Our Town: July 2023

Wendy Todd started out as a culture blogger then began freelancing as a culture and lifestyle writer. She has written for publications including the Washington Post, Huffington Post Ebony. com, the Sundance Channel and more. Currently she is also a full-time public relations and news writer at a St. Louis university.

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 mov ies 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 7

JULY 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

Fx: 636.379.1632

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Copyright 2022

Huneke Publications, Inc.

publication

Around Town

The St. Louis Regional Freightway’s 2024 Priority Projects List includes more than 25 projects and more.

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Feature

Keeping St. Louis cool Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri. org helps Missouri residents beat the heat by providing utility assistance and donating air conditioners to the those in need.

Our Thoughts

Moore on Life author Cindy Moore confronts aging at a local resturant while Avalanche considers parking issues in the wilderness.

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Lifestyle

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is an affordable option for SUV shoppers in Automobile Alley. Dealing with superhero fatigue in Entertainment. Accomplish health goals with better-for-you family meals in For the Love of Food.

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In Depth

Food Outreach and DOORWAYS collaborate to provide resources, food and housing for residents living with HIV.

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AroundTown AroundTown

A LOGISTICAL LIST

St. Louis Regional Freightway’s 2024 Priority Projects List features $3.7 billion in investments

The St. Louis Regional Freightway’s 2024 Priority Projects List includes more than 25 projects representing a total investment approaching $3.7 billion and underscoring the ongoing commitment to improving freight infrastructure in the bi-state region.

Approximately $2.7 billion of the 2024 total covers infrastructure projects that have recently been completed, are already funded and under construction or expected to start in 2023 and 2024, or are at least partially programmed for construction. That’s up from $2 billion a year ago, a reflection of the progress being made securing funding and advancing major projects through the development pipeline to strengthen critical roads, bridges, rail infrastructure, and port and airport facilities across the bistate St. Louis region.

The list represents the infrastructure needs of the manufacturing and logistics industries in the Eastern Missouri and Southwestern Illinois and was released during a Freight Summit held May 24 as part of FreightWeekSTL 2023.

Michelle Forneris, Assistant District Engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) talked some the most significant Missouri projects moving forward, including the Interstate 270 North improvements that will wrap up later this year and the Interstate 70 bottleneck improvements from Wentzville Parkway to Route Z. She also shared the agency’s excitement over the very real potential for more funding for Interstate 70.

“We are very humbled right now that the Missouri General Assembly, for fiscal year 2024, has slated $2.8 billion dollars for I-70 improvements from Wentzville to Blue Springs - more than 200 miles. So there’s more to come on overall I-70 projects as we are hopeful the governor will sign that legislation.”

Among the other highlights on the 2024 Priority Project’s List is the recently completed $222 million replacement of the Merchants Bridge, a vital rail link connecting Missouri and Illinois at St. Louis. It has been the region’s highest priority infrastructure project since 2016. Joe Torp, Industrial Development Manager for Norfolk Southern, said the new bridge is delivering tremendous benefits for the rail industry and for shippers, eliminating bottlenecks caused when two trains couldn’t pass on the old

bridge at the same time due to load and speed restrictions.

“The Merchants Bridge is one of those few locations in the St. Louis area where rail can cross from one side of the Mississippi River to the other, so any delay in that vital link had a follow-on effect up and down the network,” Torp said. ‘We are very excited about the completion of the Merchants Bridge, especially from the operations side.”

Another high priority project now underway is the new Interstate 270 (I-270) Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River in a corridor featuring an abundance of manufacturing, logistics and distribution facilities. The project advanced to become one of the region’s highest priorities due to rising maintenance costs for the aging structure, and increased traffic volumes and safety issues associated with narrow shoulders. Construction to replace it began in January, marking another significant milestone for infrastructure investment in the region

Other newly added but currently unfunded projects include $34 million in improvements to the MacArthur Bridge over the Mississippi River at St. Louis. Now that the Merchants Bridge replacement project is complete, Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis, which owns both structures, is turning its attention to the significant work required to keep the MacArthur Bridge functioning effectively as part of the St. Louis Region’s freight network.

“The MacArthur and Merchants Bridges together represent the highest-volume rail crossing on the Mississippi River,” said Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President – Multi Modal Enterprises at Bi-State Development. “These projects are essential to strengthen our region’s role in the global freight network and support our position as a reliever during supply chain disruption. We will continue to follow the region’s model of publicprivate collaboration for multimodal investment to advance important projects.”

The list of 2024 Priority Projects and more details about each of these projects and their current funding status can be found at https: https://www.thefreightway.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Freightway-2024-Priority-Freight-Projects.pdf.

Other newly added but currently unfunded projects include $34 million in improvements to the MacArthur Bridge over the Mississippi River at St. Louis.

Saint Louis Science Center introduces STL for All membership program Science for all

The Saint Louis Science Center has announced its new STL (Science and Technology Learning) for All membership program. During the program’s pilot phase, the Science Center is collaborating with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis to offer free memberships to approximately 700 local families served by the Urban League Head Start/Early Head Start program.

The STL for All membership program is designed to break down barriers for community members who may not have opportunities to engage in science learning programs outside of the classroom and are traditionally underrepresented in STEM careers by providing access to the Science Center’s immersive, hands-on programming.

“The Science Center is thrilled to launch this program that we hope will engage even more people in STEM fun and learning,” said Amy Martin, senior director of individual giving and membership at the Science Center. “Our partnership with the Urban League will help us to reach the families most in need of access to STEM programming which helps to develop crucial 21st century skills like problem solving, collaboration, critical thinking and more.”

The memberships will include one year of membership benefits at the Science Center, including free tickets to paid venues like the OMNIMAX Theater, McDonnell Planetarium, Discovery

Room and more. The memberships will also include invitations to members-only events and programming, as well as waived parking fees.

Vice President of Head Start/Early Head Start Dr. Gwendolyn Wilson Diggs stated, “STL for All supports the goal of school readiness for children in the Urban League Head Start/Early Head Start program. Our early learners receive STEAM lessons in the classroom and during the Saturday STEAM Academy. The Science Center’s STL for All program provides additional opportunities for children and families to gain hands-on experiences in a STEM-rich environment. We are excited about our partnership with the Saint Louis Science Center!”

In the future, the Science Center hopes to expand the STL for All program to reach more members of the St. Louis community.

Todd Bastean, president and CEO of the Science Center, added, “Missouri has been identified as an emerging hub for the tech sector, and among St. Louis’ top hard-to-fill jobs, many are reliant on STEM skills. As a community institution, it is important for the Science Center to help ensure everyone has access to programs that will spark an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We are excited about the STL for All membership program and our partnership with the Urban League, as it is one way we intend to deliver our mission ‘to inspire everyone to be curious and engaged in science.’”

AroundTown

Best in the business

Creve Coeur Economic Development Committee announces 2023 Creve Coeur Business Award winners

The city of Creve Coeur Economic Development Committee recognized the winners of the eighth annual Creve Coeur Business Awards during a ceremony on May 18 at the Creve Coeur–Olivette Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon. Creve Coeur Mayor Robert Hoffman announced the winners of each category, including:

HEART OF THE COMMUNITY AWARD 2023

Vincent’s Jewelers (11733 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur)

This year’s winner is a locally owned jewelry store that believes being a part of the St. Louis community means supporting the community. Vincent’s Jewelers participates in many fundraising activities for civic, community, religious, and educational nonprofit organizations each year. In the last six months alone, they have raised more than $60,000 for charities. Their participation at fundraiser events is not just sitting at a table eating dinner. You will find them selling raffle tickets for donated jewelry, running the jewelry prize wheel, and even cleaning up after the event. These philanthropic efforts are led by general manager Leo Anglo, who believes people are put on this earth to make a positive impact on others’ lives. He goes above and beyond to bring fun and excitement to charity events in order to boost donations. One of his latest twists is hosting bingo raffles, which has been a huge hit at fundraisers. Over the years, Vincent’s Jewelers has helped fundraise more than $1.6 million and has volunteered over 10,000 hours.

MOST INNOVATIVE BUSINESS AWARD 2023

Alliance Technologies (999 Executive Pkwy Dr. Suite 320 A, Creve Coeur)

Originally founded in 2009, Alliance Technologies provides information technology and consulting services to meet the individual needs of their clients. Their services help reduce costs, streamline inefficiencies, and create an IT infrastructure that supports the client’s goals. Their robust list of strategic partnerships also allows them to provide top products and services. In 2022, Alliance Technologies was named one of the fastest-growing private companies in the St. Louis Metro area by the St. Louis Business

Journal. They ranked No. 18 out of the top 50 companies listed, making it the second year in a row their company was named to this prestigious list. The St. Louis Business Journal’s 2022 list of the fastest growing private companies includes locally-based, independent, privately held businesses that had revenue of more than one million dollars in fiscal 2021. This company’s revenue has grown over 97% since 2019. They had sales of nearly $3.8 million in 2021 and have grown their staff to 40 team members.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT AWARD 2023

Carretas Mexican Restaurant (11939 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur)

Carretas Mexican Restaurant has been a popular spot in the community ever since they first opened their doors in 2021. Whether you visit for lunch or dinner, you will find this restaurant’s spacious and inviting dining room full of guests. The décor makes this restaurant stand out – with unique elements such as the bold portrait paintings on the walls and the rustic wagon wheel chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Great service is one of many reasons why customers keep coming back. The staff is committed to creating a superb dining

experience for their guests, providing attentive and efficient service from start to finish. Their chef has 20 years of experience, presenting a menu that has something for everyone. Their selection offers crowd favorites that are full of flavor – such as enchiladas, taquitos, tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and fajitas. Carretas Mexican Restaurant has had such a successful launch of their Creve Coeur location that they will soon be opening a second location this spring in Twin Oaks.

“I would like to congratulate all of the award winners and nominees,” said Hoffman. “Their determination and achievements have set them apart as leaders within the community, exemplifying what it means to be an outstanding Creve Coeur business.”

The annual Creve Coeur Business Awards program recognizes local businesses for their innovation, achievements, and positive impact to the Creve Coeur community. All Creve Coeur businesses were eligible to be nominated. More information about the Creve Coeur Business Awards is available at www.crevecoeurmo.gov/BusinessAwards.

Carretas Mexican Restaurant was the winner of the Favorite Restaurant Award 2023 at the eighth annual Creve Coeur Business Awards.

PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF CREVE COEUR

Olivette City Council appoints new city manager Managing leadership

The Olivette City Council has appointed Jennifer Yackley as Olivette’s next City Manager.

The employment agreement was finalized at the June 13 Regular City Council Meeting.

Yackley was selected after a nationwide recruitment and selection process involving city leadership and the city council. Yackley is an accomplished local government professional bringing two decades of municipal government leadership experience working for various cities in the St. Louis region.

She recently served as the City Administrator of Rock Hill, a full-service, diverse, inner-ring suburb of St. Louis, since 2014. During her tenure as City Administrator, Yackley supervised the day-to-day operations of all city departments with expertise in implementing policy initiatives, overseeing multiple municipal budgets, and managing eco -

nomic development projects.

Yackley serves on the Executive Board of the St. Louis Area City Management Association and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Yackley has a master’s degree in political science from UM-St. Louis and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Kansas State University. She lives in the Clifton Heights neighborhood of St. Louis and enjoys traveling, gardening, and attending the Muny.

Olivette Mayor Maxine Weil stated she and the council are thrilled to hire Yackley. “Jennifer will be a wonderful addition to the leadership of our city. The council was impressed with her wealth of knowledge, her applicable experience, and her professional approach. The council unanimously agreed that she is the right fit for Olivette.”

Yackley will begin her employment with the city of Olivette effective Aug. 7.

AroundTown

United Way launches local Summer Volunteer Guide A way to help

As we enter summer, United Way of Greater St. Louis has recently released its free Summer Volunteer Guide, an online tool featuring local volunteer opportunities for youth and families. The guide can be found at www.stlvolunteer.org/syg.

“As we celebrate the Volunteer Center’s 90th anniversary this year, we are excited for people to take the opportunity to get involved in the collaborative effort to make the St. Louis region a better place for everyone to live and thrive,” said Rick Skinner, Vice President of United Way’s Volunteer Center. “United Way’s Summer Volunteer Guide is a great way for local kids and families to find exciting ways to uplift the community through

volunteerism. Our 90-year history was built off our generous community willing to lend a helping hand to their fellow neighbors and we look forward to continuing that tradition this summer.”

All of the opportunities listed are through reputable nonprofit agencies throughout the St. Louis region in Missouri and Illinois. There is a wide array of volunteer opportunities that people can explore by location, age, skillset, passion and keyword. Additionally, there are in-person, virtual and do-it-yourself opportunities available through the guide.

Current examples include summer camp volunteers to supervise children, help with garden maintenance, packag-

Meals on wheels

ing and distributing food and household essentials, youth sports coaches, writing thank you notes, and more. Virtual and do-it-yourself opportunities include creating dinner baskets, organizing community cleanups, filling backpacks with essentials and goodies for kids, and so much more.

Volunteering is not only a way to give back to the community, but also helps build leadership skills and boost selfesteem, especially for youth.

United Way’s Volunteer Center is the second oldest Volunteer Center in the nation and offers year-round opportunities for all ages at www.stlvolunteer.org.

Operation Food Search receives $1.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act Funding

Operation Food Search has been awarded $1.2 million to add a new electric MetroMarket bus and charging station to the nonprofit’s “grocery store on wheels” program. The St. Louis County Council is providing $600,000 and the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Community Revitalization Grant Program is providing $635,000 through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

Launched on May 9, MetroMarket will operate every Tuesday through Friday May through November, making two, two-hour stops at designated partner locations, including the Lewis and Clark County Library, Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Center, Affinia Healthcare, and the CareSTL Health, Homer G. Phillips Senior Apartments, International Institute, and Mercy Clinic Primary Care. Additional flex stops will be made at various locations that are shared via text update. Full information can be found on MetroMarket’s dedicated webpage: http:// www.stlmetromarket.org

“MetroMarket creates healthier communities by delivering fresh, affordable produce to locations that are considered

food deserts in our region,” said Kristen Wild, president and CEO of Operation Food Search. “We thank our partners like Councilwoman Shalonda D. Webb for helping us expand our service area and serve more people. This new bus will allow us to meet our mission in an environmentally-friendly way.”

Councilwoman Webb Represents District 4 in St. Louis County, which includes the neighborhoods of Florissant, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Black Jack, and unincorporated areas north to the Missouri River. The new bus will eventually replace the existing MetroMarket bus, which is nearing the end of its service life. This will ensure continued service for people who are experiencing low to moderatelylow food insecurity. The electric bus will also have a longer service life and lower operating costs.

Through the addition of a farmer’s market-style truck in September 2023, and the new electric bus in 2025, MetroMarket will add more stops and increase the number of individuals served from 41,000 in 2022 to a projected 65,000 in 2025.

“I chose to support Operation Food

Search because they are committed to addressing food insecurity in North County, specifically in unincorporated District 4 where we have seen the demise of four large grocery stores within a twomile radius,” said Councilwoman Webb. “I believe the additional mobile market will be able to provide much needed fresh food to areas with our district such as Castle Point, Glasgow Village and Spanish Lake.”

MetroMarket’s serves communities with low access to grocery stores in St. Louis City and County. Shopper demographics:

• 75% earn less than $50,000 annually, and 40% earn less than $25,000.

• 23% of customers participate in SNAP, 16% use food pantries, 13% use Medicaid, and 7% use WIC.

“We are excited and thankful to add this new bus to our program,” said Quinton Ward, senior manager of MetroMarket. “Expanding our fleet will allow us make an event greater impact in the community.

Safer travels

Citizens For Modern Transit’s ‘Talking Transit’ event provides forum for transit security updates

Transit safety is a top regional priority, and leadership continues to take a very active role in addressing challenges, implementing changes and helping the community regain confidence in the system that serves the St. Louis region.

On May 31, a virtual “Talking Transit” event was held by Citizens for Modern Transit to serve as a forum for transit security updates. Those in attendance received valuable insights and updates on the $52 million Secure Platform Plan, a metal detector pilot program, efforts to increase law enforcement presence on MetroLink and MetroBus and other means to address challenges and implement change.

The discussion featured Taulby Roach, President and CEO of BiState Development; Kevin Scott, General Manager of Security for Bi-State Development; Catina Howard, Vice-President of the ATU Local 788 and Kathy Osborn, President & CEO of the Regional Business Council. The forum was moderated by Kimberly Cella, Executive Director of Citizens for Modern Transit.

“Our region has been challenged,” stated Roach. “In response, we have reinvigorated partnerships between the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the St. Louis County Police Department, along with Transit Security Specialists and Contracted Security through Metro Transit. Together we are embarking on a very ambitious, fully layered security strategy that keeps riders safe and comfortable and is designed to constantly evolve.” Bi-State Development operates the Metro Transit public transportation system in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County in Missouri and in St. Clair County in Illinois.

Portions of this strategy discussed during the forum, included the following updates:

The $52 million Secure Platform Plan (SPP) is a fully layered security strategy that will add gates, fencing and new security cameras, along with the integration of a new fare collection system, at each of 38 existing MetroLink stations and the new MetroLink station planned at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. A phased implementation approach is moving forward expeditiously and aggressively. The first phase includes the installation of gates and fencing at four MetroLink stations in East St. Louis and the eastern edge of Belleville, including Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Emerson Park, Washington Park and College Stations. Phase one is going to bid in August 2023 and is expected to be complete by the end of Q1 2024. Phase two – which includes the Cortex, Delmar Loop, Forest ParkDeBaliviere, Grand, Union Station, Central West End and Civic Center MetroLink Stations – is already in progress with final design underway. Phase two is expected to go to bid in November 2023 and be completed by the end of Q2 2024.

• The new Real Time Camera Center, which is at the core of the SPP, is now fully operational. It features a Closed-Circuit Television system where the system is proactively being monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When all phases of the SPP are complete, the number of camera positions will increase from 800 to 1,600. Those riding MetroLink and MetroBus will also be monitored on camera.

• Law enforcement partners and Metro Transit’s contracted security team are currently providing onsite coverage of the MetroLink system, while the 52 internal Transit Security Specialists are riding on MetroBus routes and taking a zoned-approach to covering the vast bus operation areas so they can more expeditiously respond to occurrences. Metro Transit recently committed $750,000 to cover overtime wages to help further increase the law enforcement presence through the summer months on MetroLink and at MetroLink stations.

• Metro Transit will roll out a four-week metal detector pilot program in the near future. Mobile metal detector equipment will be rotated through various MetroLink stations in Missouri and Illinois to establish checkpoints. Outcomes from this pilot will determine next steps, but Metro Transit officials reinforced that the system will never have TSA-type scanning capabilities as it is simply not feasible.

• Actively addressing mental issues has also been an area of key focus. A pilot program initiated by the St. Clair County Transit District, in partnership with Chestnut Health Systems, has been expanded to two high-volume transit center locations in Missouri and on board MetroLink trains in Missouri. A total of $1.5 million has been dedicated to the program to place four teams of behavioral health providers on the system to help reduce loitering; address behaviors impacting operations, including alcohol and drug use, sleeping and argumentativeness; provide early detection and intervention for riders who need services; and improve overall rider experiences.

“We are working to produce first quarter numbers for 2023, but we currently have far less than one percent of incidences on the MetroLink system itself and when compared to the broader communities we are in a solid position,” stated Scott. “We will never reach a point of euphoria where nothing will ever happen. That is just not realistic. We will always face challenges. That said, all these layers will work in concert to mitigate as many problems as we can.”

To learn more about these events and how CMT is working to further transit access in the St. Louis region, visit www.cmt-stl.org.

Metro Transit recently committed $750,000 to cover overtime wages to help further increase the law enforcement presence through the summer months on MetroLink and at MetroLink stations.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

KEEPING ST. LOUIS

COOL

BY WENDY TODD

For over 20 years, Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org have been helping Missouri residents beat the heat by providing utility assistance and donating air conditioners to the those in need. The nonprofit is able to continue its work due to community donations and partnerships with businesses and corporations such as Ameren Missouri, which recently donated $100,000 and 800 Energy Star rated air conditioners to the organization to help elderly and disabled community members.

Cooldownstlouis.org is a nonprofit that provides education and resources to the bi-state area’s most vulnerable residents, particularly seniors, low-to-moderate income families and those with disabilities. The organization works with more than 34 agencies in the state to provide assistance with utility bills and access to energy-efficient air conditioners for the elderly and disabled to avoid heat-related illnesses.

On average, energy-efficient air conditioners cost less than

one dollar a day to operate, allowing customers to use them without as much worry about cost to stay cool and safe.

“Each summer, we make this annual giveaway a priority to help keep hundreds of our elderly and disabled neighbors safe and cool,” said Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. “Our longtime partnership with Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org focuses on helping our most vulnerable customers stay safe during the heat of the summer.”

In 2018, the city of St. Louis published a Climate Vulnerability Assessment to identify climate-change hazards and the most vulnerable communities impacted by them. The top concern was extreme heat, an ongoing health hazard for populations without air conditioning or the means to pay for it.

“With the challenge of climate change, every tool helps,” said Gentry Trotter, founder of Cooldownstlouis.org. “Ameren’s generous donation will in fact save lives. Because being without an AC, if you’re a senior or physically disabled adult, or a child with health problems that are severe, you need to make sure that you don’t exacerbate your condition because of the harsh humidity. The $100,000 in utility assistance will go a long way to encourage those to keep on the air. It is criti-

Cooldownstlouis.org and

helps Missouri residents beat the heat by providing utility assistance and donating air conditioners to the those in need

cal that area residents check on their elderly and disabled neighbors in a dangerous hot and humid summer.”

“I can attest without exception that this charity, Cooldownstlouis.org, has saved lives,” said St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, who also serves as the regional public safety chair for Cool Down as a member of the Greater St. Louis Fire Chiefs Association. “This Ameren and Cooldownstlouis.org joint effort is a phenomenal public service instrument.”

Ameren Missouri has demonstrated its commitment to serving vulnerable and lowincome consumers with various programs

and initiatives to allow them to experience more cost-effective livable and conditions.

Since the launch of the first energy efficiency program in 2009, Ameren Missouri has invested more than $700 million in energy and cost savings opportunities for its customers. Additionally, these programs create opportunities for community partnerships, including hundreds of retailers and trade allies statewide to implement multiple energy efficiency programs with residential and business customers.

As the work of Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org requires support from the community, Ameren Missouri’s contributions have been hugely significant to the mission of helping vulnerable populations.

“I commend Ameren Missouri and Cooldownstlouis.org for their outstanding humanitarian gestures of pooling their resources and making sure that no one is left

behind in the social safety net,” said Missouri State Senator Karla May, and the cochair of Compliance and Sponsorships for the charity. “It is all about neighbors helping neighbors, and the public can be part of that support by making generous donations to Cooldownstlouis.org.”

If you are interested in making a donation, please visit www.cooldownstlouis.org or www.cooldownmissouri.org. represents more than the freedom of the slaves in 1865 but the richness of education, culture, love, educatio

I can attest without exception that this charity, Cooldownstlouis.org, has saved lives. This Ameren and Cooldownstlouis.org joint effort is a phenomenal public service instrument.

~ St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson

Ameren Missouri recently donated $100,000 and 800 Energy Star rated air conditioners to Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org to help elderly and disabled community members.

MOORE ON LIFE BY

CINDY MOORE

GETTINGNot YOUNGERany

There’s a saying, If the music’s too loud, you’re too old. I think my husband and I have reached the “too old” point. All the indications are there.

For instance, the other day we went into a restaurant. The music was really loud and obnoxious. We generally don’t say a lot when we’re dining together, but this time it was so noisy we could hardly hear each other not speaking to one another.

“Looks like it might rain,” I finally said.

“My mother is NOT a pain,” he barked. “Your mother is the one with issues.”

I handed him a napkin.

“What’s this for?” he asked.

“You said you wanted a tissue.”

“I can’t hear what you’re saying,” he said.

“Well, I can’t hear what you can’t hear that I’m not saying so let’s just get out of here.”

“But I haven’t got my milkshake yet.”

“Don’t be silly, there’s not going to be an earthquake! Now let’s go.”

We headed out the door just as a couple of teenagers came in. My husband was putting the money for his milkshake back into his wallet, but instead he handed it over to the girls. They looked at the money and then him and then each other and shook their heads in disbelief.

“What the heck are you handing out money to total strangers for?” I asked.

“Didn’t you see the condition of their clothes? Their jeans had holes in the pant legs big enough to drive a semi through. They’re probably going into the restaurant to scrounge for leftovers from tabletops.”

“Sweetie, I think those are fashionable now. They pay big bucks for those holes.”

“Nice try, but nobody’s dumb enough to pay for holes.”

Just then his phone alarm went off.

“Now what?” I asked.

“It’s time for my pills. We need to go back into the restaurant.”

“We just left, why would we need to go back?”

“Because I need some water to take my pills. I left a full glass on our table.”

“That’s ridiculous. We can buy a bottle from the drugstore here.”

He laughed, “Number one, I gave my last dollars to those homeless orphans and number two, why would I buy water when I can get it for free?”

We’re either old…or senile…or both. All the indications are there.

ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE BY AVALANCHE

PARKING PROBLEMS

I went to dinner down in town with a friend a couple nights ago, to a popular pizza and beer joint. As it is a good restaurant, it’s always busy. We drove around the parking lot once, turned around and went out onto a side road to look for a place to park. One block, two blocks, and finally, three blocks away a suitable place to leave the truck for an hour or so appeared.

I quickly pulled into the spot, and we made the trek back to the pizza parlor. Along the way some “creative” parking was on display, with vehicles jammed into every nook and cranny along the road shoulder, with tail-ends hanging out into the traffic lane, and walkways to homes and mailboxes occupied by vehicles driven by diners presumably too lazy to walk a few extra yards. To be fair, I do understand their frustration, it used to be fairly easy to find a place to leave one’s vehicle here. More and more apartments have been stacked up along the road and alleyways, adding to the number of cars, and subtracting from the number of available parking spots.

My friend and I commented on how traffic and its associated effects has gotten much more pronounced over the last eight years he has owned his home here. And, it is a factor in his recent decision to list his home for sale. He’s been coming to the mountains here for over 40 years, and has owned a place in our neighborhood for eight. Traffic and congestion can now be a major impediment to travel in a timely manner, even in small towns and the highways that connect them.

Our dinner was enjoyable, and we walked back to the truck parked a couple hundred yards away. Readers in an urban or suburban environment might wonder why I’m grousing about what they deal with on a daily basis; after all, they’ve never experienced anything but heavy traffic and tight parking.

And that precisely is my issue. Living here in the mountains for over 40 years, I’ve come to expect a nice, quiet living environment where people are courteous and respectful of each other. Not al-

ways, of course, but the social norm here is something that urban dwellers take some time to even notice, let alone appreciate. Another friend moved from next-door to me down to this small town a few years ago, and he really doesn’t like it. His neighbors have all recently come from the big metro area on the eastern slope of the Rockies, and they steadfastly refuse to make eye contact or reply to a simple “hello,” even when their next-door neighbor issues such a greeting from just a few feet away.

Such an environment influences even long-time locals. The other day, Staci and I had just parked on a pullout on a nearby Forest Service road, preparing to walk the dogs. A vehicle pulled in just in front of us, leaving little room for us. The driver was a very personable chap, and asked if we had room to get out. I gave him a strange look and replied in the positive, though I was quite bewildered as to why someone would park two feet from another vehicle on a road three miles long with maybe a half-dozen cars along the whole thing. Staci and I walked off slowly with the dogs, (after locking all doors and windows), and the recently arrived driver decided to move his vehicle to a different spot once he realized that he had quite a bit of room. He caught up to us, we chatted and he loved on our Newfoundlands and he hiked off along the creek. He seemed familiar, and much later I remembered who he was, a teacher up in the large resort town at the head of the main valley. He’s been here longer than I, and due to the intense parking pressure where he lives, he had been going out of his way to park as close to our vehicle as possible, so as to leave room for the next driver who needed to park. His “strange” (to us) behavior was simply him being mindful and courteous to both us and the next person who might need a spot. Of course, in a congested urban area, such concern for others is truly strange.

While his gesture was appreciated (in retrospect), it made us nostalgic for the days when there was plenty of breathing – and parking – room for all.

THE 2024 SUBARU CROSSTREK

is an affordable option for sUV

BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN

With the average retail transaction price of new vehicles closing in towards the upper $40,000 range, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek SUV may have a big advantage. More precisely, the factory price point starts out at $24,995, before shipping and designation charges.

Essentially, the all-new Crosstrek comes with a new exterior and interior design, coupled with a number of improvements with its ride and handling. The redone exterior footprint telegraphs an obvious ready for adventure spirit. The vehicle’s expressive hexagonal grille, compact headlights, sculptural body and broad-shouldered stance helps to carry forward Subaru’s design language. Attractive black wheel arch cladding and rocker panels provide a sharp contrast to the body color.

An elevated level of enhanced safety and multimedia technologies are also included. This third-generation Crosstrek is a highly capable compact vehicle with a comprehensive list of standard and available features. Topping the list, this distinctive sport utility vehicle comes with an All-Wheel Drive chassis. The Base and Premium build combinations are equipped with a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder direct-injection engine. It generates 152-hp and 145 lb.-ft. of torque. However, some may discover that the 2-liter engine doesn’t have the acceleration they might be craving. On the Sport and Limited

models, they have a more responsive 2.5-liter engine, building on its 182 hp output and 178 lb.-ft. of torque.

Also standard is their newly updated CVT, or Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission. It’s been developed to be smoother and quieter than previous CVT’s that Subaru used. The Premium, Sport and Limited trim levels feature a manual select mode, which also include steering wheel paddle shifters, thus allowing the driver to control the transmission’s pre-set gear ratios for a more controlled driving experience. A traditional manual transmission is not offered.

Also included is their hill descent control feature. If you’re engaged in off-roading, this is a welcomed enhancement when driving down steep inclines. Crosstrek is engineered with close to nine inches of underside ground clearance on all versions. If you tend to gravitate towards driving on less than ideal roads, this underside body clearance ranks high in its competitive SUV class. Furthermore, it was developed to maintain a comfortably low step-in height for both front and rear passengers during entry and exit. The 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires are also standard.

The interior benefits from an enhanced focus on the occupants and their interactions with its supportive front seat design and increased overall comfort. Without question, this helps minimize driving fa-

tigue. To further expand on the passenger cabin, the center information seven-inchhigh resolution touch screen display comes standard.

Additional standard features include fuelsaving automatic engine stop/start technology; power windows with express up/ auto down on front windows, power door locks and side mirrors, tilt and telescoping steering column, keyless entry; security system with engine immobilizer, USB-A input/ charging port and 3.5 mm auxiliary input jack in the front center console. 60/40-split fold-down rear seat are also included, as is carpeted floor mats; roof crossbar mounting points; combination dash gauges with color LCD, upgraded interior lighting and a brawny rear cargo tray. An 11.6-inch touch screen is offered which also includes numerous expanded and elaborate bells and whistles.

For 2024, the Subaru Crosstrek will be available in Base, Premium, Sport and Limited trim levels. Crosstrek production will be split between their manufacturing facility located in Japan and in Lafayette, Indiana, as it depends on the precise model. At road test, the Premium model I drove had an MSRP retail sticker price of $29,685. That further included a few options and the $1,295 destination charges. The EPA numbers showed 27-MPG city, 34-MPG highway.

Do you have fatigue? superhero/villain

BY STEVE BRYAN

In 1978, Christopher Reeve played dual roles in “Superman,” an epic adventure that arrived in time for the Christmas holidays. Directed by Richard Donner, the film had a great ensemble cast featuring Marlon Brando as Jor-El, a scientist on the planet Krypton who warned citizens that their planet was doomed. As time ran out, Jor-El sent his son Kal-El to Earth in a rocket ship where he would grow up and gain amazing powers. Reeve was the perfect choice to play both reporter Clark Kent and his heroic alter ego. 1981’s “Superman II” showed Kryptonian criminals arriving on Earth where they learned that Superman was the son of Jor-El, the man who imprisoned them in the Phantom Zone.

The first two “Superman” movies were crowd-pleasers and can be considered the predecessors of both the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). During the 2007 San Diego Comic-Con, director Jon Favreau teased the audience with old Marvel cartoon footage from the 1960’s before unveiling exciting scenes from “Iron Man,” the 2008 film that initiated a storyline that culminated in “Avengers: Endgame.” After intergalactic bad guy Thanos used the Infinity Stones to wipe out half of all life in the universe, the remaining heroes used time travel to acquire the stones and defeat Thanos once and for all.

While talking about these characters and references to time travel, however, it’s easy to feel “Superhero/Villain Fatigue,” especially with an anticipated release like the DCEU’s “The Flash.”

Ezra Miller played Barry Allen, a police scientist and Justice League member who could run at super speed. His attempts at time travel, however, had unintended side effects. In the film, Miller also portrayed versions of his younger and older self. Actress Sasha Calle joined the cast as Kara Zor-El, a Kryptonian and Superman’s cousin while Michael Shannon reprised his General Zod role from 2013’s “Man of Steel.” Michael Keaton, who starred in 1989’s “Batman” as well as 1992’s “Batman Returns,” also appeared in “The Flash.”

With the robust cast of characters referenced above, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all the heroes, villains and their respective powers and loyalties. After helping to stop a bank robbery in “The Flash,” Barry Allen revisited his childhood home and inadvertently used the “Speed Force” that gave him his powers to go back in time. However, he had been warned that time travel had serious consequences. When talking about his character, Miller described Barry Allen as “multi-dimensional with human flaws.” Although “The Flash” brought in $55.1 million at the domestic box office, Ezra Miller’s behavior off the set raised some eyebrows. On the “Rotten Tomatoes” website, the film had a 66% rating “Fresh” rating.

As of this writing, the Writer’s Strike is still under way, which means production dates for both MCU and DCEU movies will most likely be pushed back.

FOR NUTRITION A mission

Accomplish health goals with better-for-you family meals

Setting out on a mission to eat healthier starts with creating goals and working to achieve them with those you love. To help make nutritious eating more manageable, call together your family and work with one another to create a menu everyone can enjoy while staying on track. Connecting an array of recipes that all can agree on starts with versatile ingredients like dairy. Gathering at the table with your loved ones while enjoying delicious, nutritious recipes featuring yogurt, cheese and milk can nourish both body and soul.

To find more nutritious meal ideas to fuel your family’s health goals, visit MilkMeansMore.org.

Feta Roasted Salmon and Tomatoes

Recipe courtesy of Marcia Stanley, MS, RDN, Culinary Dietitian, on behalf of Milk Means More

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes | Servings: 4

Inredients: Nonstick cooking spray

3 cups halved cherry tomatoes

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or dried dill weed

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper, divided

1 1/2 pounds salmon or halibut fillets, cut into four servingsize pieces

1 cup (4 ounces) crumbled feta cheese

Directions: Preheat oven to 425 F. Line 18-by-13-by-1-inch baking pan with foil. Lightly spray foil with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

In medium bowl, toss tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, oregano or dill weed, salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Place fish pieces, skin side

down, on one side of prepared pan. Sprinkle with remaining pepper. Lightly press feta cheese on top of fish. Pour tomato mixture on other side of prepared pan. Bake, uncovered, 12-15 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with fork.

Place salmon on serving plates. Spoon tomato mixture over top.

15-Minute Weeknight Pasta

Recipe courtesy of Kirsten Kubert of “Comfortably Domestic” on behalf of Milk Means More

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 10 minutes | Servings: 6

Grilled Chicken Gyros

Recipe courtesy of Kirsten Kubert of “Comfortably Domestic” on behalf of Milk Means More

Prep time: 30 minutes, plus 30 minutes chill time

Cook time: 20 minutes | Servings: 8

Chicken:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Yogurt Sauce:

1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/2 cup diced cucumber

2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

1 clove garlic, peeled and minced

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

3-4 small loaves wholewheat pita bread, halved lengthwise

1 cup thinly sliced tomatoes

Inredients:

6 quarts water

16 ounces linguine or penne pasta

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup thinly sliced onion

1 cup thinly sliced carrots

1 cup thinly sliced sweet bell pepper

1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

1 cup reserved pasta water

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

1/2 cup smoked provolone cheese, shredded

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Parmesan cheese (optional)

Bring water to rolling boil and prepare pasta according to package directions for al dente texture, reserving 1 cup pasta water.

In large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in onions, carrots and sweet bell peppers. Saute vegetables about 5 minutes, or until they brighten in color and begin to soften. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper and garlic. Cook and stir 1 minute to allow tomatoes to release juices.

Pour reserved pasta water into skillet, stirring well. Bring sauce to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 3 minutes. Taste sauce and adjust seasonings, as desired.

Transfer drained pasta to skillet along with lemon zest and smoked provolone cheese, tossing well to coat. Serve immediately with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese, if desired.

1 1/2 cups plain, whole-milk yogurt

1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion

To make chicken: Place melted butter, dill, oregano, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper in gallon-size zip-top freezer bag. Seal bag and shake contents to combine. Add chicken. Seal bag, pressing air out of bag. Shake chicken to coat with marinade. Refrigerate chicken in marinade 30 minutes.

To make yogurt sauce: Stir yogurt, lemon juice, diced cucumber, dill, garlic, salt and pepper. Cover sauce and refrigerate.

Heat grill to medium heat.

Grill chicken over direct heat, about 10 minutes per side, until cooked through. Transfer chicken to cutting board and rest 10 minutes. Thinly slice chicken across grain.

Serve chicken on pita bread with tomatoes, red onion and yogurt sauce.

JOINING FORCES

Food Outreach and DOORWAYS collaborate to provide resources, food and housing for residents living with HIV

BY WENDY TODD

Homelessness and hunger are ongoing issues in society that are more prevalent for those with chronic illnesses.

Food Outreach and DOORWAYS have both served metro St. Louis residents living with HIV and experiencing nutrition and residential instability, and now they have collaborated to launch a new nutrition program.

Food Outreach and DOORWAYS have both served metro St. Louis residents living with HIV and experiencing nutrition and residential instability, and now they have collaborated to launch a new nutrition program.

The collaboration will help make sure homeless community members living with HIV transition to a DOORWAYS supportive housing program and will receive healthy meals that will help them build a healthy foundation for nutrition.

The purpose of this program is to look for solutions to provide access to well-balanced meals to this vulnerable community.

“In a community like St. Louis, it has been a priority to provide housing first. DOORWAYS provides so much – it looks at the whole human – housing and other resources such as mental health. It helps those people move back into the community in an impactful way,” said Julie Lock, Executive Director at Food Outreach.

“Now more than ever it will help people move back to the community with the addition of the nutrition program. People who are food and nutrition insecure suffer disproportionately from chronic diseases like HIV,” said Opal M. Jones, President and CEO of DOORWAYS. “We’ve seen firsthand the devastating effects of nutrition insecurity among our clients and believe tackling this issue is key to building the foundation for improved health and life outcomes. Partnering with Food Outreach will ensure we are offering an effective food and nutrition program.”

Statewide, HIV transmission has increased 19% since 2016, and 70% of households using food pantries experienced food insecurity last year.

“We are honored to be partnering with DOORWAYS,” said Lock. “With this co-located agency model, we have a real opportunity to meet individuals living with chronic illness and experiencing economic disparity where they are, and provide for their basic needs, support them on their treatment journey, and help improve their quality of life.”

Jones and Lock have frequent meetings to discuss their agencies and had a conversation about the collaboration over breakfast a couple years ago.

“Community members can get involved in a variety of ways, they are all listed on both of our websites,” said Lock.

They are looking at the impact of the program, since it is a recently built program, they are unsure of what the next steps are yet. Regardless, both organizations are looking forward to seeing how it positively impacts the surrounding area of the St. Louis community.

To learn more information about either of these organizations to volunteer please visit, https://doorwayshousing. org/ or https://foodoutreach.org/.

July

4 Independence Day

14 Bastille Day

16 Rural Transit Day

23 Parents’ Day

27 National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day