Our Town: August 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 8

AUGUST 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

Around Town

Great Rivers Greenway debuts two projects to provide more accessibility to walking and biking paths across St. Louis region and more.

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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Copyright 2022

Huneke Publications, Inc.

Feature Circus sisters

Circus Harmony from St. Louis and Circus Circuli from Stuttgart, Germany perform together both here and abroad.

4 10

Our Thoughts

Moore on Life author Cindy Moore engages in a battle for the romote while Avalanche looks at the danger of fire in the mountains.

12

Lifestyle

Nissan raises the bar with eye-catching 2023 Pathfinder in Automobile Alley. Daniel Radcliffe, Al Yankovic earned Emmy nods for ‘Weird: The Weird Al Story’ in Entertainment. Flavorful grape recipes to take summer gatherings to the next level in For the Love of Food.

In Depth

Sunflowers are planted every year at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake attracting photographers, wildlife and nature lovers .

14

18

GREENWAY

Thanks to Great Rivers Greenway, there are nearly 130 greenways that allow community members throughout the St. Louis area and St. Charles County to have more outdoor spaces connecting people and places. The organization is celebrating the creation of two new projects, an expansion of the St. Vincent Greenway and a $15 million of funding for the Brickline Greenway project from the State of Missouri Capital Improvement Budget for 2024.

The new paved and accessible St. Vincent Greenway path connects Pagedale to the Rock Road Transit Center and existing greenway in St. Vincent County Park. The Brickline project, which is estimated to cost $245 million, is envisioned as up to 13 miles of biking and walking paths that will connect up to 14 neighborhoods. The project is slated to begin in five to ten years, as Great Rivers continues to raise funding.

Great Rivers Greenway is a public agency created in 2000 by a vote of residents in St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Charles County mandating that a sales tax be put in place to support parks and greenways through the regions. The belief is that greenways offer a multitude of health and socioeconomic benefits.

Greenways offer opportunities for physical activity, decreased vehicle emissions, improved road safety outcomes resulting from fewer vehicle miles traveled and access to businesses resulting in increased retail and associated spending adjacent to the trail.

“Each greenway is unique, reflecting the character of the communities it connects,” said Dallas Adams, communication manager at Great Rivers Greenway. “They typically include four elements: the trail itself, conservation projects, enjoyable amenities and connections to vital destinations. The network of greenways strengthens our civic well-being, now and for the future.”

The St. Vincent greenway expansion, made possible by a joint effort between Great Rivers Greenway, Missouri Department of Transportation, Bi-State Development/Metro St. Louis and St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation, will feature a

This is the

Great Rivers Greenway debuts two projects to provide more accessibility to walking and biking paths across St. Louis region

new trail, new green paint, pavement markings and increased safety signage for pedestrians, bikers and drivers. Another safety measure includes new pedestrian crossings at St. Charles Rock Road and 70th Street and the entrance to St. Vincent County Park. The expansion will later connect with the future St. Vincent Greenway through Pagedale to Wellston, which will begin construction in 2024.

The Brickline project, once completed, is expected to improve access to employment and education, which are currently limited by a lack of effective transportation infrastructures. It is anticipated that the project will raise residential property value by up to $126 million and increase local business activity by $82 million.

Great Rivers Greenway will be holding a ribbon-cutting celebration that is open to the public, to commemorate the St. Vincent Expansion. The event is on July 27 at the Rock Road Transit Center and begins at 6:15 p.m. The event will feature free ice cream treats from Lily’s Café food truck. A guided round-trip walk to St. Vincent County Park and bike ride to the University of Missouri–St. Louis on the greenway will leave the Metro Station at 6:30 p.m. For more information visit www.greatriversgreenway.org.

Great Rivers Greenway is celebrating the creation of two new projects, an expansion of the St. Vincent Greenway and a $15 million of funding for the Brickline Greenway project from the State of Missouri Capital Improvement Budget for 2024.

“Each greenway is unique, reflecting the character of the communities it connects. They typically include four elements: the trail itself, conservation projects, enjoyable amenities and connections to vital destinations. The network of greenways strengthens our civic well-being, now and for the future.”

~ Dallas Adams, communication manager at Great Rivers Greenway

AroundTown

Life on Mars

Saint Louis Science Center welcomes display featuring full-scale replica of Mars rovers

Mars is located nearly 300 million miles away from Earth, but exploration brings us closer to the Red Planet every day. Through NASA’s “Roving with Perseverance” program on display at the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, the Saint Louis Science Center brings key parts of that exploration here to the Metro Area.

“Roving with Perseverance” presents full-scale replicas of NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover and Ingenuity Mars helicopter, which are exploring the Red Planet right now as part of the Mars 2020 Mission, to demonstrate the scale and technology required for space exploration.

As big as a car, Perseverance is a seven-foot-tall, six-wheeled vehicle that towers over most guests, while Ingenuity showcases that great things come in small packages, standing at just 19 inches and weighing four pounds. In addition to the models, the exhibit offers interactive tabletop displays and other family-friendly activities. The “Roving with Perseverance” display can be found through June 2024 in the Science Center’s “Mission: Mars” gallery on the first floor of the McDonnell Planetarium.

“St. Louis has played a prominent role in America’s space history, and the Science Center is proud to carry on this tradition as the focus moves forward exploring Mars,” William Snyder, manager of the Science Center’s James S. McDonnell Planetarium noted. “Through the display of these replicas and much

more, visitors to our ‘Mission: Mars’ gallery can discover more about our neighboring planet.”

Launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on July 30, 2020, Perseverance landed on Mars on Feb. 18, 2021. The most sophisticated rover NASA has sent to the Red Planet, its mission is to search for signs of ancient microbial life, collect and document rock and sediment samples, characterize the geology and climate, and pave the way for human exploration. The rover is about 10 feet long by nine feet wide and weighs more than 2,200 pounds. It carries 23 cameras to share views of the planet within minutes of capture.

An autonomous aircraft, Ingenuity was

carried to Mars attached to the belly of the Perseverance rover. This helicopter is the first powered aircraft to fly in a controlled way on another planet and is used to test performances by aircraft in

sphere. Since its first flight in April 2021, Ingenuity has completed 50-plus flights, For more on the Mars 2020 Mission,

The ‘Mission: Mars’ gallery is free and open to the public during regular hours (Thursdays through Mondays). For more ence Center, please visit slsc.org or call

This artist’s rendering shows the Mars rover Perseverance as it would look on the surface of the planet.

Photo courtesy NASA_JPL-Caltech

Energy savings tips to battle the extreme heat Keep cool

With temperatures forecasted to reach triple digits this month, Ameren Missouri is advising customers about five free and easy energy-saving tips to help cut energy costs, while staying comfortable and safe.

“We recommend our customers use air conditioners when it’s extremely hot,” said Tony Lozano, director of energy solutions at Ameren Missouri. “The few dollars it takes to run an air conditioner doesn’t compare to the value of protecting health and safety. We also want to make customers aware of energy savings tips they can follow to help them save money.”

Lozano offered the following energysaving tips and customer resources to save on energy costs.

Ameren Missouri’s Cool-Down Tips:

1. Create a breeze – Did you know that when using a fan and air conditioner simultaneously, you can raise your thermostat setting by

four degrees with no change in comfort? You can also rotate any ceiling fans counterclockwise to create a cool breeze. But remember to turn fans off when you leave the room – they cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect.

2. Keep air vents clear – Periodically replace air filters for your air conditioners. Clean air vents regularly and make sure curtains or furniture do not block any vents or returns.

3. Close window shades – Closed curtains and blinds help keep rooms cooler and prevent the loss of cool air. Studies demonstrate that medium-colored draperies with whiteplastic backings can reduce heat gains by 33%.

4. Utilize alternative cooking methods –Grilling outdoors, or using air fryers, slow cookers and toaster ov-

ens, will reduce excess heat from being produced in the kitchen from larger appliances.

5. Program your thermostat – Smart thermostats enable you to automatically run your air conditioner cooler when you are home and a bit warmer when you are out of the house. With proper use, programmable thermostats can save about $180 every year in energy costs.

Rebates and savings opportunities on energy-saving products are available for customers at AmerenMissouriSavings.com. For a limited time, customers can get a $0 Sensi Wi-Fi Thermostat – a $129 value.

Customers struggling to pay their energy bill should contact Ameren Missouri or a local community action agency for assistance. Visit AmerenMissouri.com/ EnergyAssistance for details on the variety of programs available to help customers offset energy costs this summer.

AroundTown

Reading ahead

Some summer camps such as Better Family Life, Boys & Girls Club, Gene Slay’s Girls & Boys Club, Unleashing Potential, Wesley House, and the Gateway Region YMCA, will be implementing an hour of literacy a day for their campers, ages five to 10.

“Children living in poverty experience years of learning loss, ‘the summer slide’ when children are not engaged in educational activities during the summer months,” said Lisa Greening, Director of Turn the Page STL, St. Louis’ chapter of the Campaign for Grade Level Reading. “We can do better.”

Each day will include 15 minutes of reading aloud, 15 minutes of independent reading, 15 minutes of writing, and 15 minutes of literacy games. In addition to the program, the campsites will receive

500 books for families to choose from and take home, plus a visit from the public library to register families for a library card.

“Our summer literacy infusion cohort is unique,” said Allie Cicotte, Senior Programs Manager, Clark-Fox Family Foundation. “We are taking traditional camp programs which aren’t only academic programs and encouraging all camp counselors to support student literacy. By making it simple and fun to infuse four blocks daily, we hope that summer camps maintain the fun joy of a traditional summer camp while also intentionally supporting students’ literacy growth. Providing these resource kits per counselor, we are ensuring that those implementing the daily blocks have the tools necessary to help our students thrive.”

Many organizations around the STL area made the program possible and it wouldn’t

have been possible without their contributions.

The organizations include: BJC, Book Harvest, the Dana Brown Charitable Trust, Clark-Fox Foundation, Emerson, Incarnate Word Foundation, Nine PBS, Saigh Foundation, and Light a Single Candle Foundation. Resources were provided by Turn the Page STL’s Summer Learning Work Team, including BJC School Outreach and Youth Development, City of St. Louis, Clark-Fox Family Foundation, Ferguson Municipal Library, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, Missouri History Museum, Nine PBS, Office of St. Louis County Executive, St. Louis County Library, St. Louis Public Library, United 4 Children, University City Public Library, and the YMCA.

To learn more about the program please visit, https://www.turnthepagestl.org/.

St. Louis summer camps implement an hour a day of reading to avoid the ‘summer slide’ when children are not engaged in traditional educational activities

Campers at Wesley House receive books from Turn the Page STL, St. Louis’ chapter of the Campaign for Grade Level Reading.

Fighting abuse

St. Louis awards $122K grant to local community health center

St. Louis City has more deaths due to opioid overdose than any other county in Missouri. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, out of every 100,000 residents, 109 Black men die from opioid overdose, the highest rate in the state. White males die at a rate of 41.45 for every 100,000 residents.

The city of St. Louis Department of Health recently awarded Affinia Healthcare a $122,500 grant to help increase awareness of ways to prevent and treat opioid misuse. The grant also provides funding to purchase Narcan, a medication used for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose. Narcan is available to the public through Affinia Healthcare pharmacies and outreach initiatives.

The grant is a sub-award from the city department of health by way of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Depart of Health and Human Services through a cooperative

agreement for emergency response issued to the state of Missouri.

“The opioid crisis is having a significant impact on underserved populations – especially African-American men,” said Dr. Kendra Holmes, Affinia Healthcare President & CEO. “The overdoses directly affect younger, minority populations, the future of our communities. The numbers are staggering. We want to make sure our communities are aware of how to avoid falling into this trap of addiction, and if they need help, Affinia Healthcare has evidence-based treatment programs to help them battle the condition.”

Beginning in July, Affinia Healthcare will launch a comprehensive awareness cam-

paign targeting youth and residents of St. Louis City. The campaign will include radio advertising, print and bus media, and social media promotion. Narcan will also be promoted through this campaign to increase the availability in the general population.

“Part of the campaign will use videos and other tools to show how easy it is to use Narcan and let the public know they can get the medication at any of our locations, free of charge,” Dr. Holmes continued.

Affinia Healthcare provides substance misuse treatment through its Medication Assisted Treatment program. As part of a comprehensive care program, patients work with medical and behavioral health professionals to treat the addiction. To contact a member of the Affinia Healthcare MAT team, please call 314-658-4860.

Circus sisters

Circus Harmony from St. Louis and Circus Circuli from Stuttgart, Germany perform together both here and abroad

BY OLIVIA HOLLER

On July 12, a nine-person troupe of flying children from Circus Harmony presented their Celebratory Sister City Circus Send-Off show in the circus ring on the third floor of City Museum.

This is the group that first connected Circus Harmony in St. Louis with Circus Circuli in Stuttgart to create a video in celebration of the 60th anniversary of St. Louis and Stuttgart being sister cities in 2020.

On July 26, this intrepid group left to continue their Peace Through Pyramids partnership with Circus Circuli in Stuttgart, Germany, July 26 to Aug. 8.

Circus Harmony director, Jessica Hentoff, explained, “Peace Through Pyramids is the program Circus Harmony started to designate partnerships between different groups using circus as the bridge to connect the two. Since 2007, Circus Harmony has partnered with the Jewish/Arab Galilee Circus in Israel for 11 years, the National Circus School in Puerto Rico for two years, and arranged several local St. Louis partnerships between children in different neighborhoods of St. Louis. This will be our first time taking children to Germany! They range in age from 10-19

years old. For some, this will be their first time traveling to Europe and their first time traveling without their families. But the circus, itself, is a family and we are excited to meet and work with the Stuttgart branch of our circus family!”

The performers are very excited to be traveling and performing together in Germany. The members of Circus Harmony will stay at Circus Circuli tent and create a show with the Circuli students.

“It’s my first time out of the country, so I’m very excited,” exclaimed Eleanor Corrigan.

“I’m interested in learning what a circus is like in Germany,” added Lyla lawless.

“I’m looking forward to eating the sweet pretzels there,” opined West Welson.

Circus Harmony is a nonprofit social circus school that teaches the art of life through circus education. They are based at City Museum and offer numerous outreach classes throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. For more information about the partnership or to donate please visit www.CircusHarmony.org.

photos On July 12, a nine-person troupe of flying children from Circus Harmony presented their Celebratory Sister City Circus Send-Off show in the circus ring on the third floor of City Museum. On July 26, this intrepid group left to continue their Peace Through Pyramids partnership with Circus Circuli in Stuttgart, Germany, July 26 to Aug. 8.

OurThoughts

MOORE ON LIFE BY

CINDY MOORE

TELEVISION INDECISION

It’s official, TV control is a major subject of contention for couples, edging out naggy mother-in-law issues and take-out-thegarbage issues by a hair.

I can relate. Our problems begin with the volume.

Me: “Turn that down! I can’t hear myself think.”

Husband: “Then turn your thinker up. My volume’s just fine.”

From there it goes to program decisions.

Me: “Let’s watch a Jane Austen movie.”

Him: “No can do. I’ve got to go clean the cat’s box.”

“You’d rather do that than watch my movie?”

“The decision was a tough one, but it was cat box, drive splinters up my fingernails or watch a top hats and bonnets show. I made the sacrifice.”

The issues continue.

Me: “What’s this you’re watching tonight?”

Him: “Shhh. It’s the final game of the almost final game before the really final game of the MLB.”

“How exciting. Who are the ones wearing the red uniforms?”

Glaring eyes. “The Cardinals.”

“Oh nice. I want them to win. I like the color red and cardinals are my favorite bird. You know we had a nest of cardinals in the

bush out front. I had to keep the cats in because I was afraid they’d eat them. Hey, who’s in the other uniforms? They’re kind of a bland color. I’m sure that won’t help their performance. What does MLB stand for?”

Glaring and red faced. “The first letter stands for MURDER. The next ones mean LEAVE BEFORE-it-happens!”

And then there’s this.

We’ve finally decided on a movie after searching for hours to find one we both can agree on. Of course, by then it’s 10 p.m. and we’re both a little dozy, but we settle in and the show begins.

Five minutes into the movie he’s snoring and I’m in a deep coma with drool puddling onto my pillow. I wake up at midnight to the television playing the credits for the program.

I give my husband a mean jab in the ribs and he snort-swallows and chokes himself awake.

“What?! Where am I? Who shot me?!”

“Wake up. The movie’s about to start.”

“Huh? Okay. I’m ready.”

I restart the show and we immediately both fall back to sleep. At least that’s something we can agree on.

ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE BY AVALANCHE

EVACUATION

Staci and I were enjoying a nice BBQ lunch on a campground restaurant patio, when we heard some raised voices nearby. We looked over to see what was going on, and the voices became more frantic, and then flames became visible, with a smoke plume rising quickly toward the sky. Within just a minute or two, flames raced up the far side of a pine tree, topping out in the crown of the 70-foot-tall tree.

The campground owner came running back from the flames and said to the lunch crowd, “Everyone needs to get out of here,” then moved quickly over to a dozer parked nearby.

Campground employees quickly grabbed buckets, shovels and chainsaws and headed toward the fire. The owner started up the dozer and headed toward the fire, pushing down trees and building an impromptu fire break. Staci and I and at least one other lunch patron began jogging around the campground, and informed everyone about the fire, and recommended that they leave.

The previously quiet and peaceful campground became a scene of rapid activity,

with most of the campers quickly breaking down and packing up their tents and campers. Staci and I were able to load up our gear on the motorcycle in just a few minutes, and rolled out to the highway about a quarter-mile away. Once there, I parked the bike among many of the other displaced campers, and I decided to head back to the campground to lend assistance.

Things had gone pretty well in the few minutes it took us to notify all the campers and get our stuff out. The dozer operator had been able to cut and push the flaming tree back onto the source of the fire, a smoldering slash pile left from a logging operation. The smoldering pile had been considered a “controlled burn” and a light wind had caused the fire to ignite and catch a tall tree on fire. Quick action by employees and volunteers had the blaze reasonably contained before the fire department got there. Once on scene, fire personnel quickly extinguished the remaining blaze, and most everyone who had evacuated came back to the campground, set up camp again, and stayed overnight.

Fast-forward several years…Recently there was a local homeowner, a very smart and conscientious guy who, after contacting the fire department and following their guidelines on how to do it, had a small controlled burn on his property, Some of the neighbors – including a few who happen to be fire fighters – took exception to this event, given the hot, dry and windy conditions that day. An online discussion went back and forth for a couple days, which seemed to focus on whether or not the burn was legal. As for myself, I didn’t really care about the legal and/or administrative aspect of things. Over the last few years, we’ve had friends who lost their home to a carelessly started fire, and another friend had to be airlifted via helicopter across the state to a trauma center for injuries he received as a volunteer while fighting the same large summertime blaze. All I know is that “controlled burns” usually work fine – until they don’t; and if one is going to be conducted, snow on the ground keeps the consequences limited in scale, while hot dry weather is an invitation to a much larger disaster.

2023 PATHFINDER

BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN

Frankly speaking, I can't ever recall test driving an SUV that essentially had overwhelming curb appeal from admirers. Nonetheless, this was evident while seated behind the wheel of the new 2023 Nissan Rock Creek edition of the Pathfinder.

The celebrated heritage of Pathfinder has been on the market for quite some time across the globe. The '23 model represents it's fourth generation. This new trail-inspired trim level is part of a product mix that starts out with Pathfinder sold in the S trim, SV, (again) Rock Creek, SL and their Platinum renditions. Additionally, it also competes in a very crowded segment, with the likes of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Volkswagen Atlas, Honda Passport, Ford Explorer, Hyundai Palisade and the Kia Telluride.

The stylish Rock Creek Model is brimming with what appears to be an endless list of creature comforts. The base price is $43,820. This excludes shipping costs, taxes and any additional dealer add-ons.

Rock Creek's interior is assuredly spacious, and this extraordinaire midsize threerow SUV has an impressive towing capacity as well. This helps to raise the bar when hauling items such as a camper or boat trailer. It's rated at 6,000 lbs., which is just about at the top of this sector.

Pathfinder was fundamentally redone last year. This includes improvements in ride quality, braking, sound deadening, safety enhancements and of course, technologies. Powering this timeless and impressive SUV is Nissan's 3.5-liter direct-injected

V6 engine. It is rated at 295 horsepower. That's a slight bump in performance, when compared to the standard Pathfinder V6, as long as it's operated on premium grade, high octane fuel. The engine is nicely paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission which is engineered to help achieve strong, confident acceleration, as the transmission is governed by commands from its power control computer.

The standard idle stop/start system helps save fuel when stationary at a traffic light. Fuel economy numbers show 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, as all versions of this model come with four-wheel-drive. It provides driving confidence on a variety of underside surfaces. The system features a Drive and Terrain Mode rotary switch that helps optimize power delivery. It solely depends on the driving situation. More precisely, it includes seven drive modes: Standard, Sport, Eco, Snow, Sand, Mud/Rut and Tow. Furthermore, the vehicle's advanced suspension is well suited for both paved roads as well as rock crawling or unsuitable pathways.

The unique 18-inch black and silver exclusive wheels fitted with all-terrain tires, coupled with Rock Creek's tubular high strength roof rack further supports this model’s positive appeal. LED fog lights, Intelligent Around View Monitor, orange interior raised stitching and second-row captain’s chairs help makeup this SUV's bold and adventurous presents. Every new Pathfinder also features Nissan Safety Shield 360.

As we briefly transition towards the interior, all three rows offer a generous amount of space. With this model, the second-row seating included captain's chairs and a removable center console positioned between them. Visibility is quite good with minimal blind spots from its large windows. Driver command controls and switches are within easy reach and palpable to understand. The factory’s navigation system is clear cut and works well, with clear turn-by-turn directions. Cargo space behind the third row is a bit tight; however, there is a slick hidden storage compartment under the rear cargo mat.

Nissan certainly raised the bar with this new addition for 2023. It's not classified as a "luxury SUV"; however, the vehicle’s timeless looks, quality, drive characteristics and overall persona has it approaching that level. The base warranty is for threeyears/36,000 miles and the powertrain warranty is for five-years/60,000 miles. It’s manufactured in Smyrna, Tennessee.

NissaN raises the bar with eye-catchiNg

Daniel Radcliffe, Al Yankovic earned Emmy nods for ‘Weird: The Weird Al Story’

BY STEVE BRYAN

AAfter watching and reviewing movies for several years, the last thing I expected to see was Al Yankovic praising “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe’s performance in “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story,” a biographical film released by Roku.

Radcliffe played the title role, a musician with a talent for making creative and engaging song parodies. When the 75th Emmy Award nominations were recently announced, Yankovic and Radcliffe were honored with their first Emmy nominations. Yankovic also earned honors for outstanding writing for an original movie as well as the credit for the original music and lyrics to the song “Now You Know.”

In “Weird,” Radcliffe played Yankovic, a teenager whose comedy and parody songs caught the attention of Barret Eugene Hansen, a Southern California radio personality better known as Dr. Demento. After Hansen played one of Al’s parody creations on the air, Yankovic’s career took off. While still in high school, he used his musical skills to twist the Knack’s “My Sharona” into the tasty parody “My

Bologna.” After Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” hit the airwaves in 1980, Yankovic released his take on the song: “Another One Rides the Bus.”

The 1980’s seemed to inspire Al Yankovic’s creative side, which led to the top 40 parody hit “I Love Rocky Road. That was Yankovic’s comedic twist on the Joan Jett & the Blackhearts song “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.” After Toni Basil’s song “Mickey” hit the charts, Yankovic released “Ricky,” a song and video that paid homage to the popular 1950’s television series “I Love Lucy.” Weird Al’s second album featured “Eat It,” his take on Michael Jackson’s immensely popular “Beat It.” Yankovic wasn’t sure how the pop star would react, but Jackson was reportedly amused by the parody.

Al’s success with videos and parodies helped make his 1989 film “UHF” a reality. An underappreciated, lowbudget film, “UHF” focused on a struggling UHF television station. Yankovic played George Newman, a young man who landed a position at a station that

played reruns of “The Beverly Hillbillies,” “Mister Ed” and other classic shows. In “UHF,” “Seinfeld’s” Michael Richards played Stanley Spadowski, a janitor who inadvertently became the perfect host for the children’s show at the station. “UHF” even contained a brilliant, eye-popping parody of the Dire Straits hit “Money for Nothing” that definitely was worth a look.

Al Yankovic has a great sense of humor and a talent for parodies. During his concerts, for instance, Yankovic would show the trailer for a proposed biographical film about his life. That footage prompted audiences to ask when the actual film about his life would actually be made. After the finished version of “Weird” was released, it received accolades from the British Academy Television Awards, Critics’ Choice Television Awards and others. Here’s hoping that the Emmy Awards Committee honor Al Yankovic for decades of fun, laughter and, of course, parodies.

“Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” photo courtesy Funny or Die

FLAVORFUL grape recipes

Honey-Lime Quinoa and Grape Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes, plus at least 1 hour chill time | Cook time: 22 minutes

Servings: 6 (1 1/3 cups per serving)

Inredients:

Lime Vinaigrette:

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/3 cup lime juice

2 tablespoons honey

3/4 teaspoon sea salt

freshly ground pepper, to taste

Salad:

1/2 cup minced red onion

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons minced jalapeno pepper

1 large firm, ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and cut into bite-size pieces

1/2 cup chopped peanuts (optional)

Summertime celebrations with friends, family and neighbors are a perfect way to enjoy the sunshine, warm weather and camaraderie. To satisfy a hungry crowd, though, you’ll need recipes fit for the occasion.

Turn to a versatile signature ingredient like Grapes from California, which can be used in dishes of all kinds from refreshing salads and entrees to flavorful condiments and sweet desserts. Grapes are crisp, juicy and sweet, making them a fantastic addition of flavor and texture for a wide range of recipes. Whether fresh, sauteed, roasted, grilled or even pickled, grapes make it easy to take meals to the next level.

Visit GrapesFromCalifornia.com to discover more summer entertaining inspiration.

1 1/2 cups quinoa

2 cups vegetable broth

2 cups halved grapes

Directions:

To make lime vinaigrette: In medium bowl, whisk olive oil, lime juice, honey, sea salt and pepper, to taste.

To make salad: In fine mesh strainer, rinse quinoa; drain well. In medium saucepan, bring broth and quinoa to boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, 12 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 10 minutes then fluff with fork and let cool. Transfer to large bowl.

Pour vinaigrette over quinoa; stir well to coat. Add grapes, onion, cilantro and jalapeno pepper; cover and chill at least 1 hour.

Lightly stir in avocado and transfer to decorative bowl. Sprinkle with nuts, if desired.

Notes: Salad may be prepared and refrigerated up to 2 days ahead without avocado and peanuts. Add avocado and peanuts just before serving.

Nutritional information per serving: 520 calories; 10 g protein; 52 g carbohydrates; 32 g fat (55% calories from fat); 4 1/2 g saturated fat (8% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 490 mg sodium; 7 g fiber.

to take summer gatherings to the next level

Sweet and Tangy Pickled Grape Dogs

Prep time: 15 minutes, plus 1 hour marinating time

Cook time: 5 minutes | Servings: 8 (1/4 cup relish per serving)

1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds

1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns

1/2 cup wine vinegar

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 1/4 cups quartered or coarsely chopped grapes (red, green, black or combination)

1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

8 turkey or chicken hot dogs

8 hot dog buns, lightly toasted

Place mustard seeds, coriander seeds and black peppercorns in small resealable bag. Using meat mallet or rolling pin, crush seeds and peppercorns.

In small saucepan, stir vinegar, sugar, seeds and peppercorns; bring to boil. Remove from heat and stir to dissolve sugar; let cool. Stir in grapes and onion; set aside to cool and marinate 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Heat grill to medium heat.

Grill hot dogs 5 minutes, turning occasionally, or until charred and heated through.

Place hot dogs in buns. Using slotted spoon, top with pickled grapes.

Nutritional information per serving: 280 calories; 10 g protein; 39 g carbohydrates; 10 g fat (32% calories from fat); 2 g saturated fat (6% calories from saturated fat); 35 mg cholesterol; 630 mg sodium; 1 g fiber.

Creamy Vegan Grape Ice Cream

Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 10-15 minutes | Servings: 8 (1/2 cup per serving)

1 pound stemmed black grapes

12 ounces vanilla oat coffee creamer, well chilled

12 ounces unsweetened oat coffee creamer, well chilled

In high-speed blender, puree grapes until smooth. Transfer to medium saucepan and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook 10-15 minutes, or until reduced to 1 cup. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled.

Stir creamer into pureed grapes and pour into bowl of ice cream maker. Freeze according to manufacturer’s directions. Transfer to freezer-safe container; cover and freeze until firm.

Substitution: For lighter color, use 3/4 pound black grapes and 1/4 pound red.

Note: Make sure ice cream maker bowl is well chilled or frozen before making ice cream.

Nutritional information per serving: 140 calories; 0 g protein; 22 g carbohydrates; 6 g fat (39% calories from fat); 0 g saturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 45 mg sodium; 1 g fiber.

Sunflower sanctuary

Sunflowers are planted every year at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake attracting photographers, wildlife and nature lovers

BY WENDY TODD

A popular online gardening site, Gardening Chores, analyzed top Google searches to determine the most popular flowers in the United States. Sunflowers ranked number two on the list.

For sunflower lovers in St. Louis, there is a great opportunity to enjoy them in abundance at the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake, where sunflowers are planted every year. They are expected to bloom through August despite drought conditions.

Due to the stressful weather conditions it’s possible that the flowers may be smaller than previous years, but the Missouri Department of Conservation staff, who plant the rows every year, states there will plenty of sunflowers to enjoy.

The sunflowers are planted to assist with dove management, as the flower’s seeds attract the birds and the height helps hide dove hunters who gather for the

Sunflowers at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake are planted every year and are expected to bloom through August despite drought conditions.

hunting season in September.

The fields are to be viewed but not picked from, and serve as great photo ops for professional and amateur photographers. The sunflower fields work well for those looking to create photogenic social media posts.

According the MDC, sunflowers, a hearty plant with thick, “hairy” stems, typically take about 60 days to bloom from planting. About 14 fields are planted each year throughout the 4,300-acre area in early May. The additional plots in the fields intended for viewing are planted later in May so that their blooming is timed to occur through mid-August.

“There are 16 varieties of sunflowers in Missouri,” said Dan Zarlenga, media specialist at the MDC. “The most commonly thought of is the species Helianthus annuus, the common sunflower, which is what is planted at Columbia Bottom.”

During the six-week sunflower viewing period about 978 vehicles per day go to visit the site. The rest of the year averages about 300 vehicles per day.

“If we assume that the additional 678 vehicles per day are there to see the sunflowers, and we assume oneto-four people per vehicle, we can roughly estimate 28,000 – 115,000 visitors for sunflower viewing,” Zarlenga said.

The Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is located at 801 Strodtman Road and can be reached by taking the Riverview Drive Exit from I-270 and travelling north approximately three miles. Columbia Bottom is open every day from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour past sunset.