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Our Town Volume 13 | Number 3 MARCH 2022 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
N THIS SSUE
Around Town Challenger Learning Center celebrates seven local teachers in honor of the 36th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and more.
Feature 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
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Celebrating citizens Creve Coeur Mayor recognized the Venable Park task force as Citizens of the Year for their efforts to orchestrate the rededication of the Dr. H. Phillip Venable Park By Wendy Todd
Our Thoughts Moore on Life author Cindy Moore wonders why packages keep shrinking while Avalanche looks at his eclectic resume.
Lifestyle The 2022 Genesis G70 Sedan sets the benchmark high in the luxury car market in Automobile Alley. ‘Uncharted’ just the latest video game to leap to the big screen in Entertainment. Power your day with peanut protein in For the Love of Food.
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In Depth Cinema St. Louis has spent the past 30 years showcasing international, documentary and American independent cinema.
Events Calendar
Staff Writer –Wendy Todd Cover Photo – Submitted
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AroundTown Voted North County’s Best Senior Living Community
INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING WITH WELLNESS AMENITIES
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A day for trees Creve Coeur to hold Arbor Day art contest and celebration The city of Creve Coeur has been a distinguished and recognized “Tree City” for the past 24 years. As such, Arbor Day signifies an opportunity to educate and inspire residents about the importance, value and love of trees. Hosted by the Horticulture, Ecology and Beautification Committee, the city will celebrate Arbor Day on April 24 from 1 – 3 p.m. at Millennium Park located at 2 Barnes West Drive in Creve Coeur. The celebration will include a display of the art contest entries and winners, a plant giveaway, educational displays, a nature walk, and more • The art contest entry rules require all entries: • Not to exceed 9” x 12” (no canvas, please). • Must be any two-dimensional medium: pencil, water color, crayon, marker, oil, photo, digital design, etc.
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The theme is “Nature Around Us.” Any aspect of nature is acceptable. Must list artist’s name, category, address and phone number on the back of the art piece. • Submission deadline is March 25. Submit to Janet Rueschhoff, city of Creve Coeur, 300 N. New Ballas Road, Creve Coeur, MO 63141. Participation ribbons for all entries. Winners will have artwork displayed at the Creve Coeur Government Center for one month; all other artwork can be picked up following the event between 3 and 3:30 p.m. With the exception of winning pieces, any artwork not picked up at the end of the show will be available for pick up at the Government Center until May 31. Artwork will not be returned by mail. For more information, contact Janet Rueschhoff at 314-872-2511 or jrueschhoff@ crevecoeurmo.gov.
Cute cats Call for ‘Cat Clips’ – a short film competition and fundraiser
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4 | OUR TOWN | MARCH 2022
Animal House Cat Rescue & Adoption Center has brought back Cat Clips: A Competition in Cuteness. Celebrating its third year, Cat Clips, a competition, and fundraiser, will include a compellation of short cat videos. The curated videos will be judged by a panel of cat-loving local celebrities. The call for submissions is now open, to submit a short film of your cat or cats visit https:// filmfreeway.com/CatClips. Contest submission fees: • First film submission - $10 • Every film submission after that an additional $5 Winners will be announced at the screening and the following prizes will be awarded: • Top prize - $250
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Second place – $125 Third place – An awesome movie gift basket The selected shorts will be screened on April 7 from 6:30 – 10 p.m. at Third Degree Glass Factory at 5200 Delmar Blvd. in University City, doors open at 5:30 p.m. Those attending Cat Clips will be part of the exclusive screening along with opportunities to participate in various fundraising activities, enjoy refreshing Urban Chestnut products, movie snacks and more all of which support the rescue work of Animal House. For event information and to purchase tickets visit https://filmfreeway.com/CatClips/tickets All proceeds support the work of Animal House Cat Rescue and Adoption Center: Rescue, Adoption, Education and Advocacy.
AroundTown
Big impact University of Missouri System reports $6.5 billion in statewide economic impact University of Missouri System leaders today announced the results of an economic impact study that found UM System and its four universities have a $6.5 billion economic impact on the state of Missouri. The study was conducted by Tripp Umbach, a nationally recognized firm that has completed more than 500 economic impact studies for clients across the globe. “Each of our four universities in Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla and St. Louis have provided teaching, research, outreach and economic development excellence to Missourians for more than two centuries,” UM President Mun Choi said. “We are committed to enhancing the overall economic vitality of the state, and this study shows the University of Missouri System continues to deliver on its mission to the betterment of Missouri.” For the study, Tripp Umbach measured the economic value generated by the UM System’s research, operations, service and expenditures throughout the state of Missouri in Fiscal Year 2021, which ran from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021. The impact analysis measured effects throughout the state and each of its four universities as well as MU Extension, academic medicine, research, athletics and alumni. Results of the report include: • $6.5 billion generated in economic impact by the UM System and its four universities, MU Extension, athletics and academic medicine • More than 69,000 direct and indirect jobs, both full-time and part-time • Approximately $366.5 million generated in state and local taxes • $1.5 billion economic impact generated by the UM System research enterprise • $2.4 billion generated in economic impact by UM System academic medicine • $376.8 million generated in economic impact by athletics at the four UM universities “For every state dollar invested in the University of Missouri System, Missouri taxpayers saw $15.49 in economic benefits in 2021,” said Darryl Chatman, chair of UM Board of Curators. “Investing in our universities not only continues to produce tomorrow’s leaders, educate our workforce and engage in innovative research to solve some of our biggest challenges, it’s also a good investment in our state’s economy.” Primary data for the study were collected from the UM System, including capital expenditures, operational expenditures, employee figures, payroll and benefits, taxes paid to local and state governments, visitation numbers for campus events, student figures, and proportions of students who live on and off campus to accurately measure their spending in the local area. Values in the report are generated by direct, indirect and induced operational spending, capital spending, payroll, visitor spending and student spending throughout Missouri. “More than half of our living alumni remain in Missouri after graduation and put their education to use in every sector of our
state’s economy,” said Todd Graves, Board of Curators member and chair of the Academic, Student Affairs, Research and Economic Development Committee. “One in 29 Missouri workers is a graduate of one of our four universities, and each enhances the economic strength of our state.” “The impact our universities and statewide programs have on Missourians goes beyond economics,” said Marshall Stewart, chief engagement officer for UM System and vice chancellor for Extension and Engagement at MU Extension. “Our universities and their programs have a presence in every single Missouri county, serving the entire state to increase economic opportunity, increase educational access and promote the health and wellbeing of all Missourians.” To view the complete report, visit: https://www.umsystem.edu/ about-us/economic_impact.
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AroundTown
Rising to the challenge BY WENDY TODD Seven local teachers were recognized by the Challenger Learning Center in honor of the 36th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger accident that killed seven passengers. The teachers were nominated by current or former students they inspired to pursue careers in STEM. A virtual ceremony took place on Jan. 27th to acknowledge the following awardees: Dan Easterday, Nokomis High School (retired), Tanjanika Foster, seventh-grade math teacher, Collinsville Middle School, Tiffanie Fowlkes-Comninellis, biology teacher, Hazelwood Central High School, Paul Wallis, physics teacher, Desoto Senior High, Christopher Sellers, physics and computer science teacher, Jennings Senior High, Martha Warren, science teacher, Jennings Senior High, and Cherron White, science teacher, Jennings Senior High. The keynote speaker was James Young, this year’s Missouri Teacher of the Year. The Challenger Learning Center was created by family members of those who were killed in the Challenger space shuttle tragedy in 1986. The centers provide STEM programming which also includes simulated space missions. The mission of the Challenger Learning Center is to “inspire the future generation of innovators through immersive space mission simulations and other transformational STEM experiences.” The global organization began with its first center in the Houston Museum of Natural Science in 1988. It now has over 40 centers located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea. The St. Louis Challenger Learning Center started in the early 1990s and is located in Ferguson. The Challenger Learning Center’s Inspiring Teacher Awards aim to honor and appreciate educators who continue the important work of exposing students to the value of an education in STEM and also providing a strong pathway to learning. The students who nominated their teacher for the award were on hand at 6 | OUR TOWN | MARCH 2022
the virtual ceremony to offer their sentiments on why each teacher has meant so much to them. Kayla Stevenson, who nominated Tanjanica Foster, explained the impact her teacher had on her education and her life. “She was my seventh-grade teacher,” Stevenson said, “She was an outstanding mentor. I was shy and had a rough upbringing. I didn’t feel I was going to go very far and she led me to believe that I could go anywhere I put my mind to.” Other honored educators like Dan D. Easterday, a retired teacher was grateful for the recognition. “I feel very humbled and appreciative,” he says. “It is rewarding to know you’ve made a positive difference in students’ lives. My approach to teaching has always been that teaching was not a job for me, it was a way of life. I always felt I taught kids not subjects. With my subject matter being science, I always tried to apply the principles of science to students’ everyday lives.” Awardee, Martha Warren, of Jennings Senior High School, believes in maximizing each student’s ability to learn in ways that best benefit them. “I don’t teach a student what to think, but to explore different ways for them to learn how to think,” Warren said. “Every student has their own strength or area of expertise such as singing, drawing, or an affinity for sports, and I use that strength to guide them in other endeavors in my forensic science or biomedical courses.” Cherron White, also of Jennings Senior High School, also supports the importance of recognizing students’ individual strengths and that learning is a journey. “The correct answer is not always important,” she says. “It is more important to me that they understand the process which allows me to see their mistakes and redirect. When students are comfortable and trust you, it is much easier to help them grow. All students are individuals, and everyone learns in their own unique way.” The Challenger Learning Centers and the Inspiring Teacher Award denotes the
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Challenger Learning Center celebrates seven local teachers in honor of the 36th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
Seven local teachers were recognized by the Challenger Learning Center in honor of the 36th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger accident that killed seven passengers.
significance of quality education and teachers who invest in students. “Educators pour their souls into teaching and learning,” said awardee Christopher Sellers of Jennings Senior High School. “We see glimpses of that satisfaction on a daily basis, but it’s fleeting and quickly displaced by another challenging moment. This award hits deeper. It’s durable. It withstands the ebb and flow of routine. Listening to the nominators reflectively talk about the impact a specific teacher had on them was striking. It warmed my heart and revitalized my energy. For the Challenger Learning Center to listen to these students is special and I am honored to be a part of it.”
AroundTown
Supporting smiles Delta Dental of Missouri gives more than $1.8 million to support community outreach in 2021
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To help meet the dental health gram providing free dental care to needs of children and adults, Delta individuals who live in rural areas Dental of Missouri – the state’s leadand are uninsured. ing dental benefits provider – last During 2021, Delta Dental of year contributed more than $1.8 milMissouri’s total charitable contribulion to support oral health initiatives, tions also included: educational programs and charitable • More than $149,000 in fluoricauses in Missouri and in South Carodation grants for 15 Missouri counlina, where it also does business. The ties in need of new or replacement funding is part of the nonprofit comequipment to start or continue pany’s annual Mission Giving Procommunity water fluoridation. This gram. funding is helping to protect the “2021 was another challenging oral health of nearly 120,000 Misyear for so many of our neighbors,” Seven local teachers were recognized by the Challenger Learning Center in sourians who live in the impacted said Rob Goren, president and chief honor of the 36th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger accident that communities. killed seven passengers. executive officer at Delta Dental of Mis• Funding for Delta Dental of Missouri. “By giving to a range of orgasouri’s virtual Land of Smiles edunizations that align with our mission to improve oral health, we cational program, which was provided at no cost to 441 can help thousands get vital dental care, supplies and services to schools in Missouri and South Carolina, teaching good denimprove their overall health and quality of life.” tal health habits to more than 105,000 children. During 2021, Delta Dental of Missouri awarded $1.1 million in • More than $122,000 in donations and free dental care suporal health grant funding alone to 35 organizations in Missouri plies given to charitable and community organizations in and South Carolina, which include the following local organizaMissouri and South Carolina, helping to improve the oral tions, which were most recently awarded much-needed funds: health and overall health of residents. Delta Dental of Missouri is currently accepting applications for • Give Kids A Smile (Maryland Heights) – received $50,000 to of- the first grant cycle of its 2022 Oral Health Grant Program. To be fer safe care to children during the pandemic by engaging eligible for an oral health grant from Delta Dental of Missouri, apvolunteer dental professionals to provide complimentary, in- plicants in Missouri must first complete a letter of inquiry through dividual care in private dental offices across St. Louis in the the online application system at https://www.deltadentalmo.com/ fall of 2021, and for the organization’s free, comprehensive AboutUs/oral-health-grant-program, which includes program dental clinic for kids set for February 2022. guidelines and application instructions. Online letters of inquiry are • St. Louis Community College Foundation (St. Louis) – received $12,000 due on February 25, and online applications are due on March 11. to purchase equipment needed to serve more children in Applicants must be considered tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the its public dental clinic providing low-cost or no-cost dental Internal Revenue Code, or be a public or governmental entity, such screenings and cleanings. as a public school or health department, and serve the people of • Rural Parish Clinic of the Archdiocese of St. Louis (St. Louis) – received Missouri. $10,000 to support the expansion of its mobile dental pro-
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MARCH 2022 | OUR TOWN | 7
AroundTown
Employment for all V15Able looks to bring disabled jobseekers and employers together
8 | OUR TOWN | MARCH 2022
V15Able (15 represents the 15% of the global population with disabilities) was developed at the University of Missouri – St. Louis in 2019 through the University’s first Entrepreneurial Quest Accelerator (EQ) program, a six-week course in entrepreneurship that culminated in a competition for a $15,000 grant. V15Able is the brainchild of founder and CEO Letisha V15Able took home Wexstten. the win and Wexstten used the grant to create a business plan and research the concept further. Later in 2019, V15Able won a $50,000 St. Louis Arch Grant to put towards building the online platform. In 2020 V15able partnered with St. Louis startup studio Sigla to build the first iteration of its platform, which made its debut in March 2021. Most recently, Wexstten and V15Able were accepted into the Pipeline Pathfinder program – their first ever class of an elite network for often overlooked and underserved entrepreneurs. Pipeline is an entrepreneurial support network founded in 2006 to serve the Midwest’s budding serial entrepreneurs leading scalable companies, but who have not yet made the leap to full-time. “We wanted this to be a no-fuss process for people with disabilities,” Wexstten said. “Think of it like LinkedIn – it’s free to create a profile but if you want additional features you will be able to pay for a subscription fee.” Currently the V15Able website offers disabled candidates the ability to create their own free, customizable profile that best describes and showcases their capabilities in the workplace. Candidates may then share their profile with prospective employers with a personal link. Once fully funded, V15Able.com will be a fully-functioning employment platform where candidates will be able to share their profiles, search other candidates and communicate with employers. Employers and recruiters will be able to search the platform for a fee and filter candidates based on their employment needs. Investors, business leaders, and disability advocates interested in helping bring V15Able to the next stage can contact Letisha Wexstten at tisha@v15able.com. “My plan for V15Able is to change the way businesses hire people with disabilities, allowing disabled candidates to advocate for themselves proving that anything is possible,” Wexstten said. “My goal for the future of the company is to break down barriers for people with disabilities and employers, creating a SUBMITTED PHOTO
Approximately 60% of all disabled people in the United States of working age are unemployed, and yet every year there are seven million job openings that go unfilled. V15Able (pronounced Visible), a new employment platform designed to bring candidates and employers together, aims to solve both problems. V15Able is the brainchild of founder and CEO Letisha Wexstten. Wexstten was born without arms and at an early age had to learn how to do everything with her feet. She began her journey to inspire and assist the disabled community in 2012 when she debuted her YouTube channel, “Tisha UnArmed,” where she creates and posts informational and humorous videos of her daily life with a disability. Currently the channel has more than 170,000 followers, and its success made Wexstten think about what else she could do to help the disabled community. Having struggled herself in the job market, she set out to create a platform to help disabled candidates connect with employers. “When I saw how much of a difference the YouTube channel was making I knew that I wanted to help other people like me gain the confidence they needed in order to take back their independence,” Wexstten explains. “I am really excited to see what the future holds for V15Able. We think that this platform is going to change the world.”
AroundTown
Coats for kids United Way and Panera Bread partner to donate over 200 coats for kids and families In recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service, United Way of Greater St. Louis’s Volunteer Center and Panera Bread partnered through a weeklong coat collection drive and participated in local volunteer opportunities. In total, Panera Bread and its St. Louis area associates donated 206 new coats to three United Way safety net agencies: Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, and Saint Louis Crisis Nursery. Additionally, more than 60 Panera employees volunteered for a total of 181 hours of service with local organizations, such as the Healthy Home Pantry Kit with Operation Food Search, Citizenship Preparedness with the Immigrant Home English Learning Program, Early Childcare Chesterfield with the Jewish Community Center, and many others. In total, 62 people volunteered for a total of 181 hours of service. “It warms our hearts to see so many of our associates volunteer their time and resources to help serve those who are in need,” said Pam Morris-Thornton, Vice President,
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Panera Bread. “At Panera, we see each bakery-café as a part of the communities that we serve, and we are proud to help those in need in our hometown of St. Louis.” United Way’s Volunteer Center helped to coordinate the coat drive and various volunteer projects through its Service2Go offering, which provides companies with support and assistance in hosting unique and on-site volunteer opportunities for their employees to engage in and give back to the community. “Volunteerism and helping our neighbors in need is what is most important to us at United Way, and we are grateful to Panera Bread and their associates who spent their week giving back to our community,” said Rick Skinner, vice president of United Way’s Volunteer Center. “As we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it is important to remember the emphasis he put on service to others, uplifting those around you, and community engagement. Panera Bread holds these values just as we do, and that is why we were so happy to partner in
In recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service, United Way of Greater St. Louis’s Volunteer Center and Panera Bread partnered through a week-long coat collection drive and participated in local volunteer opportunities.
these efforts.” In 2021, over 1,800 volunteers from 13 companies participated in United Way Service2Go projects, resulting in the creation and distribution of 2,666 kits for local nonprofits.
Scouting for books Girl Scouts give Assistance League of St. Louis thousands of books for literacy program Troops in District 12 Neighborhood 2 of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri provided over 6,600 books for the Assistance League of St. Louis Books From Friends program. That program brings books to nearly 14,000 deserving children annually. The scouts also made tie blankets and scarves for the Assistance League of St. Louis Project ROSE (Raise Our Self Esteem) program, which provides a range of items to women and children in shelters. Another project involving the Girl Scouts was mutually beneficial as Lauren King, an Ambassador Girl Scout at Marquette High School, worked to earn her Gold Award. The Gold Award is the highest and most prestigious award that Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors can earn. Projects need to identify a community issue, create a lasting impact, and ensure sustainability. King developed a rain garden project that met those requirements under the guidance of Bev Pettit, Landscape Chairman at Assistance League’s headquarters at 30 Henry Ave. in Ellisville. King assembled a team of volunteers from Marquette’s National Honor Society, her family and other Girl Scouts to create a rain gar-
den. Two days were spent digging out the wet area and contouring it into a basin with a berm around it. The volunteers created paths, filled them with crushed rock and outlined them with sweet gum limbs from a tree that had been taken down on the property. “The path adds an artistic flair to the area while providing easier access into the garden for both our maintenance volunteers and the children who investigate the area on their tours,” Pettit said. Tours of the Giving Garden are offered to school children who are fitted for uniforms and given a range of other clothing and personal care items when they visit the organization’s headquarters. “The children learn not only about plants and pollinators but also about the role of insects in giving and sharing through the pollination process,” said Pettit. In addition to the rainwater garden project, King set up a fundraising event at a local restaurant on Jan. 25 that resulted in a $300 donation to Assistance League of St. Louis for their philanthropic programs. King estimates she has over 80 hours of volunteer time invested in the creation of the rainwater garden. MARCH 2022 | OUR TOWN | 9
CITIZENS
Creve Coeur Mayor recognized the Venable Park task force as Citizens of the Year for their efforts to orchestrate the rededication of the Dr. H. Phillip Venable Park BY WENDY TODD Creve Coeur Mayor Robert Hoffman recently recognized the Venable Park task force as Citizens of the Year to commemorate their efforts to orchestrate the rededication of the Dr. H. Phillip Venable Park, which happened last summer. The annual Citizen of the Year Award recognizes residents, business owners or employees of a business located in the city of
10 | OUR TOWN | MARCH 2022
Creve Coeur who have made an impactful contribution to the city and residents. “The task force members played a crucial role in coordinating this meaningful event, volunteering countless hours during the past two years,” said Hoffman. “Although the work of the Task Force is still ongoing, we are honored to recognize the great work they’ve done to take steps toward righting a long-standing wrong in our community.”
Venable family with Creve Coeur Mayor Robert Hoffman. Venable Park Task Force members Jim Singer and Pier Alsup are pictured in the front row.
Celebrating
“Working to get the park developed was important for many reasons as it serves as a platform to remind all of the history of the past injustices and to ensure we as a people do not repeat them again.” ~ Pier Alsup, task force member
In 1961 some residents of Creve Coeur through a court battle fueled by racist motives, seized Dr. H. Venable’s land and turned it into a park. The rededication of the park to Venable and his family serves as an act of recompense. Members of the task force, who worked with the Venable family for the rededication, were grateful for the recognition and believe in the importance of their work. “I was very honored to receive the citizen of the year award,” says Pier Alsup, task force member who’s lived in Creve Coeur for over 20 years. “Also, I appreciate the fact it was a group award as working on the task force was rewarding and afforded me an opportunity to meet other residents, city officials and, more importantly, the Venable family.” James Singer, additional task force member, feels similarly about the award and what it represents stating, “I appreciate that the city recognizes the importance of the
(TOP LEFT) Jim Singer at the podium. (BOTTOM LEFT) City of Creve Coeur Citizens of the Year 2021. (RIGHT) Venable Park Task Force members Jim Singer and Pier Alsup with Dr. Rossalind Woodhouse (Dr. Venable’s niece) and Allen Venable II (Dr. Venable’s nephew).
park’s creation, the remedy for the injustice of the past and the legacy of Dr. Venable.” The injustice has never been forgotten by the Venable family, and the task force wants residents to understand what the rededicated park represents. “It’s important for park visitors to be aware of its history even if it makes us feel uncomfortable,” says Alsup. Singer agrees and says, “I would like the public to both know the racist history of the park, the remarkable career of Dr. Venable, and how the people of Creve Coeur came together in 2019 to address this stain on the city’s history.” The next steps for the Venable Park Task Force include working alongside the Venable family, city staff and HDR, an engineering company, on the creation of a park master plan that will incorporate a park memorial to educate future visitors about its history. “Working to get the park developed was
important for many reasons as it serves as a platform to remind all of the history of the past injustices and to ensure we as a people do not repeat them again,” says Alsup. “However, most importantly the park project is a permanent way to honor Dr. Venable for his strength, determination and service.”
MARCH 2022 | OUR TOWN | 11
OurThoughts MOORE ON LIFE BY CINDY MOORE
When the chips are
DOWN Product downsizing is on the rise…or should I say, on the “shrink.” Yes, as the prices of things go up the size of the package stays the same all while the product inside is drastically reduced. It’s called, shrinkflation. Back when I was a youngster, we could buy a box of cereal that came in a gigantic container and it would last a month. When the box was finally empty, we’d use it to build a fort and play inside. But then something happened. The prices went up, but rather than decrease the size of the box the marketers pulled a fast one on us and shriveled up the innards. It wasn’t until the next morning that we’d open the box to find a measly cup of cereal trickling out. We’d been duped! The marketers figured we were all dim bulbs who wouldn’t notice the sneak they pulled. Just whose bright idea was this anyhow? Not ours because apparently, we’re all dim bulbs. I imagine the marketing meeting went something like this: Director of Marketing: “Okay people, I need your attention. We’ve got this bag of potato chips here and we’re going to have to raise the price freakishly high, but we can’t let the consumer find out or else the complaint line will be ringing off the hook. I need ideas, fast! You there, Ralph from packaging, what have you got?”
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Ralph: “First, we take out most of the chips. Next, I’ve got this air pump and we fill the bag with a blast of air so the package looks just as full as always.” Director: “Tricky and deceptive. I like it, but what’s going to happen when the customer gets home and finds out there are only three chips in the bag?” “No worries; we’ll change the complaint number on the back of the bag to the phone number of the White House.” “Hmm. The air pump idea is genius, but won’t the White House be fuming about getting calls from angry people with problems?” “Not a chance. The White House gets angry people calling all day and they never fix anyone’s problems.” Ralph promptly received a raise along with a bag of chips. Later that year he was elected to the Senate.
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.
OurThoughts ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE BY AVALANCHE
BUILDING
UP THE RESUME
“What do you do?” is a question universally asked among newly acquainted individuals. Here in the mountains, that question is frequently answered by a whole litany of jobs, careers and other assorted past times, due to the transient nature of the local population. Given the currently larger population than in decades past, recent arrivals might have moved here specifically for a job they wanted, or for which they were recruited. Back in the 80s and 90s, most transplants moved here to live in the mountains, and took whatever job they could find to pay the bills, all while looking for something better or more to their liking; there were fewer higher paying opportunities then. Career changes seem to be more frequent
here than in more traditional communities. The first couple years after arriving here as a teenager from the Midwest, I worked in restaurants as a cook, and of course, like everyone who works in restaurants, a dishwasher. I spent part of one summer working on a landscaping crew, which is a polite way of saying “ditch-digger.” I spent more than a little time cleaning rental condos. My first career position was one of a mechanic, and I spent much of that time working for a municipal public works department. While turning wrenches was the primary job description, when one is a part of the organization that takes care of the mountain town, you also plow snow and pull trash – something everyone should do for at least a little while, as it teaches one how the world works. I’ve repaired and serviced everything from weed-eaters to Mack trucks. Actually, serviced more than repaired, as the municipality I worked for was well-funded. We were fortunate to have mostly new, high-quality machinery, which didn’t break down very often. I knew I had it made at the time, but appreciate it more now that I’m trying to expand my own very modest collection of pricey, diesel-powered tools. After a few years of working on cop cars, I thought driving them would be more fun than fixing them, so I made the transition to public safety. Working as a cop, I held professional certifications as a police officer, firearms instructor, defensive tactics instructor, executive protection specialist, field training officer, emergency medical technician (EMT) and had worked my way up to detective. It was an interesting job, with something new every day, and given the nature of the community, shootings were
a rare, once-in-a-decade-or-two event. While it initially seemed to be a move up from my wrench-turning days, I still wore a blue shirt with my name on the front, and instead of crawling under garbage trucks, I worked as a social janitor, cleaning up the mess when the bars closed. It was a lateral move, at best. Broadly speaking I’ve had two careers, one in public works and one in public safety. With those choices, it means I’ve done everything from swap out blown-up transmissions in garbage trucks (on hot summer days…) to work security details for some of the wealthiest, most powerful people in the world. And a whole lot in between. Some other locals have some interestingly varied resumes to their credit. A local emergency physician hung up her stethoscope and started a soap and skin care product company. She doesn’t miss having belligerent trauma cases spitting blood in her face at 3 a.m. A local veterinary orthopedic surgeon started off as a highly credentialed economist, then spent a few years as a cabinet maker, and now he sculpts finely-finished dog elbows and hips. One of our Newfies benefitted from his handiwork. These days, I work as the neighborhood public works department, taking care of the water system, roads, and an assortment of homes and properties. I don’t miss the lifestyle of police and security work for the high and mighty, though the pay was better – especially for the security work. My experiences have given me a pretty broad view of how the world works. And a sincere wish that the worlds’ royalty would get the opportunity to work as their own bodyguards, maids and trash collectors, so they could be included in the diversity of the working class.
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.
MARCH 2022
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OurLifestyle
2022 GENESIS G70 SEDAN
sets the benchmark high in the luxury car market Recent seat-time behind the wheel of the redone 2022 Genesis G70 Sedan proved to be quite convincing that Hyundai Motors America is clearly setting a high benchmark in the luxury car market. Manufactured in three trim levels (2.0T, 3.3T, 3.3T Launch Edition), pricing starts at $37,525 excluding $1,045 for freight charges. Like all Genesis vehicles, the G70 is sold with an unparalleled and notable suite of ownership benefits. This includes complimentary scheduled maintenance with pick-up and drop off valet service, Genesis Connected Services consisting of an array of safety, guidance and car-care features, combined with remote functionality, navigation map updates and more – all for three years or 60,000 miles. Having been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including the 2019 North American Car of the Year, the Genesis G70 is an athletic and elegant sport sedan. It’s showcased with a stunning and dynamic exterior, a driver-oriented, wellthought-out interior including exceptional premium materials and two different powertrains. This includes a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, as well as a 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6. Its numbers reflect some 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. With a rigid “world-class” Nürburgringtuned chassis and a wide-range of performance-enhancing components, G70 delivers an accomplished driving experience on many fronts. Regardless if you choose the rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive ver14 | OUR TOWN | MARCH 2022
sion, build combinations come with an eight-speed automatic transmission. EPA fuel consumption numbers range from 17mpg city/31-mpg highway, depending on the engine and chassis setup. For the 2022 model year, the five passenger G70 has been redesigned to appeal to a broader customer base. In part, this includes a bold new modern and distinctive signature look that features their unique front grille housing and distinctive two lines of attractive quad bright LED lamps in the front and rear. Inside the cabin, this luxury four door is now manufactured with an all-new standard 10.25-inch multimedia user friendly center dash mounted display. The car’s attractive cabin includes soft leather surfaces. Higher trims gain even more luxurious appointments such as a suede headliner and quilted leather. Seating is very comfortable up front. Adults may find that rear seating is a bit of a challenge to find your comfort zone. Trunk cargo capacity isn’t tremendous but should meet the needs of most consumers. Numerous safety breakthroughs are standard, with a comprehensive batch of included features such as eight-airbags. All Genesis models are equipped with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision- Avoidance Assist and more. The redone G70 also meets the safety standards but forth by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety with a “Top Safety Pick+.” You’ll also welcome its sure-footed handling, thanks to the advanced rigid chassis
construction of which ensures firm stability, even under the most challenging driving conditions. Also on the G70 is their Highway Driving Assist technology. This enhancement can actually sense when your vehicle is out of its driving lane. It functions in conjunction with other onboard electronics. It will seamlessly help motorist keep the vehicle within their motoring pathway. It operates in conjunction with the vehicle’s smart cruise control and lane following assist feature, thus helping make those long highway drives a bit easier to manage. The G70 was first introduced in 2017 and is positioned in the popular luxury small sports sedan category along with the Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class, BMW 3-Series, Lexus IS, Infiniti Q50 and the Cadillac CT-4. The base warranty is for five-years/60,000 miles and the powertrain warranty reflects 10-years/100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN
David Finkelstein is a Master/ Skilled Automotive Service Technician and retired shop owner. He’s invented garage service tools for mechanics, served on both nation and local automotive trade industry boards, has done years of consulting with various auto manufactures plus test drives new vehicles weekly. David has pioneered “Car Talk Radio” over 35 years ago, as his new show “Automotive Insight” can be heard on Saturdays, on the Real Talk Radio Network.
OurLifestyle
‘Uncharted’ just the latest video game to leap to the big screen
Photos courtesy Columbia Pictures
W
hile portraying Peter Parker/Spider-Man in multiple Marvel Cinematic Universe appearances, actor Tom Holland’s superhero character relied on his superpowers to help him in battles and avoid injury. In the cinematic adaptation of the videogame franchise “Uncharted,” Holland played Nathan Drake, a bartender and pickpocket searching for his long-lost brother who sought a legendary treasure. Unlike Spider-Man; however, Nathan relied on his wits and guts to get out of trouble. “Uncharted” was a fun video game adaptation, especially with Mark Wahlberg along for the ride, but it was not the first movie based on a videogame. In 1993, Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo played the leads in the live-action adaptation of “Super Mario Bros.” The game’s special effects were translated for the screen with limited success, but the jumping boots were pretty cool. A new “Mario Bros.” film was announced recently with Chris Pratt and Charlie Day scheduled to be the voices of legendary plumbers Mario and Luigi. In the 1990’s, Nintendo enjoyed great success with their games, but they had competition. Sega, a competing video game manufacturer, wanted a character to serve as their mascot. Their software developers came up with Sonic: a blue, sneaker-wearing hedgehog who ran at incredible speeds. The Sega Genesis console was packaged with a copy of the game and it became quite popular. Sonic also appeared in cartoons and, in 2020, became the star of his own live-action film. The multi-talented Jim Carrey played Dr. Robotnik, Sonic’s archenemy, in the first film and he will return for the 2022 sequel. 1995’s “Jumanji” was based on Chris Van Allsburg’s picture book about a board game that became way too real. The late Robin Williams gave a stand-out performance as the adult Alan
Parrish. Alan was a troubled boy who found the “Jumanji” board game and played it with his friend Sarah Whittle (Bonnie Hunt). One bad roll landed Alan in the jungles of Jumanji for 25 years before returning home. A new series of “Jumanji” movies starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have arrived in theaters. The sequels offered more insight into the game and honored the memory of Robin Williams. Before computer animation really took off, 1982’s “Tron” broke new cinematic ground. Jeff Bridges starred as Kevin Flynn, a software developer who was fired from a tech firm called ENCOM. Kevin, along with Alan (Bruce Boxleitner) and Lora (Cindy Morgan), broke into the company to find evidence that he was unjustly fired. The sentient Master Control Program (MCP) transported him into the computer and made him play lethal video games. 2010’s “Tron: Legacy” picked up the story almost 30 years later and showed what happened to Flynn. Ever since the days of Mario and Luigi’s live-action adventures, video games and movies have complemented each other. 1986’s “Top Gun” movie has been, for instance, adapted for video game consoles multiple times. Unfortunately, a video game version of “Jackass” has also been around for several years. Play that one at your own risk. BY STEVE BRYAN
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.
MARCH 2022
| OUR TOWN | 15
OurLifestyle
POWER YOUR DAY with peanut protein
Give your family meals a powerful boost from breakfast to dinner with better-foryou recipes that pack a protein punch. Revamping the at-home menu with nutrition in mind can still include delicious dishes morning, noon and night. Adding a nutrient-rich powerhouse like peanuts as a key ingredient in meals throughout the day makes it easier to zero in on health goals. In fact, peanuts rise to superfood status by delivering 19 vitamins and minerals plus 7 grams of protein per serving. Start the morning with Peanut Butter Cookie Oatmeal for a ready-to-go breakfast then recharge with Fresh Veggie Spring Roll Bites with Peanut Sauce as an afternoon snack. When it’s time for fueling up the family at the dinner table, pair Thai Chicken and Pork Skewers with Brussels Sprouts with Peanut Chipotle Vinaigrette for a protein-packed meal. Find more nutritious family-friendly recipes at gapeanuts.com.
Thai Chicken and Pork Skewers Recipe courtesy of the Georgia Peanut Commission
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon minced ginger 6 cloves garlic, crushed 2 cups creamy peanut butter 1 cup chicken broth 2 tablespoons light soy sauce 1 tablespoon chili oil 1/2 tablespoon lime juice 16 | OUR TOWN | MARCH 2022
2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro salt, to taste pepper, to taste 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast 1 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin
Directions: In mixing bowl, combine ginger, garlic, peanut butter, broth, soy sauce, chili oil, lime juice, honey and cilantro. Mix well and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Cut chicken and pork into strips and thread onto skewers. In non-metal container, marinate meat in half of peanut butter sauce 1-2 hours in refrigerator. Reserve remaining sauce for dipping. Heat oven to broil. Broil skewered meats until done, turning once. In pot, bring remaining sauce to boil and serve warm as dipping sauce.
OurLifestyle Fresh Veggie Spring Roll Bites with Peanut Sauce
Recipe courtesy of Rachael White (setthetableblog.com) on behalf of the Georgia Peanut Commission
Ingredients: Hot water Peanut Sauce: 6 rice papers 1/2 cup creamy peanut 3 mini cucumbers, butter peeled into ribbons 1 tablespoon soy 1/4 head red cabbage, sauce finely shredded 1 tablespoon mirin 1 large carrot, shredded 2 teaspoons fish 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, sauce loosely packed, plus 1 tsp red pepper additional for garnish, flakes, plus more divided for garnish 1/3 cup cilantro leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh loosely packed, plus lime juice additional for garnish, 1/3 cup Georgia divided Peanuts, plus 1/3 cup mint leaves, additional for loosely packed, plus garnish, divided additional for lime wedges, for garnish, divided garnish 1 large ripe avocado, peeled and sliced
Directions: Fill large bowl about halfway with hot water. Soak each rice paper in water 15 seconds until malleable. Place rice paper on clean work surface. Place four cucumber ribbons in single layer in center of rice paper. Perpendicular to cucumber, add strip of red cabbage, carrots, 1/2 cup basil leaves, 1/3 cup cilantro leaves, 1/3 cup mint leaves and avocado.
To roll, fold edges of rice paper over each end of filling. Working with side of rice paper closest to you, tuck rice paper around filling and roll tightly. To cut rolls into bites, use sharp knife and gently move it back and forth. Arrange bites on platter. Repeat with remaining rice papers and filling ingredients. To make sauce: In small bowl, whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, mirin, fish sauce, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes and lime juice. Toast 1/3 cup peanuts by placing in dry pan over medium heat. Move peanuts around until fragrant and toasted, 3-5 minutes. Roughly chop and add to sauce. Serve spring roll bites on large platter with sauce. Garnish with additional herbs, lime wedges, red pepper flakes and peanuts.
MARCH 2022
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OurLifestyle Brussels Sprouts with Peanut Chipotle Vinaigrette Recipe courtesy of Parker Wallace (parkersplate.com) on behalf of the Georgia Peanut Commission
Ingredients: 2 pounds Brussels sprouts, halved peanut oil 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter 2 tablespoons water 3 teaspoons champagne vinegar 2 teaspoons honey 1/8 teaspoon chipotle chili powder 1 pinch kosher salt, plus additional, to taste, divided orange or mandarin segments, for garnish fresh orange or mandarin juice, for garnish crispy fried shallots, for garnish crumbled French feta, for garnish chopped fresh mint, for garnish Directions: Preheat air fryer to 400 F.
Lightly brush Brussels sprouts with peanut oil and place in fryer basket. Cook 10-15 minutes, shaking halfway through. In small bowl, whisk peanut butter, water, champagne vinegar, honey, chipotle chili powder and 1 pinch salt until well combined. Once cooked, remove Brussels sprouts from air fryer and place in bowl. Toss in chipotle peanut vinaigrette until well combined. Season with salt, to taste. Garnish with orange segments, orange juice, crispy fried shallots, feta and mint.
Peanut Butter Cookie Oatmeal Recipe courtesy of the Georgia Peanut Commission
Ingredients: 1 cup old-fashioned oats 2 1/2 cups water 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons chunky peanut butter 1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons raisins 1 banana, sliced 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup milk 2 teaspoons maple syrup
Directions: In medium saucepan, combine oats, water and salt.
Bring to boil then reduce heat to medium. Cook 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add peanut butter. Stir until peanut butter melts. Add brown sugar, raisins, banana, cinnamon and vanilla extract; stir. Divide oatmeal into two bowls. Top each bowl with 1/4 cup milk and 1 teaspoon maple syrup. 18 | OUR TOWN | MARCH 2022
For the love of film
InDepth
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Cinema St. Louis’ mission involves showcasing international, documentary and American independent cinema, as well as offering inclusive film-related programming throughout the year.
Cinema St. Louis has spent the past 30 years showcasing international, documentary and American independent cinema BY WENDY TODD
O
ver the past 30 years Cinema St. Louis has evolved from a one-time film festival to presenting five film festivals annually and hosting varied cinema-related events year-round. The organization’s most notable event is the St. Louis International Film Festival which occurs every November and is one of the largest and highest-profile international film festivals in the Midwest. Last year’s viewership for the festival was estimated at nearly 22,000. The organization’s mission involves showcasing international, documentary and American independent cinema, as well as offering inclusive film-related programming throughout the year. Cinema St. Louis recently received a $100,000 grant from National Endowment for the Arts via the American Rescue Plan that will help sustain the organization’s operations. “The NEA arts-rescue grant goes a long way toward filling in the holes in the festival budget caused by the pandemic over the past two years,” says executive director, Cliff Froehlich.” As with most arts nonprofits during COVID, Cinema St. Louis saw a reduction in our grant
funding, particularly from the Regional Arts Commission, whose own revenue was seriously affected by the decline in the hotel tax. Our box office was much diminished.” The grant will allow the organization to sustain critical needs such as staffing, marketing and securing venues for the festivals. “The National Endowment for the Arts’ American Rescue Plan funding will help arts organizations, such as Cinema St. Louis, rebuild and reopen,” says Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson, chair of the NEA. “The arts are crucial in helping America’s communities heal, unite and inspire, as well as essential to our nation’s economic recovery.” This year’s international film festival is underway and will occur Nov. 3-13. It will include content in alignment with Cinema St. Louis’ mission featuring works that examine race and culture in America. “Without SLIFF, St. Louis audiences wouldn’t have an opportunity to see some of the world’s best cinema – the international, American independent and documentary films in which we specialize,” says Froehlich. “The other especially compelling aspect of the film festival is the opportunity it provides attendees to meet and hear from filmmakers and documentary subjects in intimate settings.”
MARCH 2022
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MARCH 1
Mardi Gras
2
Read Across America Day
4
Employee Appreciation Day
13 Daylight Saving Time starts 17 St. Patrick’s Day 20 First Day of Spring
29 National Vietnam War Veterans Day 30 Doctors’ Day