Our Town: July 2021 by Community News

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Our Town Volume 12 | Number 7 JULY 2021 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 Charlotte Beard

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Around Town

Purina and Gateway Arch Park foundation announce partnership to grow dog-friendly programs and more.

Feature Breathing easier in Creve Coeur A pair of doctors’ distinctive mask/device innovation called PAPR Force won a 2021 Creve Coeur Business Award By Charlotte Beard

Our Thoughts Moore on Life author Cindy Moore battles the TSA while Avalanche takes on adventures in rural real estate.

Lifestyle The 2021 Lexus EX midsize sedan offers several options for luxury car buyers in Automobile Alley. Inside the greed and glory of 1980s financial films in Entertainment. Sizzling meals made for summer in For the Love of Food.

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In Depth Actor and animal trainer encourages people to get back to nature with a scavenger hunt in St. Louis area parkland with a $10,000 grand prize.

Events Calendar

Staff Writer – Charlotte Beard Cover Photo – Submitted

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Bark in the park Purina and Gateway Arch Park foundation announce partnership to grow dog-friendly programs Gateway Arch National Park is going to the dogs. The Downtown St. Louis 91-acre urban national park has always been dogfriendly, and Gateway Arch Park Foundation and Purina have announced a new partnership to bring fun opportunities and programs to the Arch grounds to help our canine companions feel welcome. “For the past year we’ve watched St. Louisans find respite from the pandemic by visiting Gateway Arch National Park, many of them with their pets,” said Ryan McClure, Executive Director of Gateway Arch Park Foundation. “Residents of downtown St. Louis already know this is a great park to spend time with your dog, and we hope through this partnership with Purina we can encourage St. Louis’s dog-loving community to experience the Arch in a brand-new way.” “At Purina, we know experiences are better when people and pets enjoy them together,” said Kim Beardslee, with Purina Community Affairs. “Our hometown of St.

Louis is filled with wonderful pet-friendly parks – none more iconic than the Gateway Arch National Park. We hope this partnership encourages visitors to enjoy some time with their dogs in the shadow of the incredible landmark and the beautiful surrounding grounds.” The partnership kicked off on May 26, launching the search for Gateway Arch National Park’s Official B.A.R.K. Ranger. Gateway Arch Park Foundation is hosting a dog photo contest at www.archpark. org/bark. Owners are invited to submit their favorite photo of their pup at Gateway Arch National Park along with a brief description of what makes their dog iconic. Five furry finalists will be chosen, and the public will vote to choose the Gateway Arch National Park Official B.A.R.K. Ranger. The lucky dog will hold their title for one year and receive a prize pack filled with Arch and Purinathemed goodies. The 2021 Official B.A.R.K. Ranger will be invited to preside at B.A.R.K.

Ranger events throughout the year at Gateway Arch National Park. The winner will be chosen by public vote and announced June 25. What is a B.A.R.K. Ranger? The National Park Service’s B.A.R.K. Ranger program invites family pets to serve as ambassadors for responsible and safe pet handling at Gateway Arch National Park and other national parks across the country. B.A.R.K. stands for: Bag your pet’s waste, Always leash your pet, Respect wildlife, Know where you can go. Owners can sign their pets up to be B.A.R.K. Rangers throughout the year at Gateway Arch National Park. Gateway Arch Park Foundation and Purina plan to announce future events and programs to support B.A.R.K. Ranger activities throughout the rest of 2021. To learn more, visit www. archpark.org/bark.

Serving seniors JFS St. Louis receives $25,000 grant for senior services Jewish Family Services (JFS), which provides mental health and social services for all St. Louisans, recently received a $25,000 grant from the JCA Charitable Foundation. Proceeds from the grant will support educational programming and health care services that directly benefit the area’s Jewish elderly population. JFS assists the Jewish senior community, which includes Holocaust survivors. Part of the JCA Charitable Foundation grant will fund a portion of a new JFS case manager’s time devoted to helping Holocaust survivors navigate specific application processes and client assessments needed to stay healthy and safely age in place. The JFS Senior Services team currently assists nearly 150 Holocaust survivors in applying for benefits from the Claims Conference, which designates funds for in-home support services and The Blue Card program, which contributes funds for minor medical services. JFS’ Senior Services supports nearly 2,000 older adults annually in the St. Louis City and County with care management and in-home services. The program includes resource and program referrals, subsidized homemaker services, falls and hospital readmission prevention services, and emotional and spiritual support through friendly visits and counseling. 4 | OUR TOWN | JULY 2021

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A healthy start

YWCA Head Start receives grant from Healthy Blue for maternal health services YWCA Head Start is the recipient of a $75,000 grant from Healthy Blue to support YWCA Head Start and Early Head Start programs. A significant amount of the funds will be allocated to YWCA Early Head Start’s pregnant women services. The grant will fund measures addressing the social drivers of health including assistance with rent or utility bills, food, formula, clothing and essential baby items. YWCA Early Head Start’s two Pregnant Women’s Centers currently serve 35 low income expectant mothers, 28 of whom are African American. The centers are located in an area of high infant mortality in the city of St. Louis and in Overland in St. Louis County. YWCA Chief Program Officer and Head Start Director Stacy Johnson praised the grant from Healthy Blue saying, “By addressing women’s basic needs and reducing toxic stress during their pregnancy and after delivery, we can ensure that both mom

and baby are off to a great start. Healthy Blue’s support will assist YWCA in meeting its goal of ensuring healthy delivery and sustained life for the at-risk population we serve.” YWCA Early Head Start Pregnancy Centers provide education in overall health, nutrition, parenting and safety for pregnant women; peer support groups; help with locating health care providers and insurers; financial support and connection with community partners. YWCA Head Start and Early Head Start provide age-appropriate education and healthy development services for children from infancy to age five whose family income is at or below the federal poverty level. Health screenings and multiple, varied programs involving parents and siblings are included. Healthy Blue continues to support maternal health in different communities. This is particularly important in communities

where health disparities have significantly affected outcomes. As a leader in providing access to women’s health services, Healthy Blue is committed to improving maternal and infant health outcomes within Missouri. Healthy Blue is a Medicaid product offered by Missouri Care, Inc., a MO HealthNet Managed Care health plan contracting with the Missouri Department of Social Services.

JULY 2021 | OUR TOWN | 5

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Keeping cool Ameren Missouri donates 800 air conditioners and energy assistance funds to Cooldownstlouis.org On June 16, Ameren Missouri donated $165,000 to Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org to support the most vulnerable customers in St. Louis and eastern Missouri. The company also donated 800 Energy Star rated window air conditioners and 800 four-packs of LED lightbulbs for distribution throughout Missouri. On average, the energyefficient air conditioners cost less than a dollar a day to operate. “We want to ensure that our customers stay safe and healthy as temperatures start to rise with the summer heat,” said Marty Lyons, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. “Our partnership with Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org is a key part of that effort, particularly for seniors and those with medical conditions.” This year’s air conditioner donation marks the 21st anniversary of Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org’s “Save our Seniors” (S.O.S) Cooling Summer Project. It is the 16th year of participation by Ameren Missouri, resulting in more than 9,000 window air conditioning units delivered to qualified seniors and people with disabilities across the region. “Some seniors and neighbors with disabilities are still sheltered in their homes due to COVID-19, and it’s important that they stay cool. Many will do so because of the generosity of Ameren Missouri and the hard work of Cooldownstlouis.org, Cooldownmissouri.org and its partnering agencies,” said Missouri State Senator

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Cooldownmissouri.org board member also representing the state of Missouri. “St. Louis summers have been known to be extremely hot, humid and often deadly,” said Tishaura Jones, the first African-American mayor of St. Louis and honorary chair of Cooldownstlouis.org. “Today, Ameren Missouri, a good corporate citizen, is donating 800 brand new energy efficient air conditioners to Cool Down St. Louis. We encourage our most vulnerable to turn on the air and stay safe this summer. Many volunteers prepared donated units for statewide distribution to an already large waiting list of qualified seniors and clients with disabilities. Joining Lyons were Ameren Missouri volunteers, Cool Down board members Missouri State Senator Karla May; St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones; Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chiefs Association; Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Inc.; Corporate Treasurer Reverend Earl E. Nance Jr.; Linda Fritz, NECAC program director; and Cora Faith Walker, St. Louis County Chief Policy Officer and popular St. Louis television meteorologists. “When Ameren and Cool Down St. Louis team up, the community significantly benefits. That’s because Ameren takes a leadership role in charitable partnerships. They bring the financial resources, and Cool Down St. Louis has the drive; and passion to help keep our elderly neighbors safe each summer. The Urban League has been affiliated with Cool Down for 21 years, and they are good neighbors,” said Michael P. McMillan, president/CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. and a Cool Down executive board member. Ameren Missouri resources are available for seniors and those with medical concerns. Customers and their families are encouraged to visit AmerenMissouri. com/HealthAndSafety for information on Medical Equipment Registry (MER), the Caring Contact Program and energy assistance options including the Keeping

Cool Program and low-income weatherization assistance. Older adults and people with disabilities, as well as low- to moderate-income families, are encouraged to apply for the energy assistance funds by visiting Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org or by calling 314.241.0001 or 314.657.1599, which are their hotlines for seniors and people with disabilities only. “The first thing you need to know is that Cooldownstlouis.org save lives each summer. The second, good corporate neighbors like Ameren take a leadership role, providing resources like these precious life-saving energy efficient A/Cs,” said Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, representing the Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis. “I also encourage you to check on your senior neighbors, while social distancing. This includes wearing a mask, while visiting.” The Cooldownstlouis.org S.O.S. Summer Project encourages area residents to check on their elderly neighbors to make sure their air conditioners are on and working. Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org will also be distributing 150,000 cooling cards with helpful summer tips, along with Ameren Missouri’s contact information, to connect customers with available resources. “St. Louis County is delighted to hear the good news about Ameren providing these air-conditioners and the significant donation to Cooldownstlouis.org,” said Cora Faith Walker, St. Louis County Chief Policy Officer. “It’s all about neighbors helping neighbors. We encourage our County seniors to keep on those A/Cs, this summer.” Energy assistance is available to Ameren Missouri customers who need help paying their bills. Visit AmerenMissouri. com/EnergyAssistance to learn about various support options, including federally funded COVID-19 relief programs. Select programs are offering increased income eligibility, allowing more Missourians to receive help even if they didn’t qualify previously.

AroundTown

Major milestone The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry (HKJFP), a service provided by Jewish Family Services (JFS), recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. In 2020, St. Louis’ largest food pantry supplied 21,500 individuals – regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, and gender – with nutritious food, a 30% increase over the prior year. Located at 10601 Baur Blvd., the pantry is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with no appointment needed. Individuals and families receive 10 days’ worth of food every month including fresh produce, dairy, bread, and shelf-stable items. Since the onset of the pandemic, the pantry has adopted a drivethrough distribution model to maintain the health and safety of its clients, staff, and volunteers. There are currently 12 staff members and nearly 200 volunteers who register new families, stock shelves, sort food, and load vehicles with groceries. The pantry currently supplies food to residents located in 77 zip codes throughout St. Louis County and City, with 85% of all households served earning incomes below the federal poverty level. In 2020, 34% of all guests were 18 years of age and younger, and 26% were 55 years of age and older. Last year the pantry helped 3,100 new families and 9,467 new individuals. “We hope the pandemic has diminished the stigma of relying on a food pantry because now it’s your neighbor and even your family members seeking help during this very trying time,” said Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry Director Erica Steen. “In this new reality, we are assisting more

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JFS St. Louis Food Pantry celebrates 30th anniversary

The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry, a service provided by Jewish Family Services, recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.

guests who have never utilized a pantry. We are fortunate to be able to serve our community both now and throughout the past 30 years.” Jewish Family Services (JFS), which provides mental health and social services for all St. Louisans, created the food pantry in 1991 when it began serving 40 families. The pantry relies on monetary donations, private food drives, grocer donations, and monthly food allocations from the USDA, Operation Food Search, and the St. Louis Area Foodbank. According to Steen, “We believe the need for food assistance will re-

main high, which is why we will continue providing aid to those who are seeking relief while facing ongoing challenges.” Founded in 1871, JFS is a multiservice nonprofit that supports families and seniors, alleviates hunger, and improves mental health for all St. Louisans. The organization serves individuals and families in crisis, as well as helps seniors remain independent and connected to the community. JFS supports the emotional and physical well-being of more than 50,000 area children, families, and seniors annually. For more information, call 314-993-1000.

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JULY 2021 | OUR TOWN | 7

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St. Louis County’s got talent A McCluer High School’s 2021 graduate won an $8,000 scholarship for winning first place in this year’s St. Louis Teen Talent Competition One of McCluer High School’s 2021 graduates recently took home an $8,000 scholarship as an award for winning first place in this year’s St. Louis Teen Talent Competition, which was pre-recorded at the Fox Theatre April 9-10 and aired on PBS May 24. Troy Staten, soon-to-be Webster University freshman, will use his winning towards a bachelor of fine arts degree in musical theatre. “I graduated May 23 and Teen Talent was right after that,” stated Staten. “So, that was really incredible that I got to share that incredible moment with my peers and my family during graduation and Teen Talent. I am really grateful for that.” In addition to pursuing musical theatre, Staten shared he intends to pursue film, TV, and music production with creating his own music. For the competition, Staten sang ‘Not My Father’s Son’ in a mostly vacant auditorium. According to Staten, with exception of the production crew, limited family members were permitted to attend and were seated at the back of the auditorium. “It was really amazing because everybody was so understanding due to COVID time – due to there not being an audience,” stated Staten. “Pre-recording it was kind of hard for a lot of us to click-in with our inner performance (within) ourselves. But we faced that challenge as performers, dancers, and pianists. We didn’t know anything about the votes.” Staten further stated that the teens left the Fox Theatre clueless with exception to the date the competition would air and the TV channel. When asked where Staten drew his strength and inspiration for giving an impactful performance to a predominantly empty auditorium, he shared that he had been performing since he was seven years old. “I kind of already knew the stage is where I belong and where I wanted to be,” stated Staten. “I am always up for a challenge as a performer and as a person. I am dedicated to challenges, challenging times, and learning from that experience.”

8 | OUR TOWN | JULY 2021

Troy Staten, a McCluer High School’s 2021 graduate, recently took home an $8,000 scholarship as an award for winning first place in this year’s St. Louis Teen Talent Competition, which was pre-recorded at the Fox Theatre April 9-10 and aired on PBS May 24.

Staten attributes his singing and performance experience to involvement with the Boys and Girls Club of America. He also added that he has been part of the Muny Kids and Muny Teens performance and training program for six years now. Due to his age, this year is his last year with the program. “I’ve performed all over the place – (in) metro St. Louis,” added Staten. “And I have (gone) out of town and did performances for the Boys and Girls Club of America.” According to Staten, he chose “Not My Father’s Son” by Cyndi Lauper, which is about facing hard times with a father, to connect with all listeners of his performance. He stated that he hoped he would win the competition, but he was more excited to see the other performers. The teen who recalled his past self “eyeopening” performance as Michael Jackson’s scarecrow role in the Wiz, cites some of his inspirations as Adele, Beyonce’, Bruno Mars, and Stevie Wonder. “They push and inspire me with their music to tell my story,” shared Staten.

Staten was not the only winner from North County. Amani Goodson (Parkway North High School), Amiyah Harlan (Parkway Central High School), Amaiya Knuckles-Johnson and Ravyn Stubblefield (Hazelwood Central High School), Amiyah McClure (University City High School) and Anijah Warlick (Cardinal Ritter College Prep) were third place winners of the $4,000 scholarship award for their contemporary dance performance to ‘Ultralight Beam’ by Kanye West. The second place prize of a $6,000 scholarship went to Aubory Bugg, Vocalist and Guitarist from Granite City High School. Staten’s performance and the entire competition is available for online streaming at ninepbs.org/teentalent. “I am still going forward with my dream – I will continue,” states Staten. “My name will be world-wide soon and I am really confident in it.” Teens may now register for the 12th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition at https://www.foxpacf.org.

AroundTown

Film fest fun The 21st Annual Whitaker St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase runs virtually from July 16-25 The Whitaker St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase, an annual presentation of the nonprofit Cinema St. Louis (CSL), serves as the area’s primary venue for films made by local artists. The showcase screens works that were shot in the St. Louis region or were written, directed, or produced by St. Louis-area residents or by filmmakers with strong local ties who are now working elsewhere. Because of the continuing COVID-19 health crisis, the showcase will again be presented virtually in 2021. CSL will once more partner with Eventive on the virtual festival. Films will be available to view on demand anytime from July 16-25. There are no geographic limits on access. Once a ticket-holder begins watching a program, access remains available for 48 hours. The showcase’s 15 film programs range from narrative and documentary features to multi-film compilations of fiction and docu-

mentary shorts. Feature programs will include recorded Q&As with filmmakers, which will also be available on CSL’s YouTube channel. In addition to the film programs, this year’s event will feature four free master classes focused on key aspects of filmmaking. These will be offered as livestreams during the showcase. The July 25 closing-night awards presentation will be either an in-person outdoor party or a livestream. Visit the CSL website for updated info. Announced during the event will be nearly two dozen Showcase jury awards — including a $500 prize to the Best Showcase Film. Cinema St. Louis staff will also announce the films that will move on to the 30th annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival in November. For more information, the public should visit cinemastlouis.org.

Secrets to success Be hungry for growth but remain humble and passionate about helping people BY ART MCCOY, PH.D. STL.WORKS LEADER AND CHAMPION Have you ever wondered how hospitals create the latest practices to provide patients the best care? Who shows them? Who leads the vital work of transforming good research into best practices, particularly during a pandemic? At Mercy, the Clinical Care Redesign and Optimization department leads such work under the direction of Vice President Ursula Bonner-Wright. Its leaders are responsible for developing new clinical pathways – structured, interdisciplinary clinical standards – that detail essential steps in the care of patients with a specific clinical problem. Using the latest medical studies and evidence, they determine the best possible care and create better outcomes for Mercy patients. Mercy, a proud Regional Business Council member and Chesterfield-based company serving four states, is dedicated to advancing the health, wellbeing, and workforce of St. Louis and beyond. Mercy’s motto is “Your life is our life’s work.” During this COVID crisis, their 45,000-member health care workforce has proven to be real heroes. Among them, Vice President Wright is not only a hero but a bright star supporting

thousands of individuals. “As a young person, I watched my mother and aunt help people in their white starched nurse’s uniform, white shoes – and, at that time, their caps. And I had the desire to follow in their footsteps,” Wright recalled. After leaving Webster Groves High School, she started her professional journey as a student nurse at Mercy while earning an Associates of Science in Nursing at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley. Gaining exposure and experience, she started as a full-time Orthopedic and Trauma Unit nurse immediately after graduation. Within two years, she became a clinical supervisor and used her skillset to lead a small team in providing care. Truly investing in their employees, Mercy provided tuition reimbursement for Wright’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Webster University, Master in Business Administration from Lindenwood University, and Master in Science of Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner focus from Maryville University. Mentors like Executive Vice President of Operations Donn Sorensen, Chief Administrative Officer Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer Chief Operating Officer of Mercy Kids Chris Crain, and Chief Quality Officer Keith Starke, MD, supported Wright in gaining

additional leadership training and opportunities. Like other leading institutions, Mercy used the Six Sigma Training and Certification as an effective way to improve its health care services. Hungry to grow, Wright became a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Leader in between her two master’s degrees, learning Mercy’s business operations from top to bottom with experiences ranging from improving finance processes to improving the distribution of linen services. From 2016 to 2019, Mercy was named one of the top five large U.S. health systems by IBM Watson Health, annually, being among the first health care organizations in the U.S. to have an integrated electronic health record connecting all points of care. During that decade, Wright was a systems analyst, and afterward Clinical Performance Acceleration executive director, involved in creating this finely-tuned electronic health record with clinical best practices hard-wired into the system, early warning triggers, and data reducing variation and compliance issues. In 2018, Wright was elevated to vice president of Clinical Care Redesign and Optimization. Her journey reveals how rising star-leaders are both born and created. On June 7, Wright celebrated 21 years at Mercy.

JULY 2021 | OUR TOWN | 9

(This page) The PAPR Force in use. (Cover) Dr. Jennifer DeLaney (right) and Dr. David Katzman deliver PAPR Forces to Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

BREATHINGin EASIER Creve Coeur

A pair of doctors’ distinctive mask/device innovation called PAPR Force won a 2021 Creve Coeur Business Award

BY CHARLOTTE BEARD 10 | OUR TOWN | JULY 2021

Last year, people found creative ways of using various materials to make face masks, not limited to the usage of ankle socks, bandanas, and vacuum cleaner bags. However, a distinctive mask/device innovation won a 2021 Creve Coeur Business Award – PAPR Force. Creve Coeur doctors and business partners Dr. Jennifer DeLaney and Dr. David Katzman are responsible for creation of the Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR). “I was on Washington University’s task force, stated DeLaney, “looking for ways to get protective medical equipment for medical care workers. I was looking into making face shields. (While) looking for that, I saw some references to (another) type of device

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Jewish, and Missouri Baptist hospital administrations, along with four hospitals in Jackson, Mississippi. Internationally, DeLaney shared facilities in Peru, Guatemala, and India have received devices. “I fitted probably 100 different people with this device; their feedback was pretty consistent – it’s much more comfortable than a N-95,” stated DeLaney. “You are being bathed in cool air; it is like having a fan at your head. It made it easier for people with beards and glasses to wear their masks safely and effectively. (In addition), they could hear and be heard well. People can see your face, which is nice because that enhances communication and allows people with limited hearing to understand what you are saying.” DeLaney added that the device is a lot more effective than the N-95. The device has a loose fitting hood, a fog-free face shield, and an air filter that filters 99.97% of aerosol particulates greater than 0.3 microns. The CDC rates the device to be at least two-and-a-half times better (TOP) Dr. David Katzman (right) is presented at preventing exposure than with the Most Innovative Business Award an N-95 mask. by Creve Coeur Mayor Robert Hoffman. Dr. The city of Creve Coeur Economic Jennifer DeLaney was unable to attend the Development Committee recog- awards ceremony. nized DeLaney and Katzman with Most Innovative Business Award on (BOTTOM) PAPR Force in use by health care May 20, at the Creve Coeur–Olivette providers in Peru. Chamber Membership Luncheon. Katzman shared, “It has been a learning experience developing a product and getting approved by government agencies that have been very easy to work with, accommodating, and wanting to fight the pandemic.” DeLaney concluded, “We want to continue working on our international donations to countries that do not have good access to the vaccine and do not have the health care resources to deal with the overwhelming number of infections.” DeLaney and Katzman welcomes donations for their international efforts. For information on ways to donate email support@paprforce.com. For more information about the device visit https://paprforce.com.

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that was much safer and protective. I found a video on how to make a rudimentary device on YouTube. So, my partner, (Katzman) and I sent out an email to our patients to collect some of the raw materials we needed to make (the prototype). We asked for unused C-PAP devices and snorkel masks. We decided to partner with local science, technology and engineering high school teachers to help us make the prototype. One of the teachers from John Burroughs School (with) help from Lutheran St. Charles, Clayton, and Ladue Schools helped us come up with the first prototype. Then we got the attention of Hunter Engineering.” Hunter Engineering specializes in Automotive Service Equipment products. According to sources for PAPR Force, Hunter spent countless hours using their engineering and manufacturing expertise to transform DeLaney and Katzman’s prototype concept into the finished design for usage by frontline healthcare workers. “They volunteered a full team of engineers to help take this device from a prototype to a manufacturing grade device that we submitted to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),” stated DeLaney. “NIOSH put us in contact with the ADAPT team, a team from the Veterans Health Administration, because they had a hood but no device. We had the motor, blower, and filter but no hood. We developed a team to make further revisions on the device and ultimately we are one of six approval holders for the public health emergency in the world.” DeLaney further shared that the Lutheran St. Charles robotics team disassembled hundreds of C-PAP machines to clean and harvest the motors to repurpose for usage in the prototypes. In addition, Zone Enterprises provided the plastic for the face shield component of the device while Brentwood Plastics provided a special anti-bacterial plastic for making the hood. Age Industries was a resource for making the filters. “We donated over 200 (devices) to households in the U.S. and internationally,” stated DeLaney. DeLaney explained that when the process for the innovation began in between March and April last year, the device underwent approximately thirteen tests to certify that it removed bacteria and viruses from the air that health care workers breathe. The final design was submitted in October 2020. The patent is currently pending. According to DeLaney, the project cost was approximately $300,000, including research, development, testing, regulatory approval, and manufacture of the first 200 devices. According to Katzman, the expenses did not include the services provided by Hunter Engineering. “(Additionally), a lot of the C-PAP machines were donated throughout the country and Hunter Engineering asked salesmen to find them,” stated Katzman. The device is currently being used by Barnes,

JULY 2021 | OUR TOWN | 11

OurThoughts

MOORE ON LIFE BY CINDY MOORE

Weighing in

As if flying weren’t a pain enough already now this – weight restrictions. Of course, it’s all done for “safety”. Maybe that’s why they’ve quit feeding us on flights. All that extra poundage from the food might cause the floor to cave in. I can tell this is going to be awkward for me. TSA: “Ma’am I’ve detected something in your left sock and I’m going to need to pat you down to see if you’re carrying anything hazardous on your person. Would you mind pulling up your pant leg and letting me have a look?” Me, pulling up my pant leg: “I don’t see why this is really necessary.” “It all has to do with safety. Looks like you’re packing two large Snicker bars. Very dangerous.” “Dangerous for who? We don’t even get fed on flights anymore. I need them in case my complimentary bag of mostly-air-with-afew-dry-peanuts won’t last through an eighthour flight and I pass out.” “Sorry, but we have new weight restrictions. You’ll have to discard them.” That wasn’t going to happen. I quickly “discarded” them into my mouth. TSA: “Okay. That wasn’t smart. I’m going to have to ask you to step on the scale.” “Wait…what? You’ve already physically patted me down; wanded my extremities and shoved me through a radiation-emitting x-ray, which penetrated my clothing and revealed my unmentionables to who-knows-who. And 12 | OUR TOWN | JUNE 2021

now you want to know my most personal information…my weight?!” “Sorry…federal regulations. We don’t want to have any excess bulk which would cause the engines to drop over a highly populated area.” I reluctantly complied and stepped onto the scales. Suddenly an alarm sounded; a message in neon flashed: “Weight unacceptable! Abort!” “Ma’am, it looks like you’ve exceeded our load limit. I’m going to have to ask you to either shed a few pounds in the next fifteen minutes or reschedule your flight until you get your volume in check. Might wanna cut down on the candy bars…maybe enroll in a Zumba class or two.” What to do? I had to lose weight fast or miss my flight. I took off my shoes and left them in the security tray. That ought to shed a few pounds. Hmm, I wonder if there’s a federal regulation about being barefoot?

Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder.

OurThoughts ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE BY AVALANCHE

ADVENTURES in real estate Living in the high Rockies, we’ve seen land rushes, building booms and real estate frenzies come and go for the four decades we’ve been here. Just when we think things have topped out, and the bubble will burst, demand and prices go to the moon once more. Sometimes there is a temporary downturn, and some folks who were overleveraged get clobbered financially, but for the most part, prices never recede for long. All the money chasing a finite amount of land leads to some “interesting” business tactics and methods. During one of the booms several years ago, I was conducting a security survey at one of the large 10,000 square foot “starter castles” overlooking a posh resort town, in advance of the arrival of some high and mighty dignitaries who regularly journey there in search of ever-more money and power. Scattered about an adjacent vacant lot, there were tall poles garishly adorned with colored ribbons and flagging, perhaps coincidentally the same colors as the locally popular football team. When asked about the decorations next door, the owner simply shook his head, sighed, and said, “Realtors.” Sometime later, I learned that the obnoxious decorations were “story poles.” It turned out that the realtor in question was my friend Mark, who was infamous for his unusual negotiating tactics. Mark was representing the seller of the lot with the poles. The owner of the home where I had been working wanted to purchase the lot, to protect his privacy and views, but did not want to pay the seller’s asking price. My realtor friend had then placed the garish poles and decorations around the building envelope of where a home could be built, a hideous reminder of what could be constructed next to the

potential buyer’s existing home. The homeowner did end up buying the lot next door, and paid full asking price. Mark had grown up in a cabin with no running water in the rural Midwest. He had worked hard for every penny he had, and despite – or maybe because of – his modest origins, was a formidable foe in any business transaction at any price range. When he arrived on the real estate scene in the 80’s the locals learned very quickly to read every single word of a real estate contract. He was a fierce advocate for his clients, and would always get the best price for a home; but might blow up three deals in the process. His stated goal was to infuriate the broker on the other side of the deal so much that the men would curse at him, and the women would cry. At that point, they had lost control and were vulnerable, and Mark could gain further concessions. Just so Mark was on your side of the deal, it was like having an attack dog guarding your interest. Those on the other side of the transaction were treated to a vicious dog attack. Unhealthy interest in large quantities of money can lead to some bad outcomes. After speaking with a respected realtor over the phone for a series of calls, a seemingly well-heeled client flew into town on a private jet to look at a property valued in the eight-figure range. The property was everything the client wanted, and he signed a contract for asking price. He wrote a check for earnest money in the seven-figure range. He asked the realtor if he could write a check for an extra $50k, since it was the weekend and he needed “some extra cash.” The realtor, about to realize a large commission, and blinded by the dollar signs dancing in his head, tripped all over himself to accommodate the buyer, and gave him $50,000 cash to ease the horrible burden of having so little green on hand. The well-heeled buyer got back on “his” private jet, to never return or be seen again. The private jet had been rented, for about $10,000, giving the scammer a $40,000 payday. The realtor never reported the crime, fearing that if the story got out, his standing as a broker in the high-end world of eight-figure estates would be permanently harmed, and he might have to do real work for a living. Given the current exodus from the cities and into the mountains and countryside, such shenanigans will only increase in number and audacity. For those of us who just want to stay put and be left alone, it provides us some morbid entertainment, to go along with our ever-higher tax bills.

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.

JUNE 2021

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OurLifestyle

2021 LEXUS EX MIDSIZE SEDAN

offers several options for luxury car buyers

For the 2021 model year, Lexus has expanded their ES midsize sedan product mix to include two new variations of this popular luxury automobile. This includes an all new ES 250 with all-wheel-drive as well as the Black Line Special Edition model. Lexus also offers the EX in the F SPORT and with their Ultra Luxury grades. This enhanced build combination will tend to fit a broader customer base who enjoy an immense lifestyle. The seamless AWD setup is governed by an electromagnetic engagement controller. When AWD isn’t needed, it instantly disengages the propeller drive shaft to help with fuel efficiency. This remarkable breakthrough won’t impact legroom, trunk space, ride comfort, cabin quietness or vehicle agility. Linked with the 2.5-liter, 203 horsepower four cylinder engine, it tends to reflect 28-mpg combined city/highway numbers. The limited-production Black Line Special Edition will be based on the F SPORT trim grade. The Black Line ES models will also include unique features such as black outer mirrors, darkened wheels and lug nuts, and a new sporty, black rear deck lid spoiler. Manufactured on their global “GA-K” versatile architecture, this allowed designers to create an ES design that is beautiful yet also enjoyable to drive. This chassis setup is an exceptionally rigid design made from several grades of high strength steel. The suspension is tuned for ideal responsiveness and superior road agility. All versions of the ES offer a Drive

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Mode Select system that allows the driver to tailor the car’s settings to road conditions. This Lexus is longer, lower as well as wider than the prior generation giving it a more prominent look of strength and stability. The signature front grille assembly follows the Lexus DNA path forward. The slim headlamp design features distinctive Lshaped marker lights. Optional triple beam headlights are available and help refine the look with three compact LED projector lamps. When it comes to wheel choices, the list includes a standard 17-inch split 10-spoke design with dark silver accents and a machined finish. From there and depending on the trim level, they feature larger 18inch, 10-spoke wheels, plus unique 19-inch wheels with a dual-spoke design, highlighted by a dark premium graphite coating. Besides their 2.5-liter engine, a 3.5-liter V6 is offered. Its performance rating is 302 horsepower, as its EPA numbers indicate a combined city/highway range of 26-mpg. It’s matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Furthermore, Lexus also offers the ES with a hybrid gas/electric power setup. The combined output is around 215 total horsepower and the estimated miles per gallon numbers echo some 44-mpg, when you include both city and highway driving. The interior options for the ES are also somewhat complex and vary by grade. Notable refinements with the interior were in the forefront to this seventh generation ES.

In part, this includes a more natural feeling steering wheel angle, revised pedal positions and standard 10-way power adjustable front seats. Trunk cargo space is just under 14 cubic feet All ES models now include their Safety System+ 2.0 as standard which includes numerous enhancements including a precollision system designed to detect a preceding vehicle, a bicyclist or a pedestrian. Pricing starts out at $40,000 and tops out at $50,910 for the Ultra Luxury Hybrid. Shipping charges are excluded, they show to be $1,025 additional. This Lexus is often cross shopped with the Acura TLX and the Infiniti Q50. BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN

David Finkelstein is a Master/ Skill Automotive Service Technician and a shop owner. He’s also invented garage service tools for mechanics and has served on both National and local Automotive Trade Industry Boards. He pioneered “Car Talk Radio” starting out with KMOX/CBS Radio and hosted “Auto Talk” on KFTK/FOX News Radio for 15-years. David tests and evaluates new vehicles weekly and does some consulting with various auto manufacturers.

OurLifestyle

1980’s financial films:

greed, bicycles and insider trading In 2021, stocks such as GameStop and AMC saw wide swings in their stock prices. The reason was smaller investors putting their money on beaten-down stocks to thwart institutional traders “short-selling” those same securities. A short seller believes that a stock’s price will go down and makes money if that happens, but if the price goes up, they stand to lose money. On May 26, Reuters News reported that short sellers lost $754 million on AMC and GameStop while smaller investors profited. The stock market, bitcoin and other investments are fascinating stuff and, in the 1980’s, theaters played host to a handful of financial-themed films. Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd starred in 1983’s “Trading Places,” a classic comedy featuring one of the best trading floor scenes ever filmed. Aykroyd plays Louis Winthorpe, the managing director for Duke & Duke Commodity Brokers in Philadelphia. As an experiment, the Duke brothers replace the well-groomed Winthorpe with a hustler named Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy). Valentine gets the big office and paycheck while the pampered Winthorpe is out of work and homeless. “Footloose” star Kevin Bacon trades his dancing shoes for a slick bicycle in “Quicksilver,” an uneven 1980’s drama. Bacon plays Jack Casey, a cocky stock trader who loses money for both his company and his loving parents. Unemployed and depressed, Jack becomes a bicycle messenger and is soon surrounded by a new group of friends. Jack also takes a young woman name Terri (Jami Gertz) under his wing when she’s targeted by a gang. This film has interesting moments, but Roger Daltry singing “Quicksilver Lightning” on the soundtrack is its only redeeming quality. “Wall Street,” the “Godfather” of financial films, was released in 1987 but set two years earlier. Oliver Stone directs the story of Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), an ambitious stockbroker learning the ropes by “cold calling” prospective clients. Bud has his sights set on Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), a huge Wall Street player. Gekko, who utters phrases like “Greed is good,” is not quite on the up-and-up and draws his young protégé into a world of big money, insider trading and deceit. The 2010 sequel “Money Never Sleeps” focuses on what Gekko is doing after being released from prison. Before teaming up with the aforementioned Charlie Sheen on “Two and a Half Men,” Jon Cryer dabbled in finances during the comedy/drama “Hiding Out.” Cryer plays Andrew Morenski, a broker who inadvertently becomes involved with mobsters. To protect himself, Andrew heads to Delaware to hopefully stay with his aunt. Rechristening himself as Maxwell Hauser, Andrew enrolls in high school and starts a relationship with Ryan Campbell (a charming Annabeth Gish). Those mobsters are still looking for him, however. Cryptocurrencies didn’t exist in the 1980’s and 401K’s were relatively new at that time, but the financial films of the 1980’s still offer an interesting look at stock trading and greed. The Gordon Gekko character was fond of insider trading and disgraced financier Ivan Boesky became his real-life counterpart. Greed may be good, but 401K’s are a lot safer. (From top) ‘Quiksilver’, photo courtesy Columbia Pictures; ‘Hiding Out’ photo courtesy De Laurentiis Entertainment Group; ‘Wall Street’, photo courtesy Twentieth Century Fox; ‘Trading Places’, photo courtesy Paramount Pictures

BY STEVE BRYAN

Born and raised in South St. Louis, Steve Bryan is now based in Anaheim, California, and has been allowed access to movie and television sets to see actors and directors at work. Though his writing has taken him far from St. Louis, Steve is, at heart, still the same wide-eyed kid who spent countless hours watching classic movies at neighborhood theaters. FEBRUARY JULY 2021

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OurLifestyle OurLifestyle

SIZZLING MEALS made for summer Pimento Remoulade:

1/2 cup mayonnaise 11/2 tablespoons minced pimentos 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon minced bread and butter pickles 1 pepperoncino (seeded and minced) 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 3 dashes hot sauce kosher salt, to taste

Fried Lobster Po Boy Burgers Recipe courtesy of Omaha Steaks Executive Chef David Rose

Prep time: about 20 minutes | Cook time: about 20 minutes | Servings: 2

Fried Lobster Tails:

Vegetable oil, for frying

1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 large egg 1 tablespoon water 2 dashes hot sauce 1/4 cup potato chips, finely blended in food processor 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon minced flat leaf I talian parsley 2 lobster tails (5 ounces each)

To make pimento remoulade: In small bowl, mix mayonnaise, pimentos, mustard, pickles, pepperoncino, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, lemon juice and hot sauce until well incorporated. Season with salt, to taste.

Cheeseburgers:

1 pound premium ground beef salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 brioche buns 2 slices yellow cheddar cheese 3 leaves romaine lettuce, shredded

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To make fried lobster tails: Preheat grill to 400 F and add oil to 10-inch cast-iron pan about 1/2-inch deep.

til golden brown and cooked through. Close grill lid between flipping. To make cheeseburgers: Preheat grill to 450 F using direct heat. Form ground beef into two 1/2 pound patties, each about 1/2-inch thick. Using thumb, make dimple in center of each patty to help cook evenly.

In medium bowl, whisk flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika until well incorporated. Set aside.

Season both sides of burger with salt and pepper, to taste. Spread butter on each cut side of buns.

In separate medium bowl, whisk egg, water and hot sauce. Set aside.

Grill burgers 4-5 minutes per side for medium doneness.

In third medium bowl, whisk potato chips, panko breadcrumbs and parsley until well incorporated. Set aside. Cut lobster tails in half lengthwise, remove meat from shell and season with remaining kosher salt and black pepper.

Add one slice cheddar cheese on each burger, close lid and grill about 30 seconds to melt cheese. Remove patties from grill to clean plate. Place buns cut sides down on grill grates and toast 20-30 seconds, or until well toasted, being careful to avoid burning.

Toss halved lobster tails in flour mixture first, egg mixture second then potato chip mixture third, coating thoroughly.

To assemble: Place desired remoulade on buns. Place cheeseburgers on bottom buns. Top each with two fried lobster tail halves. Place handful shredded lettuce on lobster tails. Top with buns.

Fry lobster tails 3-4 minutes on each side un-

OurLifestyle New York Strips Oscar-Style Recipe courtesy of Omaha Steaks Executive Chef David Rose

Prep time: about 30 minutes | Cook time: about 3 1/2 hours | Servings: 4

Directions: To make asparagus: Cut asparagus stalks into 1/4-inch pieces. Heat large pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil.

Add garlic and shallots to pan; lightly saute about 20 seconds, or until fragrant. Add asparagus to pan; saute about 2 minutes until lightly browned. Add salt and pepper, to taste. To make bearnaise sauce: In small saucepan, bring vinegar, shallots and tarragon to boil then reduce to simmer 3-4 minutes until reduced by about half. Cool to room temperature. Bring medium pot half full of water to slow boil. In small bowl, whisk egg yolks, vinegar reduction, water and hot sauce until well incorporated. Place bowl over pot of boiling water and continue whisking ingredients until it starts to emulsify and becomes sauce-like. Alternate whisking on and off heat every 30 seconds to prevent eggs from scrambling. Gradually add melted butter, continuously whisking until sauce becomes rich with ribbony consistency and sets up. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. If too thick, add 1 tablespoon water at a time and whisk to desired consistency. To make crab meat: In medium bowl, lightly toss crab meat with salt until well coated.

Sauteed Asparagus:

1/2 pound jumbo asparagus (about salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper, 1 bunch), blanched in salted to taste boiling water 3 tablespoons olive oil Jumbo Lump Crab Meat: 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 pound jumbo lump crab meat 2 tablespoons minced shallots 2 tablespoons kosher salt salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper, to taste New York Strip Steaks: 4 New York Strips (10 ounces each) Bearnaise Sauce: salt, to taste 1/4 cup white wine vinegar freshly ground black pepper, to 2 tablespoons minced shallots taste 1 tablespoon chopped tarragon water 3 egg yolks 4 tablespoons grapeseed oil 2 tablespoons water, plus 4 tablespoons unsalted butter additional for boiling, divided 3 garlic cloves 2 dashes hot sauce 2 fresh thyme sprigs 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

To make steaks: Pat steaks dry with paper towels and season heavily with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring steaks to room temperature. Place sous vide immersion circulator in pot of water and set to 5 F below target doneness. Place seasoned steaks in sous vide bag or ziptop bag and cook 2 hours. Remove bag and remove steaks from bag. Pat steaks dry with paper towels. Warm large cast-iron pan over high heat and add oil. Add steaks, butter, garlic cloves and thyme leaves. After about 1 minute, steaks should start to brown. Flip steaks and baste with butter until caramelized. Remove steaks from pan and rest 7-8 minutes. To assemble: Place asparagus on bottom of plate. Top with steaks (whole or sliced), crab meat and bearnaise sauce. JULY 2021

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Catch ‘em all

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

InDepth

Actor and animal trainer encourages people to get back to nature with a scavenger hunt in St. Louis area parkland with a $10,000 grand prize BY CHARLOTTE BEARD A Louisiana native, Michael Beran, who grew up in the swamps of Louisiana with a love for animals is taking his love for playing Pokemon GO and launching an eight-week St. Louis Extraordinary Cash Quest on July 1. In collaboration with his Wildlife Command Center, the grand prize is $10,000. “I play a lot of Pokemon GO and I’ve wrapped a marketing campaign around the game, especially in the St. Louis area,” stated Beran, Owner of Wildlife Command Center. “While I was out, I noticed a lot of people, people my age – 50s – out playing 18 | OUR TOWN | JUNE 2021

Pokemon GO and kids running around. I (thought), ‘If I am out here doing this in nature, wouldn’t it be fun if they could get a little extra—if they could be out here and find a treasure?’ I travel from city to city filming movies, either with my Wildlife Command Center animals or just as an actor. Every time I am in a new city I would go out and play Pokemon GO and hide a camouflage plastic Easter egg that had a $100 bill in it. Then I would make a video of where I hid it, post it to my YouTube Channel (followed by) the local Pokemon GO Facebook group

InDepth or something (else). We had so selling its own coffee to fund the much positive response from nonprofit (visit https://buywcc. that, Michael D. Francis, my local com for details on how to supSt. Louis promoter said, ‘Man, port). let’s do that! That looks like fun The Wildlife Command Center – let’s do it bigger!’ So, we came which rescues people from wild up with the idea of the Wildlife animals and pests, remedies inCommand Center Extraordinary vasive birds for commercial busiCash Quest.” nesses, and trains and provides Beran shared that he has found animals for commercial, movie, Pokemon GO, the mobile “augand party needs, doubles in size mented reality” game in which yearly according to Beran since players must physically move moving its hub to St. Louis in around the real world to capture 2014. Beran founded Wildlife in Pokemon (pocket monsters), the Shreveport, Louisiana in 2010. best way to relieve stress. “In 2014 we decided that we Beran explained the Wildlife needed a bigger city that was Command Center’s cash quest somewhere in the Midwest so will reach as far as Herculaneum that we could operate the way I (From left) Wildlife Command Center owner Michael Beran stands with family had envisioned (running) Wildand Eureka. “We saved up $10,000 over members Bonnie Beran, Lakin Beran and Chance Beran. life Command Center,” he statthe past year; 2020 was the best ed. year ever hands-down for Wildlife Command Center. For Beran who has center locations in five other states also everyone else 2020 sucked – they were locked up in their shared that he has been everywhere and “personally” loves homes, they could not go out to do (anything). So, I thought St. Louis.“I was in the navy for a number of years – up and this was a good way to give back to the community a little bit down the east coast. I have traveled and I just personally love and have something that would have enough motivation to St. Louis.” get people out again – to get into nature. All these treasures Finders of Wildlife’s treasure boxes during the eight-week are hidden in public access parks – city parks, county parks, contest will not only retain $100 associated with each box and state parks. There are grand walking trails in the St. but will also receive resource information for the Center in Louis area.” the boxes. Beran hopes that the Cash Quest will draw attention to “If no one finds 10 of the 12 treasures,” Beran stated of the Wildlife Command Center’s nonprofit – Raptor Rescue, Inc. $10,000 grand prize winner, “whoever finds the most boxes “We rescue injured birds of prey that have been hurt by hu- will be eligible for a consolation prize drawing.” mans,” Beran stated. “We provide first-aid and stabilization Beran shared that a consolation prize drawing for such a at the injury site. (In addition), we give transportation to an participant will consist of the winner gaining additional monambient hospital like World Bird Sanctuary, etc.” ey based on the amount of their previous winnings multiplied According to Beran, the most problematic animal in St. by a number the participant will choose from a drawing. In Louis are big brown bats. the case of a tie, Beran stated the game rules for individual “We’ve got five major rivers that come through the St. participants/teams in locating boxes will be used to deterLouis area,” stated Beran. “Bats love water, insects, and old mine a primary winner based on receipt of timestamped vidstructures – 25 years plus, typically. Bats find their way into eos and pictures (watch a brief detailed video of the contest people’s homes, and though we need bats – they are an rules at https://buywcc.com/contest/). Teams apply to those important part of our ecosystem – we just cannot live with groups of six who registered on the contest site before May them in the same structure. There is a fungus that grows in 16, 2021. Individuals are not required to register for particitheir fecal matter called histoplasmosis – that fungus is bad pation at any time. on human lungs. We will get asthma, bronchitis – all kinds of Between July 1 and August 31, participants will have acrespiratory problems.” cess to 12 different YouTube clue videos to assist in locating Beran stated that Raptor Rescue was solely funded initially the 12 treasure boxes. by Wildlife Command Center’s participation in events such To learn more about Wildlife Command Center and its as Comic Con and Renaissance Fair where the center solic- mission visit https://wildlifecommandcenter.com. To find out its donations. COVID-19 prevented the organization from more about Michael Beran as an actor visit IMDB.me/Migathering donations last year. Recently, the center began chaelBeran. JUNE 2021

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July 4

Independence Day

Bastille Day

Rural Transit Day

Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony

Parents’ Day

National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day