Webcopyjanuary2017 by Active Lifestyles Magazine

January 2017

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www.activelifestylesmag.com

The Year of TheVolunteer St. Louis Lifestyles... better after 50!

A publication of DIRECTIONS Saint Louis, LLC Magazine Editor Debbie Wheeler Travel Editor: Tod D. DeHart Carrie Pruitt Sieker Magazine Photographer: Timothy K. Hamilton Contributing Writers: Scott Gardner NiNi Harris Jeff Ponte Karen Siebert Willow (Blanton) Accounts Manager: Megan Glass Office Operations: Amanda Wright

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Better after 50!

The views expressed in Active Lifestyles Magazine are those of the authors named, and are not necessarily those of Active Lifestyles Magazine, DIRECTIONS Saint Louis, LLC, or any of its employees. All materials supplied to the magazine are at the owner’s risk. While we try to ensure that the information we provide is correct, mistakes do occur and and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of all material. If you do notice a mistake, please contact us. The design of the printed magazine and online website are copyright of Active Lifestyles Magazine and DIRECTIONS Saint Louis, LLC. Material from the magazine may not be reproduced without prior permission. Submitted Photos and Photographic rights remain the property of the article writers. Publication Photos remain the property of this magazine and Shy Vision Photography. Your privacy will be protected at all times, and addresses / email addresses supplied to us will never be shared with a third party. We do maintain the right not to publish advertisements, articles, classifieds or comments and/or to remove or edit them without notice. Active Lifestyles Magazine is a free publication of DIRECTIONS Saint Louis, LLC, its clients and is distributed throughout Metro St. Louis. © Copyright 2017. Active Lifestyles Magazine published by Directions Saint Louis, LLC

ACTIVE LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE is St. Louis’ only metro-wide Lifestyle, Community and Entertainment Magazine for readers 50 and better! Each monthly issue is filled with articles, stories and columns to be active, well and informed while living life to the fullest. Locally owned and published, the magazine can be picked up FREE at over 700 fine retail establishments; including Whole Foods Markets, grocery stores, community centers, libraries, doctor’s offices, pharmacies, YMCA’s, restaurants, residential communities, attractions, and retail centers.

on the cover...

This month’s cover photo features St. Louis Trinity Food Bank Manager, Barbi Click, and Volunteer, Everlena Starks,

Photo Courtesy of Trinity Food Bank, Central West End St. Louis.

The Year of The Volunteer Active Lifestyles, are Healthy Lifestyles… That’s why 2017 here at Active Lifestyles Magazine will be The Year of the Volunteer. This year, don’t just make empty New Year’s resolutions that you may or may not keep. Let’s get going, let’s REALLY GET ACTIVE and do something for others and ourselves … Volunteer St. Louis!!! Did you know that volunteering is good for the mind as well as the body? Studies show that there are a number of health benefits that come from volunteering, including lower risk of heart disease and depression, and even longer life-span. Volunteering offers vital help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and the community, but the benefits can be even greater for you, the volunteer.

Volunteering and helping others can help you reduce stress, combat depression, keep you mentally stimulated, and provide a sense of purpose. With a few extra moments of your time, you can change your community, and your world, and you can also change yourself. Not only will your time and talent help your community, but volunteering is an opportunity for you to focus on your own self development, and it’s a perfect avenue for networking. Do you have a fear of public speaking? Why not volunteer at a local school or become a docent at one of the many museums in our historical city with educational programs that can help you get over those fears. Not to mention the sense of accomplishment you gain by acquiring new knowledge,

and you are meeting new friends along the way! Need motivation to get in shape? The shelters are overflowing with loveable pups just waiting for someone to show up and walk them around the city, or run with them in the park. What a great way to exercise, lose weight and tone muscles, all while making furrrever friends. Plus, the kisses and snuggles are so sweet. Not only is volunteering good for the mind and the body, but it feeds the soul too. The number of families as well as individuals with food insecurities continues to grow as more and more St. Louisans find themselves underemployed and even without jobs. Think about it. In the blink of an eye anything can happen that could devastate our own ways of

by Debbie Wheeler life. Volunteering at a local food pantry can provide a sense of purpose and an opportunity to give back to the community in a way that can touch the core of ones very soul. Each month in 2017, Active Lifestyles will focus on a volunteer prospect in St. Louis that could just be the perfect fit for you. The opportunities are countless, so how about it St Louis? This year, make your New Year’s Resolutions stick by giving back to the community you live in and making a difference in others’ lives AND YOURS! Stay tuned, and until next month… Be Well, Be Active, and Live Life to its fullest my friends. St. Louis Lifestyles ARE…better after 50!

All my best, Debbie

Trinity Food Pantry

Active Lifestyles Magazine recently spent an afternoon with our friends at Trinity Food Bank in the city’s Central West End. Trinity Food Pantry provides cooked meals, supplies and a safe and welcoming environment for many in the area. (photos courtesy of Trinity Food Pantry) JOIN US IN MARCH on our “SPREADING THE LOVE THROUGH THE STL” Day Trip. Travel with us and experience many St. Louis Volunteers in action as we revisit Trinity Food Pantry, and the new St. Louis Shriner’s Hospital located in the Central West End. Our trip also inlcudes a yummy lunch at McMurphy’s Downtown at St. Patrick’s Center and a visit with Needy Paws Animal Rescue. At each place, your day trip cost will be spread to make a difference here in St. Louis! FOR MORE INFORMATION - SEE BACK COVER!

JANUARY 2017 ∙ www.activelifestylesmag.com ∙ 3

WINTER BEAUTY: PREPARE YOUR HAIR FOR COLD WEATHER Scott Gardner, The Hair Whisperer

to changing your routine, here are 10-practical hair-care tips.

From hat head to dandruff and flyaway’s to split ends, winter can be one of the most hazardous seasons for your hair. Why? Blame humidifiers, heaters and all those things we turn on in cold weather to keep us warm; they zap moisture from our immediate surroundings and thereby our locks, making them prone to dryness induced damage. To help you get through this season without experiencing a six month long bad hair day, I’m going to give you some tips on how to prepare your hair for cold weather. From lathering on conditioner

Step Up The Moisture As the weather gets colder, our hair tends to dry out. Use a deep moisturizing mask at least once a week to replenish your hair. You need to make sure that you keep your hair protected from leeching effects of heated interiors. Use Pro/Gen Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner* to make sure that the hair is moisturized and sealed against moisture loss. Adapt Your Routine Change your daily hair care regime to your environment, instead of sticking with the same products year-round. If you have fine hair, for example, you may want to switch your shampoo and conditioner to something that’s a bit richer to keep hair hydrated and healthy throughout the dry winter. Trim Regularly Prevent split ends and keep hair healthy by getting it trimmed regularly. In between cuts, use Pro/Gen Smoothing Crème* for split end repairs and to minimize risk of split ends.

Heat Protection Is Key Blow-drying and heat-styling tools contribute to hair breakage. Be sure to condition and protect hair prior to blowdrying / heat-styling. Perfect Your Style It’s easy for hair to turn into a disaster on a blistery winter day; keep the Pro/Gen Smoothing Crème* to keep your tresses smooth throughout the day. Resist Dullness The effects of a dry, cold winter can also affect your hair color, leaving it limp and dull. Prevent and protect your hair with Pro/Gen Nourishing Shampoo and Pro/Gen Moisture Rich Conditioner* to revitalize locks and add shine. Diminish The Dreaded Flyaways The lack of moisture in the winter air can be taxing, leaving hair dehydrated and overpowered by flyaways. Prevent hair from flying in unwanted directions by ramping up with Pro/Gen Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner*. Stay Stylish Even though its winter, don’t hide your hair away! With all the Christmas and New Year parties approaching you’ll need

added va-va voom. You can lift your locks with root lift spray. Keep It Light Wintery conditions mean that the easier your hair is to manage the better! Make sure the care products you use don’t weigh your hair down. Use a Humidifier Since winter weather brings on the use of heat indoors, and that heat dries the air, a good humidifier can work well in overcoming this problem as it adds moisture to the air, which in turn, is beneficial to your hair, not to mention your skin as well. If you follow these tips on caring for your hair during the harsh winter season, you should be able to maintain the health and beauty of your hair and not resort to drastic measures. *All products mentioned in this article are available exclusively at Hans Wiemann. (see ad below) Read Scott Gardner’s “Hair Whisperer” every month exclusively in Active Lifestyles Magazine.

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explore

a special travel pull-out section

Spring Training Tour is a Homerun!

It is hard to believe, but baseball season will be gearing up for the New Year! Our St. Louis Cardinals had a fun and exciting 2016 with playing in the playoffs! Spring Training begins in early March in beautiful Jupiter, Florida. It is an experience for any true baseball fan of any age! The St. Louis Cardinals play at Roger Dean Stadium, named after Roger H. Dean, proprietor of Roger Dean Automobiles – one of the first Mega Dealerships in Florida. The business has held the naming rights to the stadium

since opening in 1998. Roger Dean Stadium is simply my favorite Spring Training facility in the country. Not just because I am a Cardinal fan, more so because of location, seating, and size! The stadium only holds 6,871 people, which makes every seat in the park a “home run”. The intimate feel of this stadium surrounds you and team players are almost within reach! It is as if you are sitting at a high school/college sports event with the big leagues. The Roger Dean Stadium Complex is the only stadium in the country to host four minor league teams and host two major league teams – that being our Cardinals and the Miami Marlins. Not to worry though, Cardinal red takes over this venue by far and St. Louisans can be proud to call Jupiter the winter home of “Cardinal Nation”! Right before the stadium debut in 1998, I was privileged to take a tour of the construction site that would soon

grace baseball fans from all over. I remember taking a bus out to a large sandy parcel of land with just a few trees here and there. I thought to myself, “what in the world are they thinking building this in no mans land”. But, this was truly a stadium being built with the mantra “if you build it… they will come” – and boy have they! Today, the stadium is surrounded with lush foliage and landscaping, parking facilities, restaurants, shops and a newly built hotel immediately across the drive from the stadium. In addition, Florida’s Atlantic University would grace the property next door within a few years after the stadium was completed. The new Alcoa neighborhood would rise with residential homes, apartments and condos making the stadium district active year-round. Each year, for the last 16 years, DIRECTIONS Tours has enjoyed taking people to Jupiter to experience the

By Tod DeHart

Cardinals in training. Many people take the tour to enjoy easy access in/out of the stadium, fellow Cardinal fans and an all-inclusive tour package that allows relaxation and comfort throughout. Many travelers make spring training an annual event and vacation. We offer our Spring Taining package as a flight or motorcoach option depending on your time, budget and transportation preference. You can find out more information about our Cardinals Spring Training Tour in the upcoming pages of this Explore Travel Section. Don’t miss next month’s issue of Active Lifestyles Magazine as we bring you a special Cardinals Spring Training schedule for the upcoming training season in Florida. Until then, safe travels!

THE CARDINALS ARE HEADED TO JUPITER!!!

For More Information call DIRECTIONS Tours at (314) 577-0077 or (888) 810-1171 www.directionstours.com

Get Up-Close & Personal with the Players “Let’s Go Cardinals… Let’s Go!” is a familiar cry by the fans in St. Louis every year, and it follows the Red Birds south to their Spring Training home in Jupiter, Florida. The Cardinals are gearing up with many new names and faces on the roster, fans can get to know the new players and see their favorites returning. Spring Training allows fans not only to familiarize themselves with the new players; it is a fantastic opportunity to get up close and personal with them as well. Roger Dean Stadium is one of the best stadiums to have a personal contact and view of your favorite guys on the field. Any seat in the stadium gives fans the closest seats to the action than any Spring Training facility in Florida. If that is not close enough, enjoy taking in one of the six practice fields behind the stadium prior to a game! Players are much more accommodating during spring training when it comes to signing autographs. Get there early and be prepared to stand on the sidelines during practice. Players usually enjoy chatting with fans and

signing autographs just after practices prior to the actual game. Watch for familiar faces in the crowd too. Many Red Bird players enjoy watching the games on their days off the field. They, too, enjoy the games in the stands and are usually friendly to sign autographs or shake your hand. To make the most of your up close and personal time with players remember these tips: • Arrive Early for practices located behind the stadium. • Bring something you want signed. A jersey, hat, ball, photo, card or something to write on. • Have a Sharpie (or similar) permanent black marker (the players will not have one) • Be respectful to your fellow fans and limit your time with a player and always let the kids go first! • Be respectful to the players, remember that they are working and may not always have time to sign autographs and chat.

your tour vacation starts here! Welcome to DIRECTIONS Tours special EXPLORE Travel Section of Active Lifestyles Magazine!

The next pages feature and highlight some of our 2017 destination tours. DIRECTIONS Tours is celebrating 16 years in business in St. Louis and we are ready to take you across the world, USA, or just around town! We specialize in stress-free tours to the finest destinations. Our tour packages include excellent accommodations, luxury motorcoaches, most meals and all gratuities! We are locally owned and operated. All of our tours provide professional, experienced, safe and courteous Tour Directors and Drivers. Our itineraries are educational, adventurous and most importantly, fun! DIRECTIONS Tours uses only new state-of-the-art motorcoaches designed for your traveling comfort and safety. Enjoy our affordable rates that give you more value on every tour. For your protection, we are a fully insured tour operator through the Berkely Group, North America’s largest travel insurance company. In addition, we are members of the American Bus Association, St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission, Missouri Travel Council and Route 66 Association of Missouri. We look forward to welcoming you aboard a DIRECTIONS Tour!

Call for a Free Tour Catalog! (314)577-0077

www.directionstours.com S E L G SI N M E SA E* IC R P

WE LOVE SINGLE TRAVELERS!

Over the years, we have noticed more and more singles traveling with us! So we have decided to work with our vendors to make it more affordable for single travelers to enjoy traveling with DIRECTIONS Tours! NOW SINGLES CAN TRAVEL WITH US FOR THE SAME PRICE AS DOUBLES* OR JUST A LITTLE MORE ON LONGER TOURS!

Enjoy Single Travel on any DIRECTIONS Tour for:

*up to 3 Days: SAME PRICE AS DOUBLE (no extra supplement) 4 to 7 Days: ONLY $100.00 supplement 8 to 11 Days: ONLY $250.00 supplement 12 to 15 Days: ONLY $350.00 supplement (314) 577-0077 (888) 810-1171 SINGLES CAN NOW TRAVEL LONGER www.directionstours.com FOR THE BEST RATES… PERIOD! (Excludes Cruises, Flight, Train and Repositioning Tours)

DESTIN, FLORIDA

Winter Escape

FEBRUARY 21 - 26, 2017 (6 Days) $ 997.00 pp DBL Singles Only $100.00 addtl The tour vacation for the winter blues is here! Known as the “Emerald Coast” of Florida for it’s amazing turquoise waters and sugar-white sand beaches, Destin is a favorite among many to escape the cold. Unbeatable price from St. Louis! AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE TOUR! Tour Highlights include: • THREE NIGHTS IN DESTIN AT THE AWARD WINNING WYNDHAM GARDEN BEACHFRONT HOTEL Your intimate resort hotel is on the beach and features luxurious accommodations! • ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL WHITE SAND BEACHES AND SMOOTH GULF WATERS • GULFARIUM MARINE ADVENTURE PARK Enjoy the marine and Florida eco-system animal shows, museum and shops. ALL THIS Voted the #1 attraction on the Emerald Coast! FOR ONLY • DESTIN BAY, HARBOR AND BACK WATERS AIRBOAT RIDE $997.00 Get up close to the shoreline and get to see all kinds of wildlife on this adventure! • ENJOY LUNCH AND TOURING IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN MOBILE, ALABAMA • TAKE IN SOME DEEP SEA FISHING OR JUST RELAX AT THE POOL OR ON THE BEACH! *5 MEALS INCLUDED: 2 BREAKFASTS, 3 DINNERS Night #1: Collins, MS Nights #2-4: Destin, FL Night #5: Jackson, MS

Call Us! (314) 577-0077 www.hellodirections.com

CARDINALS SPRING TRAINING MARCH 3 - 10, 2017 (8 Days) $ 1677.00 pp DBL Singles Only $250.00 addtl GO CRAZY FOLKS… we are ready to go “root for the home team” and another spectacular year of baseball in St. Louis! Our 16th Annual Cardinal’s Spring Training Tour offers more than just baseball! Tour Highlights include: • THREE EXCITING CARDINALS SPRING TRAINING GAMES IN FLORIDA • ROGER DEAN STADIUM • ALL SUITES HOTEL IN PALM BEACH 3 NIGHTS! • FLAGLER PALM BEACH ESTATE AND MUSEUM TOUR • BEACH COMBING ON JUPITER BEACH • INTERCOASTAL WATER DINING IN JUPITER * 12 MEALS INCLUDED: 7 BREAKFASTS, 5 DINNERS Night #1: Marietta, GA Night #2: Orlando, FL Nights #3-5: West Palm beach, FL Night #6: Orlando, FL Night #7: Morrow, GA

MOTORCOACH OR FLY TO FLORIDA! CALL FOR FLIGHT OPTION AND RATES. Deposit: $100.00 pp

CALL EARLY TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE!

Free Tour Catalog!

CALL... (314) 577-0077

www.directionstours.com

SPRING

MARCH 15 - 18, 2017 (4 Days) $ 699.00 pp DBL SINGLES SAME PRICE!!!

Myst ery Tour

Tour Highlights include: This four-day motorcoach mystery tour will be another NEW and FUN destination that DIRECTIONS has never taken you to before! • GREAT DESTINATION & ATTRACTIONS! • COMPANY OF FRIENDS! • THE BEAUTY OF SPRING! • LAUGHTER AND FUN! • GREAT FOOD! • AND SO MUCH MORE (of course!) *5 MEALS INCLUDED: 3 BREAKFASTS, 2 DINNERS Reserve early to secure your space! Deposit: $100.00 pp

Santa Barbara Coastal Wine Train

MARCH 20 - 24, 2017 (5 Days) $ 1397.00 pp DBL Singles just 199.00 addtl

The Central Pacific Coast of California, is one of the world’s most stunningly beautiful wine and recreation regions! Warm breezes, pristine beaches, scenic valleys and vistas await your arrival on one of America’s most prestigious and famed destinations. Tour Highlights include: • NONSTOP ROUND TRIP AIR FROM ST. LOUIS TO CALIFORNIA • ROUND TRIP RAIL ON THE CALIFORNIA SURFLINER TO/FROM LOS ANGELES AND SANTA BARBARA enjoy spectacular views of the central Pacific Coast through Simi Valley • FOUR NIGHTS DELUXE ACCOMMODATIONS (SAME HOTEL ENTIRE TOUR) • PRIVATE SANTA BARBARA WINERY TOUR featuring THREE exclusive wineries and tastings • TROLLEY TOUR OF SANTA BARBARA - “The American Riviera” • SOLVANG DANISH VILLAGE North America’s largest and authentic Danish Village in California’s Santa Ynez Valley • AVILA BEACH - WHALE WATCHING AND FISHING PIER Avila is known as one of the best places to spot the migrating Gray Whales in March • HISTORIC SAN LUIS LIGHTHOUSE ON THE PACIFIC Enjoy a private trolley tour to this historic coastal gem with incredible views overlooking the ocean Night #1-4: Santa Barbara, CA Deposit: $275.00 pp DIRECTIONS TOURS CATALOG

CALL US: (314) 577-0077 - (888) 810-1171

www.hellodirections.com

SAVANNAH & CHARLESTON

APRIL 17 - 23, 2017 (7 Days) $ 1453.00 pp DBL Singles Only $100.00 addtl

THIS SPRING, EXPERIENCE THE OLD SOUTH IN SAVANNAH, GA AND CHARLESTON, SC! THE GARDENS WILL BE IN PERFECT BLOOM ALONG WITH WARM OCEAN BREEZES Tour Highlights include: • DINNER AT THE FAMOUS “LADY & SONS” IN SAVANNAH • SAVANNAH RIVER & HARBOR CRUISE • SAVANNAH HISTORIC RIVERFRONT • OPEN AIR TROLLEY TOUR OF SAVANNAH AND HISTORIC SQUARES • CHARLESTON, SC HISTORIC HARBOR, CITADEL & TOUR • SAVANNAH TYBEE LIGHTHOUSE AND BEACH • MAGNOLIA PLANTATION AND GARDENS INCLUDING NATURALIST LED SWAMP WILDLIFE BOAT TOUR • HISTORIC JULIETTE, GA (Home of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe) • CHARLESTON TEA PLANTATION TROLLEY TOUR *11 MEALS: 6 BREAKFASTS, 5 DINNERS Deposit: $100.00 pp

Nights #1: Marietta, GA Night #2-3: Charleston, SC Nights #4-5: Savannah, GA Night #6: Marietta, GA Deposit: $100.00 pp

“I have been to Savannah many times and love to return. On my tour with Directions I saw things I’ve never seen there before. Your guides made the tour the best time I had ever had there” - S. Stower

www.directionstours.com

Free Tour Catalog! CALL... (314) 577-0077

NEW BOOK AVAILABLE! ST. LOUIS AUTHOR

Joseph E. Hahn WRITTEN 60 YEARS AGO AND JUST PUBLISHED AS HIS FIRST BOOK!

HITCHHIKING THROUGH EUROPE

During the Summer of 1956 SPENDING ONLY $160 ON EUROPEAN TRAVEL THROUGH 10 COUNTRIES, WITH A TOTAL COST OF SUMMER TRAVEL OF $720! Available Now at Local Bookstores, AMAZON.COM and iTunes.com

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CONSIDER SOME NEW YEAR’S (FINANCIAL) RESOLUTIONS Jeff Ponte, Edward Jones Advisor

We’re ready to open the door to 2017, so you might be thinking about some New Year’s resolutions. What’s on your list this year? More visits to the gym? Learning a new language? Mastering the perfect beef bourguignon? All worthy ambitions, of course, but why not also include some financial resolutions? By reviewing your needs and goals, you can identify some resolutions that are particularly relevant to your own situation. But here are a few suggestions:

3) Boost contributions to your retirement plan. If your employer offers a 401(k) or similar retirement plan, take full advantage of it. Your earnings have the potential to grow tax deferred and your contributions may lower your taxable income. Plus, most plans offer a selection of investment options, so you can choose the investment mix that fits your objectives and risk tolerance. Therefore, if your salary goes up this year, or if you think you can find other ways to free up some money, increase your contributions to your retirement plan.

4) Review your portfolio. Is your investment portfolio still on track toward helping you meet your long-term goals? If not, you may need to make some changes. You’ll also want to study your investment mix to make sure it still accurately reflects your risk tolerance. Over time, and often without your taking any significant actions, your portfolio can “drift” to a place where you are taking on too much risk – or even too little risk – for your needs and long-term objectives. If this happens, you may need to “rebalance” your holdings. 5) Avoid mistakes. None of us can avoid all mistakes, in life and in our investment activities. But as an investor, you’ll clearly benefit from minimizing your errors. For example, it’s generally a mistake to jump out of the market in response to a period of volatility. If you wait for things to “calm down” before investing again, you might miss out on the opportunity to participate in the next market rally.

6) Think long term. Keep this in mind: You’re not investing for today or tomorrow, but for many years from now. Try to keep a long-term focus when making all your key investment decisions. By doing so, you can avoid overreacting to shortterm developments, such as a sudden drop in the market or a “momentous” political event that actually decreases in importance as time goes by. Try to follow these financial resolutions as best as you can. You could make 2017 a year to remember. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by Jeff Ponte / Edward Jones Financial Advisor. For additional information contact Jeff at Jeffrey.Ponte@edwardjones.com or 314-469-1696 daily.

our money

1) Build an emergency fund. If you needed a major car repair or a new furnace, or faced some other large, unanticipated expense, could you cope with it? If you didn’t have the money readily available, you might have to dip into those investments intended for longterm goals, such as retirement. Instead, build an emergency fund containing three to six months’ worth of living expenses, kept in a liquid, low-risk account.

2) Cut down on debts. It’s not easy to cut down on one’s debt load. But if you can find ways to reduce your debts, you’ll help improve your overall financial picture. Many debts are not “useful” – that is, they don’t carry any tax advantages – so every dollar you spend to pay down those debts is a dollar you could use to invest for your future.

JANUARY 2017 ∙ www.activelifestylesmag.com ∙ 12

HOW TO STAY SAFE AFTER A WINTER CAR ACCIDENT by Karen Siebert

It’s winter driving season in St. Louis and, while most people know what to do to try to avoid an accident, many don’t know what to do after one. It’s vital knowledge to have, because the aftermath

of a crash can be just as dangerous as the crash itself — especially when it’s cold and snowy. Here are five things to do (or not do) if you’re in an accident this winter to help keep yourself and others safe: 1. Make sure everyone’s OK — then get off the road if you can. The safety of everyone involved in a crash is the first concern, of course. So, check on the occupants of each vehicle and call for emergency assistance if it’s needed. Then, if the vehicles are drivable, get them off the road as soon – and as carefully – as possible. 2. Stay in your car if you can’t safely move away. If you can’t get your car off the road, but you can get off the road, wait until there’s no traffic around and then move well out of the way. Otherwise,

stay in the car so you’re protected from other vehicles. 3. Stay visible — and warm. Turn on your hazard lights and put up road flares so other vehicles know something is wrong. And, grab your vehicle emergency kit (you have one, right?) for blankets and extra clothing. If you’ve run off the road and you’re still in your car, make sure nothing is blocking your exhaust pipe. Otherwise carbon monoxide may build up. 4. If you’re stranded, stay put. Running off the road in a remote area is scary, but resist the urge to try to walk for help. You risk getting lost, especially during a storm, if you set off on foot. 5. See a crash? Don’t always stop to help. Being a Good Samaritan could cause more problems than it solves.

So, if those involved aren’t in immediate danger, call 911 and let the professionals help with medical aid and traffic control. It’s not always easy, but keeping a cool head after an accident will do more than help everyone get through a stressful situation — it will help keep everyone safer, too. And, remember, if something does happen on the road this winter, Siebert Insurance Agency is here to help with your auto accident claim. If you’re unsure whether you’re carrying the right coverage, call now before it’s too late! Karen Siebert, General Manager Siebert Insurance Agency, LTD. 767 Gravois Rd. Fenton, MO 63026 www.siebertinsurance.com

The United States will celebrate MLK Day on January 16, 2017 The campaign for a federal holiday in King’s honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. President Reagan signed the bill into law in November 1983 and the first official holiday was observed on the third Monday of January 1986, with 17 states having official King holidays. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. In 2000, 17 years after the law’s official passage, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was finally and officially observed in all 50 states as a paid holiday. Martin Luther King Jr. is the only American besides George Washington to have a national holiday designated for his birthday (those of Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY Robert E. Lee and others have been celebrated in some states but not nationwide). January 16, 2017 “This is not a black holiday; it is a people’s holiday” Coretta Scott King

Dear Willow,

I want to go inside and outside, and inside and outside. My parents fuss at me about it. Please Help!

Dear Dakota,

Indecisive, Dakota

You see, this is where I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see a problem. I watch my mommy go upstairs and downstairs, and upstairs and downstairs. There is a double standard going on here. You are simply determining the pros and cons while not letting an opportunity pass you by. We have to go with the flow; it would be nice if mommy and daddy did too.

What’s Happening at Active Lifestyles Upcoming Events, Outings and Day Trips

ACTIVE LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE invites you to join us on one (or all) of our upcoming fun and adventurous outings in 2017! Singles or couples - All are welcomed! Most events fill up quickly, So Book Early... See you soon!

VALENTINE’S MYSTERY TOUR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017 - $83.00

A new destination we have never taken you to before! Enjoy Fun, Friendships, Food and Attractions on this mystery day trip. Singles and Couples - come one, come all on this sweet day to celebrate the holiday! Don’t Miss Out... Reserve early!

DESTIN WINTER GET-AWAY Destin, Florida - FEBRUARY 21-26, 2017

The tour vacation for the winter blues is here! Known as the “Emerald Coast” of Florida for it’s amazing turquoise waters and sugar-white sand beaches, Destin is a favorite among many to escape the cold. For complete Tour Details - see Explore Section inside this month’s issue!

SPREADING THE LOVE THROUGH THE STL TUESDAY, March 14, 2017 - $79.00

AS FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE OF ACTIVE LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE (see page 3)! Come along for this special day of education, compassion and love. Tour of the new St. Louis Shriner’s Hospital in the Central West End. Enjoy a yummy lunch at McMurphy’s Downtown at St. Patrick’s Center. A stop at Trinity Food Pantry (featured on the front cover) and a visit with Needy Paws Animal Rescue. At each place, your day trip cost will be spread to make a difference here in St. Louis! Thank YOU for helping us help others.

The DayTrip cost includes meals, activities, motorcoach transportation, and Guide and Driver Gratuities!

Reservations: (636) 326-1779