CrossRoads: Mar. 2013

Go Play!

A Guide to Local Parks

Channing Tatum Gets Serious Pressure Cooker Recipes Interior Design Strategies

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www.stcharlesconventioncenter.com

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CROSSROADS MARCH 2013

MARCH around town

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2013 contents

Mothers, Playtime & Development Take the Kids: Pop Culture Festival at America’s Center What Does St. Louis Eat? Local Author’s Memoir: Cry Purple Alzheimer’s Disease Affects Us All Flush Your Transmission

entertainment

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VOL 10 | NO 3

by Brian Guerrero

food

Published monthly with direct mail circulation to Wentzville and Lake Saint Louis, plus newsstands in Troy.

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always an adventure 10

Community News Shannon Cothran Ray Rockwell Steve Bryan Rebecca Brockmann Vicki Seagraves

For advertising information, please contact us at:

design tips 12

Follow-Through: Easier Said than Done Top 10 Tips to Freshen Home Décor

By Claire Bloemke

spotlight 14

Go Play

business 16

Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce News

Community News

By Tony Matthews

When Retiring Together Doesn’t Make Sense

By Jason Alderman

www.mycnews.com

photo op 18

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.

I Don’t Like Dogs (but I have two)

by Shelly A. Schneider

2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366 Ph: 636.379.1775 Fx: 636.379.1632 Copyright 2013 Huneke Publications, Inc.

Great Food Fast: Bob Warden’s Ultimate Pressure Cooker Recipes

by Avalanche

mom’s life 11 Publisher Editor Photographer Movie Critic Creative Design

The Three-Time Tatum/Soderbergh Collaboration

community calendar 19

Ray Rockwell captured the Quilts of Valor of Eastern Missouri at their latest meeting March MARCH 2013 CROSSROADS

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AROUND TOWN

Mothers, Playtime and Development Researchers long have evaluated the roles parents play in children’s development. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have found that mothers’ directiveness, the extent to which they try to control the content and pace of young children’s play, varies based on the children’s ages and the mothers’ ethnicities. In addition, the study found that the more directive the mothers were during play, the less engaged children were with them and the more negative emotion the children displayed toward their mothers.

“Children flourish when they have opportunities to make choices about what they do, particularly in play situations,” said Jean Ispa, lead author of the study and professor of human development and family studies at MU. “Mothers who are highly directive do not allow that kind of choice. In our study, the children were playing with some toys, and the very directive mothers were making the decisions about how to play, what to play and how quickly to play.”

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For example, during play with her child, a highly directive mother might make her toddler put the plastic cow in the toy barn through the barn’s door instead of through its window. If a child is playing with a pretend kitchen set, the mom might not let the child touch the fake burners on the stove. Mothers often think they are helping their children by correcting them, but they are limiting the children’s creativity and possibly making their children enjoy being with them less, Ispa said.

When mothers were highly directive during playtime, children expressed less positive regard for their moms and more negative feelings toward them, Ispa said. The researchers also evaluated how affectionate the mothers were to their children and found that higher levels of warmth reduced the negative effects of directiveness.

To benefit their children’s development, mothers should show affection to their children while supporting their play and being careful to limit the extent to which they dictate exactly how their children should play, Ispa said.

“We know that children, regardless of culture, need to feel loved,” said Ispa. “Children take in the meaning of what their mothers are trying to do, so if a mom is being very directive and is generally a very warm person, I think the child feels, ‘My mom is doing this because she cares about me, and she’s trying to do the best for me.’ If that warmth is missing, then the child might feel, ‘My mom is trying to control me, and I don’t like it.’”

Editor’s Note: The study, “Patterns of Maternal Directiveness by Ethnicity among Early Head Start Research Participants,” was published in Parenting: Science and Practice. Ispa is co-chair of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, which is part of the MU College of Human Environmental Sciences. Ispa’s co-authors included Duane Rudy, an associate professor of human development and family studies at MU, and researchers from Arizona State University, the University of California at Los Angeles, the University of Connecticut, the University of Maryland and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

AROUND TOWN

Take the Kids: Pop Culture Festival at America’s Center Wizard World, Inc. (PK.WIZD) today announced the addition of the inaugural Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con to its 2013 schedule of pop culture conventions, March 22-24 at America’s Center.

Popular Wizard World celebrity guests Stan Lee, Dean Cain, Billy Dee Williams, WWE® Superstar Randy Orton® and James Marsters and Ernie Hudson are among the celebrity roster headliners. They will be joined by a top-drawer collection of well-known artists and writers and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions in the second event on Wizard World’s expanded 2013 calendar.

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con show hours are Friday, March 22, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 24, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets are $30 and up, kids under 10 are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.

For more on the 2013 Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con, visit www.wizardworld.com/home-stlouis.html.

What Does St. Louis Eat? Food provides basic nourishment but it can also spark memories, inspire creativity and bring people together. As part of its Foodology: Dig In! year-long series of exhibits, events and programs, the Garden wants to ensure real St. Louis food stories are highlighted. Through submissions from the public the Garden will attempt to answer a number of questions about St. Louisans and the foods they eat and drink. What are we eating and why? What food traditions have been passed down for generations? What’s on your dinner tables and school lunch trays?

What cultural cuisines are you serving and eating? What foods are growing in our gardens and neighborhoods?

Given the diversity of food stories in St. Louis, the Garden is issuing a call for submissions as part of this project. Individuals can share their food stories through photos, videos and essays. Entries can be emailed to webeditor@mobot.org. For general information, visit www.mobot.org or call 314.577.5100.

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AROUND TOWN

Local Author’s Memoir Cry Purple, by Christine McDonald, is the story of the author’s long journey from nearly 2 decades of homelessness, of street-corner prostitution in Kansas City, MO, drug addiction, and many stints in jail to her present life of total blindness, motherhood, and happiness.

The first two-thirds of the book tell the grim story of her youthful unhappiness, how and when she got into prostitution and drug addiction, the violence that she and some of her fellow prostitutes suffered, and how the drugs eventually reduced her to an almost animal-like state. It was only when she hit rock bottom that she finally found the will to seek help and change her ways.

However, after getting clean and then engaged, she had numerous other difficulties and sorrows ahead of her: losing her sight from a disease and having to have both her eyeballs removed, having a special needs daughter that she had to give up for adoption because of her inability to care for her, watching her relationship with her children’s father dissolve, and even losing the only really good job she ever had.

She currently lives in the St. Charles area with her young son, Ricky; she practices an open adoption relationship with her daughter’s adoptive parents and is seeking new employment. She doing motivational speaking and all she can to advocate for the blind and for those who have survived or are still living lives like her former one. Now she has told her dramatic story in a book.

Cry Purple is available in both e-book and print from Amazon and other online sellers.

Christine’s hope is to raise enough money from book sales for permanent housing for herself and her son. For more details, please see her website: www.crypurple.com

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CROSSROADS MARCH 2013

AROUND TOWN

Alzheimer’s Disease Affects Us All It is believed that as many as five million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, which is one of the top ten leading causes of death in our country. Typically presenting after a person turns 60 years of age, the disease impacts brain function and affects daily activities by disrupting areas that control thought, memory, behavior and language.

Scientists have not determined the cause of Alzheimer’s, so a cure and treatment to stop its progression are not established. However, medical professionals have developed ways to slow the worsening of dementia and improve the quality of life for both patients and their caregivers. The ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION offers suggestive drug and non-drug treatments that can help with both cognitive and behavioral changes common to those suffering

from the disease.

Although the exact cause has not been determined, there is research available that identifies several risk factors that increase the chances for development of the disease. The most common risk factors—age, family history and genetics — cannot be influenced, but studies have shown that there are things you can do. Minimizing head trauma is beneficial, as a link between serious head injuries and the development of Alzheimer’s has been found. In addition, establishing healthy behaviors, eating nutritious diets and minimizing heart disease have been found to be beneficial to brain health throughout your life.

For more information or to become involved in Alzheimer’s disease programs in St. Charles County, please call 314.432.3422.

Flush Your Transmission Courtesy Len’s Auto Repair, St. Peters Nearly nine out of ten transmission failures are due to overheating and fluid contamination according to the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association. Just like the oil in your car’s engine, automatic transmission fluid (ATF) suffers from heat, friction and electrochemical degradation. Once this process starts, your transmission’s vital parts begin to clog with sludge and varnish deposits.

Unlike your car’s engine where all the oil can be drained out, most of the transmission fluid doesn’t drain into the transmission pan.

Instead it stays in the torque converter, valve body and transmission cooler lines making a complete fluid drain impossible. In fact, the typical transmission service only replaces 25% of the contaminated

fluid, leaving behind 75% contaminated fluid to mix with the ATF. According to automatic transmission fluid manufacturers, the addition of new fluid to contaminated fluid can actually cause sludge and varnish deposits to clog filters and restrict the flow of transmission fluid. This can result in a serious malfunction, or even complete failure of an automatic transmission.

If your car’s transmission is showing any signs of contaminated transmission fluid, slippage, rough or hard shifting, this service is the first thing you should try before it becomes necessary to perform major repair work or even the need for a new transmission.

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MARCH 2013 CROSSROADS

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ENTERTAINMENT

By Brian GuerRero

Brian Guerrero is a former resident of Los Angeles and a current resident of New York City with extensive experience in front of and behind the camera for film and television.

The Three-Time Tatum/Soderbergh Collaboration One is in the middle of a soaring career while the other (as rumor has it) may retire soon. Yet, at the recent center of it all, both men have now collaborated on three films the last three Steven Soderbergh-directed films in a row) that have been released in a span of just over 12 months.

The three Soderbergh films, Haywire (released 01/20/2012), Magic Mike (released 06/29/2012) and the very recent Side Effects (released 02/08/2013) have all been much given approval by the majority of the top film critics and the public—at least from the ones that saw these films.

Channing Tatum, a much-debated actor in his generation, is the kind of performer who continues to defy expectations from both his loyal fans and his harshest critics.

One of the best ways for any commonly criticized actor to prove his detractors wrong is by being able to pair up with an Oscar Winning Director, and in Tatum’s case, his man is Mr. Soderbergh. Perhaps it was 21 Jump Street (not directed by Soderbergh), an unexpectedly wellreceived re-make that Channing Tatum in Side Effects Photo Courtesy Open Road Films opened just after Haywire, that really ignited high respect for Channing as a gifted actor, who can also turn in a very funny comedic performance, let alone hold his own comedic talents opposite Jonah Hill. Then Sodergergh’s Magic Mike furthered his acceptance as a major Hollywood player.

With those two films alone, 2012 can be considered as the rise of Channing Tatum.

Steven Soderbergh became the first director in almost 60 years to be nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Director in the same year: Traffic (for which he won the Oscar) and Erin Brochovich in 2001. Both films were huge box-office successes and were both Oscar Nominated for Best Picture. But he’s been around making strong films since the late 80’s beginning with the bold Sex, Lies and Videotape back in 1988. Yes, even he has had his share of films that missed the mark. But, checking his track record, he’s the kind of high-profile 8 CROSSROADS MARCH 2013

filmmaker who doesn’t focus on making blockbusters, but merely on making films with subjects that peak whatever his current interest is.

He’s the kind of complex filmmaker that never makes the same film twice, that is if don’t count the hugely successful blockbuster hits of the Ocean’s Trilogy.

Now, before you can say Scorsese/De Niro or Scorsese/Di Caprio, the commonly underestimated Magic Mike is the only film of the three-Soderbergh flicks that Channing is the lead in. However, his performances in Haywire and Side Effects were strong key supporting roles, and he definitely was more than ready for the task to be a strong link in both projects. Possibly the current greatest asset about Channing Tatum is his extremely wise choice (or his agent’s choice) of roles that play to his strengths, including insanely difficult dance moves that would make most A-list movie actors jealous. Because of that, he’s got more big projects with other major artists coming up. Besides the G.I. Joe sequel (which was delayed nearly a year for—get this—adding more scenes of Channing because of test audience responses), he’s the star in an upcoming thriller called White House Down directed

by Roland Emmerich (of Independence Day and The Patriot) with a high profile supporting cast including Jamie Foxx (as the President of the United States), Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Clarke, James Woods, Richard Jenkins and many others.

So far, Mr. Tatum is a star making all the right moves. Will he continue to succeed? I say, right now, his chances are looking very good.

And is Steven Soderbergh really going to retire from making films and commit time to painting and other endeavors? It’s unclear at this point, but it would be quite a loss in the film world if he does.

In the meantime, as we can embrace the previous works that both of these artist have already accomplished; let’s keep our eyes peeled for both of these artists and see where, and how, they end up next.

FOOD

Great Food Fast: Bob Warden’s Ultimate Pressure Cooker Recipes Great Food Fast contains a dazzling assortment of easy and affordable pressure cooker recipes that are certain to impress at any occasion, from a weeknight family dinner to a lively Super Bowl party.

This book is a true kitchen staple with a multitude of helpful hints that ease and inspire, making pressure cooking a fearless endeavor.

The greatest advantage of pressure cooking is the ability to quickly produce a variety of succulent dishes that taste as if they took hours to complete. In the past, pressure cookers carried the stigma of being a dangerous and burdensome kitchen tool. However, thanks to the modern development of the pressure cooker, these instruments

have become safe and easy to use for cooks at any level of culinary skill. The book is available for purchase on Amazon.com.

Great Food Fast provides more than 120 recipes certain to please every palate. With Super Bowl anticipation heating up, football fans will not want to miss out on the hearty Game Day Sausage Dip. Family favorites are in ample supply, including Perfected Pot Roast, Meatloaf, and Sweet Onion Teriyaki Chicken. For those watching their waistlines in the new year, Warden introduces a range of healthy temptations, like the sweet and savory Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Peach Salsa or the White Chicken Chili.

Best Ever Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients: - 3 cups elbow macaroni - 2 cups chicken stock or broth - 1 cup water - 2 tablespoons butter or margarine - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese - 1⁄4 teaspoon salt - 1⁄8 teaspoon white pepper - 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese - 4 ounces processed cheese (like Velveeta)

Serves 6

Directions: Add elbow macaroni, chicken stock, water, butter, Parmesan cheese, salt and white pepper to the pressure cooker. Securely lock the pressure cooker’s lid and set for 6 minutes on high. Perform a quick release to release the cooker’s pressure.

Stir in shredded Cheddar cheese and processed cheese until both cheeses are melted and creamy.

Let sit 5 minutes to thicken before serving.

Cheesy Chicken and Rice with Broccoli Florets Serves 4 Ingredients: - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed - 1 yellow onion, diced - 1 1⁄3 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed well - 2 1⁄2 cups chicken stock or broth - 3⁄4 teaspoon salt - 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper - 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 1⁄2 tablespoons all-purpose flour - 1⁄2 cup milk - 1 1⁄2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese - 2 cups frozen broccoli florets, thawed Directions: With the cooker’s lid off, heat oil on high until sizzling. Add the chicken and onion, and sauté 16

CROSSROADS FEBRUARY 2013

until chicken is lightly browned and onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add rice, chicken stock, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, securely lock the pressure cooker’s lid, and set for 5 minutes on high.

Perform a quick release to release the cooker’s pressure. With the cooker’s lid off, set to HIGH or “brown.” Whisk together flour and milk, add to the cooker, and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in Cheddar cheese and broccoli florets, and let simmer for 2 minutes, or until cheese is melted and broccoli is warmed throughout. Serve immediately.

Idea: Try topping the finished dish with crumbled crackers or toasted almonds for the full casserole experience!

MARCH 2013 CROSSROADS

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ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE

I Don’t Like Dogs

By Avalanche

Avalanche is a functional illiterate who left the St. Louis area three decades ago in search of adventure. He enjoys motorcycling and all things outdoors. He lives with his wife and dogs.

(but I have two) I don’t like dogs. They bark, they stink, they shed, they poop on the lawn - and sometimes on the rug. I don’t like them. Of course, I have two…

A few years ago, I was at home most of the time, going through a prolonged rehab of a nasty injury. The days were filled with surgeries, therapies and other less than pleasant medical adventures. My neighbor to the south had a dog - a big, healthy German Shepard with remarkably strong lungs - that would bark nonstop, sometimes for hours on end, while its owners were gone.

The endless noise was not appreciated, especially on the bad days. For lack of a better method, I would occasionally go over and feed the yowling mutt a biscuit to get it to shut up. (I still don’t know why those dog biscuits were in our house; after all, we didn’t have any dogs.) I soon began whistling when delivering the biscuit. After a few days of this, I could whistle from my house and the dog would be quiet, even with no biscuit, at least for a little while.

In accordance with the Law of Unintended Consequences, my whistling soon brought a different dog into my yard. This one, a black and white Newfoundland, belonged to my neighbor on the north. Never penned up, it would come over when I whistled, and sit down next to my garage, away from the house, whereupon we would stare at each other with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity. At least he was quiet. One day during a

routine biscuit-bribery mission to the neighbor’s Shepard, I gave the Newfoundland a biscuit as well, for reasons which are still not clear to me. Of course, after this foolish action on my part, the Newfie came right over every time I whistled. He’d sit next to the garage, and soon became quite accustomed to receiving treats for his silent presence.

As our mutual suspicion waned, he began gradually parking himself closer and closer to the house, and eventually ended up on my front porch most days while his owner was at work.

I wrote a letter to the owners of the howling Shepard explaining the noise and asking for their assistance. They were very apologetic, and promptly put a bark collar on the Shepard, curing the noise problem.

However, there was now a dog residing on

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my front porch most of the time. My wife seemed to enjoy the mutt. Even I had to concede that he was a good companion, especially in between difficult rehab sessions.

I told my wife that the Newfie (named D’Artagnon) could stay outside on the porch, but under no circumstances were we going to let this big, dirty, shedding beast come in the house. Such an animal should stay outside.

That arrangement lasted for a few weeks, except I began noticing muddy paw prints on the kitchen floor. After a tense discussion with my wife (which I lost), it was agreed that D’Artagnon could come in the kitchen, staying only on the tile floor, but was not allowed anywhere else in the house.

Over the next few weeks, the dog successfully conspired with my wife to move this demarcation line into the living room, then the bedroom.

The final barrier was the couch. It was the only piece of furniture in the house for which we had actually paid money. The dog was not to get on the couch, no exceptions.

One day I was “dog-sitting” D’Artagnon while his owner was out of town. I walked into the living room, only to find D’Artagnon sitting on the couch with a look that said, “Face it buddy, you lost.”

How right he was. But eventually I discovered that a big dumb mutt curled up next to you on the couch has as much (if not more) therapeutic value than anything one can obtain at the pharmacy.

These days, we have a dog door installed in our front door, which allows any of several neighborhood dogs to come in and visit whenever it suits them. And we have two dogs of our own. We are most favored hosts (servants?) to the neighborhood canine population.

As for me, I don’t spend much time on the couch anymore. And D’Artagnon is getting pretty old and mostly stays on his own porch. So, my dogs and I go over and sit next to him. He seems to enjoy our visits more than trips to the vet.

MOM’S LIFE

By Shelly A. Schneider

Shelly Schneider has spent the majority of her life trying to find a painless way of removing her foot from her mouth. She’s matured a little, thanks to her husband, Jim and their three children: Christopher, Michael and Samantha. She is an award-winning columnist and alter ego to Sarcastic Woman.

As I heard Dr. Laura say on the radio years ago, “Kids are born selfish. It’s the parents’ job to teach them how to be responsible and giving.”

As I always say, “Easier said than done.”

My mom has it down to a science. She’s was an elementary school teacher for 35 years, so maybe that has something to do with her ability to remain calm, cool and collected at all times. A few years back my mom temporarily exchanged hot and sticky weather in Florida for hot and sticky weather in Illinois. During her visit, the little neighbor boy decided to go gallivanting in the empty lot next to our house. It had rained cats and dogs the night before, so the lot was the perfect arena for mud wrestling. Poor Bobby checked his brains at the door on this particular day, and within minutes had lost a rather expensive sandal in the depths of the mud.

It must have been the last straw, because Bobby’s dad marched the 6-year-old back into the ring to find the missing sandal. He vowed Bobby would spend the night camping on the empty lot if the missing sandal could not be found.

My mom just shook her head and made that clicking sound with her tongue. It’s a sound only mothers can make. “He should never have done that,” said the all-knowing teacher, mother and grandmother. It’s the whole “Don’t Threaten What You Can’t Uphold” rule in every parent’s handbook.

What? You didn’t receive your all-knowing handbook when your first kid was born?

That’s okay; neither did I. I should’ve paid more attention on that muddy, rainy day. Bobby never found his

Follow-Through, Easier Said than Done

sandal, and after about 90 minutes, Dad gave in and let Bobby in the house.

Two weeks later I came face-to-face with the evil monster that had chewed up Mr. Next Door Neighbor Dad. Yup. Jim and I made a threat we really didn’t want to have to enforce.

A carnival had come to town, and for some idiotic reason, we told our kids about it beforehand. Here’s the first lesson. Never, ever, ever tell your kids anything ahead of time. Going out for pizza? Don’t tell the kids until you walk into the restaurant. Taking kids to see Grandma and Granddad for the weekend? Zip it, buddy. Thinking of wowing the wee ones with the promise of toddler roller coasters and bumper cars? DON’T DO IT! Kids can’t handle it. Christopher, in particular, pushed the envelope to new levels.

I swear there’s a small computer chip in his brain that kicks in and repeats over and over, “Let’s see how bad you can be and still get to go to the carnival.”

After a couple hours of horrendous behavior, I reached the point of no return.

“Christopher, the next time you choose not to listen, you’ll be sitting at Grandma’s while Mommy takes Michael and Samantha to the carnival.”

It took all of five minutes for Christopher to return to horrendous behavior mode. I mumbled to myself and looked at my husband. We both knew it was time to stand our ground. I had made the threat. It was the wrong threat to make, but I couldn’t turn back now. He bawled, he screamed, he pleaded and begged.

“I’ll be good! I promise,” he cried.

It took every ounce of strength, but I stuck to my word. Christopher missed the carnival and was good as gold for the next couple of hours. His angelic behavior was enough to make my stomach ache with guilt and regret.

“At least he’s learned his lesson,” I whispered to Jim after dinner that evening.

The next morning, of course, my little Dennis the Menace was at it again, pushing buttons and trying the patience of everyone around him. This time, however, I was prepared. My threats were realistic, and the sentence was delivered swiftly.

Parenting, I learned that weekend, is an on-going learning experience. You won’t get it right after just one try, and there is no handbook. All we can do is keep plugging away, making mistakes and learning from them. One day, however, I hope I can make it look as easy as my mom did.

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MARCH 2013 CROSSROADS 11

DESIGN TIPS

By Claire Bloemke

Top 10 Tips to Freshen Home Décor 1. Get rid of clutter.

It’s true what they say: less is more. (More appealing that is!) Too much stuff, even when well-organized, will simply appear as clutter. Remove all those knick-knacks and collectibles and just display a few at a time.

2. Use area rugs to divide a large room and create smaller defined groupings.

This works especially well if you have an open floor plan where the dining and living areas are one large space. Area rugs create boundaries that can make one large room feel like two.

3. Use neutrals.

Keep your walls and large-ticket furniture items a neutral color and use accessories to create your color scheme. If you enjoy redecorating every year or so, all you need to do is change out your accessories.

4. Let art be your inspiration.

Find a painting that you love and use it as your focal point.

Pull colors from the painting for your room’s color scheme.

(You can do the same with a pillow or a rug, just find one thing that you love and go from there).

5. Use layers of lighting.

An overhead light will provide general room lighting, while accent lighting can change the mood of a room and create a more intimate environment.

6. Arrange furniture in small conversational groupings.

Even in a small room, the addition of a couple of upholstered chairs with an accent table, arranged in a corner, can look warm and inviting.

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DESIGN TIPS

7. Mix and match patterns.

Stripes are the most forgiving patterns. You can throw them in with anything, plaids, florals, geometric shapes, chevrons, etc. Integrating a mixture of noncompeting patterns and textures will instantly give your room a designer look.

8. Use different textures and finishes.

Don’t drive yourself crazy trying to match finishes: a monochromatic room can appear washed out and boring.

Combining different finishes and textures helps add depth to a space and achieves a much more visually stimulating décor.

9. Hang mirrors to make a room feel larger and bring in additional light.

Just make sure that the mirrors reflect a windowed wall, accent lighting or another part of the room. Mirrored furniture paired with table lamps are the newest fad and can have the same affect.

10. Add plants.

Green plants add the finishing touch to any room while also enhancing a person’s cognitive performance. Just make sure the room has adequate natural lighting.

Claire Bloemke is a noted interior design consultant with Phillips Furniture, which also owns and operates seven Ashley Furniture HomeStores in the Greater St. Louis area and in Columbia, Missouri. She helps customers determine what furniture style and shape, from sofas and sectionals to beds and rugs, will best fit their home or office. Claire graduated in 2011 from the University of Central Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in interior design.

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MARCH 2013 CROSSROADS

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SPOTLIGHT

Go Play Our area is full of fabulous parks where your family can spend many hours having fun together in the great outdoors.

St. Charles Jaycee Park 2805 Elm Street, St. Charles

The new Discovery Playground located off Elm Street in the city of St. Charles won top honors for the creative use of Rosetta Hardscapes Outcropping stone walls at the site which help make the playground accessible to all children. The walls, supplied by Kirchner Block & Brick, Inc., were constructed by local St. Charles County companies Landesign LLC and the Rosch Company LLC. Looks fun for all ages.

park goers appreciate the open boat ramp that provides access to the Mississippi River and its many recreational options. Two boat ramps that access the Mississippi River; a fishing dock; natural wetlands; forested areas; and Weber Lake. For information on the closing of the boat ramp due to high water, please call 636.949.7475.

Indian Camp Creek Park 2679 Dietrich Rd, Foristell

This park features a unique nature-themed eco-playground and ten miles of multi-use trail (trails open to hiking, biking, and equestrian day-use). Additional development has added youth group camping facilities, a restored silo that serves as an observation tower, an interpretive site to honor the region’s history, and a fishing lake.

Klondike Park 4600 Hwy 94 South, Augusta

St. Charles Jaycee Park, 2805 Elm Street, St. Charles

Broemmelsiek Park 1615 Schwede Rd, Wentzville

Named for the family of Jack Broemmelsiek, who lived on the property for more than 30 years and dedicated their lives to promoting conservation activities, Broemmelsiek Park boasts an abundant oak hickory forest and has a long agricultural history in St. Charles County.

The park has an Off-Leash Dog Area (with a small water features where dogs may swim), more than seven miles of multi-use trail (open to hiking, bicycling, and equestrian use), picnic shelters available for rental, the County’s first public Astronomy Viewing Area, and fishing lakes. Broemmelsiek Park has between 4 and 4.5 miles of trail.

Hideaway Harbor Park 1550 Hideaway Harbor Dr, Portage des Sioux

Located just west of Portage des Sioux, this 50-acre park contains historic and natural features, as well as spectacular views across the Mississippi River toward the Great River Road. Birders also delight in close-up views of the wildlife, including the Bald Eagles that roost in and around the park each winter. When the weather turns warmer, 14

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Located just off the Katy Trail, the 250-acre park is a popular destination for outdoor recreationalists, families, and youth activity groups. Natural and paved trails wind through tree-lined hillsides to offer a challenging ride or hike and spectacular views of wildlife, native plants, and the surrounding Missouri River Valley.

An indoor conference center that may be rented for weddings, business meetings, and other group functions; three picnic shelters, camper cabins and tent camping sites; a fishing lake; a boat ramp for access to the Missouri River; and about 5 miles of paved or natural trail.

Louis H. Bangert Memorial Wildlife Area 1704 S. River Rd, St. Charles

An island in the Missouri River just south of the Blanchette Bridge, guests may enter the 160-acre park from the Katy Trail entrance along Old South River Road in St. Charles and then cross a slough that connects Bangert Island to the mainland. A typical wooded Missouri River island, the land features cottonwood, sycamore, box elder, silver maple, and black willow trees. In addition to birdwatching, hiking, bicycling, and photography, park guests may also fish along the banks of the Missouri River that flows below the park - although state fishing regulations apply and hunting is prohibited.

For information on the status of Bangert Island, guests may call 636.949.7475.

Quail Ridge Park 5501 Quail Ridge Pkwy, Wentzville

Quail Ridge Park is 250 acres of rolling pastures, wooded hillsides, and rich bottomland near Peruque Creek. Winding trails throughout the park provide visitors with a first-hand opportunity to view songbirds, deer, turkey, and other wildlife in

SPOTLIGHT

Free(ish) Outdoor Family Fun Fly Kites Drugstore kites can be purchased for less then $5 a piece if you’re lucky or you can google “make a kite” and spend Saturday making the kites you’ll fly on Sunday.

Blow Bubbles their natural environments. Quail Ridge has between 4 and 4.5 miles of trail.

The park features an indoor Lodge that may be rented for weddings, parties, and other large-group activities; large-group and individual picnic shelters; playgrounds; walking/bicycle trails; a threeacre lake; and an 18-hole disc golf course; a small fishing pond; and an Off-Leash Dog Area. The park also serves as home to the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association Hall of Fame Museum, featuring several courts open for public use.

Youth Activity Park 7801 Hwy N, Dardenne Prairie

Designed to provide a safe place for area youth to enjoy an assortment of alternative recreational opportunities, the 25-acre Youth Activity Park offers something for everyone to enjoy. The crown jewel of the YAP is the 33,000-square foot skate park, the largest in the state! Crafted of concrete, the facility offers challenges for every skill level with bowls, ramps, trick rails, and much more.

Missouri’s largest skate park; an indoor recreation facility; a sand volleyball court; half-court basketball; indoor rock climbing walls, open play fields, a table-tennis table, and a video-game electronics nook. There is an admission cost to use this park.

Cuivre River State Park 678 State Route 147, Troy

Cuivre River State Park is a bit of the Ozarks outside of the Ozarks – a nature lovers paradise just a short drive from St. Louis that is vibrant with colors three seasons of the year. The park’s renowned trails take visitors through prairies and forests of oaks and hickories.

The park’s three natural areas feature sinkhole ponds and woodlands that would be more at home in southern Missouri. The park has hiking and equestrian trails, modern campsites, group camps, picnic areas and a lake so everyone can enjoy one of Missouri’s most rugged and beautiful jewels.

Even big kids love bubbles (even if they pretend they don’t). Pack a hula hoop and a kiddie pool and the possibilities are almost limitless. Check out this site for inspiration: www.groundwater.org/kc/activity9.html

Play Ball A few bottles of water, a swipe of sunscreen and a ball and you’re all set! Add a few cones for make-shift goals and your family is minutes away from a fun couple of hours.

Dodgeball, football, soccer, whiffle ball, bocce, croquet, even Frisbees count.

Take a Hike You may not be trekking up mountainsides, but many of St. Charles County parks have easy level hiking trails, perfect for a family walk. Don’t forget the trail mix.

Field Day Games Invite the neighbors and play egg-on-a-spoon, 3-legged races, pass-the-orange-with-only-your-chin and any other field day games you remember from your childhood.

Have a Picnic Pack grandma’s best fried chicken or just grab a pizza and a 2-litre. Eat anything on a blanket in a park and you’re having a picnic. Enjoy the sunshine, fresh air, and the clean kitchen just waiting for you to come home.

Water Fight Pack the trunk full of jugs of water, balloons, and squirt guns, and have at it. Bring towels.

MARCH 2013 CROSSROADS 15

BUSINESS Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce

“Serving Wentzville, Lake St. Louis, and Dardenne Prairie” By tony mathews

Western St. Charles County Chamber to Offer Four Scholarships

Tony Mathews, President/CEO Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce

The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce is offering four scholarships for local high school seniors to use towards furthering their education. “The chamber’s 600 members are very supportive of helping our local students succeed in their career goals,” said Tony Mathews, President/CEO of the Western St. Charles County of Commerce. “Our selection committee is hoping to receive many applications this year.”

The chamber will be awarding four $750 scholarships. To be eligible students must live in Wentzville, Lake St. Louis, or Dardenne Prairie or be the child of a Chamber Member.

Students can download an application from the chamber website, www.westernstcharlescountychamber.com.

Applications are due by Friday, April 5, 2013 to the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 11, Wentzville, MO 63385.

Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce Donates $2,000 to Operation Food Search The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce was able to donate $2,000 to Operation Food Search after their successful Pay It Forward Holiday Raffle. With each raffle ticket sold the chamber donated a portion to help Operation Food Search in their effort to feed local children and families.

“After touring their amazing facility and seeing all the good work that Operation Food Search does for the community, I was able to help shop with them for the food to be used to help local fami-

lies,” said Tony Mathews, President/CEO of the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce. “On behalf of the Chamber I thank Operation Food Search for all that they do and hope that we can help more in the future.”

The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce covers Dardenne Prairie, Lake St. Louis and Wentzville. They are comprised of 600 local businesses and organizations.

Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce Award Winners The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce bestowed its annual awards at their Celebration Ball held on February 2.

The following businesses and individuals were chosen to receive awards from the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce: The Above and Beyond Award for Exceptional Customer Service was given to Firestone Complete Auto Care in Lake St. Louis.

The chamber awarded three You Made it Happen Awards to businesses or individuals who positively affected their communities: Michelle Vladova with Noah’s Ark Academy, The Meadows at Lake St. Louis, and Pamela Walsh. The Chamber Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Kathleen Saunders with Christian Environmental Services. The Chamber Business of the Year was given to Twin Oaks at Heritage Pointe. The Tony Award for service to the chamber was given to Michael and Marilyn Watkins with Watkins Law Firm.

Chairman of the Board of the chamber Jon Parmentier and Michael and Marilyn Watkins with Watkins Law Firm

Chairman of the Board of the chamber Jon Parmentier and Michelle Vladova with Noah’s Ark Academy

For more on any of this information or the chamber in general, please call the chamber office at 636.485.3123 or visit the website www.westernstcharlescountychamber.com.

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BUSINESS

When Retiring Together Doesn’t Make Sense

By Jason Alderman director of Visa’s financial education programs

Back when people from my parents’ generation were first planning their lives together, most married couples looked forward to working hard for a few decades, buying a house, raising a family and then retiring together while they still had enough money and energy to travel and pursue favorite hobbies.

Some couples do manage to pull this off and thrive; but for many others, any of a host of obstacles can block their ability to retire at the same time. For example: • Thanks to periods of unemployment, home-value decline or 401(k) account loss suffered during the Great Recession, many couples simply don’t have enough money to retire together comfortably.

• If there’s a significant age difference, one spouse may not have accumulated enough Social Security credits to qualify for a benefit by the time the other is ready to retire.

• Women often worry that the couple hasn’t saved enough since they’re statistically likely to survive their spouses – often for a decade or more.

• One spouse must continue working to supply employer-provided medical coverage until both reach Medicare eligibility age (65 in most cases).

• One spouse is just hitting his or her stride, career-wise, and isn’t ready to slow down.

Among couples who have managed to save enough to retire together, when it comes time to pull the trigger many realize they haven’t fully agreed on where or how to retire; or they discover that their wishes have diverged over the years. This can put tremendous strain on a marriage if you’re not willing to compromise and talk things through.

Long before you actually retire, ask yourselves: • Should we downsize to a smaller dwelling or even move to a retirement community?

• Sell the house, buy a trailer and live like nomads for a few years?

• Move to a warmer climate or to be nearer our grandchildren?

• Move to a state with lower taxes or cost of living?

• Start a small side business to keep money rolling in?

• Are we finished supporting our children financially?

Even before asking those tough questions, you already should have begun estimating your retirement income needs. Social Security has a helpful online Retirement Estimator that can help (www.ssa.gov/estimator). After you’ve explored various retirement scenarios, consider hiring a financial planner to help work out an investment and savings game plan, or to at least review the one you’ve devised.

Along with the financial impact retirement will have on your marriage, keep in mind that this may be the first time that you’ve been together, day in and day out. Many people are so consumed by their jobs that they haven’t taken time to develop outside interests and hobbies. Well before retirement, you and your spouse should start exploring activities and networks of friends you can enjoy, both together and independently. Consider things like volunteer work, hobbies, athletic activities or even part-time employment if you miss the workplace interaction and need the money.

And finally, if your plan is to have one spouse continue working for a while, try living on only that one salary for a few months before retiring as an experiment. This will give you an inkling of how well you’ll do financially and whether you might both need to keep working to amass more savings.

Editor’s Note: To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

www.gibsonprinting.com

MARCH 2013 CROSSROADS 17

Quilts of Valor

stern Missouri work on The members of Quilts of Valor Ea the KC hall on Hwy N in quilts for soldiers and veterans at Cottleville on Tuesday, February 5.

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Photo Op PHOTOS BY RAY ROCKWELL

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

MARCH To see your organization’s event listed here, please email editor@mycnews.com

Planning and Zoning Meeting 6 to 8 pm at City Hall, 310 W. Pearce Blvd. in Wentzville Info: nancy.sulin@wentzvillemo.org

H.O.P.P. Night Teens’ Night Out 7-9 pm at Progress Park Center, 968 Meyer Road in Wentzville Info: parkinfo@wentzvillemo.org

Coffee Talk with Mayor Guccione

Easter EGGstravaganza

12:30 to 2 pm City Hall, 310 W Pearce Blvd. in Wentzville

8 to 10 am at Rotary Park, 2577 W. Meyer in Foristell

Call Vi Skillman at 636.327.5101 for more information.

Info: parkinfo@wentzvillemo.org

Annual Spring Sing Ninth Grade Center, 80 Elm Tree Rd, Moscow Mills noon, 3 pm and 6 pm performances by TBHS & TMS Choirs and Show Choirs

Community Easter Egg Hunt 9 am at Clont’s Field in Troy Info: info@troyonthemove.com

Info: encorefundraising@yahoo.com

MARCH 2013 CROSSROADS 19

Presorted Std US Postage

PAID

2139-A Bryan Valley Commercial Dr., O’Fallon, MO 63366

St. Louis, MO Permit 2828

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