BOOMING BATTLE
A
SEPTEMBER
2021 writers
VOL 17 | NO 9
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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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 | SEPTEMBER 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.
SEPTEMBER 4
2021
contents
Around Town Local news and events
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Feature Story A BOOMING BATTLE 16th annual Sky Wars pits pyrotechnic experts against each other in an invitational fireworks championship in Wright City
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Always an Adventure Human terrain
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Moore on Life Not So Friendly Skies
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Automobile Alley The 2021 Toyota Venza is a luxurious people mover
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Entertainment Hollywood’s best (and worst) con artists
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For the Love of Food Rally the crowd with a masterful game day menu
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Community Calendar: September
On the Cover: Submitted photo
SEPTEMBER 2021 | CROSSROADS | 3
Around Town
Bring on the World A Holt High School senior claimed first place in the women's category at the Red Bull UCI Pump Track World Championships Qualifier at St. Charles County’s Kinetic Park By Brett Auten
SUBMITTED PHOTO Brooklynne Schuetz, of Wentzville, won first place at the Red Bull UCI Pump Track World Championships Qualifier on July 31 at St. Charles County’s Kinetic Park. With the win, Schuetz will compete in Portugal in October.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Brooklynne Schuetz and Megan Dudgeon, a Lindenwood University student from Wisconsin, squared off in the final with Brooklynne finishing 27.76 to secure her World Final ticket in Portugal.
The youngest competitor in her first-ever race outshined them all. Wentzville's Brooklynne Schuetz claimed first place in the women's category at the recent Red Bull UCI Pump Track World Championships Qualifier held at St. Charles County’s Kinetic Park in Dardenne Prairie. Schuetz, a 17-year-old Holt High School senior, won the women's division at the event, and with it comes an all-expenses paid trip to the Red Bull World Final slated for Oct. 15-17 in Lisbon, Portugal. “It's crazy to think that we are going to Portugal in a couple of months,” Schuetz said. “I went (to the qualifier) to have fun. I was not expecting this at all.” She has been riding BMX races most of her life and the bushel of trophies in the Scheutz household speak of it. Now the work begins to go against the best the globe has to offer. That means running sprints three days a week to maintain and build leg strength along with a regular riding schedule. “A lot of training goes into this,” Schuetz said. “On a pump track, you use both arms and legs. It's a lot more endurance and more of a core workout.” Schuetz is a powerhouse. Though her brawn is not built from predetermined CONTINUED PAGE 5
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Around Town routines in an air conditioned environment, but rather day in and day out working for her father's landscaping business. “I haven't stepped a foot in a gym,” Schuetz said. “For the last five years, I have been moving rock and just really pushing myself at work.” Schuetz finished ahead of Megan Dudgeon, a Lindenwood University student from Wisconsin. Sponsors of the event were SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital, the city of Dardenne Prairie, and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital/Safe Kids St. Louis. “It has been an honor and thrill to be chosen to host a Red Bull UCI Pump Track World Championship Qualifier at Kinetic Park,” Ryan Graham, St. Charles County Parks Director said. “The nation’s largest asphalt pump track has been a major attraction for the local community, and now for guests visiting from across the country and world. We look forward to hosting additional Red Bull events at Kinetic Park in the future.” Kinetic Park is undergoing a transformation that will soon offer even more attractions. When complete in 2022, the park will include a splash play area, adventure playground, and activity center with an
eSports room and indoor street-style skateboarding area. In addition to the asphalt pump track, Kinetic Park features the state’s largest outdoor skatepark, a bike playground and skills course, a 30-foot indoor rock-climbing wall, and indoor gaming area with concessions. For more information about Kinetic Park, visit the St. Charles County Parks Department’s website at stccparks.org or call the park at 636561-4964. In all, there were 77 contestants – 66 men and 11 women from across the United States and one from Australia in the county. A crowd of around 1,000 spectators cheered on locals and visitors alike from a bird's eye view of all the action from the newly installed permanent bleachers in the park. “Pump track is an amazing opportunity because it pits BMX and mountain bikers against the clock to see who can be the fastest rider of the day,” Aaron Cooke, Race Director for Velosolutions, an entity that built the Kinetic Park course. “But the most exciting thing is the rider coming through St. Charles could become the next world champion.”
Following are the full results from the qualifier: FEMALE: 1st Place: Brooklynne Schuetz from Wentzville, Mo., 27:76 2nd Place: Megan Dudgeon from Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., 28:59 3rd Place: Cory Coffey from Ojai, Calif., 27:08 4th Place: Jacelyn Reno from Alliance, Tex., 27.81 MALE: 1st Place: Amakye Andersen from Tucson, Ariz. 22:04 2nd Place: Layne Gainer from Wauconda, Ill. 22:54 3rd Place: Robbie Spanyard from Tucson, Ariz. 23:48 4th Place: Keagan Nelson from Clark Mills, N.Y., 24:43 PHOTO COURTESY VELOSOLUTIONS Brooklynne Schuetz of Wentzville holds the World Finals ticket in one hand and the first place trophy in the other after Red Bull UCI Pump Track World Championships Qualifier on July 31.
MODOT SHORTLISTS THREE TEAMS FOR I-70 CAVE SPRINGS TO FAIRGROUNDS DESIGN-BUILD PROJECT The Missouri Department of Transportation has selected three teams to compete to design and construct the Interstate 70 Cave Springs to Fairgrounds Design-Build project. 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. This corridor is in need of improvements to address connectivity, safety and congestion. MoDOT received Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from the potential DesignBuild teams. The following teams (in no particular order) were selected to further develop their
proposals on the project: • Gershenson Construction Co., Inc. teamed with Bartlett & West, Inc. and Lochmueller Group, Inc. • KCI Construction Company teamed with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. and HR Green, Inc. • Millstone Weber, LLC teamed with Parsons Transportation Group, Inc. “We are very pleased with the interest we received from the teams who want to work on this project,” said Project Director Stacey Smith. “All of these teams have excellent design and construction experience. They will bring great solutions to improve the prob-
lems along I-70.” Design-Build is a delivery method that includes hiring one contracting team to complete the design work and build the highway under one contract. The teams’ proposals will be due in midDecember and the Best Value Proposal is expected to be approved in early 2022. At that time, the details of the design and construction schedule will be released to the public. The $62 million I-70 Cave Springs to Fairgrounds Design-Build project is funded by MoDOT ($52 million) and St. Charles County ($10 million). SEPTEMBER 2021 | CROSSROADS | 5
Around Town
MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE CELEBRATE THE ST. CHARLES JEWISH FESTIVAL On Aug.15, at the Foundry Art Centre, St. Charles County celebrated its diversity through a new music and cultural event, the St. Charles Jewish Festival. The festival offered a unique recognition of the music, traditions and foods that Jewish people celebrate and enjoy. Organized
by the Chabad Jewish Center of St. Charles County and the St. Charles Jewish Family Network, the festival attracted more than 1,000 participants. Headlining the music portion of the festival was the folk-rock duo known as the “Rogers Park Band,” which specializes in
Jewish-Chasidic folk music. The gathering also included musical performances by St. Louis’ Klezmer band, Will Soll & the Youngers of Zion, and Chicago’s Ruby Harris. Participants enjoyed kosher deli and potato knishes and fun family activities.
PHOTO COURTESY CHABAD JEWISH CENTER / BILL MOTCHAN On Aug.15, at the Foundry Art Centre, St. Charles County celebrated its diversity through a new music and cultural event, the St. Charles Jewish Festival.
WSD NAMES PRINCIPAL OF NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL The Wentzville School District Board of Education approved the hiring of Dr. Kelly Mantz as the principal of the district’s new Middle School, effective July 1, 2022. Mantz has been the principal of Wentzville Middle School for the past nine years. Prior to becoming the principal of WMS, she served as an assistant principal at Holt High School for seven years. During this time, Mantz has served on the iObservation Teacher Evaluation Committee, the district WNEA Negotiating team, and the District Curriculum Committee. Before joining the Wentzville School District, she was a teacher in both the RockPHOTO COURTESY WENTZVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT The Wentz- wood and Mehlville School Districts. ville School District Board of Education approved the hiring of Dr. Kelly Mantz as the principal of the district’s new Middle School, ef“I am excited and honored to be chosen as fective July 1, 2022. the principal of the New Middle School,” shared Mantz. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the district and the community on the finalization of the construction of the facility, the movement of sixth-grade staff and students back to the middle school level, and the privilege of building a strong faculty and staff for this new building.” Mantz received her master’s degree, her educational specialist degree, and her doctorate degree in educational administration from Lindenwood University in St. Charles. The fourth middle school in the Wentzville School District is scheduled to open in August of 2022 and is located at West Meyer Road and North Point Prairie, near the district’s fourth and newest high school, North Point. 6 | CROSSROADS | SEPTEMBER 2021
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Around Town
Battling
BITE
SUBMITTED PHOTO
THE
For the St. Charles County Division of Environmental Health and Protection's Mosquito Control team, it's a bug's life. The program has spent the summer months, routinely trapping and surveying mosquitoes around the county. St. Charles County has utilized collection traps to analyze mosquito populations. Traps have been placed in various locations throughout the county since June in order to analyze mosquito populations. The traps will remain in place through September as the staff checks traps and analyzes collected mosquitoes on a weekly basis to determine the presence of various insect species and incidences of the virus. Among its findings this summer, the program has detected a positive test result for West Nile virus from mosquitoes within the county but there have been no positive cases of West Nile in humans reported this year. Program staff said there is no reason for alarm from these findings but wants to remind residents to remain vigilant with efforts to prevent mosquito bites by wearing repellent when outdoors. Seth Otto V, Mosquito Control Program Coordinator, said he and his staff have been aware of the presence of West Nile virus around the metropolitan area and has been trapping and testing mosquitoes all summer. “Following this positive indication in our community, our staff will increase treatment efforts aimed at reducing the risk for exposure to residents,” Otto said. “Staff also reminds residents about the importance of taking steps to block the bite whenever outdoors this summer and fall.”
St. Charles County Division of Environmental Health and Protection's Mosquito Control Monitors Mosquitos and the Diseases they Carry By Brett Auten
This is the fifth consecutive year the team has collected mosquito data. “By using information from these collection sites, our staff can target areas with specific recommended treatment activity,” Otto said. “Different species of mosquito behave differently, so knowing the species at a location enables our staff to be more effective in controlling mosquito-borne disease.” The Division of Environmental Health and Protection contracts with several St. Charles County municipalities to investigate and control mosquito populations. Mosquito Control staff monitors for larval and adult insect activity, sets traps to test for the presence of different species and the diseases they may carry, and shares information on the most effective methods for protecting the public. The Mosquito Control staff also treats habitat areas to prevent larvae from developing into adult insects and performs targeted spraying in areas where a high population of disease-carrying or nuisance mosquitoes is observed. Residents who live in unincorporated St. Charles County or within the city limits of Augusta, Cottleville, Flint Hill, Lake Saint Louis, Portage des Sioux, St. Paul, Weldon Spring, Weldon Spring Heights and Wentzville should use the CitizenServe online portal at sccmo.org/mosquito to request treatment by Mosquito Control staff. Those who wish to add their address to a no spray list can call 636-949-1800. Residents living within the city limits of Dardenne Prairie, O’Fallon, St. Charles and St. Peters should contact their respective city halls for treatment concerns. The West Nile virus is spread by the bite
To minimize exposure to mosquito bites, the Mosquito Control staff recommends residents: •U se insect repellent when outdoors. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus are said to provide the best protection, • When also using sunscreen, apply the sunscreen first, let it dry, and then apply repellent. •L imit time outdoors when mosquitoes are most active – during dusk and dawn hours. • Wear light-colored, longsleeved shirts and long pants when in traditional mosquito habitat such as wooded areas or tall grass. •D rain areas around the home that may hold water for five days or longer. Common sites include clogged gutters, pool covers, potted plant, bird baths and tire swings.
from an infected mosquito and is the leading cause of mosquito-borne illness in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-half of the continental U.S. — including Missouri and Illinois — has reported West Nile virus activity in local insect populations or other animals this year. While most people infected with West Nile virus do not feel sick, approximately one-in-five display symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, body ache, vomiting and rash, and one-in-150 can develop serious illness, including death. Individuals over the age of 60 and those with certain medical conditions are at greater risk for developing severe illness. SEPTEMBER 2021 | CROSSROADS | 7
Around Town
SAINT CHARLES COUNTY AMBULANCE DISTRICT CEO RECOGNIZED AS EMERGING EMS LEADER AT PINNACLE 2021
SUBMITTED PHOTO Inspiring EMS leadership welcomes new achievements as Kelly Cope, a recent Ambulance Service Manager graduate from Fitch & Associates, was recognized with the Pinnacle Emerging EMS Leader Award, which honors rising executives in EMS who demonstrate excellence in the profession.
Inspiring EMS leadership welcomes new achievements as Kelly Cope, a recent Ambulance Service Manager graduate from Fitch & Associates, was recognized with the Pinnacle Emerging EMS Leader Award, which honors rising executives in EMS who demonstrate excellence in the profession. Currently, Cope serves as Chief Executive Officer for Saint Charles County Ambulance District, which is the state’s largest ambulance district, serving more than 400,000 citizens. “I’m very proud to know Kelly and have had the privilege of teaching Pinnacle Power Seminars with him over the past few years, including one just this week,” said Anthony Minge, Fitch & Associates Senior Partner and Pinnacle Co-chair. “Kelly is a well-read individual, and he enjoys sharing the wealth of leadership knowledge he has absorbed and retained over the years.” Cope began his career after taking an EMT course on a whim during college. He fell in love with EMS, and shortly thereafter began his paramedic training while working as an EMT in a super-rural Missouri community. Cope completed his paramedic training while working at a hospital-based program 8 | CROSSROADS | SEPTEMBER 2021
in urban St. Louis and continued working in the high-volume, fast-paced urban environment for several years before moving to Saint Charles Ambulance District. There, he served as a front-line paramedic and started taking on additional responsibility with special projects, including the implementation of electronic charting. A voracious reader, he takes every opportunity to listen to business and leadership books, whether in the car or at home. He applied those leadership principles in his career as he took on increasing responsibility. He was elected Executive Steward of the Union before transitioning to management and serving as the Battalion Chief overseeing non-emergency transport, where he relished the role of training and mentoring younger personnel. He was later promoted to Assistant Chief of Operations, where he oversaw planning and construction of a new $32 million, 140,000 square foot operations
and training facility, which opened shortly after he was promoted to Chief Executive Officer earlier this year. He is passionate about his own leadership development, and in developing leaders around him. He recently launched an endeavor at (Saint Charles County Ambulance District (SCCAD) to create a multi-part series of education for its leadership team designed to give a more well-rounded perspective of their operations and of the EMS industry. Cope is a 2019 graduate of the Ambulance Service Manager program and a graduate of the Priority Ambulance Foundation’s EMS Leadership of Tomorrow program. He has also been recognized as the Missouri EMS Association’s Paramedic of the Year. Cope was recognized on Aug. 10 during the 15th annual Pinnacle EMS Leadership Forum at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix.
Around Town
THE BUILDERS HOME & REMODELING SHOW RETURNS TO ST. CHARLES CONVENTION CENTER The 41st Annual Builders Home & Remodeling Show, presented by LP Smartside Trim & Siding, returns to St. Charles Convention Center Sept. 24-26. The show, produced by the Home Builders Association of St. Louis, gives area residents the opportunity to see more than 150 companies in 300 booths on both levels of the Convention Center. Show visitors can shop the latest home products and services in one convenient location and meet hundreds of local home pros. Spending more time at home recently has prompted many people to reevaluate their homes. From design to functionality, many homeowners have found areas of their homes that would benefit from some updating. The Home Show is a great source for home products, services and local experts to help with those updates to create homes that fit the needs of today’s families and give them their best home life. Show visitors are encouraged to bring photos of their homes as well as examples of items on their wish list to create ideal spaces in their homes. No question is too small and with hundreds of home improvement pros in attendance, the answers are easy to find. Save time by visiting a variety of companies in one convenient location and get started on your home improvement journey. St. Louisans can find what they need for their homes, inside and out, including kitchen and bath designs and fixtures, flooring, window treatments, decks, fencing, windows, siding, doors and so much more. And the show has free admission and free parking. Visiting the show is also a great opportunity to have a fun family day out, with a little something for everyone. Internationally recognized and self-proclaimed "Grillologists," Mad Dog & Merrill, will entertain and educate backyard enthusiasts with the finer points of grilling. They want nothing more than to make everyone a better griller and have a ton of fun doing it. They travel the country performing in front of live audiences and hosting the TV series “Mad Dog & Merrill Midwest Grill'n” that shows viewers how easy it is to be creative and entertain in their own backyard.
flower balls and topiaries, ground cover plants, and more. All designs and horticulture will be judged and awards will be given. Show visitors can shop the Spa & Swim Spa Blowout Sale, sponsored by Spas and More. Visit the 2,700 sq. ft. tent in the south parking lot for great deals. Visitors can choose from a variety of models at 30-60% off regular retail prices. The Home & Remodeling Show is always a family-friendly destination, so bring the kids for fall fun! There will be pumpkin painting, free for kids 12 and under. The Home Show is once again hosting a Food Drive. Visitors can donate items to the St. Louis Area Foodbank and are encouraged to bring non-perishable food in non-breakable containers. Suggested items include: peanut butter, tuna, canned meats and beans; canned fruits and vegetables, fruit juice, jellies, jams and dried fruit; cereal, oatmeal, rice and crackers; pasta and sauce, boxed meals, soups and stews; and baby products like powdered formula, baby food, diapers and wipes. The Home & Remodeling Show gives area residents the chance to discover the latest home products and services all under one roof! Visitors can bring their plans and ideas, have their questions answered by the experts, and find what they need to get those home projects done. Show visitors can also register to win a $1,000 Show Shopping Spree good with any exhibitor at the show. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 24 and Sept. 25 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 26. Admission and parking are free. Visit STLHomeShow.com for details.
Since 1983 these grilling gurus have delivered delicious recipes for a variety of food, all in keeping with their motto, “If you can cook it, you can grill it!” Their wacky blend of barbequing, satire and wittiness makes for an entertaining show. But stunts and quick-witted humor aside, Mad Dog and Merrill are expert cooks with exceptional culinary skills who offer valuable tips to the outdoor griller. Show times: Friday and Saturday at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Visit the Party Flavors Sampling Event to try and buy a variety of local foods and beverages. Items are great additions to upcoming party menus and perfect for unique gifts. Find smoked and cured meats and sausages (Davis Meat Processing); garlic seasonings, brines, dips and jerky (Ellbee’s Garlic & Seasonings); all-purpose gourmet sauces (Freddie Lee’s Gourmet Sauces and Pure Heat Gourmet Sauces); bundt cakes (Nothing Bundt Cakes) and wine (Small Batch Winery). The Home Show is excited to feature the third annual Flower Show and Competition. The Greater St. Louis Council of Nationally Accredited Flower Show Judges presents “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” Flower Show. Area designers will create floral displays in themed classes, plus there will be a wide variety of horticulture specimens including annuals, perennials, herbs, ornamental grasses and more. There will also be Botanical Arts designs and Education exhibits about SEPTEMBER 2021 | CROSSROADS | 9
A
BOOMING BATTLE
By Brett Auten
16th annual Sky Wars pits pyrotechnic experts against each other in an invitational fireworks championship in Wright City
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
ROB CIMA MAKES NO APOLOGIES ABOUT IT. “We will ruin your Fourth of July fireworks … forever,” he said. What started out as four guys gathering somewhere south of St. Louis, has grown into its 16th incarnation. Sky Wars will hold its 16th annual invitational fireworks championship on Sept. 25 near Innsbrook in Wright City. Billed as a two-hour long fireworks championship, Sky Wars is one of the only pyrotechnic competitions in the United States. Along the way, Sky Wars had stops in Springdale and Eureka before landing in Wright City for what is now its second year. The growth has come via word of mouth. The more than two-hour long fireworks championship will feature invitation-only “pyrotechni-
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CONTINUED PAGE 11
cians,” who are considered among the nation’s top fireworks choreographers, will create spellbinding “pyromusicals” or what Cima calls, “concerts in the sky, that combine the artistry of music and pyrotechnics. This year’s show will start with the national anthem accompanied by a – you guessed it – fireworks display followed by a 21-gun salute to honor first responders and the men and women in uniform. Then comes the competition of explosive combat that takes a combination of artistry and ingenuity as the rules limit the specific types and amount of fireworks and the time frame. This year’s participants include: Alfredo “AJ” Plata of Sandwich, Illinois; Scott Schuh of Neenah, Wisconsin and James Howard of San Antonio, Texas. Next is the Unlimited Shows, where the choreographer can include as many fireworks as they’d like. The Fireball Dudes from Memphis, who hold a world record for their signature gasoline fireballs, follow with their displays of enormous fireball extravaganzas. “It's a different thing,” Cima said. “These are 300-foot high walls of fire.” The Pro Show closes the evening. This year’s participants: RKM
Fireworks of Edwardsburg, Michigan; Casabella Pyrotechnics of Lanesville, Indiana and a huge closing show by Spirit of 76/Stellar Fireworks of Columbia and Wichita, Kansas. To compete, there is an application process which includes experience, references and video of previous work. “It's a small community,” Cima said. “Chances are, if you are doing something cool, someone we know will vouch for you.” The majority of the tools to create these tapestries can be bought at the familiar tents strewn roadside around the Fourth of July. There will be the occasional 12inch shells, which are larger than the ones used at the Arch, sounding off. According to Cima, sales for the 8,000-ticket event are humming along. Sky Wars will have a children’s festival area from 2 – 7 p.m., and there also will be more than 20 food trucks and food vendors to choose from. Sky Wars is a product of the nonprofit Missouri Pyrotechnics Association (MOPyro) whose purpose is to promote safe use of fireworks. United States and its nonprofit partners Wags & Whiskers (formerly the Concerned Citizens for Animal Care of Warren County) will host a canned food drive at the show to benefit Operation Food Search and AGAPE.
Sky Wars will hold its 16th annual invitational fireworks championship on Sept. 25 near Innsbrook in Wright City.
Sky Wars is a twohour-plus fireworks championship that features invitationonly “pyrotechnicians” who are among the nation’s top fireworks choreographers. Up to 10 highly skilled teams will create awardwinning “pyromusicals” – or concerts in the sky – which combine the artistry of music and pyrotechnics.
SEPTEMBER 2021 | CROSSROADS | 11
Always An Adventure
BY AVALANCHE
Human Terrain
LARGE RAINDROPS BEGAN TO FALL, seemingly out of nowhere. While a few clouds had been in the area, the growing storm formed right in place above us. After a couple minutes, it became obvious that this was going to be a significant event. The previous week had seen a number of intense downpours nearby, which caused a series of mudslides that closed roads. Some friends had been caught on the local state highway between slides for a few hours. During that particular incident, 20 separate mud and debris slides had crossed the road over a 2.5 mile section of highway. The local interstate had been closed intermittently for days due to numerous debris slides from torrential downpours. As the rain increased in intensity, I realized it was our turn. After about 20 minutes of rain falling so hard I couldn’t see 200 yards, the rumbling began. The sound was like a freight train travelling nearby, accentuated by the loud thudding and thumping of large boulders thundering down the gully to the north of our place. Having been outside and seen these mud and debris flows up close and personally before, I opted to stay in the house with the dogs. Like a tornado, once you’ve seen one, you don’t really want to see another one. (Yes, I know people chase those around the Midwest for fun. Those adventurers are always enthusiastic and friendly – but nuts.) The thundering seemed to go on for very long time, though it was actually only a couple minutes. Once the rain and earth-shaking debris flow settled down, I went outside to survey the damage. I found a large pile of mud and rocks across the road (pictured above.) A neighbor’s solidly built foot bridge previously built across the gully uphill from us had broken in half, and one half was now parked in the next door neighbor’s front yard. The other half was perched on top of one bank of the gully, about half way down to the other piece. About two feet of mud and rocks had overflowed the banks of the gully into our north woods, but didn’t damage any improvements. 12 | CROSSROADS | SEPTEMBER 2021
The state highway was closed from the debris that made its way through our neighborhood to the bottom of the valley. Staci had been in town when the storm hit. I went down and met her on the other side of the highway closure, and we were able to four-wheel our way through the debris back to the neighborhood, picking up a half-dozen neighbors with their kids & dogs, looking like an overloaded third-world taxi as we made our way through the mud. The state highway department issued a statement that the heavy monsoon rains had been somewhere in the vicinity of a 100 – 500 year event. The interstate has been closed now for nearly two weeks due to the debris and flood damage, with no estimated time of reopening. Here in the neighborhood, a local contractor hauled off the pictured pile in 35 dump truck loads. Other cleanup is still ongoing. Once this event took place, pretty much everyone here in the neighborhood pitched in to help clean up the mess. Driveways were cleared, stuck vehicles were moved, the demolished bridge was disassembled for removal, 700 feet of destroyed irrigation line was replaced and relocated away from potential future slides (we think), and closed roads were opened with personal and borrowed equipment. Food – trending toward the comfort variety, such as banana bread and chocolate chip cookies - was cooked and distributed to those working outside. Even the grumpiest of neighbors got out and worked hard for days, grumbling all the while. This once-in-a-century (or five) event mostly verified the community’s engineering and home site selection, as while there was plenty of mud in yards and driveways, no homes were damaged and there were no injuries. And in a time when many people across the country don’t know their neighbors, our crew came out, worked hard together, and made the place better than it was before. While the geological terrain was violent and destructive, the human terrain was resilient and restorative.
Moore On Life AIR-RAGE: AS IF THERE WEREN’T ENOUGH REASONS not to confine your
NOT SO FRIENDLY SKIES BY CINDY MOORE
body in a speeding bullet in the sky 30,000 feet off the ground with no parachutes provided. Now there’s another. The incidents of air-rage are on the rise. The FAA began charting the number of unruly passenger incidents in 2019. In all, there were 149. By 2021, the incidents became more common and went off the charts. Meaning, there were so many they apparently ran out of paper space to list them all. Some believe it’s a result of being pent up too long with the pandemic. Now people are venturing out more, but getting a tad bit testy up there in the air. And why not? There’s limited breathing space as it is. Combine that with being scrunched up next to someone who doesn’t know armrest etiquette and you get misbehaving passengers duct tapped to the wing. I was seated next to one of these types. After a full half hour of yielding the armrest to my seating companion she bent down to get something in her purse. Now’s my chance, I thought. When she sat back up I had rightfully taken position on the rest. I guess this didn’t settle well with her. Apparently she had purchased this prime spot of real estate and had already picked out the carpet and curtains and intended to set up permanent residence. I received a stare-down which lasted a full minute. I was not fazed. Afterwards she commenced to incorporate the nudge and bump or in other terms, the gradual takeover. She edged her elbow behind mine and then slowly began to ease in her entire arm hoping that I would submit and give over my allotted time. Not today armrest bandit! I tensed my grip and stiffened the muscles in my limb and then gave her an imperceptible nudge. Okay, it might have been a full on shove which sent my opponent into the aisle. She won the fight, but I won the battle. I was upgraded to a better seating arrangement. The view was phenomenal; the leg room--fantastic, and the air, so much cleaner. Being duct tapped to the wing has its advantages.
SEPTEMBER 2021 | CROSSROADS | 13
Automobile Alley
THE 2021
TOYOTA VENZA IS A LUXURIOUS PEOPLE MOVER
14 | CROSSROADS | SEPTEMBER 2021
STARTING AT $32,570, the all new four-door 2021 Toyota midsize Venza has a head-turning appeal about it that's sure to attract buyers of various ages and social backgrounds. Having received accolades from KBB & Autotrader, this award-winning crossover is designed to seat five in comfort with its two rows of seating and comes as a top safety pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Furthermore, it is positioned between the three-row Toyota Highlander and the tworow compact RAV4. Toyota manufactures Venza in three trim levels; LE, XLE and the premium Limited version. All variances come standard with all-wheel-drive and a hybrid powertrain. Ok, I get it, some may have been less than complementary that its AWD system isn't as hefty, for instance, as perhaps a Jeep product. But let’s face facts, how often do we see a near luxury crossover such as Venza in an offroad environment crossing streams, driving through mud and rock crawling? Venza is telegraphing a prime narrative of modern automotive design, both inside and out. It's more than adequate for taking the little ones to soccer games or friends and family to fine dining and the theater. If a country drive for apple picking or antiquing is in your plans, this people-mover is well suited for that as well. Interesting as it is, Toyota's previous generation Venza (based off of the old Camry platform) was dropped from production around six years ago. To fast-forward, this contemporary version has a compelling and striking design that hinges on being somewhat futuristic looking in a timeless eye catching configuration. Venza offers more than ample interior space for most. Improvements to erase outside unwanted noise levels has been solved
over the older version on Venza. Overall driving dynamics have also been enlightened. High-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces in the passenger cabin tend to resemble products from the Lexus line of vehicles. The elevated seating positions further help to enforce more than abundant forward visibility. The uncluttered driving and passenger quarters have a clean look, including a large center console with integrated cup holders. The center upward dash area is topped by an infotainment touchscreen The rear features room for three-across seating with a center folding armrest. With the seatback placed up, that area has a capacity of 28.8 cubic feet. The optional Star Gaze Panoramic roof uses electrochromic glass. This allows the driver to switch from transparent to frosted mode within a second. This frosted feature keeps out direct sunlight while at the same time brightening the interior. This option will add about $1,400 to the sticker price. The vehicle’s 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle fourcylinder engine incorporates two independent electric motors. One is used on each drive axle thus producing 219-horsepower. This seamless hybrid powertrain delivers notable fuel economy with an estimated combined city/highway rating of 40 mpg. The AWD is an on-demand system that primarily operates in front-drive. When more traction is needed on slippery pavements or when you need aggressive acceleration, AWD is activated. It's suggested that the 2021 Toyota Venza is on par to be cross shopped with the likes of the Honda Passport, Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe and the Nissan Murano. At road test, the Limited model I drove had an MSRP pricing in the low $40,000 range. Venza is manufactured at Toyota’s Takaoka assembly plant located in Japan.
Entertainment
“Protocol” photo courtesy Warner Bros. “The Sting” photo courtesy Universal Pictures. “Harry in Your Pocket” photo courtesy Cinema Video Communications. “The Wolf of Wall Street” photo courtesy Red Granite Pictures. “Wall Street” photo courtesy Twentieth Century Fox.
Hollywood’s best (and worst)
CON ARTISTS BY STEVE BRYAN
IN THE UNDERAPPRECIATED 1984 political comedy “Protocol,” Goldie Hawn played Sunny Ann Davis, a woman who, through an act of bravery, saved the life of a foreign diplomat. As a reward, she became part of the State Department and, after some misadventures, realized she had been conned by the U.S. Government. When testifying in front of Congress, she shared a lesson that her father taught her: “If you let a guy sell you a diamond ring for only ten cents, the chances are you own a diamond ring not worth a dime.” Sunny learned her lessons well, but scams, con games and annoying robocalls continue to trick people. Over the years, Hollywood gave us a variety of unethical characters and con artists who took advantage of people. Director George Roy Hill’s classic “The Sting,” for instance, featured Paul Newman and Robert Redford as two con men who tried to scam a crime boss with a bogus horse race. Newman and Redford were, of course, great together as always and the story is highly engaging. Bruce Geller directed 1973’s “Harry in Your Pocket,” a comedy/drama starring James Coburn and Walter Pidgeon. Coburn played Harry, a “cannon” (skilled pickpocket) who made his living relieving people of their wallets and other valuables. Ray Houlihan (Michael Sarrazin), who
was not as skilled as Harry, joined the group along with Sandy Coletto (Trish Van Devere), a woman whose possessions were stolen while waiting for a train. The four of them formed a pickpocketing operation that became quite efficient. Jordan Belfort, the infamous subject of “The Wolf of Wall Street,” manipulated the stock market by pressuring would-be clients into buying low-priced “penny stocks” over the phone. Martin Scorsese directed Leonardo di Caprio as Belfort, an ambitious young Wall Street broker. On Oct. 19, 1987, the day the stock market crashed, Belfort was let go and soon joined a low rent “boiler room” operation selling low-priced stocks to clients. His company then dumped their own shares while the price was pumped to new heights. Released in 1987, Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street” served as a cautionary tale and inspiration for many would-be brokers (the characters in 2000’s “Boiler Room” idolized Michael Douglas’ Gordon Gekko character). Charlie Sheen played Bud Fox, a newly minted Wall Street broker who wanted to land Gekko as a client. Fox became his protégé and learned how to gather inside information for profit. Stone, Douglas and Sheen all returned for 2010’s “Money Never Sleeps,” the long-awaited sequel. For months, the financial news has been filled with news about “meme stocks,” which are securities pumped up by large groups of investors. They have been hoping to force “short sellers,” those who want the stocks to plummet, into covering their short positions so they can cash out. Life definitely imitates art because the real Jordan Belfort and fictional Gordon Gekko manipulated the stock market in much the same way. The best advice here is “Caveat Emptor” (“Let the Buyer Beware!”). SEPTEMBER 2021 | CROSSROADS | 15
For the Love of Food
RALLY THE CROWD WITH A
MASTERFUL GAME DAY MENU
SCORING BIG ON GAME DAY
requires championship-level meals and snacks that keep the crowd full and ready for action. You can take your tailgate to the house with these baked dishes that help simplify homegating so you can focus on the big screen. From a salsa-based dip and chicken wings to kick off the party to sweet brownies for celebrating victory, each of these recipes call for less than an hour in the kitchen. Clock management is key to tackling a tailgate spread, making these delicious dishes the perfect play calls on game day. To find more tailgate and homegate recipe inspiration, visit Culinary.net.
JUST WING IT Skip the silverware at your next homegate and dive right in with a fan favorite that requires just your hands and a heap of napkins: wings. Whether you pick through your pieces or clean each wing to the bone, these Game Day Chicken Wings are perfect for eaters of all types. A simple flour-based coating keeps the recipe easy to make and baking in the oven means you can skip the messy fryer or firing up the grill. Cook until crispy then corral your party’s favorite dipping sauces from ranch and blue cheese to barbecue and more. Once your spread is served, it’s time to sit back and enjoy the game. CONTINUED PAGE 17
Visit Culinary.net to find more touchdown-worthy tailgate recipes. 16 | CROSSROADS | SEPTEMBER 2021
For the Love of Food
GAME DAY CHICKEN WINGS • 1/2 cup butter, cubed • 1/3 cup flour • 2 teaspoons paprika • 1 teaspoon garlic powder • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon black pepper • 10 chicken wingettes, thawed • dipping sauces (optional) • fresh parsley (optional)
SCORE BIG WITH A SALSA- BASED DIP
TOTAL TIME: 50 minutes | SERVINGS: 4
• Preheat oven to 425 F. • Line baking sheet with foil. Arrange butter cubes on foil. • In medium bowl, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. • Coat both sides of wings in flour mixture then evenly space among butter cubes on baking sheet. • Bake wings 30 minutes. • Turn wings over and bake 15 minutes, or until crispy and fully cooked. • Serve with dipping sauces and sprinkle with fresh parsley, if desired.
For more information and game day recipe ideas, visit freshcravings.com.
Whether your game day celebrations call for a full-blown parking lot party or homegating with your closest friends, the nibbles and noshes you serve set the stage. Building your menu with crowd-pleasing classics – including one tried-and-true favorite that offers a fresh, veggie-forward taste: chilled salsa – makes your guests cheer for more than just the home team. Healthy game day snacks are important to almost half (48%) of tailgaters and 18% said they’d consider leaving a party if salsa wasn’t served, according to the “Game Day Eats Report” survey from refrigerated salsa brand Fresh Cravings. With its low calorie count packed with high flavor, salsa supports healthconscious goals. Made with ingredients like fresh tomatoes, crisp vegetables, zesty peppers and more, the authentic taste of chilled salsa is a universal favorite among fans. With a belief that plant-based foods should contain wholesome ingredients and bold flavors worth celebrating, Fresh Cravings refrigerated salsas are available in the produce section, next to dressings and dips, in restaurant-style or chunky mild, medium and hot varieties. Chilled salsa is an affordable and vibrant-tasting alternative to jarred salsa, making it a key ingredient in this Mexican Pizza Dip from celebrity chef George Duran. It’s a simple crowd-pleaser you can make in less than an hour, leaving more time for pregame festivities. CONTINUED PAGE 18 SEPTEMBER 2021 | CROSSROADS | 17
For the Love of Food
MEXICAN PIZZA DIP • Nonstick cooking spray • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil • 1 pound ground beef • 1 package taco seasoning mix • 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature • 1/2 cup sour cream • 1 cup salsa, plus additional for topping • 1 cup grated mozzarella • 1/2 cup blended Mexican cheese • sliced jalapeno (optional) • sliced black olives (optional) • green onions (optional) • tortilla chips
Recipe courtesy of chef George Duran SERVINGS: 6-8
• Preheat oven to 350 F. • Spray 8-by-8-inch glass pan or large souffle dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. • In large saute pan, heat oil over medium-high heat and add ground beef, breaking up with flat wooden spatula, until fully cooked. Sprinkle taco seasoning throughout beef and combine. • Place warm beef mixture in large bowl and add cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup salsa and mozzarella. Mix well until combined and pour into prepared pan. Top with blended cheese and sliced jalapeno, black olives and green onions, if desired. • Bake until fully warmed and cheese is melted, 30-35 minutes. • Top with small spoonfuls of salsa. Serve with tortilla chips.
MARBLED PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE BROWNIES PREP TIME: 25 minutes COOK TIME: 20 minutes YIELD: 24 brownies
CAP OFF GAME DAY WITH AN ALL-STAR COMBO Pregame festivities call for salty snacks and meaty morsels, but halftime eating and postgame celebrations are perfect for sweet treats. You can sweeten up your tailgate or homegate with a shareable option like Marbled Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies made with Domino Golden Sugar, which is made from pure cane sugar and dissolves and measures cup for cup just like white granulated sugar without compromising performance or taste. Featuring an undefeated combination of peanut butter and chocolate, this dessert is ideal for baking a day ahead so you can manage the clock on game day. Find more tailgating sweets at dominosugar.com. 18 | CROSSROADS | SEPTEMBER 2021
CHOCOLATE BROWNIES • 1/2 cup (1/4 pound) butter • 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped • 1 cup sugar • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract • 2 eggs • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
PEANUT BUTTER MARBLE • 1/4 cup natural (no added sugar) peanut butter • 4 tablespoons butter, softened • 1/2 cup sugar • 1 egg • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder • powdered sugar, for topping (optional)
• Heat oven to 350 F. • To make chocolate brownies: In medium saucepot over low heat, melt butter and chocolate. Remove pot from heat; stir in sugar and vanilla until blended. • In small mixing bowl, whisk eggs until frothy then stir into chocolate mixture. • Sift flour into batter and stir just until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing to edges. • To make peanut butter marble: In mixing bowl, cream peanut butter, butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla; beat just until blended. In separate bowl, sift or whisk flour and baking powder then stir into batter just until combined. • Carefully spread peanut butter marble over chocolate batter. Use knife to swirl batters together, first horizontally then diagonally. • Bake 20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Cool completely on wire rack before cutting. Top with powdered sugar, if desired, before serving.
Community Calendar
September 6 7 11 12 16 17 18 22 26
Labor Day Rosh Hashana Patriot Day National Grandparents Day Yom Kippur National POW/MIA Recognition Day Air Force Birthday First Day of Autumn Gold Star Mother’s Day
SEPTEMBER 2021 | CROSSROADS | 19
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