Our Town: February 2023

Nicholas Elmes is a seasoned journalist with over 15 years of experience leading the newsrooms of small community newspapers in Virginia and North Carolina. A recent transplant to the St. Louis area, he is excited to get a chance to explore the diverse region while helping to share the stories of all of the good things

David Finkelstein is a Master/Skill Automotive Service Technician, maintaining that role for over 45 years, coupled with being a shop owner in that time frame as well. He’s also invented a number of garage service tools for mechanics and has served on both National as well as local Automotive Trade Industry Boards. Additionally, he pioneered “Car Talk Radio” over 40 years ago, starting out with KMOX/CBS Radio as well as hosted “Auto Talk” on KFTK/FOX News Radio for some 15-years. David tests and evaluates new vehicles weekly and also does some consulting with various auto manufacturers, both import as well as with domestic nameplates.

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.

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.

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.

our

toWn

Volume 14 | Number 2

FEBRUARY 2023

Published by the Community News, Our Town is a monthly news magazine covering the cities of Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, and Olivette. Circulation is 7,000 monthly through over 105 monitored newsstands guaranteeing 100% pickup. Additional issues are distributed online, and a free online subscription is available at www.mycnews. com

PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF

Mathew DeKinder

PUBLISHER EMERITUS/ GENERAL MANAGER

Bob Huneke

PRODUCTION

Becky Brockmann

Melissa Nordmann

CONTRIBUTORS

Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Cindy Moore

STAFF WRITERS

Brett Auten

Wendy Todd

For advertising information, please contact us at: info@mycnews.com or

Community News

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

Ph: 636.379.1775

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Copyright 2022

Huneke Publications, Inc.

Around Town

Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective featured in new CDC museum exhibit and more.

Feature Millenium Makeover

$2.5 million renovations at Millennium Park in Creve Coeur will begin in the fall of this year and continue through spring of next year

Our Thoughts

Moore on Life author Cindy Moore find surprising support on a flight while Avalanche embraces the midwinter duldrums.

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Lifestyle

The 202C Cadillac XT6 delivers style and luxury in Automobile Alley. The multiple spinoffos of the TV show, ‘All in the Family’ in Entertainment.Host a Hall of Fame Homegate in For the Love of Food.

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In Depth

It’s Your Birthday, Inc. teams up with Project Linus to gitft blankets made by volunteers to kids in need.

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Todd

AroundTown

On display

Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective featured in new CDC museum exhibit

Through a unique partnership between public health and the arts, St. Louis-based Saint Louis Story Stitchers was one of 30 arts and culture organizations that received support from the CDC Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts to develop works of art to educate the public and inspire confidence in COVID-19 vaccines.

The participating organizations used their chosen art forms to translate public health information about the safety and importance of immunizations into an accessible, memorable and diverse body of work. An exhibit at the David J. Sencer CDC Museum in Atlanta, Georgia entitled “Trusted Messengers: Building Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines Through Art” is now showcasing original pieces from six of these organizations, including Saint Louis Story Stitchers.

“Story Stitchers artists were honored to be selected for this exhibition and pleased to see the work continue to be useful to public audiences. In St. Louis, our project generated bus kings, bus shelter posters, billboards, social media and radio ads, reaching 70 million people in the spring of 2022. The project was created by a collaborative group of youth and adult artists who generated work around the concept of worthiness and caring for one another in a campaign called, ‘I GOTCHU,’” said Susan Colangelo, executive director of Saint Louis Story

Stitchers. “Through a partnership with St. Louis Public Libraries and St. Louis County Libraries, Story Stitchers held multiple ‘Story Circles’ that featured live performances and public discussions with health care providers about COVID and the vaccines. Visitors to the museum exhibition will see examples of a marketing of the Story Circles, a bus king, video ads used on social media and posters from bus shelters.”

“Our talented partner organizations have created meaningful, innovative projects that engaged and informed community members,” said Catherine Zilber, MSc, vice president for infectious disease programs at the CDC Foundation. “This new exhibit features impressive art and uplifting messaging that demonstrates the crucial role the arts can play in communicating about important public health issues.”

“Trusted Messengers: Building Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines Through Art” exhibit will run through March 2023.

The CDC Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization created by Congress to help the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) save and improve lives by unleashing the power of collaboration between CDC, philanthropies, corporations, organizations and individuals to protect the health, safety and security of America and the world.

Through a unique partnership between public health and the arts, St. Louis-based Saint Louis Story Stitchers was one of 30 arts and culture organizations that received support from the CDC Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts to develop works of art to educate the public and inspire confidence in COVID-19 vaccines.

PHOTO BY MIKE JENSEN, COURTESY OF THE DAVID J. SENCER CDC MUSEUM

More than a house

Promise Community Homes celebrates 50 years of providing affordable homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021 only 19.1% of people with disabilities were unemployed. Though it was slight jump from 2020, there is a still a great challenge for many people with disabilities to obtain gainful employment, which also impacts their ability to secure suitable housing.

The nonprofit Promise Community Homes, formerly Rainbow Village, which is located in Creve Coeur, is celebrating its 50th year of providing affordable homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

In 1973, nine parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities began the organization with seven homes serving a few dozen residents. Today, the nonprofit is the largest specialty housing nonprofit in St. Louis providing 300 adults with IDD in 86 homes throughout St. Louis, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County.

Among other factors, a big obstacle to people with IDD in securing housing is income.

“Most of our residents receive less than $800 a month in disability waivers from the state, so they cannot pay market rate rents unless they’re bringing in other income,” explains Lisa Dickerson, operations director. “Employment is also a challenge because you must consider other supports to be successful in a job, like having reliable transportation.”

In addition, it can be challenging to find property owners who are willing to provide accessibility supports such as ramps or bathrooms outfitted to accommodate special needs.

Along with housing, PCH provides other amenities in their Wolff Community Center for its residents including a heated therapeutic pool, a gymnasium and patio, that can be rented by community members of all abilities and a garden bed to grow food.

People with IDD who need housing are typically referred to the nonprofit from other agencies and receive waivers from the Department of Mental Health. The organization helps people and families navigate the process to secure housing with them.

Mary Wilson has been a resident with the nonprofit since 1998 and enjoys living near the Wolff Community Center. She also participates in the agency’s Aging With Empowerment program.

“It’s good,” she said. “I love my two roommates. I walk to the center every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I am happy living there. It’s easy to walk places.”

Providing suitable housing for people with IDD not only give the residents as sense of personal freedom but also allows families to receive the support they need and the peace of mind knowing their family members are safe.

Terry Richter has three adult sons who have been living in a PCH home since 2018.

“It’s given me another chance at life, and it’s given my sons a chance to grow up and be independent. It’s been great for my sons!”

At the movies

The J to host 28th Annual St. Louis Jewish Film Festival at Marcus Des Peres Cinema

The St. Louis Jewish Community Center

– The J will host the 28th Annual St. Louis Jewish Film Festival from March 12 – 16. This year, the festival will return in-person and will be held for the first time at the Marcus Des Peres Cinema.

The festival presents a selection of documentary and feature films from around the world. While all films depict a piece of the Jewish experience, the themes are universal and are meant to appeal to all, regardless of faith.

“This festival promises to be one of our strongest lineups of films in recent years.

We have a great mix of features, documentaries, and even a film homage to ‘Fiddler on the Roof ‘which promises to be a big hit with audiences,” said Rabbi Brad Horwitz, Chief Jewish Engagement Officer. “We are also excited that Cinema St. Louis has agreed to co-sponsor the festival.”

The festival will kick off on March 12 with “Farewell Mr. Haffman” at 4 p.m. The French film is set in Paris 1942 and about François Mercier, who is an ordinary man who only aspires to start a family with the woman he loves, Blanche. He is also the employee of a talented jeweler, Mr. Mann.

A new home

But faced with the German occupation, the two men will have no other choice but to conclude an agreement whose consequences, over the months, will upset the fate of our three characters.

The festival continues through March 16 with 14 films, ranging from countries like Israel, South Africa, Russia, Portugal, Austria and more.

Beginning Feb.1, updated information, trailers and complete film lineup and details, including ticket sales info will be available at stljewishfilmfestival.org.

MDC announces opening of Howard Wood Urban Outreach Office in the city of St. Louis

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has opened a public outreach office in the city of St. Louis. The MDC Howard Wood Urban Outreach Office at 4640 Shenandoah Ave. at St. Louis, just east of the Vandeventer Ave./South Kingshighway Blvd. intersection, is now open to the public. The office can be reached by phone at: 314-301-1504. The new facility is in the Brightside-St. Louis Building.

“The Howard Wood Urban Outreach Office is a collaboration space that will serve as a central hub for MDC staff with expertise in urban wildlife, fish, forestry, and conservation education. We want to provide opportunities for urban residents to enjoy and conserve nature close to where they live, including access to new communities who may not have a lot of conservation exposure or a connection to nature,” said MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley.

The new MDC Howard Wood Urban Outreach Office will provide a staffed facility and walk-in service for the public, along with conservation-related information and free publications. The office will also offer hunting and fishing permits for sale, as well as MDC Natural Events Calendars. It will not carry other MDC Nature Shop items.

The new facility will be open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday 4 p.m.-6 p.m., and

Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m., and closed Sunday and Monday.

“We are very excited to be returning to the city of St. Louis after eight years. The new office will make it easier to bring urban community conservation best practices, resources, and information to city and innerring St. Louis County residents, schools, and partner organizations,” said Julianne Stone, MDC St. Louis Regional Administrator.

The last time MDC had an office in the city of St. Louis was 2015 at the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor Center in Forest Park. Previously MDC had an office in the city from 1994-2015.

The urban location will enable MDC staff to work with our many nearby partners including Brightside-St. Louis, Tower Grove Park (where MDC also has staff), the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Saint Louis Zoo, Forest Park, Great Rivers Greenway, Forest ReLeaf, St. Louis Public Schools, Beyond Housing, the St. Louis Public Library and the city of St. Louis.

Howard Wood served a six-year term on the Missouri Conservation Commission, appointed by the late Governor Mel Carnahan in 1997. Wood is also a past President of the Conservation Federation of Missouri. He is a graduate of Washington University and co-founded numerous telecommunications companies in St. Louis, including

Charter Communications. Wood has spent his life supporting conservation and protecting the outdoors in Missouri. He helped establish Missouri’s conservation program as one of the best in the nation.

The office space sits adjacent to the Cornelson Conservation Corner and the Brightside Demonstration Garden. The Demonstration Garden hosts educational programming about native habitats and was created through support from MDC, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the city of St. Louis

A community open house and official ribbon cutting are planned for this spring.

MDC Howard Wood Urban Outreach Office at 4646 Shenandoah Ave. is now open. The new office is located just east of the Vandeventer Ave./South Kingshighway Blvd. intersection.

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A healing home

BY WENDY TODD

The Core Collective at St. Vincent, formerly known as Saint Vincent Home for Children, will continue to provide a safe space for young people in need

created to meet the evolving needs of the St. Louis community.

“We decided that our new vision must honor the unique qualities of our founding years in that it must be holistic, service-enriched, intergenerational and transformational, so that our collective impact influences multiple generations.

“We’ve all experienced some form of trauma that has pushed us to our breaking point. Transforming into a healing hub will create a safe place that offers security and instills the concept of community healing.”

While changes are still occurring, some expanded services include increasing the age of service for its transitional living and street outreach programs to 26.

access to the nonprofit’s chapel, pottery room, music studio, chef’s kitchen, gymnasium and a green space which includes a soccer and football field and walking track.

There is also a drop-in service that lets youth utilize laundry facilities, a “teaching kitchen”, game room, gym and other amenities. Youth who attend drop-in also receive a hot meal.

Core Collective at Saint Vincent’s updated mission strives to provide more than a bed and a meal. It endeavors to address the whole person in the hopes to assist youth and families in their journey to achieve personal wellness and socioeconomic stability.

With a new year often comes declarations of new beginnings. This rings true for The Core Collective at St. Vincent, formerly known as Saint Vincent Home for Children, an organization in Normandy that has been assisting youth and providing a host of mental health, housing and transitional services since 1850.

The nonprofit, which serves over 500 people per year, has undergone a rebranding and has expanded services to accommodate more youth and community members by improving healthcare for families, advancing socioeconomic equity and activating conscious leaders. The name, Core Collective, represents collaboration with the community. The new vision for the organization is focused on fostering healing and well-being, including helping community members secure housing.

Latosha Fowlkes, CEO of the organization stated that the refreshed mission was

“Previously, our cutoff was age 19,” Fowlkes said. “We will no longer place a hardship on our youth to be independent by the time they are 19. This expansion addresses the need for accessible housing for youth who are aging out of the foster care system and need additional services and opportunities to reach their full potential.”

The nonprofit will also utilize its land to build more affordable and intergenerational and mixed income housing including youth, their families and additional members of the community. Also, community partnerships will assist in transforming the nonprofit’s 100,00 square foot space into a holistic “healing hub.”

In implementing a holistic approach to well-being and healing, there will also be community

“We aspire to adapt and progress alongside our community,” Fowlkes said, “to meet their evolving needs.”

Latosha Fowlkes is CEO of The Core Collective at St. Vincent, formerly known as Saint Vincent Home for Children, an organization in Normandy that has been assisting youth and providing a host of mental health, housing and transitional services since 1850.

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AroundTown

A promising partnership

Boeing/STLCC program named finalist for Bellwether Award

A collaborative program aimed to meet the workforce needs of the highly specialized aerospace manufacturing sector has been named a finalist for the 2023 Bellwether Award.

The Boeing St. Louis Pre-employment Training program, led by St. Louis Community College’s Workforce Solutions Group, is one of the finalists for the prestigious Bellwether Award in the Workforce Development category. The awards will be presented during the Community College Futures Assembly Feb. 26-28 in San Antonio, Texas.

The Bellwether Awards annually recognize outstanding and innovative programs and practices that are successfully leading community colleges into the future. Winners and finalists are invited to join the prestigious Bellwether College Consortium.

The award in the Workforce Development category recognizes public and/or private strategic alliances and partnerships that promote community and economic development.

The problem and the solution

To support new program contracts and program growth, as well as address a talent shortage due to retirements, Boeing needed to create a sustainable pipeline for future hiring. To solve this problem, Boeing St. Louis and STLCC’s Workforce Solutions Group partnered in 2007 on the Boeing St. Louis Pre-Employment program to train candidates to work as aircraft assembly mechanics.

As part of this program, STLCC instructional designers teamed up with Boeing to develop two pathways: Sheet Metal Assembler, Riveter (SMAR) and Composites Technology.

SMAR training requires 200 contact hours; composites technology, 120 hours. Both also require eight hours of teambuilding and four hours of interview skills. STLCC staff also assist students with updating and revising their resumes in preparation for the Boeing application process.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are guaranteed an interview with Boeing; however, jobs are not guaranteed. Additionally, students can receive nine credit hours for the SMAR course. Those who have a mathematics class credit

on their transcripts may apply for a Certificate of Specialization in STLCC’s Skilled Trades Industrial Occupations Technology program. Credit for the composites technology program also can be pursued.

This is Boeing’s only pre-employment program of its kind in the country.

“Through our collaboration with St. Louis Community College, the Pre-Employment Training program has helped more than 1,000 workers in the St. Louis region develop important skills to create viable career pathways at Boeing and in the manufacturing industry,” said Paisley Matthews, air dominance vice president of manufacturing and safety at Boeing St. Louis. “Boeing is proud of the strong, longlasting, positive impact this program and partnership have in the community where our employees live and work. Our goal is to launch 1,000 more careers in the years to come.”

Jeff L. Pittman, Ph.D., STLCC chancellor, echoed the same sentiments.

“Boeing’s participation and partnership is key to the success of this program, which epitomizes the strong collaboration between the business sector and both the workforce and credit side of the college,” he said. “These types of partnerships are the future for community colleges, and STLCC is expanding similar relationships with companies in several other sectors, including health care, IT, financial services, hospitality management and biotechnology.”

According to Becky Epps, manager of STLCC’s Center for Workforce Innovation, a unique benefit of the program is the fact that it is led by instructors who bring years of real-world experience to the classroom.

“When developing this program, we knew it was imperative to have high-quality

instructors, so we sought to hire Boeing retirees to serve on our staff,” she said. “Their knowledge of the very specialized aerospace manufacturing industry, combined with their enthusiasm for teaching, is invaluable.”

All costs for the program are covered by Boeing, which enables students to complete it with no out-of-pocket expenses. Moreover, students receiving unemployment are eligible to continue receiving benefits while in training since the program is approved by Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

To cast a wider net of prospects and make the program inclusive to women and high school students, Boeing and STLCC also implemented the Women in Aerospace Manufacturing program and the Second Semester High School Senior program. This program allows high school students to simultaneously attend the training program and high school with the potential of a job offer after graduation.

The results

In 2022, Boeing St. Louis and STLCC celebrated a major milestone -- the 1,000th job placement of the program. Since its inception, 1,321 individuals have graduated from the program, and Boeing has hired 1,082 of the graduates.

Students work on projects in the composites technology pathway of the Boeing St. Louis Pre-employment Training program.

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The long haul

Affinia Healthcare ‘long-COVID’ practice marks one-year milestone

Almost three years into the pandemic, most areas of public life have returned somewhat to a pre-COVID normal. For some who were diagnosed with COVID-19, their return to normal has yet to materialize.

Some who contracted COVID-19 still struggle with symptoms, a condition commonly referred to as “long COVID.” Recognizing that there was more once the initial symptoms subsided, Affinia Healthcare established a dedicated care team to help those individuals with treatment for this unique condition. The team marked its one-year milestone in November.

Those who experience long-COVID conditions suffer from symptoms like excessive fatigue, depression, memory loss, severe and persistent body aches and pain. Affinia Healthcare’s longCOVID care team has served 37 patients in its year of service. Like so many things associated with COVID, there are still many unknowns, even though society has learned how to better manage exposure and treatment.

Dr. Catherine Moore is one of the physicians working with Affinia Healthcare patients experiencing long-COVID symptoms. One of her patients was a certified nurse’s assistant working in a local nursing home when the CNA was diagnosed with COVID-19.

“She said that at least 50 of the residents she was working with died of COVID in those first few months (of the pandemic),” Moore said. “She was diagnosed in May 2020 with COVID, followed the protocols for quarantining, then went back to work. She was still having headaches and fatigue, but also was experiencing short-term memory loss, sleeplessness, and severe muscle tension.”

This patient continued to suffer with these symptoms but, to keep her mind off of them, she picked up additional shifts at work. She mentioned her health concerns to friends and family, but they dismissed them.

Moore says the patient returned to Affinia Healthcare for a wellness exam and mentioned her symptoms to the physician. The physician set up an appointment for her to see the long-COVID care team, which includes physician assistants, occupational therapists, nurses, chiropractors and behavioral health professionals.

“We were able to help her process what she had experienced, not just with her physical symptoms but also what she saw in her role as a CNA,” Dr. Moore explained. “She talked about the horror of seeing her patients die. She shared the frustration of pervasive symptoms that no one could see. She sobbed, because she finally felt validated in her experience.”

The long-COVID care team is also connecting this patient with Affinia Healthcare behavioral health professionals to “help process the trauma” of what she has experienced.

When North St. Louis City and County was experiencing a disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, Affinia Healthcare took the lead in 2020 and hit the streets to set up testing sites in these communities. Affinia Healthcare – with 12 locations in St. Louis City and County – continues to offer testing and vaccines on-site and through partnerships with community organizations and public service agencies. Affinia Healthcare

also provides COVID-19 vaccinations, and the monoclonal antibody infusion therapy for patients who have mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 and an elevated risk of complications.

“The COVID pandemic exposed what many of us in the public health sector were already familiar with – the drastic health disparities that affect poor, black, and brown communities,” said Dr. Kendra Holmes, CEO and President for Affinia Healthcare. “The pandemic also provided healthcare providers an opportunity to be creative and more strategic in how we deliver our services to better meet the needs of all in our communities.”

As the medical profession turns the corner in diagnosis and prevention, listening to and learning from those with long-COVID can help patients return to true normalcy.

“Once a patient understands that they are not alone, they are not crazy, and there is some biological mechanism behind all of this, then they can begin the work of healing,” said Moore.

Dr. Alan Freeman, former Affinia Healthcare CEO and President, is proud of the initiative staff have shown in caring for patients, especially in light of the uncertainty of the pandemic.

“Caring for patients where they are is a trademark of the Affinia Healthcare professionals on our staff,” Freeman commented. “COVID-19 presents significant challenges for patients and healthcare professionals, and our staff, once again, has demonstrated its expertise and compassion to help those in need of care.”

If there are individuals experiencing long-COVID symptoms, please call 314-814-8700 to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider.

Members of the Affinia Healthcare long-COVID treatment team at the N. Florissant location include (from left) Dr. Patrick Battaglia, chiropractor; Tenika Porter, LPN; Bernadette Sheffield, Occupational Therapist; Dr. Catherine Moore, Assistant Medical Director, Family Practice Physician; Dr. Jeffery Lin, Family Medicine Physician; and Rajeev John, MSW, LCSW, Manager, Trauma Informed Care.

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MILLENNIUM makeover

BY WENDY TODD

IMillennium Park is one of Creve Coeur’s largest parks, occupying 25 acres and serving thousands of residents and park goers across the region. It features two playgrounds, a seasonal splash pad, a pavilion that seats 100, a barbecue grill, a 0.6-mile walking trail, a soccer field, a softball and baseball field and more.

The main playground was built in 2002 and the secondary playground was built in 2008. Since most municipal playgrounds have a life expectancy of 1520 years, Millennium Park will be getting an upgrade.

The decision to renovate the park was influenced by Creve Coeur residents.

“The process to develop the Millennium Park master plan included community engagement through virtual town hall meetings, survey work and stakeholder meetings,” said Jason Valero, Creve Coeur Director of Recreation. “Participants in the public meetings and survey ranked walking trails, nature trails and playground equipment as important park features to maintain or improve.”

Work on the renovations for Millennium Park will begin in the fall of this year

Work on the renovations for Millennium Park will begin in the fall of this year and continue through spring of next year.

$2.5 million renovations at Millennium Park in Creve Coeur will begin in the fall of this year and continue through spring of next year

and continue through spring of next year. In 2021 the city of Creve Coeur developed a master plan of concepts for upgrades to the park that include a larger playground, more shaded areas, ADA accessibility, a new and shaded splash pad and a new entry. There will also be new, inclusive play equipment that can accommodate children of all abilities.

Additional proposed improvements include updating the bathroom, adding picnic tables to the park and painting the pavilion and adding electrical access and lighting. Some proposed safety features including, more lighting in the 70-space parking lot and a traffic calm-

ing speed table at the park entrance. Renovations of the park will take place in phases over multiple years. Phase one of the transformations is currently estimated to cost $2.5 million and is being funded by the Parks and Stormwater Sales Tax. Bids for the project will be solicited in April.

Parks are shared public spaces that bring people together of all ages and build a sense of community,” said Valero. “Using funds from the Parks and Stormwater Sales Tax approved by voters in November 2020, the city can invest in making these improvements to Millennium Park, one of Creve Coeur’s largest and most popular parks.”

“Participants in the public meetings and survey ranked walking trails, nature trails and playground equipment as important park features to maintain or improve.”

~ Jason Valvero, Director of Recreaion

S N A K E on a plane

ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE BY AVALANCHE

the mid-winter doldrums

We’re about half-way through winter now, the holiday madness is in the rearview mirror, and – maybe - the coldest of temps are also past tense. The snow is deep on the mountains, less so at our elevation, as some of the abundant moisture fell as rain, making things a soggy mess for a few days. Much of the snow that was on the ground here has turned into ice, given the rain, warm temps, and now back to cold again. Local ice climbs briefly formed, melted out, and are now coming back into something worth climbing; I at least looked at my ice tools a few days ago, but don’t want to get them out and tempt fate by climbing on very thin ice.

Strange oddities abound this season. For one, the local supermarkets were completely without eggs over the holiday season. Bird flu, high demand and a new state law pertaining to the raising of chickens all joined together to keep the breakfast table a bit deficient, and holiday baked goods recipes had to be changed or done without entirely. This, in one of the most expensive patches of real estate on earth – even all the local money didn’t overcome the unusual shortage of the ubiquitous food staple. Eggs are now mostly available again, at the bargain price of around $7 per dozen.

To go along with said food shortage, one now has to bring their own shopping bags to any store in the state, as all store-provided plastic shopping bags are things of the past, outlawed by another new state law. I suppose “no bag” complements the “no food” thing pretty well.

All is not lost though, yet another new state law now allows one to possess, sell or use hallucinogenic mushrooms and other psychedelic goodies without fear of prosecution. I have some not-so-fond recollections of dealing with some rather rambunctious individuals who displayed remarkably odd behavior backed up by unbelievable strength while they were dosed up on the magic fungi. I lean pretty far to the

libertarian side of things, but this might or might not be a good idea, time will tell. It is unknown if it will be permissible to sell the mushrooms in plastic bags or not.

Work is available for anyone who wants to do it; qualifications include having a pulse and showing up at least some of the time. Wages seem high, until the cost of living is factored in; once the math is considered, it’s no wonder that the working class is fleeing en masse to other areas.

Griping aside, the snowpack is anywhere from 125% to 140% of normal, with more snow (and rain) coming a few times per week. So far, we have been spared the hydrological catastrophe that was visited upon California recently. We’re quite happy with the way things are in our part of the water world, and hope that the trend continues for a long time.

Our Newfys are quite happy with the winter temps and snow. They love rolling around in the freshly fallen fluff, which

keeps them clean and tidy – until the snow starts melting down to the old nasty layers and mud underneath. No worries even then, there is now a dog-wash booth at a local car wash. Just bring the mutts in to the heated comfort of the booth, slide the credit card, and begin laundering the furballs. Much like the automotive wash, there’s a hose on a swivel that reaches all the way around inside the booth, the water is warm and comes complete with shampoo and conditioner options (though no wheel and tire setting), brushes and a blow-dryer. We can usually get the two of them quite presentable for less than the cost of a tank of gas, and we are then spared cleaning up the bathroom we would have trashed in the process. This new addition to the community is a pleasant reminder, for which we are thankful, that not all the recent changes are bad. In times like these, it’s the little things that count.

AVALANCHE

THE 2023 CADILLAC XT6

delivers style and luxury

For the 2023 model year, GM’s luxury car division, Cadillac Motors, is featuring the XT6 Premium mid-sized, seven-passenger SUV crossover. This impressive people mover is slotted just below the full size “truck like” Cadillac Escalade within their product mix.

XT6 is a family-friendly, three-row SUV and is generally cross-shopped in the category with the likes of the Lincoln Aviator, BMW X5, Acura MDX, Lexus RX, Volvo XC90, Infiniti QX60 and the Audi Q7.

The body design is stylish, trendy and telegraphs an upscale identifiable distinctive characteristic. It’s uncluttered and brings forward GM’s modern styling achievements. For the ‘23 version, Cadil-

lac has added additional standard features on two of the trim levels. This includes their mid-level models and their flagship version. More precisely, enhanced navigation and ventilated front seats are standard.

There haven’t been any big changes in the factory’s powertrain options; however, the more robust 3.6-liter V6 engine shows 19-mpg city/26-highway. This engine produces a responsive 310-horsepower. Not to sidestep their entry-level Luxury trim XT6 models, it uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder powerplant. It’s rated at 235-horsepower and the EPA numbers show 21-mpg city/27-highway. High octane/premium fuel is suggested from the factory with this in-line turbo engine. A 19-gallon fuel tank helps to extend the vehicle’s drive range. Furthermore, a ninespeed automatic transmission is also standard. All-wheel drive is available on every XT6 model, as a front wheel drive chassis is standard. As expected, with AWD, gas mileage number will decline slightly.

With its comfortable interior passenger cabin and straightforward controls, welcomed technologies abound. It’s apparent that a lot of thought went into the vehicle’s design. Unpleasant road noises are kept to a minimum with the XT6’s heighten usage of sound-dreading materials. Seating is comfortable and leg room is uncompromised. Even with the third-row seating, ingress and exit maneuvers are indeed adequate. Large windows help improve the level of unobstructed visibility.

The dash assembly touch sensitive controls help as a gateway for operating many of the screen’s enhancements, assisting in personalizing your driving experience. And

if you prefer, with its effortless operation, the navigation feature responds to natural speech. As expected, this Cadillac’s infotainment and telematics system works well with various smartphone wireless integration.

The car’s automatic adaptive cruise control system was impressive. However, the automatic radar enhanced optional Super Cruise system, designed for semi-autonomous automated driving situations tended to struggle a bit in keeping the vehicle in a straightforward line at highway speeds. This upgrade will add about $2,500 to the sticker price.

The power operating flat-folding thirdrow seats are convenient, included are controls both at the cargo hatch and the rear passenger door area. Storage behind the third-row seats come out to slightly less than 13 cubic feet.

Worth noting is the impressive, comprehensive and transparent safety enhancements found on this Cadillac. This helps to elevate the level of safety to a five-star government crash test rating.

Sold in three trim levels, pricing starts at $49,990 and jumps to $61,490 for the high-end Sport edition. I will add, this MSRP price point appears to be a bit eyeopening. The base bumper-to-bumper warranty is for four-years/50,000 miles. The XT6 I tested, was the Premium Luxury, allwheel drive edition. It had a window sticker of $74,315 after additional factory options and the $1,395 destination/shipping charges. It’s assembled at the Spring Hill, Tennessee factory, with numerous components having been outsourced and shipped in from Mexico and Canadian.

‘All in the Family’

and its multiple spinoffs

After the country humor of “The Beverly Hillbil lies” and “Green Acres,” CBS shifted gears in 1971 with the debut of “All in the Family.” Carol O’Connor and Jean Stapleton starred as Archie and Edith Bunker, a blue-collar couple living at 704 Hauser in Queens, New York.

Archie, who worked on a loading dock and later became a foreman, was opinionated to the point of being a bigot. Michael “Mike” Stivic (Rob Reiner), his son-in-law, would frequently argue with Archie on hot topics of the day. The Bunker’s daughter Gloria (Sally Struthers) also had strong opinions, especially when Archie criticized her Polish husband.

Some characters that originated on “All in the Family” were given sitcoms of their own. After appearing in two episodes, Bea Arthur’s liberal character, Maude Findlay, got her own self-titled show.

“Maude” ran for six seasons and introduced Florida Evans (Esther Rolle), the housekeeper for Maude’s family in Tuckahoe, New York. Rolle’s performance was so memorable that another spinoff, “Good Times,” was created. For Esther Rolle, though, there were not-so-good times on the new series. She wasn’t happy with aspects of the show, in particular Jimmie Walker’s portrayal of J.J. Evans. Though “Maude” was set in New York, “Good Times” took place in Chicago.

With its 253 episodes, “The Jeffersons” became one of the longest-running sitcoms on television. George and Louise Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford) had lived next door to the Bunkers. Edith and Louise were great friends, but after George’s dry-cleaning business took off, the Jeffersons moved from Queens to a deluxe New York apartment. Florence Johnston (Marla Gibbs) became their maid, which led to arguments between her and George. “The Jeffersons” had one spin-off, “Checking In,” where Florence became an executive housekeeper at a New York hotel, but this series ran for only four episodes.

In 1979, “Archie Bunker’s Place,” a rebooted version of “All in the Family,” debuted. Murray Klein (Martin Balsam), Archie’s Jewish partner, worked in the bar while dealing

with the opinionated Archie. The revamped cast included Danielle Brisebois as Archie’s niece and the wonderful Anne Meara as the bar’s cook. After Edith’s off-screen death, Archie wasn’t sure he was ready to date again, but that was before Katherine (Yvonne Wilder), a woman had previously expressed interest in him, walked back into the bar. “Archie Bunker’s Place” lasted a total of four seasons.

Archie’s daughter Gloria appeared in the final episode of “Archie Bunker’s Place,” which set the stage for “Gloria,” her own 1982 series. After husband Mike left her for someone else, Gloria returned to New York, but she didn’t want to raise her son in the big city. She then became the assistant to two veterinarians, Dr. Willard Adams (Burgess Meredith) and Dr. Maggie Lawrence (Jo de Winter). Counting the final episode of “Archie Bunker’s Place,” “Gloria” ran for 22 episodes, but it was not renewed for a second season.

Archie Bunker’s former home address became the title of another spin-off, “704 Hauser.” John Amos, whose character had been killed off years earlier on “Good Times,” played Ernie Cumberbatch and Lynnie Godfrey played his wife, Rose. Though they were working-class Democrats, their son Goodie (T.E. Russell) was highly conservative. Six episodes of “704 Hauser” were shot, but the final episode never aired.

(Clockwise from top) ‘All in the Family’ photo courtesy Tandem Productions, ‘The Jeffersons’ photo courtesy Embassy Television, ‘Maude’ photo courtesy Tandem Productions.

homegate Host a hall of fame

Layered Mediterranean Hummus Salad

Recipe courtesy of chef George Duran

Servings: 4-6

From kickoff to the final whistle, taking your game day party to the next level starts with serving an all-star lineup of menu items.

Kickoff your menu with an app like these Jalapeno Bacon and Salsa Biscuit Bites that meld together traditional tailgate tastes. Then put a Tex-Mex twist on a traditional favorite with this Enchilada Lasagna, perfect for feeding a crowd of hungry fans.

To round out the playbook, this Layered Mediterranean Hummus Salad can make for an accompaniment to a variety of main courses. The cucumbers, olives, cherry tomatoes and other veggies are balanced by the savory taste of Fresh Cravings Hummus. Made with a short list of highquality ingredients like chickpeas, tahini and Chilean extravirgin olive oil, it has a smooth, creamy mouthfeel.

Find more game-winning recipes made for homegating and tailgating at FreshCravings.com.

Ingredients

2 containers (10 ounces each) hummus, any flavor

1 cup sliced cucumbers

1/2 cup Kalamata olives, seeded and roughly chopped

1/2 cup canned garbanzo beans, drained

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions: On bottom of large, flat serving dish or platter, use spoon to evenly spread hummus.

Layer cucumbers, olives, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, red onion and

3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered

1/4 red onion, finely chopped

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

1/2 lemon, juice only

extra-virgin olive oil

zaatar, for sprinkling (optional)

pita bread or tortilla chips

parsley throughout hummus. Squeeze lemon juice over top.

Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Zaatar, if desired. Serve immediately with pita bread or tortilla chips.

Enchilada Lasagna

Recipe courtesy of chef George Duran

Servings: 4-6

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)

1 deli roasted chicken, skin and bones removed, shredded

2 tablespoons taco seasoning

1 cup chicken stock or broth

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

Preheat oven to 350 F.

2 cups shredded Tex-Mex cheese blend

16 ounces salsa, plus additional for serving

1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped nonstick cooking spray

6 flour tortillas (9 inches each)

1 cup tortilla chips, crushed

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Add onions and cook until soft and translucent, 4-5 minutes.

Add shredded chicken and stir in taco seasoning. Add chicken broth and bring to simmer, about 5 minutes.

Add cream cheese, Tex-Mex cheese, salsa and cilantro. Stir until cream cheese is melted and simmer 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.

Spray square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place two tortillas in bottom of pan, folding over or trimming sides of tortillas to fit.

Spoon half chicken mixture over tortillas. Repeat then place remaining tortillas over top. Mix crushed tortilla chips with cheddar cheese and sprinkle over top. Bake 30 minutes, or until lasagna is bubbling and lightly browned.

Let stand 10 minutes then top with additional salsa before serving.

Jalapeno Bacon and Salsa Biscuit Bites

Recipe courtesy of chef George Duran

Yield: 16 biscuit bites

Directions:

1 tube biscuit dough (8 biscuits total)

7 ounces grated mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup jarred jalapenos, chopped

Directions: Preheat air fryer to 350-360 F.

Divide each biscuit in half by pulling apart in centers. Use hands to flatten each biscuit into circles. Set aside.

In bowl, mix mozzarella cheese with chopped jalapenos, bacon and salsa.

Add heaping spoonful into each flattened biscuit and pinch each together tightly to form balls. Top each with small amount of salsa

8 slices cooked bacon, chopped

1 cup salsa nonstick cooking spray

mixture.

Spray nonstick cooking spray in air fryer and, working in batches, cook biscuit bites 6-9 minutes until golden brown.

Serve warm.

Note: If air fryer access is unavailable, biscuit bites can be baked 8-10 minutes at 400 F in oven, or until golden brown.

Keeping kids covered

It’s Your Birthday Inc. has teamed up with Project Linus, a nonprofit that gifts blankets made by volunteers to children in need

BY WENDY TODD

For many children, a blanket is a sweet treasure, providing not only warmth and comfort but also feelings of security.

The Florissant-based nonprofit, It’s Your Birthday Inc., which provides birthday parties and presents for youth in shelters, has teamed up with Project Linus, a nonprofit that gifts blankets made by volunteers to children who are ill, traumatized or otherwise in need.

The collaboration brings together two organizations working to bring a measure of hope and caring to youth experiencing severe adversity. It’s Your Birthday Inc. plans to partner with other organizations in the future to continue serving distressed youth.

“As a part of our strategic plan, we will collaborate with more nonprofits in 2023,” said IYBI executive director, Rolanda Finch. “When I saw the Project Linus Blankets and learned their mission, I knew it would be a perfect partnership. The blankets will be a great addition to the birthday-in-a-box we provide to children in homeless and domestic violence shelters.”

This past Monday, volunteers convened virtually to make 50 blankets to be included in birthday boxes.

The national organization, Project Linus, headquartered in Belton, Missouri, was founded by Karen Louks, who in 1995, read a piece in “Parade” about a young cancer patient who

found comfort in her blanket. Louks began donating handmade blankets to her local children’s hospital, thus creating Project Linus, named after the Peanuts character, Linus Van Pelt. There are over 300 chapters across the country in all 50 states.

Finch believed the blankets would be a valuable supplement to the birthday boxes.

“In addition to having the desire to have a ‘normal’ childhood, our birthday kiddos are in need of a sense of security,” she said. “Our hope is the Project Linus blankets will become something special to the birthday kiddos during this traumatic time in their young lives.”

Project Linus has donated over nine million blankets nationwide and over 30,000 locally via the local chapter that services St. Louis and St. Charles County.

There has been a demonstrated need for the donated blankets.

“We receive ongoing requests for blankets from many local hospitals and agencies that work with children, including Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, Sweet Babies, Community of Hope and Santa’s Helpers,” said, Megan Cannistraro, local chapter coordinator. “They see the comfort that handmade blankets can bring to the children they serve, and continue to request deliveries from Project Linus.”

Project Linus is a nonprofit that gifts blankets made by volunteers to children who are ill, traumatized or otherwise in need.