floodplain, harkening back to the Great Flood of 1993 and more recent floods that have affected the area. This, combined with the concern that the area’s prime soil for agricultural needs would be lost to the construction, has groups of residents arguing against the city’s plans for development.
"We want to make it all part of an amenity that coexists with a multi-use development," - City Administrator, Jim Krischke. “It’s a floodplain, and once you’ve built on it, the land is gone. There is very good soil there, so it’s prime agriculture land,” explains Kimberly Cuddeback, President of Maryland Heights Residents for Responsible Growth (MHRRG). “It would cost more to turn it back into farmland after building on it than it would cost to just leave it alone. The wetlands are there to protect the rest of us from flooding. For us, it’s pretty irresponsible on all levels, financially and environmentally. It’s not smart to build a bunch of houses and offices in an area that is prone to flooding all year round. When the river gets to a certain level, you cannot pump anymore and that whole area fills up like a bathtub. It just keeps going higher and higher inside the levee. We’re one of the only states that develops within floodplains.” City developers have defended their stance with the claim that in February 2015, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) verified that a majority of the development site is no longer listed as a floodplain, and therefore qualifies for federal flood insurance. Flooding is now protected SEPTEMBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 13
to a certain level by the Howard Bend Levee, the 500 year levee completed in 2004. Before development can begin, however, Maryland Heights officials have concluded that the city must construct an area-wide stormwater plan to reinforce protection from water within the site’s boundaries. “There are areas within this basin where we need to develop a stormwater conveyance system. We are working on that, and we feel very confident that we will have one that will be not just one that will work, but one that will be an amenity to that area,” said Krischke. “I think it’s unfair to paint this as a floodplain, because it isn’t. I would point to the Riverport area, just immediately north of this. That area has been developed for many years, is protected by a levee system, which is the same that’s protecting the Howard Bend area. That was not impacted by the ‘93 floods and it wasn’t impacted by the recent December floods. Levees do work, and there’s no need for concern provided we do our due diligence and engineer it correctly. We’re going to step up our efforts as a city and work with the Howard Bend Levee District to make sure that we get this system designed and figure out how it’s going to operate and be implemented into the area.”
Because of the cost and nature of the stormwater system, chances are that some sort of tax incentive would eventually emerge to help fund the project. However, Krischke says that nothing has been decided in the way of what those incentives may be, and will be gauged depending on what is in the best interest for the city. With the creation of the stormwater system standing between the city and the beginning of the development process, there is still plenty of time that will need to pass before any construction can begin. Since the decision process has come such a long way for this particular development plan, groups like MHRRG are switching gears and focusing their attention on sharing their message with other citizens. Because they feel many individuals continue to be under-informed on this and similar issues, advocates are raising efforts to motivate others to speak up to their government officials about community issues they feel passionately about. “We realized there needed to be someone who represented the regular citizens of Maryland Heights on development issues,” said Cuddeback. “There are still people whose response is, ‘They’re building what down there?’ We want to get information out
and try to get people to advocate for themselves, to talk to their city council representative, to call the planning commission and mayor. This is not a good idea, this is not where we want the city to go. For us, this is basically a plan that takes us backwards in time.” In the meantime, the city of Maryland Heights says it is open to questions and clarifications in order to remain as transparent as possible in the development process. “The city council is very concerned and sensitive to this issue and they want to make sure they’re doing the right thing,” said Krischke. “We have a lot of very smart people working on this. Give this an opportunity to see if it works. You’ve got a very conscientious city council that is very aware of the area and the importance of it. This is potentially going to be a very beautiful development that will complement the area. This is the only place in St. Louis County where you have this kind of environment and acreage where you can do something really extraordinary, and that’s what we’re going to try to do.” To learn more about the development or to send a question or comment about the Maryland Park Lake District, visit mplakedistrict.com.
"It's a floodplain, and once you've built on it, the land is gone. There is very good soil there, so it's prime agriculture land," -Kimberly Cuddeback, President of Maryland Heights Residents for Responsible Growth (MHRRG)
Photo by Erica Avellone Loss of prime agricultural space raises concerns for citizens opposing develpoment of the Maryland Heights Lake District.
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Moore on Life by Cindy Moore
I
was recently left in charge to babysit my grandson while his parents took a four-day excursion. It had been awhile since I was left solely in charge of a helpless toddler, but I thought I was up to the task. After all, my kids survived childhood without any crippling memories of that period of time…well there was that one child, but a big shout out to expensive therapists! When my daughter questioned whether or not I could handle the task of babysitting, I speedily reminded her that I had six kids at one time and could still account for three of them. I boasted that fifty percent was a darn good number. (I actually only have three kids. But I’ve said it enough to cause them to wonder for a moment if there really are a few other misplaced siblings out there, wandering aimlessly around on a playground awaiting my return.) I reassured her with plenty of words of comfort, like, “No, I will not drop your son on his head. No, I will not let him play with chainsaws or stray bears, and yes I will make sure he eats his carrots.” I then bid them happy travels. I actually told them to get lost before I changed my mind and they quickly departed. All seemed to be going well the first hour. I hadn’t dropped the baby on his head…much. I wrestled the chainsaw away from him just in time before he found the on switch, and I chased the grizzly away that he had lured into the yard with soggy carrots…the ones I tried to tempt him to eat by pouring syrup on them. Apparently bears are naturally attracted to sugary substances and chubby, unsupervised children. Who knew? But then the real challenge began – the other grandmother. She happened to live right next door and got wind that I was in charge of the little prince. Suddenly things got much more complicated. She popped in unexpectedly with a subtle jab at my mothering skills, “Hi. I just called child protective services, they’ll be here any minute to investigate the grizzly incident.” “Umm,” I bristled. “That was a giant teddy bear I gave him. So you can call off your hounds and we’ll manage just fine.”
Nana wars “Well, he doesn’t like bears. He prefers cars. Like this one.” She pulled out an enormous toy truck with a bow on top and wiggled it in front of the boy’s eyes. He immediately giggled and ran towards her. I grabbed him before he took the bait and shoved a chunk of candy bar into his mouth. “Hmph! Chocolate before naptime is not a good idea,” she snapped. “I supplement it with his favorite healthy juice,” I said waving a baby bottle at her. She grabbed it and sniffed. “Sweet mother of child abuse, that’s Pepsi!” she snarled. “Woops! Of course, that one’s mine,” I said as I shoved the bottle into my mouth and began to suckle it. “Well then,” she said as she grabbed the toddler before he fell while teetering from the top of the staircase banister, “how do you explain all these head bumps?” “Yes, well we were in the process of developing his fine motor skills and reflexes and he may have tumbled a few times,” I said. “Hmph. You should really put a protective helmet on him then.” “Umm, I did and he’s already cracked and broken through two.” “Okay, but I’m watching you granny!” She said poking a finger in my direction. Wha-a-at, did she call me?! “Listen you old hen,” I said, “I’ve had more experience raising kids than you’ll ever hope for. Why, I’ve had six and can still account for three of them!” A look of shock and horror came across her overcooked face. Her eyes bulged and it appeared as if she might need a defibrillator. Oopsie! The gig was up. She rushed back to her house to no doubt call in the SWAT team. This little misunderstanding would be cleared up in a few days. In the meantime, I quickly packed a few bags and we headed off for Disneyland. Let her try and top that one! SEPTEMBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 15
OurThoughts
The art of dodging mudslides
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he late summer deluge was tapering down to a steady rain. The summer monsoon afternoon rains had been a near-daily occurrence for the previous week. I put on my mud boots, my optimistically-labeled “waterproof, breathable” jacket, and ventured forth into the wet, shovel in hand, to unclog the culvert that crossed under the road above my house. The inlet of the culvert had a grate across the opening, a deliberate obstacle to debris flowing down the normallytrickling creek. It was much easier to clean a blockage off the grate than from inside of the relatively narrow pipe. As a result, a large, deep mud puddle appeared at the culvert intake after a good rain, with water streaming across the road. Like shoveling snow, cleaning the debris is simply a part of living in the mountains. Standing in the puddle, muddy water lapping at the top of my boots, I worked with the shovel, trying to stay ahead of the rain and debris that flowed down the mountainside and through the narrow gulch. After a few minutes of digging, I could see and hear the water begin to drain down through the pipe instead of across the road. Happy that we wouldn’t need to bring in equipment to dig out the mess, I watched the puddle begin to recede. That happiness proved to be short-lived. Then I heard it. Felt it, actually - a strange, distant rumbling and rushing. The odd sound became louder, and it became obvious that something large and powerful was coming down the gully. Having seen a few mudslides come down this creek, I knew they could be impressive, a couple of feet high, and a big mess to clean up. This was different. The rumbling could be felt through my feet, and the sounds of large branches breaking off the trees lining the ditch was enough to get the adrenaline flowing. The trees were shaking as the destructive blob approached, and I ran as 16 | OUR TOWN | SEPTEMBER 2016
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Always An Adventure by Avalanche
fast as I could away from its direction of travel, down the road and toward home. When the mass hit the road, it brought hundreds of cubic yards of thick mud, containing huge boulders, trees, and items that had recently been adorning neighbors’ yards. This flow was a bit slower and thicker than others that I’d seen, with previous versions being more liquid than solid. The mudslide didn’t chase me down the road as I had feared, but it continued on the normal path of the creek toward the highway, washing away about three feet of width off the downhill side of the road. A bit lower down, some large boulders settled out and acted as a dam, causing the muck to spread out horizontally, making a mess on several different properties along its way. Some of the older residents said it was the biggest slide they’d seen in 35 years. One resident described a large run from a few decades ago. The neighborhood had installed a six-foot-diameter culvert across the road, big enough so that it would “never” plug up. A few seconds into the mudflow, a boulder caught the edge of the culvert, and stood it up on end, causing the mud to flow in every direction but down the normal path. An elderly couple had to be assisted out of the windows of their home 200 yards away from the normal creek path, as two feet of mud had been deposited around their doors. Our road has since been rebuilt, and there’s a nice, easilycleaned trench drain across the road now which should accommodate most flows. While it was a very impressive experience seeing and feeling the combined power of gravity and water, it was a thrill I could have done without. Now, any dark red color on the radar weather map that appears to be headed our way brings a sense of apprehension as to what might come down the mountain.
OurThoughts
Amazing’ 2017 Honda Ridgeline
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stands out among mid-size pickups by David Finkelstein
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o sum up the all-new 2017 Honda Ridgeline mid-size pickup truck in one word, it’s simply “amazing!” Recently launched through their 1,000 or so nationwide independent dealership network, Ridgeline tends to deliver a welcomed, higher-level of versatility, capability and underlining comfort when compared to other trucks in this specialty class. With budget concerns taken into account when new-vehicle shopping, the manufacturer-suggested retail price starts out at $29,475 for the two-wheel-drive model and $31,275 for the all-wheel-drive version. The lower step-in height, car-like drive characteristics and totally whisperquiet interior gives you the overall feeling that you’re engaged with a near-luxury automobile, rather than a truck. By indicating that the ride is quiet, I’d suggest that you could likely hear the sound of cotton balls dropping while seated in the unprecedentedly spacious passenger cabin. Typical road noises tend to be squelched out at even at highway speeds. This welcomed lack of noise, vibration and drive harshness is on par with high-end vehicles. Honda engineers designed the ultra-rigid and “steel strong”
unibody structure; therefore, it has class-leading payload capacity and benchmark dynamic performance. The result is an amazingly versatile Honda truck, with built-in uncompromised capability plus the fact that you can be 100 percent assured of Honda’s quality reputation with every mile you drive. This innovative vehicle was redesigned from the ground up. It tends to offer both recreational and work users a higher degree of utility in a modern and rugged, yet sophisticated midsize truck package. It also has the largest and most flexible cabin in its class. Ridgeline is framed around a high level of confident and refined car-like dynamic driving performance and ride quality. The fully-independent front and rear suspension systems further allows Ridgeline to drive with superior ride comfort and precision handling overall. Also built-in, they engineered a highly aerodynamic and tightly-sealed “next generation” underside foundation that delivers up to three times the torsional rigidity of competing body-on-frame trucks. The impressive towing numbers include class-leading 1,584-pound maximum payload capacity, coupled with up
to 5,000-pound towing capabilities. These figures do however tend to have some variance, depending on trim and equipment. The ‘17 Ridgeline sports a sleek, attractive and sophisticated prominent exterior design. The premium interior is designed with high-quality, softtouch materials throughout the cabin. The 60/40-split and folding rear passenger compartment offers roomy seating for up to three passengers. The truck also features the world’s first available truck bed audio system plus an available 400 watt in-bed power outlet and Honda-exclusive dualaction tailgate making Ridgeline the “ultimate tailgate party” vehicle. Ridgeline also has a sophisticated engine and available advanced torque vectoring all-wheel-drive system for on-road and off-road performance as well as best-in-class fuel efficiency. The EPA fuel economy numbers reflect 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (2WD) plus 18-mpg city/25-highway with AWD. All versions of the 2017 Honda Ridgeline are manufactured in Lincoln, Alabama and it’s built in seven trim levels.
SEPTEMBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 17
OurLifestyle
‘Two directors seeking a big comeback in ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ and ‘Split by brian guerrero It you’ve watched the film “Signs” in 2002, you would’ve known the irony that film would later present itself. Things have changed in the careers of two of the film’s lead actors Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix and its star director M. Night Shyamalan. In a certain period of their careers, in their own individual times, many had thought that their careers were over. It may have been true too… if only for while. Joaquin Phoenix’s downfall turned out to be an orchestrated hoax for a fake documentary film, “I’m Still Here.” So his “off” time didn’t last long at all and he has been back on track with his acting career ever since. For Mel Gibson, “Signs” would not only be the biggest opening hit in the history of his films, but it would also be his last starring role in eight years, before “Edge of Darkness.” He directed two more films, “The Passion of the Christ” and “Apocalypto” and the latter wasn’t seen by movie-goers nearly as much, most likely due to his off-set drama situations that put him in a negative public light. Like “The Passion,” “Apocalypto” received well-earned Academy Award Nominations in the
technical categories and remains to be an over-looked gem in the historic/action/adventure genre. “Hacksaw Ridge” (Opening Nov. 4) Ten years after “Apocalypto,” Mel Gibson may have found his chance at redemption. He directed a World War II true story about a soldier, Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield-in a dream role), a soldier who received the Medal of Honor without firing a shot. He was a medic on the battlegrounds who refused to kill people; even refusing to hold a gun. The recently released trailer of “Hacksaw Ridge” wisely promotes the film as “from the Academy Award Winning Director of ‘Braveheart,’” focusing only on the positive achievements of the film’s director. Alongside Andrew Garfield, the film also features Sam Worthington, Vince Vaughn, Hugo Weaving, Teresa Palmer, Rachel Griffiths and 18 | OUR TOWN | SEPTEMBER 2016
many more. During our time of certain – and obvious – political controversies, the timing of this film could not have been better. With a story this fresh and full of meaningful messages this could be the Gibson film that moviegoers cannot ignore. I will be seeing this film myself, unquestionably. In M. Night Shyamalan’s case, his string of horriblyreviewed box-office disappointments has lasted for about a decade. After helping to create the TV series “Wayward Pines” (he also directed the pilot himself), followed by the surprise success of his low-budget horror film, “The Visit,” Shyamalan has already begun receiving multiple praises with the phrase “a welcome return to form.” After seeing both the TV show and the film myself, I must say those comments are on to something.
“Split” (Opening Jan. 20, 2017) While Shyamalan’s career may already be in the beginning phases of a comeback, “Split” could be the redemption he’s looking for. His new project is backed by Universal, signaling his return to making scary thrillers on a major budget. The film is about a man with twenty-three split personalities (a role that even Leonardo DiCaprio was in talks to play) holding three kidnapped women against their will. James McAvoy portrays the complicated kidnapper-who’s about to develop a dominating 24th personality. A role like this is the kind that any great actor would kill for. After watching the film’s well-executed trailer, I realized that part of Shyamalan’s recent success is due his delving into the more psychological side of horror. When “The Visit” came out last year, it was his funniest, but also his most psychotic-by far, especially during the film’s dark turn in the last 15 minutes. It’s nasty good! With “Split,” it looks like Shyamalan is picking up from where he left off on the psychological side. Disturbing people being the focus of the horror is a smart new way to go for him. He stated that “Split” was his most challenging to shoot and with those arresting shots in the trailer – the hard work clearly shows. Is it possible that McAvoy could get Oscar attention seeing that the film opens right at the tail end of awards season? Here’s hoping the final product is as good as it looks.
OurLifestyle
Sweet Easy Ideas for award-winning desserts
Chocolate Mandarin Orange Cake Prep time: 10 minutes | Total time: 45 minutes | Servings: 12
Ingredients: 2 cans (15 ounces) mandarin oranges, divided 1 box (2 layer) devil’s food cake mix 3 eggs 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 orange, peel grated (optional) 1 package (4-serving size) vanilla flavor instant pudding 2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1 cup semisweet chocolate
Directions: Heat oven to 350 F. Spray two (9-inch) cake pans with cooking spray. Drain mandarin oranges, keeping fruit and syrup reserved separately. In large bowl, combine cake mix, juice from one can of mandarin oranges, eggs, oil and orange peel; beat 2 minutes. Pour cake mix into prepared pans. Layer mandarin oranges from one can over each cake and gently submerge them into cake batter. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan onto wire rack; cool completely.
Pour 1/2 cup reserved juice from second can of oranges in bowl with pudding mix; whisk 2 minutes, or until pudding mix is completely dissolved. Remove 12 orange slices from second can and dry with paper towel; set aside. Fold in whipped topping and remaining mandarin oranges. Spread mandarin frosting on top of first layer of cake and out to edges. Place second layer on top of first layer. In small saucepan, heat cream until just beginning to steam, but do not boil. Remove from stove and stir in chocolate. Stir until well-blended. Pour chocolate mixture over cake and garnish with reserved mandarin oranges. Refrigerate half hour before serving.
Old-Fashioned Upside Down Cake Prep time: 20 minutes | Total time: 35 minutes | Servings: 8 Ingredients: 2/3 cup margarine, divided 2/3 cup packed brown sugar, divided 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple slices 10 maraschino cherries 3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided 2 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup sour cream
Directions: Heat oven to 350 F.
on juice and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Blend into creamed mixture alternately with sour cream and reserved pineapple syrup.
In 10-inch cast-iron skillet, melt 1/3 cup margarine. Remove from heat. Add brown sugar and stir until blended. Drain pineapple slices; reserve 2 tablespoons syrup. Arrange pineapple slices in sugar mixture. Place cherry in center of each slice. Beat remaining 1/3 cup margarine with 1/2 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks, lemon peel, lem-
Beat egg whites to soft peaks. Gradually beat in remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar to make stiff meringue. Fold into batter. Pour over pineapple in skillet. Bake 35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes then invert onto serving plate. Serve warm or cold. SEPTEMBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 19
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TEAM Food Pantry celebrates 30 years of service
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he Emergency Assistance Ministry (TEAM Food Pantry) first opened its doors back in October 1986 at the Lutheran Church of the Atonement. Several churches had met to discuss having one pantry serve the area residents. Each church had its own, but they concluded that wasn’t the best way to serve those in need. It was decided to pool resources and have one larger pantry - TEAM. Today this small group of churches has grown to 36, and they continue to be the foundation of TEAM, giving food and monetary donations. The pantry is located at 265 St. Catherine in Florissant. The mission of TEAM is to serve the residents in need from Florissant and Hazelwood, and also to give out USDA commodities to St. Louis County residents. TEAM Food Pantry is the largest pantry in North County and is proud to celebrate 30 years of service to our area communities. TEAM is a very efficiently run operation with a pantry director, warehouse manager, and 90 volunteers. A Board of Directors oversees the pantry, focusing on raising funds and getting the word out to the communities. The 100 percent volunteer team works as caseworkers, pantry workers, warehouse workers and drivers (picking up food from stores, schools, businesses, community organizations, etc.). The Florissant Valley Fire Protection District helps us unload our huge commodity food runs once a month. TEAM can always use more volunteers. Call Nancy Wolff, TEAM Director, if you are interested at 314-830-4781. Monday through Friday, nearly 40 families daily receive enough food to last about a week and a half, and another 20 families are served each Saturday. TEAM clients can 20 | OUR TOWN | SEPTEMBER 2016
obtain food once a month, after going through a simple registration process. After that, they call for an appointment to pick up food and bring in a current piece of mail showing they live within our zip codes. St. Louis County residents can come to us once a month for USDA government commodities. We currently have about 3,200 client families registered. TEAM is proactive in trying to raise money through fundraisers and participation in community events. We had the Girl Scouts April Showers Drive and the Postal Workers Food Drive in May. We have completed two dining events partnering with local restaurants, bringing in customers, doing a gift basket raffle, and receiving 15 percent of the sales. We also participate in food truck events, plus fall festivals in Florissant and Hazelwood. TEAM’s biggest fundraiser, Trivia Night, occurs each April, and this past April brought in $15,500. The Florissant Rotary Club has always been a major contributor. May through October are TEAM’s leanest months, and donations of food are really needed (canned goods, pastas, rice, meats, snacks, and produce). Food can be dropped off Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. - noon. Cash donations allow us to purchase other items needed. Check or cash donations can be dropped off in person or mailed to: TEAM Food Pantry Attn: TEAM Treasurer 265 St. Catherine Florissant, MO 63031
CaringPartners
Teach kids to manage their health care
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Tips for parents of college-age students
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or parents with college-age children, there’s a fairly standard set of basics that helps ensure their children are ready to tackle the world with some degree of independence. But beyond school supplies, housing, food and transportation, one important consideration remains: health care. As a parent, ensuring your young adult is equipped to take charge of his own health can be a daunting task. That’s why it’s important to have a conversation with your college students about their local health service options before the need arises. Together you can do some research and discuss the answers to these questions: What is your health coverage? Take time to brush up on (or introduce your child) to your family’s health insurance policy and understand how your policy covers various facilities. This is an opportunity to teach about co-pays and deductibles, and what it means when a physician or facility is considered innetwork and out-of-network. Do you already pay to use the student health center? In some cases, student fees include access to the campus student health center and your separate health insurance may not be
necessary. However, it’s important to understand what the student fee covers and where there may be gaps, such as dental care. What are the local options for health care? You’ll rest easier with the assurance that the medical care available to your students is of the highest quality. Many colleges and universities take the extra step of achieving accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), the nation’s leading accreditor of student health services, to affirm that the care they provide is at nationally recognized standards. You can find accredited organizations at aaahc.org or inquire about accreditation at your university medical center. Where is the student center located? Encourage your student to set up a well appointment at the student health clinic to get a file started. Not only will this ensure your child can find the center when need arises, having an established patient profile cuts down on paperwork when there’s an emergent health concern. This is particularly helpful for students with medical issues or restrictions because they can be logged in advance for easy recall.
Which other medical practitioners are in the area? There may be any number of reasons your student needs to be seen off campus, so it’s a smart idea to look for AAAHC accreditation when trying to assess the quality of nearby health care alternatives. Make a short list with office hours and phone numbers for future reference. Where is the best local hospital? Devise an emergency plan for urgent needs and be sure your student knows how to get to the closest urgent care center and hospital, as well as when to use each one. If possible, visit the facilities in person so your child can get familiar with the facility and learn where to go and how to check in without the pressure of a crisis situation. By approaching the topic of your college student’s health care together, you can help ensure your child has the information necessary to begin managing personal care. In the process, you can also be assured that you’re identifying health centers that share your commitment to the very best care for both the mind and body of your student.
SEPTEMBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 21
CaringPartners Medical Memo™
DR. Syed Abdul, md
back!
A
bout 80 percent of adults will experience back pain at least once in their life and that about 30 percent of that pain is recurring? Untreated or improperly treated back pain can adversely affect a person’s life. More than $50 billion per year is spent treating back pain, but it doesn’t have to be that way. “Causes of back pain range from muscle strain, arthritis, fractures, disc protrusion and injuries to cancer and infection,“ said Syed Khader, MD, a physiatrist/pain management specialist with SSM Health DePaul Hospital. “Risk factors include poor health, history of back pain, lack of fitness, smoking, drug and alcohol use, increasing age, and being overweight.” Discomfort can include sharp pain or dull aches and can centralize in the lower back, upper back or neck, or radiate along the spine. “If back pain is accompanied with one of several other conditions such as fever, unexplained weight loss, changes in bladder or bowel habits, severe nocturnal pain, loss of sensation or limb weakness, then it’s important to seek immediate medical attention, “ said Khader. Preventing back pain is the first step to living comfortably. Engaging in regular exercise will not only strengthen the core muscles that support the back, it also will relieve much of the stress that could prolong the presence of pain. “However, it’s important to talk with your health care provider before beginning any exercise routine. You might have some physical restrictions,” said Khader. “Plus, your 22 | OUR TOWN | SEPTEMBER 2016
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physician also may be able to recommend specific stretches and exercises to strengthen your back. Preventative measures include: • Maintain good posture • Wear comfortable, supportive shoes • Follow ergonomic principles like sitting appropriately in your office chair, reducing excessive motions, and taking time to stretch your back throughout the day • Follow proper lifting techniques (Think before you lift!) • Exercise regularly • Maintain an optimal weight • Stop smoking Early evaluation of back problems is essential in order to limit the severity and potential for disability. The goal of treatment is not only to reduce your discomfort, but also to restore strength and function, as well as to prevent recurrence. It’s important to remember that back pain cannot be ignored. In order to prevent long-term pain, discomfort and disability, consult with a physician as soon as you feel overthe-counter methods are not effective. Dr. Khader’s office is located on the campus of SSM Health DePaul Hospital at 12255 DePaul Drive, Suite 120, Bridgeton, MO 63044. His office can be reached for appointments by calling 314-291-7900. For more information on SSM Health Orthopedics, visit ssmhealth.com/orthopedics.
CaringPartners
Family meals make a difference
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The benefits of eating together
Juggling jobs, kids and the demands of a busy, modern life often comes at the expense of family mealtime at home. Even though life never seems to slow down, now is the perfect time to renew your commitment to creating and serving meals at home that nourish your kids’ brains and help them flourish. Not only is time together around the table an opportunity to catch up and reconnect, numerous studies provide evidence of the positive, lifelong benefits of family meals. Regular family meals are linked to the kinds of outcomes that ensure a bright future for children: higher grades and self-esteem, healthier eating habits and less risky behaviors. For example, according to research published in the “Journal of Pediatrics,” kids and teens who share meals with their families three or more times per week are significantly less likely to be overweight, more likely to eat healthy foods and less likely to have eating disorders. Other studies have shown that children who grow up sharing family meals are more likely to exhibit positive social behavior as adults, such as sharing, fairness and respect. On the other hand, research also suggests that aside from missing out on the benefits, families that have fewer meals together can also experience adverse effects when it comes to certain risky behaviors. A study on the relationship between certain family characteristics and adolescent problem behaviors, published in the “Journal of Adolescent Health,” found that teens who have infrequent family dinners (fewer than three per week) are 3.5 times more likely to have abused prescription drugs or have used an illegal drug; 2.5 times more likely to have used tobacco and 1.5 times more likely to have used alcohol. Learn more about the positive impact regular meals at home together can have for your kids’ emotional, intellectual and physical well-being at nationalfamilymealsmonth.org.
Meal Planning Tips Planning for family mealtime can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be. Take the stress out of planning and preparing family meals with these tips and begin reaping the benefits of more time together around the dinner table. • Commit to having one additional meal with your family each week at home. It doesn’t matter whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinner. The benefits are the same. After a month, you may be surprised by how easily your new commitment has become a habit for the entire family. • Rely on the resources available at your local grocery store. Even when you don’t feel like cooking, there are countless meal planning solutions such as preprepped fresh ingredients, delicious ready-made entrees and wholesome heat-and-eat dishes. • Make meal planning a family affair. List each family member’s favorite foods in each of the main food groups and see how many combinations you can create. Then ask your children to accompany you to the store to help select the ingredients (and use the trip for age-appropriate learning, such as comparing prices, reading labels, etc.). • Save time by engaging the whole family in meal preparation. Even the littlest hands can help with tasks like setting the table. • Set a regular meal time so you can plan other activities around it. Sit around the table, turn off the TV and put away phones and electronic devices. Keep the focus on each other. SEPTEMBER 2016 | OUR TOWN | 23
September 5
Labor Day
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First Day of Autumn
10
Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day
23
Golf scramble
11
Patriot Day
16
National POW/MIA Recognition Day
17
Constitution Day
25
Free concert
18
Air Force Birthday
21
Social hour with the mayor This is an opportunity for residents to hold small group conversations with Olivette Mayor Ruth Springer, ask questions, and provide input on local issues at the Chamber at 9473 Olive Blvd. in Olivette from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
The Creve Coeur-Olivette Chamber of Commerce hosts a nine-hole golf scramble with drinks, snacks and dinner after play beginning with at 2:30 p.m. shotgun start at Creve Coeur Golf Course at 11400 Olde Cabin Road in Creve Coeur.
Come out for a night of free summer fun. The concert featuring ClusterPluck starts at 7 p.m. and pre-show entertainment for the kids with the Tekno Bubble Bus starts at 6 p.m. at Creve Coeur Park in the Tremayne Shelter. Cancellations due to inclement weather will be announced by 4 p.m. the day of the show at www.marylandheights.com. Call 314-738-2599 for more information.