Crossroads: July, 2021 by Community News

JULY

2021 writers

VOL 17 | NO 7

BY AVALANCHE

Published monthly with newsstand circulation to Wentzville and Lake Saint Louis plus newsstands in O’Fallon, Troy, Lake Sherwood and Augusta.

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.

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Mathew DeKinder Publisher Emeritus/ General Manager Robert Huneke

ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE – PG. 12

BY CINDY MOORE

MOORE ON LIFE – PG. 13

Production Manager Rebecca Brockmann Contributors Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Cindy Moore Staff Writer Brett Auten

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.

BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN

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Copyright 2021 Huneke Publications, Inc. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Crossroads is a trademark of Huneke Publications, Inc. Any published use of Crossroads implying affiliation is strictly prohibited.

David Finkelstein is a Master/ Skill Automotive Service Technician and a shop owner. He’s also invented garage service tools for mechanics and has served on both National and local Automotive Trade Industry Boards. He pioneered “Car Talk Radio” starting out with KMOX/CBS Radio and hosted “Auto Talk” on KFTK/FOX News Radio for 15-years. David tests and evaluates new vehicles weekly and does some consulting with various auto manufacturers.

AUTOMOBILE ALLEY – PG. 14

BY STEVE BRYAN

ENTERTAINMENT – PG. 15

2 | CROSSROADS | JULY 2021

Born and raised in South St. Louis, Steve Bryan is now based in Anaheim, California, and has been allowed access to movie and television sets to see actors and directors at work. Though his writing has taken him far from St. Louis, Steve is, at heart, still the same wide-eyed kid who spent countless hours watching classic movies at neighborhood theaters.

JULY 4

2021

contents

Around Town Local news and events

Feature Story ‘Prepared for the next chapter’ The St. Charles County Ambulance District's new headquarters debuted last month in a facility that will allow better service for a growing community

Always an Adventure Adventures in real estate

Moore on Life Weighing in

Automobile Alley The 2021 Lexus EX midsize sedan offers several options for luxury car buyers

Entertainment 1980’s financial films: greed, bicycles and insider trading

For the Love of Food Sizzling meals made for summer

Community Calendar: July

On the Cover: Submitted photo

JULY 2021 | CROSSROADS | 3

Around Town

Submitted photo Dan Engelhard, founder of the Lake St. Louis-based HSTriclub.

Tri to be your

best By Brett Auten

Lake St. Louis-based HSTriclub is a non-competitive, participation-based triathlon club whose goal is to teach youth how to take care of their bodies.

Dan Engelhard was tired of seeing it. High schoolers strapped to the couch, mindless snacking, locked into video games for hours on end. Engelhard realized that once you reach high school the opportunities to have some good old recreational fun dwindle significantly. With that in mind, he wanted to provide them with some options. So 12 years ago, Engelhard launched the Lake St. Louis-based HSTriclub, a non-competitive, participation-based club whose goal is to address the health crisis in America by teaching youth how to take care of their bodies. That first year there were eight kids out for the club. Now, there’s consistently 50-plus. “I don’t want the quarterback, I want the kid who didn’t make the football team,” Engelhard said. The team’s jersey says it all; you against you. “We have kids in our club who are very good and will win,” Engelhard said. “And we have kids who come in last. We don’t care. There are no awards. It’s about better times and personal advancement.” The team participates in Sprint Triathlons which usually means, you will swim .5 mile (750 meters), bike for 15 miles, and run for 3.1 miles (5K).

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“Most of the kids get here and are scared and have no idea what to expect,” Engelhard said. “But watching them cross the finish line for the first time is so rewarding as a coach. They are so proud of themselves and are motivated for the next one.” Engelhard has continued to grow youth participation despite the challenges of the past year. He has organized outdoor training and activities allowing for social distancing and encouraging parent participation. With the help of parents who convinced their neighborhood association to allow a private event under strict COVID-19 safety protocols, Engelhard was able to coordinate, organize and recruit volunteers to host a sprint-distance triathlon for members of the High School TriClub. Engelhard’s enthusiasm has caused the High School TriClub to grow annually. Most of the kids in the club are from the St. Charles County area, all from all different schools and several who are homeschooled. Trinity and Caleb Young are both members of the club. Trinity, 16, was on the JV track team at Howell High School as well.

Around Town

“Completing my first triathlon was so exhilarating and made me feel so indomitable that I know I’ll be chasing that feeling through running, biking, and swimming even beyond high school,” she said Trinity said that the community the coaches and alumni have built is more welcoming and more supportive than any other group, athletic or academic, that she has joined before. “To anyone who’s unsure about joining I’d say it’ll change your perception of yourself

for the better,” she said. “By the end of the season, you’ll be full of pride and self-confidence.” Caleb hadn’t participated in any previous sports and admittedly, “was pretty out of shape when I started.” The 14-year-old had a pretty frustrating start to the season but was able to overcome it. “I struggled with feeling like I wasn’t as good as the rest of the team,” he said. “I thought at times that I should quit because I wasn’t good enough, but Coach Dan and my parents kept encouraging me to keep going. I have a hard time motivating myself to work out. Working out with the team helped me to do more than I would have done on my own. I’m glad I stuck with it, and I plan to do it again next season.” After finishing his first triathlon, Caleb felt like he was part of the team. “I gained a lot of self-confidence being part of HSTriclub, and I learned that I could push

myself to surpass my expectations of myself,” he said Engelhard also has the kids volunteer as a group to give back to the community. They partner with Harbor Unlimited and Missouri Disabled Waterski Association for those events at Lake St. Louis. The team competes in preexisting triathlons as its own little group. Engelhard longs for the day when his team can compete against similar clubs in, say, South St. Louis, Illinois, or Kansas City. Engelhard’s is a volunteer army. Sponsors help with the cost. Some of the athletes already have road bikes, but many do not but HSTriclub helps provide road bikes for many to use during the season, which is helpful for those who are not sure about that kind of investment. For more information on the club visit www. hstriclub.org.

JULY 2021 | CROSSROADS | 5

Around Town

CCRB HONORS ART CONTEST WINNERS The Community & Children’s Resource Board (CCRB) held an open house to view the artwork of Minnie Adams, a senior at Francis Howell North High School and Sebastian Bierhals, a freshman at Lutheran High School. Adams and Bierhals were selected as winners of the CCRB’s High School Art Contest in December 2020. Both students recreated their concepts on canvas and the finished artwork was installed at the CCRB office in May 2021. The artists’ families, art teachers, the CCRB’s Board of Directors and Steve Ehlmann, the St. Charles County Executive, attended to view the art and meet the talented artists. In October 2020, the CCRB invited students from all county high schools, alternative programs, and homeschool students to submit a conceptual piece to be considered for display in the CCRB’s office. Adams and Bierhals were chosen from eight entries. The art contest was sponsored by the CCRB as a creative way to bring in youth voice to the CCRB office and to emphasize their commitment to making sure children and families are partners in the planning, development, and delivery of all CCRB-funded youth mental health services. Adams’ work titled “Sushi in St. Charles,” features a diverse group of teens sitting together at a local restaurant. Adams explained, “This painting symbolizes my love for my friends. My friends are colorful and vibrant, so I painted them as such.” Bierhals’ work, “Masking our Feelings,” depicts a happy mask over a sad mask and taunting fingers pointing at the masks. Bierhals explained, “In my work, I show that bullying is a huge issue, by showing someone being happy, but behind them is their true feelings which can be sadness, depression, or anxiety.”

: Submitted photo (From left) Minnie Adams, a senior at Francis Howell North High School, stands in front of her painting “Sushi in St. Charles with Sebastian Bierhals, a freshman at Lutheran High School and Steve Ehlmann, the St. Charles County Executive.

The Community and Children’s Resource Board (CCRB) is the administrator the Community Children’s Service Fund, a fund created when St. Charles County passed a 1/8-cent sales tax measure in November 2004. The funds are dedicated for services to St. Charles County children and youth, and are awarded to local agencies to provide services that address the growing unmet mental health needs of our community youth. For more information, call 636-939-6200 or visit www.stcharlescountykids.org.

MODOT RESUMES I-70 CAVE SPRINGS TO FAIRGROUNDS DESIGN-BUILD PROJECT AFTER INCORPORATING THE PUBLIC’S INPUT After reviewing the public’s input, The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) will resume the I-70 Cave Springs to Fairgrounds Design-Build Project. MoDOT and St. Charles County officials reviewed the feedback of more than 3,000 comments. The responses were received during a public comment period from December 2020 to June 2021. The procurement process will begin shortly and MoDOT will present the final design by February 2022 and construction is anticipated to begin spring of 2022. “We heard the public’s concerns about a potential one-way conversion of the outer roads to improve the safety and congestion issues. We went back to the drawing board to see if we could improve the interchanges while keeping a two-way outer road system,” said Stacey Smith, 6 | CROSSROADS | JULY 2021

MoDOT Project Director. MoDOT has evaluated how improvements to the interchanges will work with both one-way and two-way options and both designs have benefits. “Based on this, we have decided that leaving all options on the table will give the public the best possible project.” Smith said, “Our team listened to the public, and we’ve dramatically changed the priorities of this project. Connectivity is now the number one goal.” Better connectivity will make access to local businesses and homes easier. The current roadway design and inefficient traffic flow have restricted connectivity for over a decade. In addition, this project is a regional priority due to the high crash rate, including 3,000 crashes in the past five years. This section of I-70 was built in the 1950s

and 1960s, making it one of the oldest sections of interstate in the country and one of the busiest in Missouri. The congestion at the interchanges often causes traffic to back down the off-ramps to I-70 during rush hours. To improve connectivity, safety, and efficiency, MoDOT is looking at both the entire corridor and local system and is open to all solutions for the interstate, outer roads, interchanges, and side street access. The project is a joint project with St. Charles County, who has contributed $10 million of the $62 million cost of the reconstruction. For more information, visit www.i70csfg. com for project updates. To contact the project team, please send an email to i70csfg@modot.mo.gov.

Around Town

WSD CELEBRATES THE CLASS OF 2021 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES The Wentzville School District held three separate high school graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2021 at the Family Arena in St. Charles on June 6. More than 1,200 seniors from Holt, Liberty, and Timberland high schools walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. Collectively, this year’s graduates have been awarded more than $22 million in scholarships, including nearly $100,000 of scholarships from the local community.

“We are extremely proud of our 2021 graduates and all they have accomplished,” said Superintendent Dr. Curtis Cain. “They have preserved through the challenges of 2020 and 2021 and we are confident that they have the foundation and tools they need to prepare them for the next step in each of their individual journeys. They will continue to excel and make their families, the Wentzville School District, and our community proud.”

WSD FOUNDATION AWARDS ANNUAL MINI GRANTS

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District

educators for their resourceful and innovative ideas and strategies that benefit the education of district students. The Wentzville School District Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to develop community support for public education and for the students and teachers of the Wentzville School District. The foundation was established in 2001 on the belief that education is critical to society, that teachers have the power to be catalysts for student success, and that our community can be an agent for positive change. For more information about the WSD Foundation or to make a donation, please visit the district website.

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District On May 24 and May 26, members of the Wentzville School District Foundation awarded grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 to 11 teachers at six schools, totaling $5,000.

The Wentzville School District Foundation has announced the winners of the 2021 Teacher and Building Mini Grants. On May 24 and May 26, members of the foundation awarded grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 to 11 teachers at six schools, totaling $5,000. The surprise announcements were made during virtual meetings set up by building principals. In addition, the foundation awarded seven teachers with grants totaling $4,500 thanks to a Community Grant from GM to fund science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) initiatives in WSD schools. GM has provided $30,000 over the last three years to the WSD Foundation to support STEM initiatives in the Wentzville School District. This year, the WSD Foundation raised funds through its Top Golf event held in February for the Mini Grant Program and the foundation has awarded over $113,000 to district teachers since 2004. The selection committee, which is composed of Wentzville School District Foundation Board members, utilizes the grants to reward JULY 2021 | CROSSROADS | 7

Around Town

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

or improve our communities one home at a time.” By Brett Auten These opportunities transform lives, build a strong foundation and Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles forge lasting relationships with comCounty’s 90th home helps a local family munities for a bright future. Applifind stability with a house of their own. cants and co-applicants selected for a Habitat home agree to perform a LuWanda Jarmon knows all about minimum of 150 sweat equity hours hard work. Jarmon has trudged each, for a total of at least 300-450 through the delight and frustration hours, in the building of their home that the dealer in the card game of or other Habitat projects. In collablife has delivered to her. oration with community partners, Raising her grandchildren while Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles working more than one job has been arduous, but she wouldn’t Photo provided by Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County LuWanda Jarmon (center), with grand- County offers free financial coaching daughters Lariah Martin (left) and Lanayjah Martin (right), in front of their new home, the 90th home change it for the world. Jarmon’s sponsored and built since 1997 by Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County. Jarmon went through and skills to potential homeowners rigorous process to qualify for an affordable mortgage, and along with a number of community through the Homebuyer Readiness 16-year-old granddaughter, Lariah the volunteers, dedicated 350 hours of sweat equity into her new home. Program, in which participants learn Martin, triumphs in school and has sweat-equity hours in the construction of the about credit, debt, budgeting, seta goal to pursue college as an interior decorahome, as well as going through the process to ting goals and saving money. In addition, the tor. Lariah’s sister, Lanayjah, loves basketball secure and pay an affordable mortgage. organization guides homeowners through an and dogs. Throughout the years, as Jarmon “LuWanda has applied for several years in a affordable mortgage repayment process. held out hope for a safe and secure permarow, ” Leah Manis, Director of Marketing and To help fund and support these efforts, nent residence, she promised herself that Annual Giving for Habitat for Humanity St. Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County she would give the girls a puppy when they Charles County said. “She was a little frustratoperates the Habitat St. Charles ReStore, a found their home. ed and wasn’t going to (apply) this year, but retail outlet located at 186 Mid Rivers Center The search has taken many years for the was encouraged to do so and we are so glad in St. Peters. The ReStore, which opened in Jarmon family. The family moved four times that she did. ” 2007, has diverted over 100,000 tons of waste over the past decade due to unsafe condiJarmon’s new home is the 90th Habitat from local landfills by selling donated new tions and scary situations. Jarmon has spoken home built in St. Charles County by Habiand used building materials, appliances, furopenly about times where the girls felt unsafe tat for Humanity of St. Charles County since niture and select home goods items back to and she had to take quick and immediate ac1997 with more than 2,000 volunteers donatthe general public at fair prices. Funds raised tion to move the family to a new apartment. ing 14,000 hours each year. And, Lariah can’t allow Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles In one instance, the family lost several of their wait to practice her interior design skills in County to be self-sustaining, with nearly possessions and the stress of these moves their new home. 100-percent of every dollar donated going were starting to take their toll. “We can finally say we’re home, ” Jarmon directly toward building homes for deserving Enter Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles said. “I can finally protect them, and this families in St. Charles County. County. blesses my heart. ” “It’s like Home Depot meets Goodwill,” MaThe organization builds affordable homes The construction of each home features nis said. “And, you don’t just get old or used with hard-working families in St. Charles high-efficiency heating and cooling to help products, often corporations will donate County. The nonprofit community-level afcut the homeowner’s monthly costs. In addibrand new items, which leads to an awesome filiate receives around 100 applications in tion, local companies in support of Habitat’s find for those who are hunting for a bargain.” a year and acts in partnership with Habitat mission donated materials and/or labor to Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County for Humanity, an international, non-governbuild Jarmon’s home. will be breaking ground on two new homes mental, nonprofit organization devoted to “LuWanda has become a mentor and ‘amsoon. building strength, stability and self-reliance bassador’ for our potential Habitat home“If there are people out there who want to through shelter. owners as she shares her journey to build learn more or have the heart to be more inWhen Habitat for Humanity St. Charles strength, stability and self-reliance through volved, please reach out to us through our County reached out to Jarmon, it was as if the shelter, ” Michelle Woods, executive director, social media pages,” Manis said. “We encourstars aligned. Selected as a potential homeHabitat for Humanity of St. Charles County, age anyone who wants to be part of the bigowner by Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles said. “It’s rewarding to witness individuals, ger picture to take part in any number of our County, Jarmon and family worked diligently teams and companies coming together to volunteer opportunities.” to meet Habitat homeowner requirements, participate and support our mission to enTo learn more, visit habitatstcharles.org. which included dedicating a total of 350 hance lives, foster relationships and build 8 | CROSSROADS | JULY 2021

Around Town

SAFEWISE.COM RATES O’FALLON AS MISSOURI’S SAFEST LARGE CITY The newest report from the website Safewise.com named O’Fallon as Missouri’s safest large city and No. 18 among all cities in the state. The honor was announced in Safewise.com’s listing of “The Safest Cities in Missouri for 2021.” With a population of more than 89,000 residents, O’Fallon was the only large city (population greater than 25,000 residents) to be rated in the top 20. O’Fallon had a violent crime rate of 1.3 incidents per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 11.3 per 1,000 residents. “This is truly a testament to our residents and businesses who look out for their community and work to keep their neighborhoods safe,” said O’Fallon’s Mayor, Bill Hennessy. “It’s further evidence of the tremendous work being done by our O’Fallon Police Department. These men and women dedicate their lives to keeping us safe and secure.” The report was listed at https://www.safewise.com/blog/safestcities-missouri/#list.

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JULY 2021 | CROSSROADS | 9

PREPARED for the

NEXT CHAPTER The St. Charles County Ambulance District’s new headquarters debuted last month in a facility that will allow better service for a growing community.

By Brett Auten

The new headquarters for the St. Charles County Ambulance District is up and running at 2000 Salt River Road in St. Peters.

10 | CROSSROADS | JULY 2021

It is being called a milestone in the history of the organization. The St. Charles County Ambulance District’s new headquarters debuted last month. The new facility will provide a plethora of benefits that will in turn help provide better service to the citizens of the county, among them; expanded training capacity, improved simulation labs, an enhanced emergency operations center, and comprehensive fleet maintenance. The new building consolidates operations from five existing SCCAD facilities – administration, training, and finance/human resources buildings in St. Peters, a logistics and fleet maintenance facility in Cottleville and a non-emergency transfer hub in O’Fallon. SCCAD Chief Kelly Cope said that a common misconception is, the emergency vehicles will also call the new location home. “We will still have 19 emergency units available 24-hours-a-day at 16 different locations throughout the county,” Cope said. The new training space can house over 200 individuals in a single room when fully utilized, enabling SCCAD to host a variety of training opportunities for first responders in the region. “One of the things that I am most excited about is the immense potential that the training center will have,” Kyle Gaines, SCCAD Director of Community Relations, said. “We will be able to attract some national-level speakers.” The facility measures over 140,000-square-feet with half set aside for operational needs and non-emergency transfer division. The new building more than doubles the district’s in-house fleet maintenance capabilities and the expansive garage allows for large spec such as the AmbuBus and Major Incident Response Vehicle to be housed indoors and out of the freezing temperatures and conditions that the Midwest can O’Fallon’s LCS Construction took the lead on general contracting efforts for the building, which was designed by ArchImages.

The new St. Charles County Ambulance District facility will provide expanded training capacity, improved simulation labs, an enhanced emergency operations center, and comprehensive fleet maintenance.

Navigate Building Solutions provided construction management services. Plenty of other local trades professionals played an active role in bringing the facility online. Design discussions began in mid-2018, with construction commencing in January 2020. The facility’s completion is approximately two months ahead of schedule and came in nearly $2 million below the budgeted $32.8 million. The consolidated headquarters is the largest project in the district’s capital improvement plan, which was financed by voters’ who approved of 2018’s Proposition Ambulance – a

general obligation bond issue. The proposition also includes construction of EMS stations in areas of growth, purchase of ambulances and other response vehicles, and procurement of lifesaving medical equipment. According to Cope, when planning every detail throughout the design and construction process, they considered the needs of the district not only today, but also decades into the future. In 2019, SCCAD received around 45,000 requests for service. As the county continues to grow at a steady rate, officials predict that the number could increase to 55-or-70,000 requests annually. “We are going to be prepared for the next chapter, however it may present itself,” Cope said. “We think we are pretty good now but now we have the efficiency to be even better.”

JULY 2021 | CROSSROADS | 11

Always An Adventure

Adventures in

real estate LIVING IN THE HIGH ROCKIES, we’ve seen land rushes, building booms and real estate frenzies come and go for the four decades we’ve been here. Just when we think things have topped out, and the bubble will burst, demand and prices go to the moon once more. Sometimes there is a temporary downturn, and some folks who were overleveraged get clobbered financially, but for the most part, prices never recede for long. All the money chasing a finite amount of land leads to some “interesting” business tactics and methods. During one of the booms several years ago, I was conducting a security survey at one of the large 10,000 square foot “starter castles” overlooking a posh resort town, in advance of the arrival of some high and mighty dignitaries who regularly journey there in search of ever-more money and power. Scattered about an adjacent vacant lot, there were tall poles garishly adorned with colored ribbons and flagging, perhaps coincidentally the same colors as the locally popular football team. When asked about the decorations next door, the owner simply shook his head, sighed, and said, “Realtors.” Sometime later, I learned that the obnoxious decorations were “story poles.” It turned out that the realtor in question was my friend Mark, who was infamous for his unusual negotiating tactics. Mark was representing the seller of the lot with the poles. The owner of the home where I had been working wanted to purchase the lot, to protect his privacy and views, but did not want to pay the seller’s asking price. My realtor friend had then placed the garish poles and decorations around the building envelope of where a home could be built, a hideous reminder of what could be constructed next to the potential buyer’s existing home. The homeowner did end up buying the lot next door, and paid full asking price. Mark had grown up in a cabin with no running water in the rural Midwest. He had worked hard for every penny he had, and despite – or maybe because of – his modest origins, was a formidable foe in any business transaction at any price range. When he arrived on the real estate scene in the 80’s the locals learned very quickly to read every single word of a real estate contract. He was a fierce advocate for his clients, and would always get the best price for a home; but might blow up three deals in the process. His stated goal was to infuriate the broker on the other side of the deal so much that the men would curse at him, and the women would cry. At that point, they had lost control and were vulnerable, and Mark could gain fur12 | CROSSROADS | JULY 2021

BY AVALANCHE ther concessions. Just so Mark was on your side of the deal, it was like having an attack dog guarding your interest. Those on the other side of the transaction were treated to a vicious dog attack. Unhealthy interest in large quantities of money can lead to some bad outcomes. After speaking with a respected realtor over the phone for a series of calls, a seemingly well-heeled client flew into town on a private jet to look at a property valued in the eightfigure range. The property was everything the client wanted, and he signed a contract for asking price. He wrote a check for earnest money in the seven-figure range. He asked the realtor if he could write a check for an extra $50k, since it was the weekend and he needed “some extra cash.” The realtor, about to realize a large commission, and blinded by the dollar signs dancing in his head, tripped all over himself to accommodate the buyer, and gave him $50,000 cash to ease the horrible burden of having so little green on hand. The well-heeled buyer got back on “his” private jet, to never return or be seen again. The private jet had been rented, for about $10,000, giving the scammer a $40,000 payday. The realtor never reported the crime, fearing that if the story got out, his standing as a broker in the high-end world of eight-figure estates would be permanently harmed, and he might have to do real work for a living. Given the current exodus from the cities and into the mountains and countryside, such shenanigans will only increase in number and audacity. For those of us who just want to stay put and be left alone, it provides us some morbid entertainment, to go along with our ever-higher tax bills.

Moore On Life

WEIGHING IN BY CINDY MOORE

AS IF FLYING WEREN’T A PAIN ENOUGH ALREADY now this – weight restrictions. Of course, it’s all done for “safety”. Maybe that’s why they’ve quit feeding us on flights. All that extra poundage from the food might cause the floor to cave in. I can tell this is going to be awkward for me. TSA: “Ma’am I’ve detected something in your left sock and I’m going to need to pat you down to see if you’re carrying anything hazardous on your person. Would you mind pulling up your pant leg and letting me have a look?” Me, pulling up my pant leg: “I don’t see why this is really necessary.” “It all has to do with safety. Looks like you’re packing two large Snicker bars. Very dangerous.” “Dangerous for who? We don’t even get fed on flights anymore. I need them in case my complimentary bag of mostly-air-witha-few-dry-peanuts won’t last through an eight- hour flight and I pass out.” “Sorry, but we have new weight restrictions. You’ll have to discard them.” That wasn’t going to happen. I quickly “discarded” them into my mouth. TSA: “Okay. That wasn’t smart. I’m going to have to ask you to

step on the scale.” “Wait…what? You’ve already physically patted me down; wanded my extremities and shoved me through a radiation-emitting x-ray, which penetrated my clothing and revealed my unmentionables to who-knows-who. And now you want to know my most personal information…my weight?!” “Sorry…federal regulations. We don’t want to have any excess bulk which would cause the engines to drop over a highly populated area.” I reluctantly complied and stepped onto the scales. Suddenly an alarm sounded; a message in neon flashed: “Weight unacceptable! Abort!” “Ma’am, it looks like you’ve exceeded our load limit. I’m going to have to ask you to either shed a few pounds in the next fifteen minutes or reschedule your flight until you get your volume in check. Might wanna cut down on the candy bars…maybe enroll in a Zumba class or two.” What to do? I had to lose weight fast or miss my flight. I took off my shoes and left them in the security tray. That ought to shed a few pounds. Hmm, I wonder if there’s a federal regulation about being barefoot? JULY 2021 | CROSSROADS | 13

Automobile Alley

THE 2021

LEXUS EX MIDSIZE SEDAN OFFERS SEVERAL OPTIONS FOR LUXURY CAR BUYERS

For the 2021 model year, Lexus has expanded their ES midsize sedan product mix to include two new variations of this popular luxury automobile. This includes an all new ES 250 with all-wheel-drive as well as the Black Line Special Edition model. Lexus also offers the EX in the F SPORT and with their Ultra Luxury grades. This enhanced build combination will tend to fit a broader customer base who enjoy an immense lifestyle. The seamless AWD setup is governed by an electromagnetic engagement controller. When AWD isn’t needed, it instantly disengages the propeller drive shaft to help with fuel efficiency. This remarkable breakthrough won’t impact legroom, trunk space, ride comfort, cabin quietness or vehicle agility. Linked with the 2.5-liter, 203 horsepower four cylinder engine, it tends to reflect 28-mpg combined city/highway numbers. The limited-production Black Line Special Edition will be based on the F SPORT trim grade. The Black Line ES models will also include unique features such as black outer mirrors, darkened wheels and lug nuts, and a new sporty, black rear deck lid spoiler. Manufactured on their global “GA-K” versatile architecture, this allowed designers to create an ES design that is beautiful yet also enjoyable to drive. This chassis setup is an exceptionally rigid design made from several grades of high strength steel. The suspension is tuned for ideal responsiveness and superior road agility. All versions of the ES offer a Drive Mode Select system that allows the driver to tailor the car’s settings to road conditions. This Lexus is 14 | CROSSROADS | JULY 2021

longer, lower as well as wider than the prior generation giving it a more prominent look of strength and stability. The signature front grille assembly follows the Lexus DNA path forward. The slim headlamp design features distinctive L-shaped marker lights. Optional triple beam headlights are available and help refine the look with three compact LED projector lamps. When it comes to wheel choices, the list includes a standard 17-inch split 10-spoke design with dark silver accents and a machined finish. From there and depending on the trim level, they feature larger 18-inch, 10-spoke wheels, plus unique 19-inch wheels with a dual-spoke design, highlighted by a dark premium graphite coating. Besides their 2.5-liter engine, a 3.5-liter V6 is offered. Its performance rating is 302 horsepower, as its EPA numbers indicate a combined city/highway range of 26-mpg. It’s matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Furthermore, Lexus also offers the ES with a hybrid gas/electric power setup. The combined output is around 215 total horsepower and the estimated miles per gallon numbers echo some 44-mpg, when you include both city and highway driving. The interior options for the ES are also somewhat complex and vary by grade. Notable refinements with the interior were in the forefront to this seventh generation ES. In part, this includes a more natural feeling steering wheel angle, revised pedal positions and standard 10-way power adjustable front seats. Trunk cargo space is just under 14 cubic feet.

All ES models now include their Safety System+ 2.0 as standard which includes numerous enhancements including a pre-collision system designed to detect a preceding vehicle, a bicyclist or a pedestrian. Pricing starts out at $40,000 and tops out at $50,910 for the Ultra Luxury Hybrid. Shipping charges are excluded, they show to be $1,025 additional. This Lexus is often cross shopped with the Acura TLX and the Infiniti Q50.

Entertainment

s ’ 0 8 19FINANCIAL FILMS

Greed, Bicycles and Insider Trading

n 2021, stocks such as GameStop and AMC saw wide swings in their stock prices. The reason was smaller investors putting their money on beaten-down stocks to thwart institutional traders “short-selling” those same securities. A short seller believes that a stock’s price will go down and makes money if that happens, but if the price goes up, they stand to lose money. On May 26, Reuters News reported that short sellers lost $754 million on AMC and GameStop while smaller investors profited. The stock market, bitcoin and other investments are fascinating stuff and, in the 1980’s, theaters played host to a handful of financial-themed films. Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd starred in 1983’s “Trading Places,” a classic comedy featuring one of the best trading floor scenes ever filmed. Aykroyd plays Louis Winthorpe, the managing director for Duke & Duke Commodity Brokers in Philadelphia. As an experiment, the Duke brothers replace the well-groomed Winthorpe with a hustler named Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy). Valentine gets the big office and paycheck while the pampered Winthorpe is out of work and homeless. “Footloose” star Kevin Bacon trades his dancing shoes for a slick bicycle in “Quicksilver,” an uneven 1980’s drama. Bacon plays Jack Casey, a cocky stock trader who loses money for both his company and his loving parents. Unemployed and depressed, Jack becomes a bicycle messenger and is soon surrounded by a new group of friends. Jack also takes a young woman name Terri (Jami Gertz) under his wing when she’s targeted by a gang. This film has interesting moments, but Roger

Daltry singing “Quicksilver Lightning” on the soundtrack is its only redeeming quality. “Wall Street,” the “Godfather” of financial films, was released in 1987 but set two years earlier. Oliver Stone directs the story of Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), an ambitious stockbroker learning the ropes by “cold calling” prospective clients. Bud has his sights set on Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), a huge Wall Street player. Gekko, who utters phrases like “Greed is good,” is not quite on the up-and-up and draws his young protégé into a world of big money, insider trading and deceit. The 2010 sequel “Money Never Sleeps” focuses on what Gekko is doing after being released from prison. Before teaming up with the aforementioned Charlie Sheen on “Two and a Half Men,” Jon Cryer dabbled in finances during the comedy/drama “Hiding Out.” Cryer plays Andrew Morenski, a broker who inadvertently becomes involved with mobsters. To protect himself, Andrew heads to Delaware to hopefully stay with his aunt. Re-christening himself as Maxwell Hauser, Andrew enrolls in high school and starts a relationship with Ryan Campbell (a charming Annabeth Gish). Those mobsters are still looking for him, however. Cryptocurrencies didn’t exist in the 1980’s and 401K’s were relatively new at that time, but the financial films of the 1980’s still offer an interesting look at stock trading and greed. The Gordon Gekko character was fond of insider trading and disgraced financier Ivan Boesky became his real-life counterpart. Greed may be good, but 401K’s are lot safer.

“Wall Street” photo courtesy Twentieth Century Fox. “Trading Places” photo courtesy Paramount Pictures. “Quicksilver” photo courtesy Columbia Pictures. “Hiding Out” courtesy De Laurentiis Entertainment Group.

BY STEVE BRYAN

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For the Love of Food

Summertime, for many, represents an opportunity to enjoy freshly cooked meals while enjoying time outdoors. Taking your dishes from ordinary to extraordinary starts with chef-inspired recipes that call to mind the flavors of the season. Whether you’re a steak enthusiast who enjoys nothing more than a tender cut or a summer burger connoisseur looking for a fresh twist on tradition, these recipes call for high-quality beef from Omaha Steaks. Created by Omaha Steaks Executive Chef David Rose, the New York Strips Oscar-Style complement the thick, juicy, marbled flavor of the steaks with sauteed asparagus, bearnaise sauce and jumbo lump crab meat. Or turn your attention to Fried Lobster Po Boy Burgers with pimento remoulade sauce for a tempting way to combine two summertime favorites – seafood and burgers.

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JULY 2021

For the Love of Food NEW YORK STRIPS OSCAR-STYLE Recipe courtesy of Omaha Steaks Executive Chef David Rose

Prep time: about 30 minutes | Cook time: about 3 1/2 hours | Sevings: 4

SAUTEED ASPARAGUS • 1/2 pound jumbo asparagus (about 1 bunch), blanched in salted boiling water • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 2 tablespoons minced shallots • salt, to taste • freshly ground black pepper, to taste BEARNAISE SAUCE • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar • 2 tablespoons minced shallots • 1 tablespoon chopped tarragon • 3 egg yolks • 2 tablespoons water, plus additional for boiling, divided • 2 dashes hot sauce • 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted • salt, to taste • freshly ground black pepper, to taste JUMBO LUMP CRAB MEAT • 1 pound jumbo lump crab meat • 2 tablespoons kosher salt NEW YORK STRIP STEAKS • 4 New York Strips (10 ounces each) • salt, to taste • freshly ground black pepper, to taste • water • 4 tablespoons grapeseed oil • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter • 3 garlic cloves • 2 fresh thyme sprigs TO MAKE ASPARAGUS: Cut asparagus stalks into 1/4-inch pieces. Heat large pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Add garlic and shallots to pan; lightly saute about 20 seconds, or until fragrant. Add asparagus to pan; saute about 2 minutes until lightly browned. Add salt and pepper, to taste. TO MAKE BEARNAISE SAUCE: In small saucepan, bring vinegar, shallots and tarragon to boil then reduce to simmer 3-4 minutes until reduced by about half. Cool to room temperature. Bring medium pot half full of water to slow boil. In small bowl, whisk egg yolks, vinegar reduction, water and hot sauce until well incorporated.

Place bowl over pot of boiling water and continue whisking ingredients until it starts to emulsify and becomes sauce-like. Alternate whisking on and off heat every 30 seconds to prevent eggs from scrambling. Gradually add melted butter, continuously whisking until sauce becomes rich with ribbony consistency and sets up. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. If too thick, add 1 tablespoon water at a time and whisk to desired consistency. TO MAKE CRAB MEAT: In medium bowl, lightly toss crab meat with salt until well coated. TO MAKE STEAKS: Pat steaks dry with paper towels and season heavily with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring steaks to room temperature.

Place sous vide immersion circulator in pot of water and set to 5 F below target doneness. Place seasoned steaks in sous vide bag or zip-top bag and cook 2 hours. Remove bag and remove steaks from bag. Pat steaks dry with paper towels. Warm large cast-iron pan over high heat and add oil. Add steaks, butter, garlic cloves and thyme leaves. After about 1 minute, steaks should start to brown. Flip steaks and baste with butter until caramelized. Remove steaks from pan and rest 7-8 minutes. TO ASSEMBLE: Place asparagus on bottom of plate. Top with steaks (whole or sliced), crab meat and bearnaise sauce.

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For the Love of Food PIMENTO REMOULADE • 1/2 cup mayonnaise • 1 1/2 tablespoons minced pimentos • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard • 1 tablespoon minced bread and butter pickles • 1 pepperoncino (seeded and minced) • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice • 3 dashes hot sauce • kosher salt, to taste

FRIED LOBSTER TAILS • Vegetable oil, for frying • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika • 1 large egg • 1 tablespoon water • 2 dashes hot sauce • 1/4 cup potato chips, finely blended in food processor • 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs

TO MAKE PIMENTO REMOULADE: In small bowl, mix mayonnaise, pimentos, mustard, pickles, pepperoncino, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, lemon juice and hot sauce until well incorporated. Season with salt, to taste. TO MAKE FRIED LOBSTER TAILS: Preheat grill to 400 F and add oil to 10-inch cast-iron pan about 1/2-inch deep. In medium bowl, whisk flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika until well incorporated. Set aside. In separate medium bowl, whisk egg, water and hot sauce. Set aside. In third medium bowl, whisk potato chips, panko breadcrumbs and parsley until well incorporated. Set aside. Cut lobster tails in half lengthwise, remove meat from shell and season with remaining kosher salt and black pepper. Toss halved lobster tails in flour mixture first, egg mixture second then potato chip mixture third, coating thoroughly. Fry lobster tails 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Close grill lid between flipping.

TO MAKE CHEESEBURGERS: Preheat grill to 450 F using direct heat. Form ground beef into two 1/2 pound patties, each about 1/2-inch thick. Using thumb, make dimple in center of each patty to help cook evenly. Season both sides of burger with salt and pepper, to taste. Spread butter on each cut side of buns. Grill burgers 4-5 minutes per side for medium doneness. Add one slice cheddar cheese on each burger, close lid and grill about 30 seconds to melt cheese. Remove patties from grill to clean plate. Place buns cut sides down on grill grates and toast 20-30 seconds, or until well toasted, being careful to avoid burning. TO ASSEMBLE: Place desired remoulade on buns. Place cheeseburgers on bottom buns. Top each with two fried lobster tail halves. Place handful shredded lettuce on lobster tails. Top with buns.

FRIED LOBSTER PO BOY BURGERS Recipe courtesy of Omaha Steaks Executive Chef David Rose

Prep time: about 20 minutes | Cook time: about 20 minutes | Sevings: 2

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• 1 tablespoon minced flat leaf Italian parsley • 2 lobster tails (5 ounces each) CHEESEBURGERS • 1 pound premium ground beef • salt, to taste • freshly ground black pepper, to taste • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature • 2 brioche buns • 2 slices yellow cheddar cheese • 3 leaves romaine lettuce, shredded

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