Our Town: May and June 2013

Tour Your Town

Exporting Can Help Missouri Businesses Finance Tips from the Secretary of State

The Old St. Ferdinand Shrine in Florissant is a popular museum in North St. Louis County.

May/June 2013

CharterBusiness.com

www.furcentre.com

www.mycnews.com

ssmdrs.com

Welcome To Whirlpool速 Home Appliances

KEEVEN APPLIANCE Sales Service Parts 90 Days Same As Cash

Family owned & operated since 1955 FLORISSANT 3350 Parker Rd. 314-837-2723 ST. CHARLES 1976 Old Hwy 94 S. 636-949-2555

May/June 2013

Our Town Contents

A little over four years ago, Our Town magazine was refocused from a general lifestyle magazine to a business magazine helping local chambers of commerce reach out to a larger business audience. Today, Our Town is direct-mailed to over 7,000 business addresses in North and Northwest St. Louis County.

It serves the Maryland Heights, Northwest, and Greater North County chambers of commerce, as well as North County Inc., our area’s regional development association. This publication provides these organizations with the opportunity to communicate to the business community they serve. I believe it is important for our area to be aware of the activities and accomplishments of these organizations, because they influence the business environment that we all share. I am proud of what Our Town has accomplished towards this goal so far, and I would like to do more for our readers.

You are invited to give us your suggestions for content, and news to share, by emailing the editor, Shannon Cothran, at editor@ mycnews.com You are also invited to read us online with a free online subscription by signing up at www. mycnews.com Thank you for reading Our Town,

Bob Huneke Publisher Community News and Our Town magazine

8 C over Story Tour Your Town Enjoy summer without ever leaving North St. Louis County.

By DeAnna Massie

6 FINANCE Finance Tips from Missouri Secretary of State Be Aware Of Account Fees Before Investing

7 E xpert Advice Exporting Can Help Missouri Businesses

By Patricia Brown-Dixon

18 The Medical Memo The Burden of Arthritis

By Francisco Garriga, MD

19 Calendar of Events County Business Development 10 12 14 16

Greater North County Chamber of Commerce Northwest Chamber of Commerce North County Incorporated Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce

VOL 4 / NO 3

Our Town is a Community News publication. It is published every other month and direct-mailed to 7,000 business executives in North and Northwest St. Louis county, plus online circulation.

Online subscriptions are FREE and available at www.mycnews.com For advertising information please contact: Community News 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Drive | O’Fallon, MO 63366 | 636.379.1775 | www.mycnews.com Publisher - Robert Huneke Editor - Shannon Cothran Staff Writer - DeAnna Massie Contributing Writer - Francisco Garriga, MD Photographer - Ray Rockwell Cover Photo - courtesy of Dennis Schilligo Art Director/Creative Design - Terrie Dehn, TJD Studio Copyright 2013 Huneke Publications, Inc. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of the publisher.

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FINANCE Finance Tips from Missouri Secretary of State Be Aware Of Account Fees Before Investing

ongoing dialogue about budgeting, saving, investing and avoiding scams and frauds,” Kander said. “Whether you are just starting out as a newlywed or entering retirement, there are questions to get you and your loved ones talking about the often difficult issue of money.” The Missouri Securities Division can provide detailed information about an investment product, broker or adviser. This information is easy to obtain and more extensive than information from other sources. Visit MissouriSafeSavings.com to learn how the division can help you. The Missouri Securities Division also recommends these investment fraud prevention tips:

Secretary of State Jason Kander is reminding Missouri investors to be aware of fees associated with investment accounts before investing.

“My office has received complaints from investors who were hit with fees that they didn’t realize would be charged. When opening an account, it is crucial to analyze these fees because they can translate into large differences in the returns you receive from your investment,” Kander said.

Applicable fees may include charges for commissions, transactions, transfers, surrenders, cancellations, overdrafts and management. Fees vary and can be imposed by broker-dealers, investment adviser firms, mutual fund companies and insurance companies.

Investment professionals must provide you with notice of any changes in fees or fee structure.

Additionally, the Missouri Securities Division can provide detailed information about the registration status of securities, broker-dealers and investment advisers.

For more information, contact the Investor Protection Hotline at 800.721.7996 or visit www.MissouriSafeSavings.com.

“Talk the Talk” about Savings and Investing Secretary of State Jason Kander is helping Missouri investors “talk the talk” about their personal finances. “The more families talk about their finances, the better they will be in the long run,” Kander said. “Information is the best defense against losing hard-earned savings to investment fraud.”

To help people begin discussions about financial matters, Kander is making

• Investigate before you invest. Use the Missouri Investor Hotline to check the registration and license of potential investments and investment advisors.

• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Choose your financial planner carefully.

available a series of “Conversation Starters,” developed by the North American Securities Administration (NASAA) and available on NASAA’s website at www. nasaa.org. “These conversation starters are a series of open-ended questions designed to help families kick-start an

• Take your time. Don’t give in to high-pressure sales tactics.

• If you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact us.

For more information, visit the Missouri Securities Division at www.MissouriSafeSavings.com or America Saves Week 2013 at www.americasavesweek.org. OT

Expert Advice Exporting Can Help Missouri Businesses

By Patricia Brown-Dixon, Region 7 Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration Missouri’s total exports.

In today’s global economy, selling around the world can bring large rewards. It just makes good business sense to expand your customer base to the more than 95 percent of the world’s population outside our country where demand for American goods and services is growing every day.

Small businesses now constitute 34 percent of our nation’s total export dollars, and make up about 97.8 percent of all exporters. At the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) we provide counseling, training and financing to ensure that small businesses can tap into the global market. Since FY 2009, SBA has guaranteed 6,400 loans to small business exporters for over $3.3 billion. This financing supported more than $6.3 billion in exports and an untold number of American jobs.

The SBA and other federal partners are all working toward a goal, set by President Obama in his National Export Initiative, to double U.S. exports by 2014. To reach that goal, the President recently signed trade agreements with Colombia, South Korea, and Panama to expand export markets. Additionally, in his State of the Union address, the President announced that we will launch talks on a comprehensive Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union. More markets mean more

www.mycnews.com

customers, more sales and more jobs here at home.

You might be surprised to learn agricultural products are not the top exports in any of the four Midwestern states of Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska in SBA’s Region 7, and that architectural and construction services are in high demand. According to the reports released in February by U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA), 2012 export statistics showed transportation equipment as Missouri’s biggest export merchandise category and the latest statistics 2009 indicate about one fifth of Missouri manufacturing workers depend on exports for their jobs.

ITA statistics indicate that in 2010, of the 4,692 companies who exported from Missouri, 4,050 (86 percent) were small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 500 employees, who generated just under one quarter (23 percent) of

If you are a small business looking to export, U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEACS) are a great resource. The centers are staffed by professionals from SBA, Department of Commerce, the U.S. ExportImport Bank and other public and private organizations.

Their specific mission is to provide assistance to small businesses that will allow them to compete in today’s global marketplace. In SBA’s Region 7, USEACS are located in Kansas City and St. Louis, but each of SBA’s District offices has an international trade officer who can act as your liaison to other federal exporting assistance.

If you’re ready to explore exporting, the SBA and the federal government’s trade promotion and export finance agencies are ready to help. For more information, please contact June K. Teasley, Region 7 Communications Director, at 816.426.4845 or at june.tealey@ sba.gov.

Or contact Ann Pardalos, State of Missouri, Dept. of Economic Development, manager of International Office for Exporting at 573.751.6605 or ann.pardalos@ ded.mo.gov. Locally, you can contact Tim Nowak, executive director for the St. Louis County Economic Council’s World Trade Center at 314.615.8151 or tnowak@ worldtradecenter-stl.com. OT

www.byerlyrv.com

Tour Your Town Enjoy summer without ever leaving North St. Louis County.

By DeAnna Massie

Photos by Kent Miller Photography; courtesy NCI

Planning a fun summer for your family doesn’t have to mean breaking into the vacation fund or making travel arrangements, especially in North St. Louis County. From water parks and rec-plexes to shopping and museums, there are plenty of options available right here at home. This summer, before you drag out the suitcases and start packing, consider what’s available minutes from your house.

For Those Who Want To Play…

North St. Louis County is home to fourteen parks and community centers.

These public recreation areas, like Castlepoint, McDonnell, Spanish Lake, Bon Oak and Endicott, are open to the public and include ample parking, playgrounds, sheltered picnic areas and bathroom facilities. Some include boat launches, athletic fields or walking trails. Others, like Fort Belle Fontaine, feature historic sites and landmarks. Still others have special features that set them apart from the average county play areas. For example, Sioux Passage provides a scenic horseriding trail that runs alongside the river, and Veterans Memorial/North County Recreation Complex has a stocked fishing pond with a dock.

(normandiegolf.com) welcomes players who want only to book a 9- or 18-hole round, though season passes are available. Norwood Hills (norwoodhills.com) requires membership but provides amenities such as event venues, childcare, and facilities for tennis and swimming.

fields, computer center, sports equipment check-out and more.

Families looking for fun with no membership fees attached must stop by St. Louis Mill’s Sportstreet. This recreation hub includes NASCAR Speedpark (nascarspeedpark.com), where families can race high-performance go-karts, and the Family Jump Center. St. Louis Mills is also home to Ice ZONE (stlicezone.com), the official practice facility of the St. Louis Blues, where free-skate sessions and ice-skating lessons are available year-round.

PLAY

In the summer, parks generally stay open late so visitors can take advantage of the cooler evening temperatures. For a complete list of North St. Louis County parks, hours and features, visit the Parks and Recreation page at stlouisco.com.

Parents need time to play, too, and no vacation is complete without a golf outing for the grownups. Luckily, two of the finest golf courses in the region are located here in North St. Louis County. The elite Norwood Hills Country Club and Normandie Golf Club, the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi, provide competitive courses and full-service clubhouses and pro shops that are sure to make you feel like you are on vacation. Normandie

If swimming is on your summer to-do list, you should not miss St. Vincent Water Park in Greendale, White Birch Bay Aquatic Center in Hazelwood, or Splash at Wabash water park in Ferguson. Both have enormous water slides, pools for swimmers of all ages, swimming lessons, changing/bathroom facilities and concessions. St. Vincent Park also has a gymnasium with a full sized basketball court, two small basketball courts, two full-sized volleyball courts and space for badminton, indoor soccer, more.

There is a small fee to swim at Splash.

Check Fergusoncity.com for this year’s rates and schedules.

When summer temperatures soar in St. Louis, splashing around in local pools may not be enough to help you beat the heat, so there are opportunities throughout North St. Louis County for indoor play time. In addition to visiting the St. Vincent Park’s gymnasium, residents should consider membership with the Emerson Family YMCA (ymcastlouis. org). Membership includes year-round access to the pool, a double gymnasium, track, fitness center, aerobics room, cardio and weight lifting equipment, sports

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Of course, for some of us, shopping is all business and does not fall into the “play” category, but for the summer, we can make an exception. With 1.1 million square feet of entertainment and more than 160 stores, the St. Louis Mills outlet mall is a vacation destination all by itself. Restaurants and one-of-a-kind play areas are scattered throughout the shopping center, which is anchored by 13 major retailers and a large cinema.

Jamestown Mall offers less square footage to cover, as does the Shoppes at Cross Keyes. For a truly unique shopping experience, you can’t beat the quaint, locally owned boutiques of Old Town Florissant and Ferguson. Along with taking in the historical scenery, shoppers can enjoy antique malls, cafes, craft stores, clothing boutiques and more. For a complete list, visit florissantoldtown.com.

For Those Who Want To Learn…

Parents who want to incorporate education and enrichment this summer can still offer a fun-packed vacation—guilt free. North St. Louis County is rich with history and culture and brimming with learning opportunities. The area boasts countless historical sites, landmarks, museums and education centers.

Museum. Hours vary and some tours are by appointment only, so please visit explorenorthstlouiscounty.com, a tourism website from North County Inc., for details.

aviation. Children interested in space travel will be thrilled by the Challenger Learning Center (clcstlouis.org), which hosts camps and provides hands-on educational experiences.

Outdoor sites include Fort Belle Fontaine, which features four major areas and was a stop on the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the Confluence and Columbia Bottom Conservation Area.

Along with being a historical landmark, the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge also has walking and biking trails.

North St. Louis is also home to some curiosities that may interest the more adventurous local touris, like a visit to the birthplace of the original monster truck, BigFoot (bigfoot4x4.com).

LEARN

For a historical perspective, visit one of the many local landmarks or museums.

Historic architecture, authentic furnishings, and compelling narratives create memorable experiences for visitors of all ages. Popular destinations include the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine in Florissant, the General Daniel Bissell House, the Little Red Schoolhouse, the PayneGentry House, Villa Gesu, the Shelter, Hunt and Hardy Houses, the Larimore Plantation House and the Sacred Heart

For Those Who Want To Relax…

Vacation can be exhausting. When you are ready to sit back and relax, let North St. Louis County concert and theater venues provide the entertainment. With venues of every shape and size, North St. Louis County hosts both local and international artists, comedians and performers. Professional concert and live theater venues include Hollywood Casino St. Louis in Earth City, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, and the Blanche

For those looking for something a bit more contemporary, visit the Ferguson Station Depot Museum, the First Due Fire Museum, or the James S. McDonnell Prologue Room at Boeing. The Prologue Room offers a unique museum experience with photos, artifacts and engaging exhibits about the history of Boeing and

Touhill Performing Arts Center on the campus of UMSL. The Touhill offers a family series that is perfect for summer entertainment.

Finally, don’t forget to take advantage of one of the best resources in North St. Louis County: the library system.

Local branches offer free family, children, and adult events all summer long.

Reading clubs, author events, crafts, story time and demonstrations are offered daily. Visit slcl.org/events to search for events that may interest the learners in your family.

taste and budget.

Too often we look outside of our own cities to find novelty and excitement and overlook the budget-friendly local attractions and rich history of our own hometowns. Whether your summer goals are to play, learn, relax, or all of the above, the best opportunities are right under your nose. To learn more about what’s available in North St. Louis County, visit explorenorthstlouiscounty.com. OT

RELAX Smaller, community-supported venues, like the Eagan Civic Center and the Terry Fischer Theater at Florissant Valley Community College, also provide adult and family programming, including performances in theater, dance, music and art. With so many options, you will be sure to find something that fits your

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May/June 2013

Greater North County Chamber greaternorthcountychamber.com 314.831.3500

2013 Golf Tournament

More than 100 golfers took to the greens last year in the Greater North County Chamber’s Golf Tournament.

The Greater North County Chamber of Commerce will host its 2013 Golf Tournament on Friday, June 14, at the Golf Club of Florissant. The tournament will begin with a shotgun start at noon.

The $99 per person entry fee includes 18 holes with a cart, lunch, dinner and drink tickets. The tournament will feature several contests, mulligans, skins, attendance prizes and more.

Several sponsorships are available: 1. Presenting Sponsor, $750, which in-

Pirrone’s Pizzeria was one of the Corporate Sponsors at last year’s Chamber golf tournament.

cludes a foursome in the tournament, four logo golf shirts, a dedicated sponsor sign, a hole sponsor sign, a business-card size ad in the Chamber newsletter for three months; and a listing in program; 2. Corporate Sponsor, $599, which includes a foursome in the tournament, a corporate sponsor sign, a hole sponsor sign and a listing in program; 3. Putting Contest Sponsor, $499; and Drink Cart Sponsor, $499; both include

two golfers in the tournament, a sponsor sign on the putting green or drink cart, and a listing in program; 4. C losest to the Pin ($249), Closest to the Line ($249) and Longest Drive ($249) includes a dedicated sign on hole; 5. M eal Sponsor, $299, includes signage at the table; and 6. H ole Sponsor, $99, signage on hole.

To register to golf or to be a sponsor, call the chamber office at 314.831.3500 or visit greaternorthcountychamber.com.

A Taste of What North County Has to Offer at Chamber Business Showcase More than 900 people attended the 25th Anniversary of the Greater North County Chamber of Commerce Business Showcase & Taste of North County. The Chamber and the City of Florissant cosponsored the event on March 23 at the James J. Eagan Community Center in Florissant.

“It was a huge success,” said Colleen Hannibal, executive director of Crystal Creek Health & Rehabilitation Center and event chairwoman.

Florissant Mayor Tom Schneider said the city is looking forward to co-sponsor-

ing the event again next year.

Presenting Sponsors were Christian Hospital, Delmar Gardens North & Garden Villas North and Schnucks Markets.

Booth Sponsor was Crystal Creek Health & Rehabilitation Center.

Chamber members that participated included AAA Travel, Accessible Play, ADT Security, Ameriprise Financial Services, Canfield Green Apartments, Catholic Family Services, Commerce Bank, Community News, Complete Auto Body & Truck Repair, Cookie Lee Jewelry, Curves, Curves—Ferguson, Eagle Fit10

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ness, Emerson Family YMCA, Executive Financial Group, Federation of Catholic Schools, Ferguson-Florissant School District, Firestone Complete Auto Care, FirstLight Home Care, City of Florissant, Florissant Police Department, Florissant Valley Fire Protection District, Goldkamp Heating, Cooling & Duct Cleaning, Golf Club of Florissant, Gregory Insurance Agency, H&R Block, Hazelwood School District, In Family Hands Home Health Care, Independent Living At Its Best, Jamestown New Horizons, Life Care Center of Florissant, Mercy Clinic—Internal Medicine, Mississippi Valley

Roofing, Neighbors Credit Union, North County Christian School, Paul Cerame Auto Group, Preferred Family Healthcare, Pretty N Posh Spa Parties Accessories, Shelter Insurance-Chris Hamilton, SSM DePaul Health Center, St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, St. Louis County Library-Florissant Val-

ley Branch, Studio 411-Photography by Rick Niblett, Stygar Florissant Chapel and Cremation Service, Trinity Catholic High School, US Bank, Valley Industries, Vantage Credit Union, and Vitendo 4 Africa.

Participating Chamber restaurants in-

cluded Catering to You, Cugino’s Restaurant, DeLeo’s Café & Deli, Helfer’s Pastries & Deli, Hendel’s Market Café, Hot Shots, Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza, Pirrone’s Pizzeria, The Rice House, and Yacovelli’s Restaurant & Banquet Center.

Photos by Debbie Wright

People enjoy the great food available from the 10 North County restaurants that participated in the Taste of North County.

Taking a moment to relax during the Business Showcase are (from left to right): Bob Lindsey with Independent News; Easter Duck; Carolyn Marty, GNC Chamber president; and Colleen Hannibal, executive director of Crystal Creek Health & Rehabilitation Center and event chairwoman.

Chamber Passes Gavel to 2013 Board Photo by Kent Miller

Chamber Awards 2013 Scholarships

Jeff Borax of Firestone Complete Auto Care (far right) visits with some of the residents who attended the March 23 Business Showcase. Firestone gave away four tires to one lucky visitor at the event.

The Greater North County Chamber of Commerce recently selected the recipients of five $1,000 scholarships.

The scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who reside in the Greater North County Chamber service area, which includes Bellefontaine Neighbors, Black Jack, Ferguson, Florissant, Hazelwood, Jennings, Spanish Lake, Old Jamestown and surrounding unincorporated St. Louis County.

The scholarship recipients are Desoto Dickson Jr. of Trinity Catholic High School; Melanie Ann Moore of Hazelwood West High School; Lauralyn Rosenberger of Hazelwood West High School; Haley Schuster of Hazelwood West High School; and Monica Wilson of Incarnate Word Academy.

The scholarship fund was established with donations from chamber members and an annual bowl-a-thon. The chamber has awarded $40,000 in scholarships to date.

The 2013 Scholarship Bowl-A-Thon will be on Wednesday, August 7, from 6 - 9pm at AMF Dick Weber Lanes. For more information, call the Chamber office at 314.831.3500.

The 2012 Chairwoman, Julie Berthold, passed the gavel to the 2013 Chairwoman, Colleen Hannibal, at the board of directors meeting on April 3 at Cannoli’s Restaurant.

Hannibal, the executive director of Crystal Creek Health Rehabilitation Center, and the 2013 Board of Directors were scheduled to be installed on April 12 at Norwood Hills Country Club.

Joining Hannibal on the 2013 Executive Board are Jon Vogt, Catering to You, vice chairman; Brice VanSant, Labor Ready, secretary; Elizabeth Wade, Pulaski Bank, treasurer; and Julie Berthold, Berthold Carpet Cleaning, past chairwoman.

The 2013 Board of Directors are Bret Berigan, Christian Hospital; Dick Cerame, Paul Cerame Auto Group; Rick Dors11

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ey, Ahlheim & Dorsey LLC; Chief Mike Gantner, Black Jack Fire Protection District; Rosemary Hodges, SSM DePaul Health Center; Ken McGhee, Archway Memorial Chapel; Dhari Pearson, Papa Murphy’s Pizza; Melissa Rakers, Neighbors Credit Union; Craig Szczuka, Falcon Services Inc.; Dr. Grayling Tobias, superintendent of Hazelwood School District; and Don Zykan, Zykan Family Partnership.

Carolyn Marty GNCC President

Northwest Chamber of Commerce northwestchamber.com 314.291.2131

2013 Executive Board Officers Chairman – Steve Hewkin, Hewkin Auto Body Vice Chair – Tammy Durbin with Kelly Services Vice Chair – Dr. Mike Fulton, Pattonville School District Vice Chair – Amy Smith, Favazza and Associates Secretary – Christine Cole, US Bank Bellerieve Treasurer – Fletcher Wells II, St. Johns Bank & Trust Immediate Past-Chair – Jerry Hart, Valley Industries

2013 Board of Directors Dr. Chris Kilbride – Ritenour School District T. R. Carr – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Business Showcase Was Huge Success The NWCC recently held its Spring Business Showcase and monthly membership meeting. As vendor registration closed on Monday, we had 94 vendors registered, shattering our previous record of 67 vendors. We also were sold out for lunch and had beaten our previous lunch record of 225 by a whopping 39 people. To have 264 people pre-registered to come to lunch is an amazing

feeling. The NWCC office ended up turning away another 15 interested vendors and easily another 20 people for lunch.

We did have a lot of people just come to attend the show because they couldn’t get in for lunch. It was such an exciting day for the Northwest Chamber of Commerce, and if you didn’t have the chance to attend, we will be doing it again in September—and on an even bigger scale.

Showcase Vendors

Mike Stein – Alro Heating & Cooling Chief Terry Milam – City of St. John Chief Don Hood – City of Bridgeton Chief Tom Jackson – City of Ferguson Mayor James McGee – City of Vinita Park Barry Herring – CMIT Solutions Lori Bushman – Sprint Paul Rose – Charter Business Steve Krazl – US Bank Bridgeton Bob Aubuchon – City of Hazelwood Tony Lamantia – Allied Waste Bob Baker – US Foods Kim Bakker – SSM DePaul Health Center Naomi Francis – Master Events Kevin Hall – Bommarito of Hazelwood Melanie Wiginton – T&L Tree Service Harry Lively – Simploy James Marcellino – Enterprise Holdings

Staff Brian Goldman – President/CEO brian@northwestchamber.com Tina Herrmann – Office Manger tina@northwestchamber.com Jessica Young – Admin. Assistant Jessica@northwestchamber.com Phone # (314) 291-2131 Fax # (314) 291-2153 Web www.northwestchamber.com Northwest Chamber of Commerce 8944 St. Charles Rock Rd. Third Floor St. Louis, MO 63114 Unless otherwise noted, all photo credits are to McCarthy Photography

The Little Chamber That Could Do you remember the story of the little engine that could? All the big engines laughed at him, and you had that whole, “I think I can, I think I can” thing.

Well the Northwest Chamber is just like that little engine trying to get up the hill. We (the members) all knew that we had something special going on, but to the rest of the St. Louis area, we were still a well-kept secret. Less than a year ago, we were one of the smallest Chamber of Commerce in the area. On May 1, 2012, the NWCC had 249 Members (businesses). “I think I can, I think I can.”

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Our monthly membership meetings were all very well attended, and we consistently had 100, 125, 150, even 165 people in attendance. “I think I can, I think I can”. We started to do some new things, and word started to spread, and more new members joined. “I think I can, I think I can.” New members started talking about us, and they started bringing guests, and the guests started joining. “I think I can, I think I can.” Our existing members started coming out to more

meetings and events to see what they were hearing about and to meet all of the new members. “I think I can, I think I can.”

Northwest Chamber of Commerce Steps Up

Meetings started to get bigger and bigger and we started to get 175, then 185, and now we’ve had over 200 in attendance at the last three membership meetings, 264 people being the highest. “I know we can, I know we can.”

Word keeps spreading, and membership keeps growing. We ended 2012 with 83 new members since May 1 and 99 in total for the year. For 2013, we have hit double digits in new members in January, February, March and April. “I know we can, I know we can.” NWCC may not be the biggest chamber out there, but we are definitely one of the friendliest and most active chambers around. Do yourself and your business a favor and come check out what is going on at the Northwest Chamber of Commerce. You see, we are that little engine, and we are not only making it over the hill, but we are looking for the next hill to conquer.

It doesn’t matter if you call it the “Crazy Train” (we tend to be a little unconventional as far as chambers go, and we like it that way) or if you call it the NWCC Express, just climb aboard and enjoy the ride to better business success.

The Cheesecake ladies are a wonderful company and a very active member of the Northwest Chamber and the community. Recently Angela Wadsworth and her business partner, Jamie Gussner called to tell me that one of our Chamber members was in trouble and needed help. It turns out that Hazelwood Northwest Middle school had done a fundraiser selling Cookie Dough.

The Cookie Dough company took the check from the school to pay for the

27th Annual Summer Golf Classic Save the date for the Northwest Chamber of Commerce 27th Annual Summer Golf Classic. This years’ tournament will be on Monday June 3 out at beautiful Innsbrook Golf Course. If you have never played in one of the NWCC golf tournaments before, you won’t want to miss this one. We will start with a crazy putting contest, and the day will take off from there. Besides all of the networking

opportunities, golf and awesome scenery out at Innsbrook, throw in some silly games, contest, lunch, “special drink” stations, cash prizes, prime rib dinner and now, we have the NWCC Golf Classic. Sponsorship opportunities and golf spots are still available. Go to northwestchamber.com for more information, or call the Chamber office at 314.291.2131.

cookies, cashed it, and filed bankruptcy the next day; taking $3500 from the school. The Cheesecake Ladies donated 400 Cheesecakes to sell as a fundraiser to try to replace the money, and the Northwest Chamber of Commerce helped promote it. Chamber members stepped up big and strong and not only ordered a lot of cheesecake, but also rounded up on the bill, adding in more money and even making straight donations. Enterprise Holdings sent in a check for $200.

And then new member Kristie Jones with SchoolReach went to the president of her company to tell him what happened to Hazelwood Northwest Middle.

Talk about a new member making an impact—SchoolReach is going to cover the school’s remaining balance shortfall.

Cheesecakes are still being sold, and chamber members have bought or donated over $1800 all ready. This just shows what an amazing group of people and businesses we have at the Northwest Chamber of Commerce and is one more reason that our members can be proud.

New Website Goes Live

The Northwest Chamber of Commerce is proud to present its new website. It is a new and unique look, but the same web address. Please go to northwestchamber. com and explore our new interactive website.

Brian Goldman President

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North County Incorporated, Regional Development Association northstlouiscounty.com 314.895.6241

NCI and Chamber Leaders Present 2013 North County Legislative Agenda NCI President/CEO Rebecca Zoll, along with Greater North County Chamber President Carolyn Marty and Northwest Chamber of Commerce President Brian Goldman travelled with their organizations’ board members to Jefferson City to meet with some of North County’s legislators. AT&T and St. Louis Community College sponsored the evening’s dinner. NCI and the area chambers presented the 2013 North County Legislative Agenda to area legislators. North County legislators who were able to attend were Senator Gina Walsh, Representatives Keith English, Margo McNeil, Sue Meredith, Bill Otto, Sharon Pace and Rochelle Walton Gray.

(From left to right, standing) NWCC President Brian Goldman, AT&T Consultant LeRoy Grant, GNCC President Carolyn Marty and NCI President/CEO Rebecca Zoll, and Representatives Rochelle Walton Gray and Sharon Pace (sitting)

First Tenant in Aviator Business Park Holds Groundbreaking International Food Products Corporation (IFPC) has signed on as the first tenant at the Aviator Business Park, which is the former Ford plant site, in the City of Hazelwood. Panattoni Development Company and IFPC are launching the development of a $20 million, 227,500 square foot build-to-suit industrial facility to attract light manufacturers, data centers, distribution operators, hotels, and office users.

“Actually, the location was perfect because of the highways, close proximity to the airport and access to nationwide railway service,” International Food Products Corporation CEO Clayton Brown said. “Also, it’s our first venture into [St. Louis] County with our production, so we’re real excited about that as well.”

(From left to right) David Cox, Ed Carlstrom and Councilman Bob Aubuchon with the City of Hazelwood; Rebecca Zoll, North County Inc. President/CEO; Mark Branstetter, Panattoni Development Co.; Clayton Brown, International Food Products; Brian Goldman, Brian Goldman, Northwest Chamber and other Chamber rep.’s Tammy Durbin, Roger Goessling, and Steve Kuhlmann.

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IFPC is a St. Louis-based food ingredient distributor and manufacturer. In addition to the company’s workforce of about 150 employees, its revenue for 2012 topped $351 million dollars.

The new site is expected to be up and running by the end of the year.

May/June 2013

NCI Names 2013’s Award Recipients To Be Honored at 36th Annual Breakfast North County Incorporated (NCI) is pleased to announce that our annual Business Development, Community Development, Elmer Belsha Leadership, and Public Service recipients have been chosen. The 2013 award recipients will be honored at NCI’s 36th Annual Breakfast on May 10, at 7:30am at the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel. This year’s presenting sponsors are HDR Engineering, Progressive Waste Solutions and SSM DePaul Health Center. The public is encouraged to attend and tickets are only $37.50 per person. Reservations are required; please call NCI at 314.895.6241 or go to NorthStLouisCounty.com.

NCI’s Business Development Awards are presented to those whose efforts positively affect the economic development and business climate of the North County area. On May 10, 2013 NCI will honor National Retail Properties, Inc. for the redevelopment of the blighted property (previously a Value City) along Lindbergh in the City of Florissant next to Target. The second NCI Business Development Award recipient will be World Wide Technologies, Inc. for their recent investment in real estate and personal property, expansion and job creation in north St. Louis County.

NCI’s Community Development Awards are presented to those whose efforts positively benefit youth, residents, civic organizations, or others through selfless acts. The Citizens for Advancement of Normandy and the St. Louis County Nuisance Property Clean-Up Initiative were chosen for this award.

Kim Bakker, Network Director of Community Affairs, SSM Health Care- St. Louis and a past Chairman of the Board of NCI will receive the prestigious Elmer Belsha Leadership Award, which is presented annually to an individual whose long-term commitment to NCI and the North County region has had a positive impact on the community and/or public body that they serve.

Public Service Awards will be presented to outstanding individuals, elected, appointed, or employed by a public body whose long-time service has had a positive impact on the community and/or public body they serve. Dr. George Albin III, retired Board Member of the Ritenour School District; St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley; Dwayne James, Councilman, City of Ferguson; and Rosemary Johnson, President, Jennings School District Board of Education

Anniversary Fundraiser Elegant Dinner, Wine Pairing & Auction Hendel’s Market Café and Piano Bar 599 St. Denis Street in Florissant Chef Nathan Bennett’s culinary creations and wine pairing expertise

Sunday, July 21, 2013 Celebration begins at 5:30pm First of five courses served promptly at 6pm $85 per person Silent auction begins at 5:30pm Reservations Required. For more information or ticket sales, please call 314.895.6241.

Our Town

NCI’s 36th Annual Breakfast is made possible by these generous sponsors: Presenting Sponsors are HDR Engineering, Progressive Waste Solutions and SSM DePaul Health Center. Corporate Plus Sponsors include Metro, St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley; and U.S. Bank. Corporate Sponsors include Cerame Auto Group; Christian Hospital; Commerce Bank; Community News; Favazza & Associates, LLC; Ferguson-Florissant School District; Johnny Londoff Chevrolet; NorthPark Partners; SSM Rehabilitation Hospital; St. Louis County, St. Louis County Economic Council; and Vantage Credit Union.

North County Incorporated is a regional development organization, which acts as a catalyst to define and advocate economic and community development for North St. Louis County. NCI was established in 1977. The Board is composed of community leaders and business owners. Mr. Ron McMullen, President of Christian Hospital is the current Board of Directors Chair. Rebecca Zoll is the current President/CEO.

36th Annual Breakfast

North County Incorporated

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will be this year’s Public Service Award recipients.

May/June 2013

May 10th, 2013 7:30-9:30 am The Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel

9801 Natural Bridge Road | St. Louis, MO 63134

$37.50 per person, reservations required

314.895.6241

or NorthStLouisCounty.com

Rebecca Zoll NCI President & CEO Photo by Kent Miller Photography

Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce mhcc.com 314.576.6603

MHCC 2013 Golf Tourney The MHCC Golf Classic is celebrating 20 years! This tournament is the Chamber’s largest fundraiser and its most exciting day. It will be held at the beautiful Whitmoor Country Club, which offers 36 holes of spectacular champion golf, beautiful greens and great amenities and staff. Have the chance to play at one of St. Louis’s premiere golf courses—without the cost of a country club membership. We expect another great tournament and hope to sell out fast, so secure your team today.

Maryland Heights Chamber Continues To Grow

The Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce has been busy promoting its membership and creating opportunities for its members to do business.

With many events scheduled for the year, there is always something to do and ways to get involved. If you are not a member, you could be missing out on many great opportunities to grow your business and yourself.

We are pleased to offer seminars through highly effective and well-known training institutes at a fraction of the price it would cost on your own. That’s the power of Membership!

MHCC would like to welcome the newest members: Ohana Martial Arts Patrick’s ServPro Family Nuts T-Mobile Primary Resources Coldwell Banker Premier Pursuit Fitness and Performance Organo Gold

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Our Town

May/June 2013

MHCC Business After Hours are held on the third Thursday of the month, April through September, from 4:30 to 6:30 at Patrick’s Restaurant & Sports Bar at Westport. While enjoying the relaxed setting, you will get to see existing business contacts and create new ones. These After Hours have become an important staple in our organization.

A fairly new, and exploding, group within the Chamber is the Young Professionals Group. They are a vibrant group whose mission is to create a platform for its members to build relationships, develop professionally, become politically and philanthropically active, and contribute to the economic development and high quality of living in Maryland Heights. This ambitious group hosts events every week to extend their network to the public.

Ohana Martial Arts Grand Opening

Ohana Martial Arts hosted a Grand Opening on March 30, attracting over 100 people. Ohana Martial Arts offers classes tailored for men, women, children, couples and physically and mentally disabled individuals as well as open mat sessions and private lessons, no matter your age or physical condition. Throughout the day, they presented one-hour seminars on each of the martial arts they offer, including Special Abilities Kajukenbo (SAK), a unique class just for children and young adults with various physical and mental disabilities. There’s no other class like it around. The Shaolin Lo’Han Pai Lion Dance Troop also performed and did a Special Abilities Kajukenbo demonstration.

MHCC Membership Luncheons are held on the second Wednesday of the month from 11:30am - 1pm and feature great speakers with amazing take-aways.

April’s speaker, Steve Osterloh of the Maryland Heights Police Department, gave a riveting presentation on Violence in the Workplace. With all the terrifying stories in the news these days, his presentation was very well received and one that all business people should hear. The Chamber Board has been busy selecting top-of-their-trade speakers and presenters for the 2013 year. Luncheons are held in various event venues throughout Maryland Heights and are a great reason to pull out all those business cards you’ve been wanting to get rid of.

Sherry Huibonhoa Executive Director

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Our Town

May/June 2013

The Burden of Arthritis

By Francisco Garriga, MD Too many people are unaware of how destructive arthritis can be. To them the “typical” patient with arthritis is an older person who moves about slowly and has knobby knees and fingers. They’re not aware of how arthritis can cripple a vibrant teenager and force him or her to undergo a lifetime of expensive treatment and therapy that may cause serious side effects.

This misconception becomes a burden when I try to explain to a newly-diagnosed patient the extent of damage that can be done if they neglect their treatment and follow up. Younger people have a much harder time accepting that they are vulnerable. They may not take my warnings seriously. To make matters more complicated, maybe even unfair, most people with arthritis appear to be “normal” on casual inspection. When you have a serious fracture, everyone

www.gibsonprinting.com

sees your cast and your crutches. If you have to go through chemo, its effects are easily discernible. When the arthritis patient complains of pain and fatigue, when they have a hard time putting one foot in front of the other just to go to the bathroom, they hate to hear their friends say, “You look so good.” Many of my patients have confessed being quite upset with such well-wishers, despite the fact that they know they mean well.

My goal is to make sure that everyone understands how disabling many forms of arthritis can be. We need to encourage our legislators to acknowledge the cost to our society because of these illnesses and to devote an appropriate share of our research and treatment dollars to relieve this huge collective pain. Pass the word. You may change a life. OT

Our loved ones are another story. Children are typically self-centered and don’t understand why mom is no longer so willing to drive them anywhere at the drop of a hat. Husbands who have been spoiled may resent this intruder who makes wives short-tempered and not quite as interested in intimacy and closeness.

located on the SSM DePaul Health Center campus. To schedule an appointment or for more information about Dr. Garriga, call his office at 314.209.5180. If you would like to follow Dr. Garriga’s weekly blog, “Thoughts on Doctor-Patient Interactions,” visit his web site at www.franciscogarrigamd.com.

Francisco Garriga, MD, is a rheumatologist with SSM Medical Group. His office is

Our chore is to increase awareness.

www.rhf.org

1 NWCC YPD-Young Professionals Division Networking Group, 11:30am – 1pm, T.G.I. Friday’s Restaurant at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Bridgeton 1 NWCC, Brian’s 1 year anniversary networking & lunch, 11:30am – 12:30pm, T.G.I. Friday’s Restaurant at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Bridgeton 2 NWCC Happy Hour Networking, 4:30 – 6:30pm, Rooks Gameday 7 NWCC Lunch Networking, 11:30am – 12:30pm, Syberg’s off Dorsett 8 MHCC Membership Meeting & Scholarship Award Luncheon, 11:30am – 1 pm, Holiday Inn, Earth City 9 NWCC Membership Meeting, 11:30am – 1pm, Spazio’s Restaurant 9 NWCC Happy Hour Networking, 4:30 – 6:30pm, location TBD 10 NWCC Ribbon Cutting, 11am, Party Time 10 NCI 36th Annual Breakfast, 7:30 – 9:30am, Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel 14 NWCC Tuesday Morning Coffee & Networking, 8:30 – 9:30am, Holiday Inn 15 GNCC Membership Meeting, New Member Showcase, 11am – 1pm, Yacovelli’s Restaurant & Banquet Center 16 NWCC Ribbon Cutting (4pm) and Open House (3 – 6pm), Marketvolt 16 MHCC Business After Hours Networking, 4:30 – 6:30pm, Patrick’s 16 NWCC Happy Hour Networking, 4:30 – 6:30pm, location TBD 16 MHCC The Heights Business After Hours Networking, 4:30 – 6:30pm, Patrick’s 17 NWCC Ribbon Cutting, 12pm, Crown Vision Center Ferguson 21 NWCC Lunch Networking, 11:30am – 12:30pm, Syberg’s off Dorsett 21 MHCC The Heights Business After Hours Networking, 4:30 – 6:30pm, Patrick’s 22 NWCC New Member Orientation, 8:30 – 9:30am, Chamber Office 23 NWCC Happy Hour Networking, 4:30 – 6:30pm, Location TBD 23 GNCC Business After Hours, 5:30 to 8pm, Paul Cerame Ford 28 NWCC Tuesday Morning Coffee & Networking, 8:30 – 9:30am, Holiday Inn 28 MHCC The Heights Business After Hours Networking, 4:30 – 6:30pm, Patrick’s 30 NWCC Happy Hour Networking, 4:30 – 6:30pm, Location TBD 31 NWCC WIN-Women Only Networking, 11:30am – 1pm, Syberg’s off Dorsett

CALENDAR of Events

MAY

JUNE 1 NWCC 27th Annual Golf Tournament, Innsbrook Golf Resort 4 NWCC Lunch Networking, 11:30 am – 12:30pm, Syberg’s off Dorsett 4 MHCC The Heights Business After Hours Networking, 4:30 – 6:30pm, Patrick’s 5 Young Professionals Division Networking Group, 11:30am – 1pm, T.G.I. Friday’s Restaurant at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Bridgeton 6 NWCC Happy Hour Networking, 4:30 – 6:30pm, Location TBD 7 NWCC Tuesday Morning Coffee & Networking, 8:30 – 9:30am, Holiday Inn 11 MHCC Golf Classic, Whitmoor Country Club 11 MHCC The Heights Business After Hours Networking, 4:30 – 6:30pm, Patrick’s 13 NWCC Membership Meeting, 11:30am – 1pm, Hollywood Casino & Hotel 13 NWCC Happy Hour Networking, 4:30 – 6:30pm, Location TBD 14 GNCC Golf Tournament, 12 pm, Golf Club of Florissant 18 NWCC Lunch Networking, 11:30am – 12:30pm, Syberg’s off Dorsett 19 GNCC Membership Luncheon, 11:30am - 1pm, location TBA. 20 NWCC Happy Hour Networking, 4:30 – 6:30pm, Location TBD 20 MHCC Business After Hours Networking, 4:30 – 6:30pm, Patrick’s 20 MHCC The Heights Business After Hours Networking, 4:30 – 6:30pm, Patrick’s 25 NWCC Tuesday Morning Coffee & Networking, 8:30 – 9:30am, Holiday Inn 25 MHCC The Heights Business After Hours Networking, 4:30 – 6:30pm, Patrick’s 27 NWCC Happy Hour Networking, 4:30 – 6:30pm, Location TBD 28 NWCC WIN-Women Only Networking, 11:30 am – 1:00pm, Syberg’s off Dorsett

You’ll Come for the Friendship

You’ll Stay for the Music • Home like atmosphere • Casual sense of camaraderie • Fun-filled activities • Chef prepared dining • Live entertainment

#1 Pratt Place | Florissant, MO 63031 | 314.839.5000

www.stcharlesconventioncenter.com

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St. Louis, MO Permit 2828

sound • Auricula Pe • 4D Ultra r Th y r lv e g r era Su ic S c i t o b py urg • Ro g n i g a ery • Gy necologic Care • Im

2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Drive O’Fallon, MO 63366

GENESIS OB/GYN Obstetrics and Gynecology Our Services • Comprehensive OB/GYN care from the adolescent’s first gynecologic exam through the challenges of menopause.

• daVinci Robotic assisted Hysterectomy procedures.

• Diagnosis and management of HPV related diseases, including abnormal PAP smears, inoffice treatment of pre-cancerous conditions of the cervix, and administration of the new HPV vaccine for prevention of cervical cancer.

• Pelvic and obstetrical ultrasounds performed in our office by a certified ultrasound technician including 3D. • ISCD certified bone density testing and osteoporosis counseling.

Left to right: Caroline A. Werner, MD, FACOG; Angela L. Cartwright, DO, FACOG; Ashley A. Ryan, MD; Michelle Koester, WHNP; Anne Venegoni, WHNP

• In-office laboratory for blood drawing and urinalysis.

• Family planning including birth control pills, patches and ring, in-office procedures IUDs (Mirena and Paraguard), Implanon, outpatient procedure including tubal ligation.

• Treatment of uterine fibroids, treatment of ovarian cysts, evaluation of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment, vaginal infections and testing and treatment of abnormal pap smears.

Hospital Affiliations • DePaul Health Center • St. John’s Mercy Medical Center • Missouri Baptist Medical Center A Division of

12266 DePaul Drive, Suite 200 Bridgeton, MO 63044

314.291.2975 www.genesis.com Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed on Saturday and Sunday Early morning & evening hours available.