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I opinion I 3

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

Ma n n in o ’ s

THOMAS SOWELL

Mar k et

Alice in Health Care

R e m e m b er S t. Patt y’s Day! Most discussions of health care are like something out of “Alice in Wonderland.”

What is the biggest complaint about the current medical care situation? “It costs too much.” Yet one looks in vain for anything in the pending legislation that will lower those costs.

One of the biggest reasons for higher medical costs is that somebody else is paying those costs, whether an insurance company or the government. What is the politicians’ answer? To have insurance companies and the government pay more costs.

Back when the “single payer” was the patient, people were more selective in what they spent their own money on. You went to a doctor when you had a broken leg but not necessarily every time you had the sniffles or a skin rash. But, when someone else is paying, that is when medical care gets over-used - and bureaucratic rationing then is imposed, to replace self-rationing.

Money is just one of the costs of people seeking more medical care than they would if they were paying for it with their own money. Both waiting lines and waiting lists grow longer when people with sniffles and minor skin rashes take up the time of doctors, while people with cancer are waiting.

In country after country, the original estimates of government medical care costs almost always turn out to be gross underestimates of what it ultimately turns out to cost. Even when the estimates are done honestly, they are based on how much medical care people use when they are paying for it themselves. But having someone else pay for medical care virtually guarantees that a lot more of it will be used.

Nothing would lower costs more than having each patient pay those costs. And nothing is less likely to happen.

One of the big costs that have actually forced some hospitals to close is the federal mandate that hospitals treat everyone who comes to an emergency room, whether they pay or not. But those who talk about “bringing down the cost of medical care” are not about to repeal that mandate. Often they want to add more mandates. The most fundamental issue is not whether treating everyone who comes to an emergency room is a good policy or a bad policy in itself. If it is a good policy, then the federal government should pay for what it wants done, not force other

institutions to pay for it.

Then let the voters decide at the next election whether that is what they want their tax money spent for.

Confusion between costs and prices add to the Alice in Wonderland sense of unreality.

What is called lowering the costs is simply refusing to pay all the costs, by having the government set lower prices, whether for doctors’ fees, hospital reimbursements or other charges. Certainly no one believes that there will be no repercussions from refusing to pay for what we want. Some doctors already are refusing to accept Medicare or Medicaid patients because the government’s reimbursement levels are so low.

Similarly, if it costs a billion dollars to create one new pharmaceutical drug, then either we are going to pay the billion dollars or we are not going to keep on getting new pharmaceutical drugs produced. There is no free lunch.

Virtually everything that is proposed by those who are talking about bringing down the costs of medical care will in fact raise those costs. Mandates on insurance companies? Why are insurance companies not already doing those things that new mandates would require? Because those things raise costs by an amount that people are unwilling to pay to get those benefits. If not, it would be a slam dunk for the insurance companies to add those benefits to the policies and raise the premiums to cover them.

What politicians want to do is look good by imposing mandates, and then let the insurance companies look bad by raising the premiums to cover the additional costs.

It is a great political game, but it does nothing to lower medical costs.

Politicians who want a government monopoly on health insurance can easily get it, just by making it impossible for private insurance companies to charge enough to cover the costs mandated by politicians.

The “public option” then will be the only option - which is to say, we will no longer have any real option. © 2010 Creators.com

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4 I OPINION I

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

Unravel Travel

With Linda Bosch, Owner of Just Cruises

Is what you see really what you get?

You saw it in the newspaper or on TV; you received an e-mail, a post card, or maybe a friend told you of a great travel deal. All of these can be great resources when looking for a vacation, but are you sure of exactly what you are getting for that price? Does it include airfare? What about food, gratuities, insurance, or taxes and fees? Is the price per person, or per couple? What types of accommodations are included? What kind of view does the room have? What size beds are there, king, double, or maybe bunk beds?

Is it going to be convenient and close to the attraction you are going to see? What does the deal REALLY include?

You saw a 4-Day Cruise from $299 per person.

Wow! But did you read the fine print? Price based on select cabins and dates and does not include government taxes. Subject to availability, certain restrictions apply. You can travel any time in the month of June, but when you call about this deal, you find out that it only applies to October. Maybe you saw a 3-night, all-inclusive in the Bahamas advertised at $199 per person. Is that really going to be the price? How can you find out before you have to pay for it? Where can you go to be sure you got the best deal?

Your professional travel agent can help. With a little guidance from you, they will search out the deals for the dates you can travel, and include all of the details not mentioned in those “deals” you see advertised. Consultations cost nothing but your time and can save you a lot in the end.

There are many offers out there, but are they really deals? Contact your professional travel consultant at Just Cruises and let them shop for you. 636-970-2581 or www.cruisenut.com.

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l ette r s t o t h e e d i t o r Governments To the Editor: I wanted to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the positive steps we have been able to make to improve the relationship between the city of St. Peters and St. Charles County. By working together on several important projects, we have been able to move forward to help improve our entire region.

It has given me a tremendous feeling of pride to see the concrete being poured on the Hwy. C-Salt River Road extension. It is wonderful to see the Page Avenue extension marching forward toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive. These are clearly the most visible signs of this new era of cooperation between our governments. But the past 12 months have also demonstrated that by working together, we can secure more resources to ease some of the financial burdens on our governments. By teaming up, we have demonstrated that we can move forward from the issues of the past and keep our focus on serving all of our residents.

As you know, in the past I have not hesitated to voice my concerns about the difficult working relationship between our two governments. At that time, I publicly expressed my disappointment in the lack of cooperation and the high cost of continuing along a hollow path. Now, it is time for me to publicly praise this positive change in direction and recognize the constructive efforts.

I truly thank St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann for his leadership and I look forward to working together with him to help make all of St. Charles County, including St. Peters, a great place to live, work and play.

Mayor Len Pagano St. Peters

call from Hannibal to Columbia costs more than a call from Hannibal to New York City. That is not fair to consumers.

Perhaps even more important, because of these outdated rules, telecom and wireless companies are discouraged from making investments in their networks that could lead to more jobs, innovation, new services and choices for consumers. Lack of investments hurts economic development opportunities.

We encourage our state legislators to support legislation now moving forward at the Capitol, which would bring Missouri’s access charges in line with the rest of the nation, for the good of all consumers and businesses statewide.

Scott Tate President & CEO St. Charles Chamber of Commerce

Publisher Doug Huber

General Manager Tim Weber

Managing Editor Terry Dean

Marketing Director Sharon Huber

Business Manager Erica Ritter

Graphic Designers

Angela Carmody Chris Conley Steve Glover Ellen Thomas

Advertising Manager Vicky Czapla Advertising Account Executives

Over-spending

To the Editor: First and foremost our elected political leaders need to realize the only way to stabilize our country is to cut spending, not increase spending.

I do agree that something needs to be done about the federal, state and local taxes but elected official need to understand that We The People are sick and tired of local sales tax, state sales tax, gas tax, tobacco and alcohol tax, property tax, state and federal income tax, inheritance tax, death tax, personal property tax and the list goes on and on and on.

This country needs a massive cut in spending. We need to cut spending by 30 to 40 percent and then implementing a Fair Tax or flat tax. Something that is a singlepage law, not the thousands of pages of the current tax laws. A single page law that states every American shall pay a simple flat tax of X-percent or the federal government shall collect a national sales tax of X-percent.

Along with this change I would also call Phone rules for a balanced budget. I have to balance my To the Editor:: budget each year and the state of Missouri With the Legislature back in session, our balances its budget every year. Why does elected officials have the opportunity to the federal government feel they can just update some antiquated telephone rules borrow, borrow, borrow and spend, spend, that could ultimately benefit everyone spend. At my house if we don’t have the (through economic development, jobs, etc.) money, we don’t make the purchase. We The issue is access fees - charges that tele- have a savings account that we use in case phone companies pay each other to connect of emergency, but we simply don’t spend calls to each others’ networks. Missouri has the money if we don’t have the money to the third highest access fees in the nation, spend. It’s a fairly simple concept. trailing only North Dakota and South Dakota.

Maybe I am being naive. Or maybe These fees are reflected in the long dis- those elected officials don’t want this type tance prices consumers pay to make of change because it would take away their long distance calls within the state of power and give it back to the people.

Missouri. Consequently, a long distance Todd Ferring

Sheila Bennett Hope Cohagan Dennis Coon Vivian Fortunato Linda Hauhe Sharon Huber

Mairian King Roger Koch Joe Ritter Jim Ross Fran Swigunski Michael Watson

Classified Advertising Sales Kathleen Farrow Writers Amy Armour Casey Godwin Mary Ann O’Toole Holley Sue Hornof Jeannie Seibert

355 Ozark Trails Drive, Suite 1 St. Louis, MO 63011 (636) 591-0010 ■ (636) 591-0022 Fax newsmagazinenetwork.com Please send Comments, Letters and Press Releases to: editor@midriversnewsmagazine.com Mid Rivers Newsmagazine is published 24 times per year by 21 Publishing LLC. It is direct-mailed to more than 61,000 households in St. Charles County. Products and services advertised are not necessarily endorsed by Mid Rivers Newsmagazine and views expressed in editorial copy are not necessarily those of Mid Rivers Newsmagazine. No part of Mid Rivers Newsmagazine may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from Mid Rivers Newsmagazine.

All letters addressed to Mid Rivers Newsmagazine or its editor are assumed to be intended for publication and are subject to editing for content and length. Mid Rivers Newsmagazine reserves the right to refuse any advertisement or editorial submission. © Copyright 2010.

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6 I OPINION I

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

EDITORIAL

Belt tightening Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon had a grim message for state lawmakers last week: We are not out of the woods yet.

The state’s general revenue collections have fallen this fiscal year by a whopping 12.7 percent. Collections for February alone are down more than 14 percent. The state’s fiscal year starts in July, meaning that Missouri already is two-thirds of the way through their fiscal year.

These numbers reflect several different tax types. Individual income taxes have decreased by 10.9 percent. Sales and use tax is down by 7.2 percent. Corporate income and franchise taxes are down by 13.1 percent and all other collections are down by 5.5 percent.

On the brighter side, these numbers are clearly a lagging indicator of the state’s economic health. If the large drop in individual and corporate income tax is a sign of the struggling job market, the comparatively small decline in sales tax revenue shows that people with jobs are beginning to spend money again.

While down more than 7 percent for the year, sales tax only declined by 5 percent in February.

What is more, Gov. Nixon is handling this situation admirably. He has not backed away from his promise to steer tax money towards technology jobs in Missouri. He even used words every conservative loves to hear, vowing to “downsize the scope of state government” in order to make up the shortfall in revenue.

Nixon already has withheld $600 million of previously-approved budget money, and more cuts appear likely. The federal government has provided little

help. It appears unlikely that Missouri will receive an additional $300 million in budget stabilization money on which it had counted.

It appears that Nixon will rely on fundamental changes to state government to deal with the majority of the budget shortfall. He is considering merging state agencies and cutting state services.

None of these decisions will be easy, and state legislators appear more than content to let Nixon set the direction Missouri will take.

Nixon may be tempted to go down a dangerous political road. The Missouri Budget Project claims that the state loses out on $200 million annually by not taxing Internet purchases. It also claims that recent tax cuts have cost Missouri some $300 million. Others have suggested that charging fees for some state services could provide a significant bump in the revenue stream.

Thus far, Nixon has held strong. He knows that fee increases are just tax increases in sheep’s clothing. Rescinding a tax cut or taxing a new revenue stream also are just hidden tax increases - and tax increases never, ever increase revenue. Instead, they merely depress spending. The last thing the people of this state need right now is a reason not to buy something.

Gov. Nixon has some tough decisions to make, and we wish him Godspeed as he makes them. He previously has shown the vision to see past the moment and make clear, long-term decisions.

The people of this state will be watching to make sure that ability stays with him.

Question of the week: Have you ever had a run-in with airport security?

Answer the question: editor@midriversnewsmagazine.com

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MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

News Br iefs

Detour ahead

St. Peters

only bond.

Man charged with assault

Collecting for a cause

A St. Peters man was arrested on March 1 after allegedly assaulting his wife with a gun late Friday night.

Police responded to the first block of Fishers Hill Drive at 11:20 p.m. on Feb. 26 after receiving a 911 hang up call. When police arrived the female victim ran from the home covered in blood and visible facial injuries.

Police said Timothy A. Ashlock, 44, was charged with second degree domestic assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. Ashlock is accused of choking his wife and striking her in the face with a gun.

The gun was discharged during the assault, but no one was shot, police said.

Officer Melissa Doss said police have been called to the residence before for unrelated, non-emergency incidences.

“There was a small child in the house, sleeping at the time of occurrence and did not witness anything,” Doss said.

The victim was taken to the hospital with serious, but nonthreatening injuries.

“Ashlock was taken into custody without incident,” Doss said.

He is currently being held at the St. Charles County Jail on a $100,000 cash

Don’t throw away the soda cans — those pennies can help local patriots.

Later this month the city of St. Peters will kick off its seventh annual aluminum can drive “Pennies for Patriots.” Aluminum cans donated in the Pennies for Patriots collection containers are recycled and the value of the cans — about two cents each - is donated to the USO. The James S. McDonnell USO provides a source of comfort and a full range of services to these military personnel and families while traveling. The USO receives no government funding and relies solely on private and corporate donations.

“We’ve been holding the Pennies for Patriots aluminum can drive since 2002.

Over the years, we’ve donated $7,341.67 to the USO,” said Mayor Len Pagano.

“The 2009 Pennies for Patriots campaign brought in a record 3,496 pounds of aluminum cans, netting a total of $1,643.12 for the USO. We’d like to bring that amount up to $2,500 for 2010.”

Donations of aluminum cans for this effort may be brought to St. Peters’ Recycle City and places in the specially marked dumpster under the American flag in the recyclables drop-off area.

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Drivers should be on the lookout for lane closures throughout this month at the intersection of Willott and Jungermann roads.

Contractors began replacing concrete slabs on March 1 and repairs are expected to take three weeks, weather-permitting.

The project at Jungermann and Willott will widen the intersection and add new turn lanes, traffic signals, curb and gutter and storm sewers.

“The project will allow traffic to move through this intersection more efficiently, and repairs will improve the condition of the road. Road work is expected to be complete in early April, weather permitting,” said Burt Benesek, director of transportation for the city of St. Peters.

The construction will cause lane clo-

sures throughout the time, with only one northbound and one southbound lane open on Jungermann Road. Detour signs will be posted, but drivers are urged to be alert.

For information about city of St. Peters street projects and other public works projects, go online to stpetersmo.net and click on the Road Updates button.

O’Fallon

Parade pride The weather is just starting to warm up, but parade workers are already preparing for this year’s July 3 Heritage & Freedom Fest.

Scout troops, organizations, neighborhood groups, clubs, families and businesses are invited to create patriotic floats and parade entries for O’Fallon’s 2010

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

St. Charles Tagger charged A 28-year-old Swansea, Ill., man has been charged with two counts of first degree felony property damage.

Andrew Joel Mitts was arrested last month for allegedly tagging numerous buildings and windows on Main Street with the graffiti “SUR5L.” Police said Mitts indicated that the tagging “SUR5L” was in remembrance of a friend who had recently died.

“The Mitts subject refused to comment on why he tagged the North Main Street area,” said Officer Mike Akers.

Damage to property was estimated to be in excess of $5,000. His bond has been set at $7,500.

2693 hwY k 636.240.9218

Wentzville A Wentzville-based company filed for Chapter 11 on March 1. US Fidelis, a company that provided extended service auto contracts, filed for bankruptcy just months after letting hundreds of workers go.

The company, which once boasted more than 1,100 workers, laid off more than 600 late last year. In December 2009, the company discontinued selling its service contracts. Only about 100 workers remain on staff to assist existing customers.

The company was started in 2001 by Darain Atkinson and according to the 440page filing more than 1,500 creditors were identified.

Darain and his brother Cory and affiliated real estate companies owe the firm more than $65 million, according the filing.

In the last 36 months, the Better Business Bureau has received more than 1,700 complaints against the company. The BBB urges unhappy customers to pursue refunds despite the bankruptcy filing.

“We at the BBB remain committed to assisting anyone who needs help working through this difficult period, and we will continue to do everything possible to make sure that these customers are not abandoned.” said Michelle Corey, BBB president and CEO in a press release.

Lake Saint Louis No butts about it Patrons in public places in Lake Saint Louis just might have to leave the smokes at home. The Lake Saint Louis Board of Aldermen is considering a bill that would prohibit smoking in public buildings.

“The no smoking bill was on the Board of Aldermen agenda for a first reading,” said City Administrator Paul Markworth.

The board will discuss the bill further at its March 15 work session, which is held prior to the board’s business meeting.

Markworth said if the bill passed, it would affect restaurant bars, bars and private clubs where smoking is now permitted.

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O’Fallon police issued more than 50 citations for speeding during a LIDAR Speed Patrol on Feb. 25.

The department participated in a statewide occupant protection day by focusing on speeding and seat belt enforcement.

Sgt. Michael Plum said the state of Missouri has a lower percentage of seatbelt use than the national average of 80 to 85 percent. In addition to the 52 speeding violations, police also arrested two individuals for active warrants.

Funding for the effort was provided by a grant issued from the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Division in cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Missouri Safety Center.

“The point of the grant is to (increase) traffic safety, but as a side effect we also have some criminal enforcement,” Plumsaid.

The St. Charles School District closed Benton and Blackhurst elementary schools three years ago with expectations of an enrollment decline. But in 2010, enrollment has increased at the elementary levels with schools bursting at the seams.

As a result, the district is considering its options—one of which may be to re-open Blackhurst. The district is also considering building additions and restructuring the elementary schools.

A decision is expected to be made by the end of the school year, which changes being effective for the 2011-12 school year.

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Heritage & Freedom Fest Parade, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. on July 3.

“O’Fallon’s parade is one of the biggest, most exciting parades in the region, and it always draws thousands of families dressed in red, white and blue,” said Megan Houlihan, O’Fallon’s festival coordinator. “We encourage participants to really have fun and create colorful entries. We offer prizes and trophies, and the judges are looking for entries that incorporate originality, mechanical movement, and music.”

To participate in the parade, fill out an application and submit it no later than noon on May 28. A complete list of rules and deadlines are listed on the applications, which are available at the Renaud Spirit Center, O’Fallon City Hall, the Parks and Recreation office, and online at heritageandfreedomfest.com/Parade.htm.

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10 I NEWS I

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

Baggage claim:

Local couple has odd encounter with homeland security

By Mary Ann O’Toole Holley William and Doris Braudis of St. Peters know all about the checks and double checks of Homeland Security and the methods used to prevent bombs or explosives from making their way to your luggage.

What they didn’t know is once your luggage hits the carousel, you are on your own when it comes to Homeland Security.

The Braudis’ recently returned from a cruise that ended in San Juan, and found themselves snowed in during a two-day delay, rather than the quick connecting flight they expected at the Atlanta airport.

Waiting for the mess to clear, they assumed the airline had securely stored their luggage. They assumed it would be safe and waiting for them when they reached Lambert International Airport.

“Our luggage was taken from us in San Juan and returned to us at Lambert under the watchful eye of Homeland Security and Delta Airlines,” Braudis said. “The next morning we began the task of unloading our suitcases only to find that our belong-

ings were saturated with some type of odorless liquid. The suitcase was completely dry, as were the surfaces of the interior of the suitcase.”

Braudis felt strongly that someone had tampered with their property, but nobody seemed to care.

So, Doris washed the clothes.

There was no odor and it was colorless, so she figured she would clean it up, Braudis said.

Homeland Security.”

“I called and e-mailed Delta Airlines, Braudis felt it illogical that he must Homeland Security, senators Claire McCa- disrobe at the security check point in the skill and Todd Akin, and got no response. terminal due to his “two steel knees,” yet An aide from Akin’s office returned the someone could be placing bombs inside of call, but said wait a couple of weeks to your checked suitcases. see what comes of the other calls. Then, “I don’t understand why no one is excited he’d look into the matter,” Braudis said. about someone getting into my luggage and “Regardless of what the liquid was proven putting something in it. They don’t seem to be, it could have easily been a bomb to care,” Braudis said. “It got to St. Louis of the incendiary type or explosive and long before we did. And in that path it took, all under the watchful eye of the airport’s someone got into it and put that liquid on

it. It washed out, but it could have been a lot of things.”

The liquid was covering his clothes in his bag. None of the others in his group had any trouble, Braudis said.

“This is the only time we had something added to our suitcase. Maybe it was a prank, but at the same token, something else could have been put into the luggage,” Braudis See BAGGAGE, page 21

Growing pains: Weldon Spring burglaries and traffic tickets on rise ment community are divided on this. Some ence in Weldon Spring. enue stream for the jurisdiction.

By Jeannie Seibert Recently Weldon Spring residents have Neer said from the outset of the talks think that more stop signs cut down on One topic he plans to broach is in regard become concerned about the increased leading up to finalizing the contract he speeding through residential areas. Others to concerns that there is an increase in the numbers of traffic tickets that only recently stipulated the Sheriff’s Department be think it makes the situation worse when number of burglaries. have begun to be issued. used strictly for law enforcement and not drivers try to make up for all the stops by “That’s true,” Neer said. “It’s countyspeeding between the stop. It’s 50/50.”

There’s a reason – more tickets are being as “a revenue generator” for the city. wide.”

But it does generate a lot of rolling stop issued.

It hasn’t been.

In fact, the Sheriff’s Department invesPrior to April 2009, the city had no According to Padella, in the 10 months citations. tigated five cases in Weldon Spring in the Padella said he would have to consult an past 10 months, he said. “In four of them regular law enforcement presence. The in which the sheriff’s patrols have been few tickets that were issued came from active the municipal court has recorded attorney for a legal definition but it isn’t a there was an unlocked car or an unlocked St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department about $90,000 in fines and court costs from normal practice for a city government to garage. One was a forcible entry.” deputies who happened to observe a traf- traffic tickets. “By no means – we are not override a homeowner’s association deciThe incidents in Weldon Spring were sion regarding the association’s property. fic violation when driving through the city even breaking even,” Padella said. part of a rash of burglaries reported all over This topic, the street improvement and the county in 2008 and 2009 that turned as part of a larger, regional patrol route, Another concern is that residents of the Whitmoor subdivision are being targeted the strategic plan will be more thoroughly out to be “kids and young adults” getting according to Sheriff Tom Neer.

City Administrator Michael Padella said as a result of what is termed “an inordi- explored in an open house session with into unlocked vehicles parked in residencity officials and trustees from all the sub- tial driveways.

Weldon Spring’s rapid growth in the early nately high number of stop signs.”

Neer said there are a lot of stop signs divisions at 7 p.m., March 11 at City Hall, “It was happening all over,” Neer said.

2000s prompted residents and elected offi“Sometimes they were just taking things cials to recognize the need for a more regu- in that neighborhood but the Whitmoor Padella said.

“Subdivision trustees are our best line out of the cars. The best answer to this Homeowners Association owns the streets lar law enforcement presence.

“We weighed the cost of creating our and the stop signs. The signs were placed of communication between the city and problem is lock your car, lock your house own police department or doing what a at the association’s direction on the private residents,” Mayor Donald Licklider said. and don’t forget to lock your garage.

“They are active in their community and lot of the other smaller cities do – contract property the association owns.

“Not doing this is just inviting crimes of with the sheriff’s department,” Padella “The streets are privately maintained they talk with their neighbors. This makes opportunity,” Neer said. “While it’s good said. “On April, 25, 2009, we contracted but accessible to the public,” Neer said. them well informed about what is on the people feel safe there’s got to be a common with the Sheriff’s Department for a regular Because of that, the Sheriff’s Department minds of residents and this will help us sense approach. We don’t have an officer 10-hours-a-day police patrol at a cost of patrols them. in front of every home and on every corner. gauge the pulse of the community.”

“We all know the number one complaint $265,000.”

Sheriff Neer plans to be at the open But we want St. Charles County residents However, some residents suspect the in subdivisions is speeding,” Neer said. house to more fully discuss the role of the to be safe and secure. They just have to increased traffic tickets are actually a rev- “The traffic engineers and the law enforce- recent heightened law enforcement pres- take some common sense measures.”

I NEWS I 11 New energy, urgency evident during upbeat Lincoln Days GOP convention MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

By Jeannie Seibert Then, the GOP failed to recognize Secretary of State and congressional terms, Mo. Senate Pro Tem Charlie Shields and It may well be the minority in Wash- Bond urged the packed ballroom to commit Mo. Speaker of the House Ron Richard. the “shadow of FDR” (Franklin Delano ington D.C., but Missouri Republicans to securing Blunt’s election.

This time last year, Akin said “We were Roosevelt) that still dominates Washington. convened in St. Charles for Lincoln Days Blunt wasn’t the only Washington poli- looking into an abyss of legislation that “The U.S. government is a liberal organizademonstrated it is not just a party that’s tician featured in the weekend cast. Con- would destroy our country.” tion,” Akin said. “We have to get rid of the alive and well but one that is reenergized, gressmen Blaine Luetkemeyer and Todd Listing job-killing measures like the shadow of FDR; dismantle that mess in optimistic and determined.

Akin also elucidated Blunt’s many efforts Democrats’ Cap and Trade energy tax plan Washington and start new.”

For the first time in its 111-year history to advance conservative legislation in the and the health care reform bills advanced Akin was also one of the speakers introthe annual Missouri Lincoln Days made its U.S. House of Representatives.

by Democrat majorities in both houses, ducing Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty the way to the original home of state governprevious evening. Pawlenty, delivering But it was Akin who clearly stood out as Akin said, “Fear is a good motivator.” ment. From Feb. 26 through Feb. 28, just the most committed messenger. During a Republicans had to reassess, he said. the keynote address, drew more than one a few blocks from Missouri’s first state Feb. 27 Town Hall he shared the dais with “Our first mistake was we didn’t stick to standing ovation by taking his cues from Capitol, the annual Republican celebration Blunt, Luetkemeyer, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, first principles.” the Tea Party movement. was held at the St. Charles County Convention Center.

Because the county now has a facility to accommodate a gathering of this magnitude County Executive Steve Ehlmann launched a successful campaign to bring the event here and was rewarded with the chairmanship of the event.

Not only did Lincoln Days move off its beaten path, so did GOP rhetoric.

Declaring it would no longer serve as the “Democrat Lite” party and swearing allegiance to conservative principles, the stars of the state Republican line-up focused on a platform reminiscent of Ronald Reagan as opposed to John McCain.

Virtually every address centered on conservative issues: lowering taxes, reducing the size of government, returning more authority to the states, empowering entrepreneurialism and protecting rights guaranteed in the Constitution.

Forget those high priced nationwide tax chains. We can typically save $40 to Congressman Roy Blunt kicked off the convention with a rally for his U.S. Senate $125 on your 1040 fees when compared to nationwide chains and franchises campaign on Feb. 26. As a bookend, during a glittering salute to outgoing U.S. Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond’s service to Missouri on Feb. 27, Bond passed the baton to Blunt.

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By Amy Armour When Pat Fairhurst’s neighbor called 911, the ambulance arrived in record time — but the door was locked.

With no way to get inside to help, rescue workers were forced to break into the home. “(Rescue workers) had to break into her home twice,” said Fairhurst, who is the cochair of the Care and Concern Committee for the Heritage at Hawk Ridge subdivision, a 55 and older community in Lake Saint Louis.

Paramedics often find themselves locked out of a residence when responding to a 911 call because the person is injured or too sick to answer the door.

But the St. Charles County Ambulance District has found a solution to the problem with Rapid Access.

St. Charles County Ambulance District has partnered with Lowe’s to provide a Master Lock Key safe box for area residents.

The district sells the boxes to participants at the discounted cost of $24.

“It’s a small, elongated box that hangs on

the outside of the door frame,” Fairhurst said.

The homeowner’s key is locked into the Master Lock box, which is protected by a four digit code.

The ambulance district sets the code and the information is entered into the computer-aided dispatch database.

So, when a 911 call is made, EMS responders will have access to the code via the 911 screen at the dispatch center. The code can be changed by the homeowner after a call.

Earlier this month, the St. Charles County Ambulance District issued 30 Rapid Access boxes to residents in the Heritage at Hawk Ridge subdivision in Lake Saint Louis, including a box for Fairhurst.

“It’s very frustrating for (paramedics) to stand outside a sliding glass door and not be able to get inside,” Fairhurst said. “They (the ambulance district) are really hoping this will take off.”

The Master Lock boxes can be purchased at the Ambulance District headquarters located at 1469 Old Mill Parkway in St. Peters.

now through March 20/2010

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

O’Fallon nixes new city attorneys Savings could have allowed staff pay raises

By Mary Ann O’Toole Holley After a drawn out discussion and formal bid process, the city of O’Fallon will not change its legal representation—a move that will leave the city still grappling to find a 20 percent reduction in operating costs to provide city staff with pay raises.

The City Council voted to continue to retain Curtis, Heinz, Garrett & O’Keefe, PC for city legal services and Sandberg, Phoenix and Gontard, PC to handle human resources matters. Kevin O’Keefe and Stephanie Karr (of Curtis, Heinz, Garrett & O’Keefe) have served as the city’s legal counsel in March 2006.

Late last year, after the Council learned that city income is estimated to be at least 15 percent lower than last year, Mayor Bill Hennessy and the Council agreed to look into other options for legal services in hopes of cutting the budget by 20 percent.

The city budget had already been trimmed by $2.3 million across the board to make up for lack of city funding due to loss of sales and property taxes. City employees, including those in the O’Fallon Police Department, were told they would not receive raises this year unless an additional $220,000 could be found through general fund cuts.

The Council, at the time bids for legal services were posted, hoped that funds for employee raises could be recouped through lowered legal costs. The Council was also considering hiring a part-time and/ or in-house city attorney on an as-needed basis to reduce costs.

Mayor Bill Hennessy said he believes Curtis, Heinz, Garrett & O’Keefe are the best attorneys right now for the city.

“My way of cutting the legal budget is… three or four things,” Hennessy said. “I will get with counsel and get with staff, and we’ll work something out.”

Hennessy said he is still looking at employee raises, but right now, they’re out of the budget.

Councilman Dan Haney said he was disappointed with the entire process; with the fees presented in the bids, the analysis of fees and the decision to retain Curtis, Heinz, Garrett & O’Keefe.

“At least O’Keefe, as a long-time city attorney could have understood the city’s plight and suggested ways that costs could have been reduced,” Haney said. “The worst part about the whole thing is that the Council heard some basic information by City Administrator Keith Reisberg regarding the bids received, and the next thing I knew, it was on the agenda to retain Curtis, Heinz, Garrett & O’Keefe, and to be voted

“If this moves forward, I’m directing city staff to bring a budget to the next meeting with a 20 percent reduction.”

Dan Haney on with no further discussion.”

Haney said he did not believe the Council had enough information to make a decision.

“The information we were given is not up to standards for awarding one-half a million dollars of taxpayer money,” Haney said. “If this moves forward, I’m directing city staff to bring a budget to the next meeting with a 20 percent reduction. Beyond the questionable allocation of taxpayer dollars, I want you to know that (by keeping legal representation without changes), we are closing the door on raises this year and probably next year, and it would probably result in staff reductions.

Attorneys with Curtis, Heinz, Garrett & O’Keefe, PC are paid at rates of $100 or $150 per hour, along with primary City Attorney Kevin O’Keefe’s $225 per hour.

The monthly fee varies by usage. In 2008, the city paid the law firm $326,763. In 2007, the firm was paid $373,932.

O’Fallon received bids from five firms in the St. Louis area: Curtis, Heinz, Garrett & O’Keefe (Clayton), $225/hour; Gallop, Johnson & Newman (Clayton), $205 – $350/hour; Hazelwood & Weber (St. Charles) $140-$210/hour; The Lowenbaum Partnership (Clayton) $240/hour; and Sandberg Phoenix & Von Gontard (St. Louis), $145 – $260/hour.

O’Fallon Public Relations Liaison Tom Drabelle said the notice for legal services bidding was posted on Dec. 18, and the bid opening was held Wednesday, Jan. 27.

Hennessy looked at all the bids, and his choice was Curtis, Heinz, Garrett & O’Keefe. Under the City Charter, the mayor is responsible for selecting the legal firm used by the city, with the Council’s approval.

The Council voted 5-3 to keep O’Keefe.

Haney, John Haman and Schwentker voted against retaining that firm.

“I won’t take away that you went through the process, but the issue I have is money savings. I don’t know how much of a money savings we would have brought in,” said Haney. “Numbers on paper show a drastic savings from $150,000 to $850,000 could have been realized. I have no issues with any of (the attorneys). I’m just trying to find the money savings we promised the city.”

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St. Peters begins yearlong centennial celebration

By Jeannie Seibert It was apropos that the beginning of St. Peters’ year-long centennial celebration was held at the site where the city began.

Mayor Len Pagano, city officials and Historical Committee members gathered at All Saints Church on Feb. 24, for a solemn occasion to celebrate a city father and to mark the beginning of the city’s 100th birthday.

Serving as the first chairman of the St. Peters Board of Trustees 100 years ago, George Schneider was honored by a special mass to celebrate his life and contributions to the founding of the city. The service was held at the church where he was a parishioner.

Organized by Andrew Schneider, grandson of George Schneider, four generations of Schneiders attended the ceremony.

In conjunction with George Schneider’s honorarium, Alderman Judy Bateman (Ward 2), Board of Aldermen liaison to the Historical Committee, assisted Mayor Pagano as he commemorated the 100th anniversary of the city’s incorporation.

To start the celebratory year off, Pagano had commissioned the production of keepsakes to mark the 100th milestone of the city’s history. The Historical Committee and the Neighborhoods Committee spent more than a year completing their assigned tasks which were unveiled on Feb. 24.

A volume of St. Peters history, St. Peters at Its Best, an historical DVD and an alllocal cook book of traditional St. Peters residents’ recipes were produced and are now available.

The Historical Committee produced St. Peters at Its Best, a photographic anthology recounting St. Peters’ journey from

the first French settlers along the Dardenne River into the small town of the early 20th century. The tour in photos continues up to today illustrating a city that has been named to Top 100 best places to live lists in Money magazine.

The Historical Committee served as a clearing house of local residents’ contributions of historic photos and family stories giving the volume a personal touch.

Included with the anthology is a bonus DVD that includes even more pictures, stories and memories. St. Peters at Its Best sells for $30 including tax.

The St. Peters Neighborhoods Committee put together an all-local cookbook.

Area cooks submitted over 600 recipes for this sampling of local flavor. The cost is $15 including tax. Both books are available at St. Peters City Hall, the Community & Arts Center and the Rec-Plex. The books will also be available at most city events in the coming year, while the supply lasts.

Many events associated with the centennial are in the planning stages, Pagano said. The Upfront city newsletter, SPTVChannel 10 and the city’s Web site will be updated as specific event information becomes available.

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Branstetter, 42, proposed to his girlfriend Angela Nichols, 37, in the middle of the dance floor during the 14th annual Art & Wine Gala in O’Fallon on Feb. 20.

“He got down on one knee in the middle of the dance floor and asked me to be his wife,” said Nichols, who said yes.

The couple met through the online dating site Zoosk in December 2008.

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NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM 16 I National Weather Service makes best guess regarding rivers flooding MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

By Casey Godwin Spring time flooding is highly probable for parts of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, according to the National Weather Service.

Significant rainfall over the St. Louis area last October combined with heavy snowfall in northern states this winter can be blamed, said Hydrologist Mark Fuchs.

October saw record rainfall, with 12.38 inches falling on the St. Louis area. Typically, October only sees less than 3 inches.

2009 was also the fifth wettest year on record for St. Louis, with 50.84 inches of rain falling.

“The fact that the soil is very wet as a result of last year’s rainfall, particularly last October, means that the soil was wet to begin with,” Fuchs said. “Our snowfall has been pretty close to average this winter, but couple that with the fact that we still have wet ground from last fall, we are set up for significant flooding in some areas.”

For now, the Missouri River appears to be facing minor to moderate flooding this spring. Fuchs said ice and snow pack in Iowa could determine just how severe that flooding is.

“Once that melts, it’s going to be pure runoff,” Fuchs said. “The question is, is it going to melt quickly or gradually and not

really be a problem. We’ve seen both scenarios play out.”

Flooding along the Meramec River is not expected to be significant. Fuchs said further south on the local rivers is showing less probability for flooding.

But locally, the Mississippi River in St. Charles County could see moderate to major flooding this spring.

“The probabilities for this spring for locations from Canton through Winfield are actually higher than they were at this time in 2008,” Fuchs said. “That’s not to say we’ll see anything close to what 2008 produced.”

If the area sees heavy rainfall this spring, flooding along the Mississippi and Missouri could be worse than predicted. However, Fuchs said major flooding along the Missouri River is unlikely.

The National Weather Service has determined three stages of flooding.

Minor and moderate flooding have minimal human impact, with minor flooding often being the basis of where the flood stage is set. Major flooding can affect homes, businesses, major roadways and highways.

Fuchs said the threshold for major flooding can be lower for areas where homes and major roads are built close to the

river. Because of development close to the Mississippi River north of St. Louis, the weather service is anticipating that flooding to be major.

Alan Dooley with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said the modern levee in the Chesterfield area can withstand minor to moderate flooding, although risk cannot be eliminated.

“It’s a combination of things – how high is the water going to go, how long is it going to stay that high and what is the condition of the levee,” Dooley said.

Dooley said those who live in flood plains should be aware of the danger of flooding and pay particularly close attention to the

media when there is eminent flooding.

“Always have a plan so that if you have to evacuate your home, you know what’s important to take with you, where you’re going to go and how you’re going to get there,” Dooley said. “Have a couple of routes in mind in case a bridge is washed out. Move when authorities tell you to move and don’t wait until you’re knee deep in dark, dirty water.”

With the exception of flash flooding, which can occur along the Meramec River, flooding tends to happen slowly.

“This isn’t the sort of thing where you have a hurricane surge,” Dooley said. “You see these floods building.”

2nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Tradition Saturday, March 13, 2010

“Run For The Helmet” Benefitting Cottleville Firefighters Community Outreach

7k Run, 1 & 2 Mile Walk/Run

9 AM 20 Early Registration By 3/12/10 $ 25 Same Day (Includes T-Shirt) Register at: www.cottlevillefirefighters.org For Run Info, Contact Tom Smoot (636) 262-6749 $

Al Wansing 636-928-1919

COTTLEVILLE ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE 12PM Starting at Francis Howell Central High School and ending at Warren Elementary School Contact Mike Reiter to participate (636) 244-1075 www.cottlevillestpatsdaytradition.org

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

I NEWS I 17

Walk/Run, sit and enjoy Cottleville gears up for another great St. Pat’s Day celebration

By Mary Ann O’Toole Holley Spring is in the air, and the urge to get that green going is well overdue. So get out your shamrocks and your big green hat and join the Cottleville St. Patrick’s Day celebration Saturday, March 13.

Block your calendar for an entire day of non-stop family festivities that starts with the Cottleville Firefighters “Run for the Helmet” 7k competitive run. For those in a more passive mode, there’s a fun run and a 1- and 2-mile walk through the beautiful city and Cottleville’s new Legacy Park.

Whatever you choose is sure to be enjoyable—and your participation will benefit the Cottleville Fire Fighters Community Outreach. Mid Rivers Newsmagazine is a sponsor of the Run for the Helmet.

The event appears to be even larger than last year. “It’s going superbly,” said Cottleville Firefighter Tom Smoot, Run for the Helmet co-organizer. “As for runners, we’ve already got 500 runners (registered). By race time we should have well over 1,000 runners.” That’s comparing last year’s registration stats, Smoot said. But because the racers had so many compliments about the event, word of mouth has taken the event far beyond their secondyear expectations.

“Those who gave us a shot last year didn’t know what to expect,” Smoot said. “When they got there, they were so pleasantly surprised they have really been spreading the word about our event.”

The Fleet Feet sanctioned event will provide instant race results.

Cottleville and cooled off at the finish line near Sherlock’s Steaks and Seafood, 5737 Hwy. N. Early Run for the Helmet, Fun Run and Walk pre-registration is recommended. Cost is $20 and can be conveniently completed by visiting www.cfcohelpingyours.com; in person from noon to 7 p.m. by March 12 at the Cottleville Fire Station No 1; or by mailing registration form with payment (must be received by March 12) to Cottleville Fire Station #1, 1385 Motherhead Rd. Cottleville Mo. 63304; ATTN: Race.

Same day registration is $25, and begins at 7 a.m. in the engine bays of the firehouse.

An authentic firefighter helmet will be awarded to overall male and female winners. For more information contact Skip Stephens at 314-803-0308.

All proceeds from the Walk/Run will help the Cottleville Fire Fighters Community Outreach Program in its ongoing efforts to help those in the community who find themselves in needy situations.

St. Pat’s Parade Get your green on for the best parade in St. Charles County, but be sure to be there early. The conglomeration of monster trucks, costumed characters and Irish family clans are just a part of the Cottleville St. Patrick Day Parade starting at noon at Francis Howell Central High, 5199 Hwy. N in Cottleville and ending at Warren Elementary School, 141 Weiss Rd. Wear anything green, bring grandma and grandpa, the kiddos and the dog to get a gander at the two-mile parade that begins.

Walk or run; it’s all fun Expect floats and marchers from near and The CFFCO 7k run and 1- and 2-mile far. The Hibernians, the Irish Dog Clubs and walk starts at 9 a.m. at the Cottleville Fire- plenty of community service organizations house No. 1 on Motherhead Road near will be making their way (throwing candy Hwy. N (across from St. Joseph-Cottleville for the kids, of course) in an expanded Catholic Church). Last year about 700 parade route located from Francis Howell participants broke a sweat on the streets of Central High School.

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18 I NEWS I

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

Therapeutic Horsemanship continues to make a life-changing difference

By Casey Godwin Basic communication was always a difficult chore for Andrew Hiatt, of O’Fallon.

Diagnosed with autism at age 3, Andrew, who is now 15, would struggle to get his thoughts out and often become so frustrated that he would hit his head.

Years of speech and occupational therapy later, Andrew developed a vocabulary wide enough that he could adjust to life in a traditional school environment, but he still faced real challenges.

Then, one day on a school field trip, Andrew met a horse.

This wasn’t just any horse, it was one of many therapeutic horses that were trained to help people with disabilities at Therapeutic Horsemanship in Wentzville.

Andrew’s mother, Karen, said after the field trip, he would ask about riding the horses every day. Realizing this wasn’t just a passing interest, like so many other sports he had tried, Karen Hiatt put Andrew into the program in June 2007.

“It helped tremendously,” Karen Hiatt said. “He has had to learn to communicate with the instructor and the horse, and it has helped him to become more independent.”

Andrew Hiatt has an easier time speaking in complete sentences these days and has made some new friends. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment, however, has been learning to ride a horse independently and competing in a national competition in Kansas City last November. Karen Hiatt even began volunteering for Therapeutic Horsemanship.

“It has become a huge part of our lives,” Karen Hiatt said.

For the past 35 years, Therapeutic Horsemanship has helped people of all ages with a wide range of disabilities, including autism, spinal cord injuries, Muscular Dystrophy, neurological diseases, psychological issues and physical amputations.

“The reason why the horse works is that the horse has the same gait as the human being, with the back and forth, up and down, side to side movement,” co-founder Sandy Rafferty said. “His hip pelvis moves just like the human pelvis does.”

When a student sits on the horse, they receive the same neurological input through the spine that they would receive if they were walking. This trains the student to improve balance, strengthen abdominal

and back muscles by having to stay upright, and improves head control. By adding other activities such as ball catching, this further enforces these improvements while also building hand-eye coordination.

Rafferty, who is an occupational therapist, previously worked in a treatment clinic utilizing more traditional forms of therapy.

“I would use 10 different pieces of equipment to influence people’s balance and strength,” Rafferty said. “One horse can do what 10 to 15 pieces of equipment can do.”

Horse therapy has shown dramatic improvement in those with an array of disabilities.

In a study conducted two years ago by Washington University, it was found that horse therapy has shown improvement in trunk control and functional reach in children with Cerebral Palsy after just 12 weeks.

Not only do the horses improve physical condition, but they do wonders for the mind.

“They (the students) bond with the animals,” Rafferty said. “They have an animal that they are relating to and we teach respect

and care for the animal. They also gain self esteem because they feel good about being able to ride a horse.”

Therapeutic Horsemanship is currently seeking volunteers to participate in a new program, Horses for Heroes, which will launch in April. Horses for Heroes is a national program that offers horse therapy to wounded American service personnel and veterans.

Horses for Heroes will target veterans with physical disabilities, such as amputations, and emotional issues, including post traumatic stress disorder. For more information or to volunteer, visit thstl.org.

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MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

Bu llet i n Boa rd Wentzville New boundaries approved The Wentzville School District Board of Education unanimously approved the boundary changes for the two new elementary schools opening in the fall for the 2010-11 school year.

The Elementary Boundary Committee, comprised of parent representatives from each school in the district, worked together with administrators to help determine the attendance boundaries for the district’s new elementary schools.

The new elementary school on Mexico Road will receive its students from both Heritage Primary and Heritage Intermediate. The new school on Sommers Road will draw its students from Prairie View Elementary.

The committee presented the proposed new boundaries to community members at Heritage Primary, Heritage Intermediate and Prairie View Elementary, and both schools hosted Open House events so families could see the proposed boundaries, ask questions and offer feedback.

Letters confirming the new attendance areas are being sent to families from Heritage Primary, Heritage Intermediate and Prairie View Elementary reminding them of which school their children will be attending next year.

The new boundary maps for both schools, as well as a listing of all streets in the new attendance areas, are also available on the school Web site.

Cheerleaders place 12th The Varsity Cheerleading squad at Timberland High School took 12th place in the National High School Cheer Competition (NHSCC). More than 400 squads across the nation competed in Walt Disney World on Feb. 12-14.

an

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“I knew this year was going to be special,” said Timberland Cheer Coach Laura Wooten. “I have been a cheer coach for 18 years and this is the most talented squad I have ever coached. But talent is only a small piece of what makes this team so special. They are amazing young adults who make me so proud to say I am their coach.”

This was the first year the team has competed on the national level. Timberland’s performances in the NHSCC competition can be viewed by visiting varsity.com. Just click on “NCA/NDA All Star National Championships” at the top of the page and then search “Timberland.”

Commissioner’s Award The Wentzville School District is the recipient of the 2010 Commissioner’s Award for Promising Practices in Professional Development.

This award, given by the Missouri Staff Development Council (MSDC), recognizes the district’s efforts in implementing high quality professional development that impacts teacher quality and student achievement and can serve as a comprehensive model for other districts to follow throughout the state.

“Wentzville’s Professional Development District Committee has been working with enthusiasm and purpose for the past three years,” said Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Susan Gauzy. “Professional development has been focused on the goals of the district’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan and student learning. It’s been a pleasure to watch the growth and development of the committee which has been reflected in the growth and development of the staff and students.”

After being named a semi-finalist for the

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award, a site visit team came to Wentzville in early February to visit several schools, interview teachers and administrators and review best practices.

According to the award application, tight adherence to the 12 professional development standards set by the National Staff Development Council is the over-riding criteria by which districts are evaluated.

The Wentzville School District’s Reading/Writing Workshop in grades K-5, Singapore Math in grades 1-5, Technology Application and Integration in grades K-12, and Differentiated Instruction in grades K-12 were the basis of the award and can now serve as models for districts and schools across the state.

The Wentzville School District is one of a select group of districts across the state that will be receiving this award at the Show-Me Professional Development Conference on March 15.

Fort Zumwalt Braille Challenge Five students from the Fort Zumwalt School District competed at the Missouri Regional Braille Challenge.

The Braille Challenge is a nationwide competition to show students’ knowledge of the Braille code. Students were challenged in the areas of spelling, speed and

accuracy writing, proofreading, reading and comprehension, and charts and graphs.

Students had to exhibit a full knowledge of the Braille code.

Senior Kristyn Hagan of West High won first place and Junior Brett Wilhelm won third place in the varsity division. Ashley Foley, a sixth-grader, won first place in the sophomore division.

The regional scores are sent to the national site and tallied with all of the other participants in the United States. The top 12 in each division are invited to compete in the National Braille Challenge in California in the summer.

Alexis Kaibel, a third-grader at Emge Elementary and Carter Temm, a first-grader at Westhoff Elementary also competed.

Francis Howell Tryout meeting Eighth-grade girls interested in trying out for the Francis Howell Central Sensations Dance Team for next year must attend an informational meeting at 6 p.m. on March 22, in the café in the high school.

A parent must accompany each student, as all tryout information will be handed out and discussed at this time.

Tryouts will be held from April 12-16.

For more information, e-mail Nicole Huffman at nicole.huffman@fhsdschools.org.

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM BAGGAGE, from page 10

Yes!

tsaid. “Those people should have been con- is a full-service law enforcement agency cerned. They’re concerned about 8 ounces with all law enforcement responsibilities of hair shampoo, but don’t want to care at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. about things being tampered with while it The police department’s primary mission is to ensure a safe and secure environment is under their watch.” for the traveling public. The Airport Police Department is responsible for traffic conAirport Police trol, criminal investigations, airport comLambert Airport Police said they haven’t munity oriented policing, airport security, heard any complaints of that nature, though enforcement of local, state and federal they do get calls from travelers who say laws at the airport and providing canine things were missing from their luggage, or explosive detection support to the airport that their luggage was stolen. and surrounding communities.

Sgt. Mike DeVaney said Lambert Air“Everyone at the airport, regardless of port Police gets complaints every day, usu- the (subcontractor) company, has a 10-year ally about items missing from luggage. As background check,” DeVaney said. for the mysterious liquid, DeVaney said he doesn’t know what it was or why it hap- Luggage theft pened. Braudis should have brought it in to Last year, The Wall Street Journal be checked, he said. reported that baggage handlers with Delta “Sometimes with latches on hard side Air Lines Inc. were caught rifling through luggage, stuff will fall out onto the wet suitcases in the belly of airplanes in Hartground, and the ramp people put it back ford, Conn., pocketing laptops, cameras, in,” DeVaney said. iPods, GPS units, jewelry, watches and Braudis says he used a duffel bag—a earrings. securely zipped duffel bag.

At Lambert Airport, police also broke up “Usually, after you’ve checked your a ring of airline thieves who, they said, were luggage it is in secure hands, but once it targeting soldier’s bags that were shipping reaches the carousel… The powers that be off to war. Baggage handlers allegedly are saying that once the luggage is checked pulled soldiers’ duffels off a conveyor belt in, it’s in secure hands,” DeVaney said. in a tunnel, stashed loot and then picked it “And those who handle the luggage have up later, taking it home under their coats 10-year background checks. It’s hard to say or in backpacks. Among the stolen items what kind of security issue the liquid (in recovered: laptops, electronic game sysBraudis’ luggage) would be.” tems, cameras, cigarettes, battery chargers, The St. Louis Airport Police Department sunglasses and firearms.

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Here’s a sampling of the local fish fries: Sts. Joachim & Ann Church 4112 McClay Road 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. • 441-7503 Knights of Columbus 5701 Highway N 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. • 936-1813 Immaculate Conception-Dardenne Prairie 7701 Highway N 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. • 561-4459 Church of St. Cletus 2721 Zumbehl Road 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. • 946-6327 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 2 Seton Court 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. • 946-6717

4 p.m. to 7 p.m. • 946-1893 Fairmount General Baptist Church 2299 St. Peters Howell Road 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. • 498-4475 Church of the Shepherd 1601 Woodstone 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. • 441-2434 VFW Post 2866 66 VFW Lane 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. • 724-9612

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NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

As electorate is more engaged than ever before, so are political candidate filings

By Jeannie Seibert The level of political engagement has reached such a pitch that interest in elections has never been more intense.

This is good news to county Election Authority Director Rich Chrismer. His department’s Web site is now being updated daily to reflect new candidate filings for the various elections scheduled throughout the remainder of 2010.

While filings for the upcoming April 6 elections are closed and the ballots are printed, absentee voting has already begun. Chrismer said telephone inquiries regarding absentee voting are so numerous the Election Authority changed its automated message to include answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Numerous citizen political groups formed in the past year are giving candidates more scrutiny than ever before.

Municipal candidates are in full campaign mode in the lead-up to April 6. Meanwhile, the Aug. 3 primary candidates are equally engaged with fundraisers and campaign events already underway.

As filing opened for St. Charles County offices on Feb. 23, new candidates will be accepted through March 30, Chrismer said. To date the following individuals have filed:

County Council – Dist. 7 John W. Moran, Democrat, St. Charles John W. White, Republican, St. Charles

COTTLEVILLE Alderman – Ward 1 Marie Mannino

Alderman – Ward 2 Donald Buchheit Matt Thornton

DARDENNE PRAIRIE Alderman – Ward 1 Scott D. Kolbe

Alderman – Ward 2 Jim Sease Kevin Harris

Director of Elections Rich Chrismer, Republican, St. Peters

Alderman – Ward 3 Michael J. Conroy

Recorder of Deeds Joseph Michael Smith, Republican, St. Charles Barbara J. Hall, Republican, St. Charles

LAKE SAINT LOUIS Alderman – Ward 1 Ralph Sidebottom Eric Oman

Prosecuting Attorney John P. Banas, Republican, St. Peters

Alderman – Ward 2 Charlotte Norton Karen Vennard

County Council – Dist. 1 Cheryl A. Hibbeler, Democrat, O’Fallon J. Dirk Bremer, Republican, St. Paul County Council – Dist. 3 Nancy J. Matheny, Republican, St. Charles County Council – Dist. 5 Terry L. Hollander, Republican, St. Charles

Collector of Revenue Michelle D. McBride, Republican, St. Peters Sheriff Thomas W. Neer, Republican, Defiance Kevin D. Jett, Republican, O’Fallon Patrick L. Riley, Republican, St. Charles Assessor Scott F. Shipman, Republican, St. Charles For updates, check the Election Authority Web site at: election.sccmo.org.

April 6 municipal election ballots now available for absentee voting include the following candidates:

Alderman – Ward 3 John Pellerito David Butler O’FALLON Councilman – Ward 1 Rick Lucas

Councilman – Ward 2 Jim Pepper Mary Sue Laulo Pierce Conley

Councilman – Ward 3 Dan Haney See CANDIDATES, page 42

I NEWS I 23

17TH A N N U A L Brought to you by

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Will be held on Sunday, March 21, 2010. The 5K race begins at 8:00a at the RSC and the 3.1 mile course runs thru O’Fallon Sports Park and, this year, through the Dardenne Prairie subdivision, Waterford Crossing (Waterford Crossing Dr and Waterford Crystal Dr). There will be approximately 300 racers, both runners and walkers.

The organizers have taken steps to make this event as easy as possible for the residents that reside in the subdivision. There will be Course Marshals that will keep it safe for both the racer and the driver. No streets will be closed, and the racers are instructed to stay on the sidewalks.

The Course Marshal may have to stop a car from time to time to let a racer cross the street.

If you would like to get into the spirit of the event, please go outside and cheer the runners and walkers on as they wind through the subdivision. The Renaud Spirit Center Fun Run organizers would like to thank you, in advance, for your support and cooperation.

The Renaud Spirit Center Annual 5K

Easter Egg Hunt The Dardenne Prairie Parks and Recreation Department will be having the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 3 at 10 a.m. (the Day before Easter). The hunt will be held on the baseball fields next to City Hall. This event is FREE, for children ages 8 and under. There will be more than 6,000 eggs, filled with candy or numbers which correspond to prizes. The Knights of Columbus will be providing a visit from the Easter Bunny. The PTI Group, with the coordination of Dardenne Prairie resident Cheri Hawes, will be donating Easter Baskets to the first 500 participants.

The Hunt will begin promptly at 10 a.m., with all age groups hunting at the same time, so don’t be late. We would like to thank the PTI Group, Cheri Hawes, and all our volunteers for making this a very special event.

Arbor Day Celebration In Missouri, Arbor Day is the first Friday in April (April 2, 2010). The Parks and Recreation Department will be sponsoring an essay contest with a local school to help celebrate Arbor Day. This year, Immaculate Conception of Dardenne (ICD) will participate in the event. Second grade

Many people are unaware that a large part of water pollution in our community can be traced right back to their own backyards. Surface runoff, often called storm water runoff, carries untreated sediments and toxins off lawns, gardens, and driveways directly into our local watersheds. You can help solve the problem by following a few simple steps.

1. Maintain your vehicle. Leaks from an unmaintained vehicle can be washed directly into creeks and streams. Have your vehicle regularly serviced and immediately repair any leaks you notice.

2. Minimize your use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. The chemicals that you spray or spread on your landscaping, lawn, or garden do not stay there. Traces of these poisons get washed into storm drains with rainwater or snowmelt. Multiply these small amounts from each yard by thousands of households, and the effects on watersheds and aquatic life can be catastrophic.

3. Properly store and dispose of chemicals. Many household chemicals and automotive products are extremely toxic both to humans and to other organisms. Protect water quality by making sure these chemicals are stored in tightly sealed contain-

at Dardenne Athletic fields on April 3rd at 10:00 a.m. There will be many prizes awarded.

This was a great success last year. If you have kids or grandkids, 8 years old and younger you won’t want to miss this.

• Earth Day is April 22nd. For more information on these events and to see what is going on in your City, please check out the City website, www.dardenneprairie.org. Have a very happy and great spring and summer.

Road construction is necessary, both for growth and general maintenance but no one enjoys the inconveniences it may cause. Be assured Bates Road is steadily moving toward the “finish line”. We are planning for this project to be completed in this upcoming construction season. The type of work that remains on the project is such that more progress will be seen more quickly. This is an asphaltic concrete roadway project, which means that long stretches of pavement can be constructed quickly once the storm sewer and grading work are complete. Please remember that while construction continues on Bates Road, the entire road, from South Outer 364 to the stop sign at Red Hawk Parkway is a “WORK ZONE”. Please use extra care and slow down when traveling Bates Road. The road is not in its original condition, and workers and equipment are present.

Our next major project will have the Dardenne Prairie residents cheering!

All meetings will be held at Dardenne Prairie City Hall

Municipal Court: 6:30 PM 4th Wednesday of the month

Planning & Zoning 7:00 PM 2nd Wednesday of the month

Board of Aldermen: 7:00 PM 1st & 3rd Wed. of the month

Board Workshop: 5:30 PM 1st & 3rd Wed. of the month

For a sample ballot and list of polling places, go to http://election.sccmo.org/election/

Alderman Ward 1 Scott D. Kolbe Alderman Ward 2 Jim Sease Kevin Harris Alderman Ward 3 Michael J. Conroy

MUNICIPAL ELECTION APRIL 6th, 2010

Class A office space is available in our New City Hall. Office sizes range from 300 to 600 square feet with shared conference room, break room and restroom facilities. Starting at $465 per month, full service. THIS INCLUDES: taxes, insurance, utilities and cleaning service.

Phone, data connection, and copies are extra.

Your client will enter the impressive main lobby of City Hall- greeted by a professional receptionist and directed to your 2nd floor suite via the tiled ornamental iron staircase or the elevator.

Get your basement, dining room or extra bedroom back and have the professional look and exposure in a new affordable LEED certified green office building. For more information, visit www.dardenneprairie.org.

MEETING TIMES

ers and that they are not exposed to extreme temperatures. When it comes time to get rid of used or unwanted chemicals, take them to a hazardous waste recycling facility.

4. Clean up pet waste. Pet waste contains harmful bacteria and other pollutants. While a good rain storm may wash your pet’s waste away, it is not really gone—it eventually ends up in our creeks and rivers. Promptly pick up after your pet, and seal the waste in a plastic bag before throwing it in the trash.

5. Avoid using salt to de-ice walkways. Regularly and thoroughly shovel and/or sweep snow from your walkways instead of relying on salt, and sparingly apply non-toxic alternatives to salt to surfaces that need de-icing or extra traction. Examples of alternatives to salt include gravel and biodegradable, low-toxicity chemicals such as calcium magnesium acetate and liquid potassium acetate.

Think about the big picture. The chemicals from thousands of yards, however, add up quickly, and with enough yards, can collectively reach pollution levels of a chemical tanker spill. Be part of the solution.

Step up to a professional office setting in Downtown Dardenne Prairie

Installing traffic signals on Hanley Road at Post Road and Highway N has been a project the City has been diligently working towards.

As with all construction projects, there is much “behind the scenes” work that must be performed before any actual construction can begin, but construction is planned to begin this spring.

The first phase of the project will align Post Road with Hanley Road at the Highway N intersection. We will then install traffic signals at that intersection. The traffic signals will be a much needed improvement and should aid the flow of traffic on Highway N. We will also install traffic lights at the intersection at Hanley Road and Feise Road.

It should be noted that when workers are present in any work zone, the minimum fine for speeding or passing violations, is $250. Thank you for your consideration of both your fellow residents and the workers in the zone

CONSTRUCTION ZONE AHEAD

Hwy N. They are a long time coming. Post Road will be shifted to the east to line up with Hanley Road. Please be careful in both areas while construction is underway.

• The City will again participate in Mission Clean Stream on March 27th. This volunteer action helps clean the creeks and streams in your City for a cleaner tomorrow.

• We will be celebrating Arbor Day on April 2nd.

• The annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place

NOT IN MY BACK YARD!

students will write an essay entitled “Why are Trees Important?” All participating students will receive a tree provided by the Parks and Recreation Department, to take home and plant. The winner will also receive an Arbor Day t-shirt.

The trees were purchased from the George O. White Nursery, through the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Mission: Clean Stream On Saturday March 27, at 8:30 a.m, we are asking for volunteers to help remove trash from local streams and lakes.

Breakfast or lunch will be served depending upon location.

Register early—space is limited. Participants registering by March 13 will receive a free T-shirt. In case of dangerous weather or high water, the event will be rescheduled for April 10th.

Last year, roughly 500 volunteers pulled over 27,700 pounds of trash from Dardenne, Peruque, Belleau, Spencer and Cole Creeks in a little over two hours!

Families, organizations and individuals can participate by calling the nearest community to register (in Dardenne Prairie call (636) 561-1718 or visit www/dardenneprairie. org)

DARDENNE PRAIRIE PARKS & RECREATION EVENTS

hold. The grandkids gave my wife and I a big, heart shaped, hand-made Valentine. Technology I hope everyone had a won- has brought many needed changes, but nothing derful Holiday Season. Just is better than receiving something a child has think, we are entering into a made just for you. It truly is the “little things” new decade. A perfect time to that are important in life.

Your City is doing great and thank you for start a new chapter of our lives! your support on different projects: Let’s take time to give everyone a little more time • We will be getting two stop signals in our and respect. If everyone did this, think what a City. One will be at Hanley and Feise Roads. difference that small change would make.

Valentine’s Day was a good time in our house- The other will be at Post and Hanley Roads and

Dave Kampelman Ward 1

I thought that would initiate some concern, I would probably say something like that.

I really would like to hear your ideas as well as your concerns. There is nothing worse than hearing a great idea or a better approach to a problem after an initial remedy has been started, especially one that may be more expensive or not so cosmetically appealing.

If you would like to get in touch with me, please call me at 314-540-4304 or email me at aldermanconroy@dardenneprairie.org

Pam Fogarty

• Today, the vast majority of American households have safe drinking water, and receive annual reports on the quality of their drinking water These are just a few examples of the progress that has taken place because people wanted to make a difference. We are continuing to make even greater progress as we learn and develop better building materials and practices. Our City Hall is proof of what can be accomplished in an environmentally friendly way.

The “little things” we each do in our own homes make a difference as well.

This Earth Day, I am asking the residents of Dardenne Prairie to make a difference. It could be as simple as changing one light bulb to an energy efficient bulb. Visit Lowe’s in Lake St. Louis the week of April 18th. They will have exclusive savings on energy saving products.

representatives of every level. Most proceedings at City Hall are devoid of any and all input from citizens. Does this mean everyone believes that all is good or does this mean nobody gives a damn? I cannot say, I can only venture a guess.

Perhaps I should tell everyone not to worry about getting involved. Please don’t ask any questions because you are not capable of understanding the circumstances and besides, it actually is none of your business how your money is spent. We’ll spend your money as we see fit. If

response at the grassroots level. We had neither the time nor resources to organize 20 million demonstrators and the thousands of schools and local communities that participated. That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself.” The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. Congress set national air quality, auto emission, and anti-pollution standards. Some of the results of these early actions are amazing: • In 1972, only 36 percent of the nation’s assessed stream miles were safe for uses such as fishing and swimming: today, about 60 percent are safe for such uses.

• In 1996, the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list, reflecting its recovery since the 1972 DDT ban.

• To date, more than 18 million homes have been tested for radon. Approximately 575 lives are saved annually due to radon mitigation and radon-resistant new construction.

you to the election judges and other workers at the polls. These people are the life blood of any To the 1200 +/- people who election and, ultimately, of your governments; voted in the last municipal elec- local, state and federal.

To the 30 or so citizens of Ward 3, and the 10 tion, I would like to express my or so citizens of Ward 1 and Ward 2, who have thanks for participating in your contacted me these past two years, I would like local government. There is anto personally thank you for taking an interest in other chance to participate on April 6, 2010. I Dardenne Prairie.

In every article I have prohope most of you will again be able to make it to duced as an Alderman, I have asked that more the polling places on that Tuesday. I hope that people get involved with their governmental most of you will also take the time to say thank

Mike Conroy Ward 3

As many Dardenne Prairie residents know, I am a LEEDS accredited professional and I am deeply committed to anything we can do, both as a City and individually, to protect our environment. With that in mind, I want to remind you all that April 22 will mark the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. I unearthed some interesting facts about Earth Day. The founder of Earth Day, Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, proposed the first nationwide environmental protest and forced the issue onto a national agenda.

On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans demonstrated for a healthy, sustainable environment. Of the first Earth Day, Senator Nelson said “Earth Day worked because of the spontaneous

A Message from the Mayor of Dardenne Prairie

2032 Hanley Road | Dardenne Prairie, MO 63368 | (636) 561-1718 | www.dardenneprairie.org

Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Jeff Amelong • 636-561-1718 ext 8

Deputy City Clerk Assistant to the Mayor Patti Agnew 636-561-1718 ext 5

City Administrator Brad Turvey 636-561-1718 ext 2 City Clerk/Treasurer Kim Clark 636-561-1718 ext 1 Court Clerk

Coreen Conroy 636-561-1718 ext 3

Possibilities

Mayor • Pam Fogarty 636-561-1718 ext 6

WELCOME TO A CITY OF

26 I CAMPS & OPPORTUNITIES I 

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

Talking about camp activities and friendships can help ease a child’s apprehension about being away from home.

Making the leap to overnight camp

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By SUE HORNOF Each year as summer nears, there are parents who wonder if their child is ready for their first experience with overnight camp.

The transition from day camp to sleepover camp is exciting, but it can also instill fear and apprehension in kids and parents alike.

How can parents determine if a child is ready to spend a week or more away from home?

According to Dr. Christopher Thurber, author of “The Summer Camp Handbook� and an expert on the camping experience and homesickness prevention, most children are ready to spend time away from home by age 7. Two weeks away can provide a child with a sense of belonging and independence, Thurber said, but a shorter session might be in order if it is the child’s first time away from home.

The Camp Experts & Teen Summers (campexperts.com), a free summer camp and teen summer program advisory service, offers these tips to help parents and kids decide if this is the summer for trying a week or more away from home, and if so, preparing for the time away: • Listen to your child and to his/her friends. If they are expressing interest in attending overnight camp, then the time has come to begin the exploration process.

A camp consultant service can help. Likewise, if your child is not looking forward to returning to day camp, it may be time to discuss the advantages of sleep-away camp.

• After narrowing the list of potential overnight camps to two or three, arrange to visit the camps in session or during an open house, if possible. A camp consultant can assist with selecting the camps, planning for tours or even with home visits from a camp representative. Alternately, a consultant can help formulate questions to ask the camp directors in a telephone interview. • If a child decides he/she is ready for a week or more at camp, discuss ahead of time what camp will be like. Emphasize the positives, such as the many new and fun activities your child will experience and the new friendships he/she will forge.

Acknowledge that your child may miss home for a part of the time, but assure him/ her that you will stay in touch by writing letters and will be there on visiting day, or at the end of a shorter session program.

Never assure children that you will immediately pick them up and bring them home if they do not like it, as that may be setting up your child for failure. • Once enrolled, it is natural for your child to experience some pre-camp jitters.

Help your child connect with the camp by watching the camp DVD or looking at the camp Web site. If your selected camp has a new camper party or an opportunity to meet the director, be sure to take part. • Let your child take part in selecting items and packing for camp. Your child might like to bring a favorite object, pictures of family or pets and stationery addressed to loved ones.

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I CAMPS & OPPORTUNITIES I 27

A camp for

every taste

By SUE HORNOF A University of Michigan-run online community where girls share opinions about a variety of topics asked members what kind of summer camp experience they would plan if they could design Challenging and adventurous activities are popular at summer camp. their own camp.

One girl said she would create a Nancy Drew camp where • Of the estimated 12,000 American theater, singing, ceramics, leather crafts, campers read Nancy Drew books and camps, about 7,000 are resident camps woodworking and photography. solve made-up mysteries. Another said she where campers stay from several days to • More than half (56 percent) of camps would divide campers into groups and send eight weeks. surveyed by the ACA reported having them off on a month-long scavenger hunt.

• Day camps have grown by nearly 90 community service or good deed programs Some described all-girl camps and others percent in the past 20 years, offering ses- incorporated into the camp curriculum. said they would design co-ed camps. sions and age-appropriate programs similar Today, there are camps designed in many to resident camps. styles and those that offer activities to • Trip camps are providing programs in meet most every interest. According to the which campers backpack, ride horses or American Camp Association (ACA), while canoe to different sites. most camps offer a general program of out• A growing number of children with door activities including hiking, swimming, disabilities are being mainstreamed into sports and games, arts and crafts and nature camps, and many camps have opened to awareness, some place special emphasis provide special services to children with on programs like horseback riding, water special medical needs. sports, music or adventure challenge activ• The most common camp program trends ities. Other camps, including many day are challenging and adventurous activicamps, focus on a single activity, such as ties, including high and low ropes courses, drama, art, music, dance, cheerleading, a climbing walls, zip lines, backpacking, specific sport or a variety of sports. mountain biking and cave exploring.

In addition, the ACA identified the fol• There is an increased emphasis on perlowing camp trends: forming arts and fine arts, such as dance,

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ummer Music Workshop June 21-25

28 I cover story I

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

Obama Administration’s

Home Affordable Modification Program is, well, not so affordable

By Casey Godwin When the Obama Administration introduced a comprehensive financial stability plan, with the key component known as the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), last spring, many homeowners in financial strife saw an opportunity to save their homes from possible foreclosure while getting back on their feet.

Donise Reitz was one such homeowner. A single mother, she was just another person feeling the pinch of a downturn in the economy. In 2008, she lost one of her part-time jobs and the business that was renting a forklift she owned closed, meaning an additional loss of income for the Reitz family. Suddenly, Reitz, who had prided herself with always maintaining perfect credit and being able to afford her home that she bought in 2006, was relying on savings and credit cards to get by.

After learning about HAMP, Reitz contacted her mortgage company, Nationstar, to find out if she would be eligible for the program. She filled out all the necessary documents and provided all the information that Nationstar requested and soon learned she had qualified to participate in a four-month trial period that could lead to permanent modification through HAMP. She was sent a letter from Nationstar that outlined her trial period; the modified payment, which was a fourth of her normal mortgage payment; and when each payment was due. In bold letters, the document read, “These payments should be sent instead of, not in addition to, your normal monthly mortgage payment.” It also states that “if the trial period payments are made in amounts different from the amount stated, your loan may not be modified.”

“From the very beginning I asked them specifically, ‘will this affect my credit?’” Reitz said. “They assured me over and over again this would never affect my credit as long as I was current when I went into the trial period and as long as I made my payments on time.”

However, that is not what happened. Three months into the trial period, Reitz decided to buy out the lease on her car. She was shocked when the loan application was rejected. Soon after, Reitz learned that one credit card company dropped her and another lowered her credit line.

When she asked the credit card companies what was going on, she was told that she had severe delinquency reported on her credit report by Nationstar. Nationstar was reporting that Reitz was only making partial house payments.

“I got a demand letter from Nationstar and they told me to

disregard that,” Reitz said. “They again said it was not affecting my credit.”

Furthermore, the trial period was extended by two months and almost every time Reitz would call Nationstar, she was told she had not sent in needed documents yet, such as pay stubs and a financial statement.

“No one ever called me to tell me they needed this,” Reitz said. “I wonder what would have happened if I had not called them.”

After four months in the trial period and learning that her credit was being impacted, Reitz began making her full payments again despite being told of the extension.

In January, she was called and told that she had not been accepted into the program and soon after, she was sent a demand letter for more than $8,000. This amount, which was the equivalent of the difference in amounts between her normal mortgage payment and the modified payment for four months, was due immediately in order to avoid foreclosure.

“Now I’m stuck with a 7 percent interest rate because I can’t refinance, I have poor credit, and I really don’t know what else is to come,” Reitz said. “I wish I had never, ever done this.”

Unfortunately, Reitz is far from alone.

In late 2009, the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) and the National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) conducted a survey of 113 NACA members from 24 states about the prevalence of foreclosure sales in violation of HAMP. Almost 95 percent of those consumer advocates were representing homeowners in cases where the mortgage company attempted to proceed with a foreclosure sale without a completed HAMP review. Most of those advocates were representing dozens of homeowners in such cases.

The results of the survey clearly showed that mortgage companies were not abiding by the current HAMP policy on stopping foreclosure sales.

Homeowners that enter HAMP must first go through a trial period, which is supposed to last only three months. A homeowner must complete an initial eligibility evaluation so that it can be determined whether or not the homeowner qualifies.

“The first step involves publicly available and easily applicable criteria; the second is subject to the servicer’s

determination with incomplete disclosure to homeowners,” said Ellen Taverna, a legislative associate with NACA. The eligibility criteria for trial modification are outlined on the program’s Web site (makinghomeaffordable.gov).

These rules include owing equal to or less than $729,750 on a first mortgage and hardships such as an increase in mortgage payment or reduction of income. Those who meet the qualifications and are approved would have their mortgage payments reduced to 31 percent of the current gross income.

“The servicer is supposed to review what its contracts with the investors say and run what’s called a ‘net present value’ test to determine if the investor will make more money under the terms of a proposed modification or if it doesn’t, proceed with a modification,” Taverna said. “(The U.S. Department of Treasury) has not made public the net present value test and the servicer does not need to tell the homeowner what all of the inputs it used were.”

According to the Department of Treasury, January data shows that more than 1 million homeowners have started trial modifications, but only 116,000 have received permanent modifications.

The guidelines to be accepted into the trial period are the same as those for permanent modification. While it seems those accepted into the trial period need only follow the rules to then be accepted for permanent modification, servicers are not making the leap an easy one.

“In our experience, many of the people who are denied permanent modifications are denied because the servicer has lost submitted documentation or has made a new determination, on no apparent basis, that the homeowner no longer qualifies,” Taverna said. “Because there is no public, servicer-by-servicer reporting of the reasons for denials at the permanent modification stage, it is hard to know for sure what is going on.”

Those who are dumped out of the program find that they owe the difference between the reduced payment of the trial period and their regular mortgage amount in one lump sum, often with the threat of foreclosure if prompt pay-

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

ment is not received. In the event of receiving permanent modification, that amount is added to their principal balance.

“The problem is made worse because servicers have taken far longer than the trial period of three months to approve or deny the permanent modification,” Taverna said.

Despite what Reitz was told, Taverna said entering the trial modification period can have significant impacts on credit.

“Even if someone was current upon entering the trial modification, they are no longer reported as current during the trial period, but as making payments under a plan – which is a significant detriment to credit,” Taverna said.

Taverna said that some homeowners have not been told of the impact on their credit and that servicers are being silent on the issue.

Nationstar declined to comment regarding Reitz’s situation.

“Without an attorney or housing counselor, some homeowners may not understand the full impact,” Taverna said.

Reitz said she was fortunate that when Nationstar demanded more than $8,000 to prevent foreclosure at the end of the trial period, she was able to come up with the money.

“I know there have to be a lot of people

who would go into this thinking they were helping themselves and then not be able to pay that large of an amount and then lose their house,” Reitz said.

Reitz contacted a lawyer, but was told it would cost too much to fight Nationstar. And unless Nationstar officials will make efforts to remedy the damage to her credit, Reitz is stuck with a damaged credit report.

Taverna warned that all homeowners need to be aware of what the potential damage to credit entering into the trial period could mean.

“A trial modification will actually harm their credit,” Taverna said. “There are even examples of servicers mistakenly reporting that homeowners are delinquent on two accounts.”

Taverna said that homeowners who feel they have been wronged by the services not abiding by HAMP rules should seek legal assistance from an attorney focused on foreclosure prevention issues. NACA manages the Institute for Foreclosure Legal Assistance, which is a not-for-profit program that has enabled more than 35 organizations in 28 states to hire attorneys to represent homeowners facing foreclosure. Information on that program can be obtained at foreclosurelegalassistance.org.

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I cover story I 29

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30 I HEALTH MATTERS I

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

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The National Kidney Foundation serving Eastern Missouri and the Metro East will hold a free Kidney Health Screening for individuals aged 18 and older from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thurs., March 11 at the O’Fallon Family YMCA, 3451 Pheasant Meadows Drive. For an appointment or additional information, call 314-961-2828.

• • • “Caregiving: What to do in Emergencies,” an OASIS program, will be held from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thurs., March 11 at the Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital HealthWise Center, 6 Jungermann Circle. To register, call 928-9355.

• • • A sleep disorder screening/seminar will be held at 6 p.m. on Thurs., March 11 at SSM St. Joseph Health Center, 300 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles. Free screenings are offered from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and are followed by a presentation by Thomas Siler, M.D., a Board-certified sleep medicine specialist. A question and answer session follows the presentation. Admission is free. To register, call 314-776-3627.

• • • “Serving Up Diabetes Education” will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tues., March 16 at the Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital Cardiology Center (hospital entrance B). Dr. Martin Ast, Chef Brian Jennings, and Occupational Therapist Adam Burlingame share information on diabetes and heart disease, benefits of a Mediterranean diet, exercise tips and more. Admission is free. To register, call 928-9355.

• • •

Thursday, March 25 6 - 7:15 p.m.

SSM St. Joseph Hospital West 400 Medical Plaza Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367

(Tours and screenings from 6 - 6:30 p.m.)

H. W. Koenig Medical Building Speaker: Howard Goldberg, MD Board Certified Sleep Medicine Specialist, SSM St. Joseph Hospital West

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St. Charles Community College and Baue Funeral Homes, Crematory and Cemetery will present “Living with Grief: Cancer and End-of-Life Care,” the 17th annual Hospice Teleconference, from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Wed., March 24 at St. Charles Community College, 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive. Panelists describe the range of physical, psychological and spiritual reactions that people who are dying of cancer may have and how to respond to and validate those reactions; they also share their experience with the varied and individual ways that families and other caregivers are coping with cancer and the imminent death of the patient. Registration is $15 per person, with lunch available for an additional $8. Attendees may stay for Continuing Education credits for $25. The registration fee is waived for those who work in a hospice organization. To register, call 946-4042.

• • • “Osteoporosis: Got Calcium?” will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wed., March 24 at the Middendorf-Kredell Library, 2750 Hwy. K in O’Fallon. Women receive a free bone density screening to determine risk for osteoporosis, and Danessa Brown, M.D., provides an overview of risk factors, prevention and ways to treat the disease. To register, call 928-9355.

• • • “Tracy & Jess: Living with Early Onset Alzheimer’s,” a film screening and panel discussion, will be held at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Fri., March 26 at the St. Charles Community College SSB Auditorium. Admission is free. For more information, contact Kelley Pfeiffer at 922-8544 or visit stchas.edu/students/activities.

• • •

DePaul Health Center • St. Clare Health Center • St. Joseph Health Center St. Joseph Hospital West • St. Mary’s Health Center

Progress West HealthCare Center will present “Vaccines & Vacations: Traveling Abroad” from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thurs., April 22 at the Middendorf-Kredell Library, 2570 Hwy. K in O’Fallon. Admission is free. Registration is required. Call 344-2273.

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

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By BETSY ZATKULAK Consumers are regularly inundated with new food items and a host of trendy terms and claims to market them. Vague definitions and sketchy statements on packaging often lead to consumer confusion.

Marilyn Tanner-Blasiar, a registered dietician with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association (ADA), explained why food marketing terms can confuse and mislead consumers.

“Terminology is not formally defined, so we as consumers often assume what the word means,” Blasiar said.

Throughout March – National Nutrition Month – the ADA is aiming to decode for consumers the meanings of current food terms and phrases. The organization hopes to help consumers learn which expressions denote healthier food choices. “‘Natural’ has no formal definition by the USDA or the FDA,” Blasiar said. “There is a 1993 policy that says a food item that is ‘natural’ does not contain added color, artificial flavor, or synthetic substitutes – but ‘natural’ cannot appear on an ingredient list other than in the wording, ‘natural flavorings.’”

“Processed” and “unprocessed” are commonly misunderstood terms because consumers often think of processed foods as unhealthy, packaged foods with empty calories and loaded with additives like fat and sodium. Consumers often think of unpro-

cessed foods as healthier foods that are not frozen, packaged or canned. Neither belief is entirely accurate.

“It’s important to preserve foods to keep them safe for intake – pasteurizing, cooking, freezing, canning, cutting, or adding sugar or salt to preserve it,” Blasiar said.

The term “local” simply refers to food that is grown close to where it is sold.

The terms “whole” and “whole foods” are often used but have no regulatory definition. Whole foods generally include those that are not refined or processed, do not have added ingredients, and are close to their natural state; examples include dairy, fresh produce, whole grains, meat and fish.

The “organic” label encompasses the most specific criteria and legal meaning.

According to the USDA, organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotic or growth hormones.

• “100-percent organic” products are completely organic or made of only organic ingredients and qualify for the USDA”Organic” seal.

• “Organic” is used on products in which at least 95 percent of ingredients are organic. Such foods qualify also for the USDA’s ”Organic” seal.

• “Made with organic ingredients” refers to products in which at least 70 percent of ingredients are certified organic. The USDA “Organic” seal cannot be used on such foods.

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32 I

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

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Brian Robertson, of O’Fallon, has been promoted to senior vice president/director of correspondent services at Love Funding, a St. Louis-based national mortgage banking firm.

• • • BJC Medical Group of Missouri has announced that Linda K. Therkildsen, D.O., who is Board-certified in family medicine, has opened Belleau Creek Family Therkildsen Care at 8089 Mexico Road and is accepting new patients of all ages.

PLACES Care Patrol, a free information and referral service assisting seniors and their families in the St. Charles and St. Louis areas in finding assisted living, home care and other care services, has opened at 13975 Manchester Road. The franchise is owned by Cindy Grasse.

• • • Coldwell Banker Gundaker has announced the formation of a marketing alliance with McBride & Son/Vantage Homes. Under the agreement, the residential brokerage company will provide real

Autohaus BMW was named the No. 1 new car BMW dealer in the state of Missouri, as reported for 2009 by the BMW National Program.

The dealership sold 586 new BMWs, as well as 433 pre-owned vehicles.

Pictured are Autohaus sales staff members (front row, from left) Gerd Petermann, Craig Hopton, Sales Manager Joe Emerson, Karen Lowery, Bob Dedert, Renard LaSane, Brett Midgley and (back row, from left) Dennis Schaffner, Don Quinn, CPO Manager Mike Preiss and Booker Wade. estate marketing services for the homebuilder.

• • • Jeff Computers has moved to 14366 Manchester Road, two buildings west of its previous location.

AWARDS & HONORS “Entrepreneur Magazine” ranked The Little Gym, which has a location in St. Peters, No. 1 in the children’s fitness category of its “Top Franchises.” This is the fourth consecutive year the company has earned that ranking.

EVENTS & WORKSHOPS St. Charles Community College will

present “Write it Right: Business Writing Techniques” from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thurs., March 11 at Old Hickory Golf Club in St. Peters. For registration information, visit edcalliance.com.

• • • The American Marketing Association will present “Social Media Boot Camp – How It Can Benefit Your Office” from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thurs., April 8 at Old Hickory Golf Club in St. Peters. Basic information about utilizing social media for business, how to get started, success stories, best practices, and what not to do on social media are the featured topics.

For registration information, visit edcalliance.com.

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34 I GET THE LOOK I

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

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By SHEILA FRAYNE RHOADES Kellee Peer is a designing woman on a mission to better the world. The 47-yearold mother of six designs and sells purses inspired by the popular magazine clutch purses of the 1960s. In 2008, Peer launched K.Peer Designs, LLC, a business that Kellee Peer poses with celebrity Joan Collins allows her to express her fashion creativity at a Golden Globes event in January. and her altruistic inclinations.

Besides selling a unique product, Peer Foster Parent Association, Art Creation said, she wants to make a difference in Foundation for Children, Family Violence the world. She accomplishes that with her Prevention Fund, National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund, and NEST. “American women are passionate about fashion and supporting great causes, too,” Peer said. “I’m proud to make donations for every purse sold to one of these outstanding organizations. I sincerely hope more charities will contact me.”

Peer offers dozens of clutch covers, including her six originals, which feature female icons representing the glamour of old Hollywood, such as Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly.

Other designs include famous faces like Jacqueline Kennedy, arts/graphics, special interests, sports themes, and holidays/events. Clutches have a plastic body with front and back clear acrylic cover pieces, twisted rope chain straps, a jewel snap closure and The Clutch for Cures decorative hardware. The clever design collection features a variety of offers lots of versatility. design styles.

“The Clutch for Cures collection magazine cover art can be removed and replaced Clutch for Cures collection, because each with anything a person could imagine, time a Clutch for Cures purse is purchased, including different magazine covers, fabric, $10 is donated directly to a charitable orga- family photo collages or even original artnization. work,” Peer said.

Originally, Peer offered six clutches, each In January, Peer attended the Golden featuring a famous actress, and donated a Globes Celebrity Gift Suite in Beverly portion of her proceeds to a charity con- Hills. nected to the particular actress on the purse “I met over 50 celebrities at the event,” sold.

Peer said. “Many are currently carrying my For example, because Audrey Hepburn clutch purses.” died of colon cancer, the purchase of the Clutch for Cures designs are sold in small Audrey Hepburn clutch benefited the Colon boutiques around the country and online at Cancer Alliance. clutchforcures.com. Pure by Jen, in WildBut Peer found that women sometimes wood, is the only boutique that carries the wanted to support other charities, so buyers collection locally. now may select from seven charitable Charitable organizations interested in organizations: International Foundation partnering with Clutch for Cures should for Research and Education on Depres- contact Peer at kpeer@clutchforcures.com sion, Colon Cancer Alliance, National or 314-540-9830.

prime.

Your guide to the area’s finest new homes

New Home Guide

36 I prime. Your guide to new homes

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

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‘Nostalgic Americana’ at Helmut Weber’s Falcon Crest The American Dream lives on at Helmut Weber Construction’s Falcon Crest in the heart of O’Fallon. The city was voted one of Money magazine’s “Best Places to Live,” and Falcon Crest is one of the few locations where you can still find singlefamily homes offering affordability coupled with unprecedented craftsmanship at prices starting from only the upper $160’s.

Falcon Crest features a “country cottage” look that differs from the typical styles that have saturated the market. “We’ve brought a new trend in housing to buyers who want exciting new construction in O’Fallon at an affordable price,” said sales manager Sheila Knutson. The two ranches, one story-and-a-half and three two-story plans range from 1,200 to 2,100 square feet and include many upgrade features that are standard in their base price like nostalgic glass-paneled front doors and wood entry foyers.

Kitchens are equipped with Maytag appliances including black-on-black smooth-top range, and the homes feature extras such as roof ridge vents, Tyvek Home Wrap and wiring for coachlights and garage door openers.

“All of our elevations have some brick and stone,” Knutson added. Most of the lots are large enough to accommodate 3 car garages.

Because of the success of these new plans, Helmut Weber recently added a new ranch model, the 1,800-square-foot Sierra II with three bedrooms, two full baths, standard vaulted great room and a covered patio.

“The covered patio is very popular with us Baby Boomers,” said Knutson. Those health-conscious Boomers also will appreciate the community’s three walking trails with park benches, and families will love the convenient playground and covered pavilion with barbecue pits, horseshoes and more. The walking trails surround a pond with a fountain.

The American Dream just got sweeter, said Knutson. For a limited time Helmut Weber s waiving all lot premiums at Falcon Crest, or buyers can choose from $10,000 in free options.

Falcon Crest, with only 64 homes, is just a five-minute jog from O’Fallon’s Civic Park Recreation Center. To visit the four displays, open daily (excluding holidays) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., take I-70 to north on Highway K-M, which changes to Main Street, and then turn west on Civic Park Drive to right on Emge and then stay on Emge as it winds back left into Falcon Crest on the left, and turn onto Sunset Lane. Call 636-379-2009.

Meanwhile, only three homesites remain at Locksley Crossing in Lake Saint Louis, and Helmut Weber Construction is treating buyers to unprecedented closeout savings - offering to build the remaining homes at his cost. Two of the homesites back to woods. For more information contact Sheila Knutson at 636-379-2009 for an appointment and visit www.hwcstl. com. To see the community take Highway 40 or Lake Saint Louis Boulevard to north on Technology Drive.

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

Your guide to new homes prime. I 37

I

n a world of homebuying uncertainty, Crystal Creek is the safe haven you’re looking for. An established, award-winning neighborhood • quality-crafted homes • in a fabulous location • by a fiscally sound QBW “Builder of Integrity.”

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Displays open daily 11-5 On Wentzville Parkway, 1.2 miles north of I-70

MLS H O M E S

Building fine homes in St. Charles County since 1989 – and here to stay!

38 I prime. Your guide to new homes

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

What?!

2003 prices at Whittaker’s New Town at St. Charles

Did people pay attention when Whittaker Homes recently lowered its prices to 2003 levels at The New Town at St. Charles?

“We had 18 sales in January and 16 in February,” crowed Greg Whittaker, president of Whittaker Homes and developer of The New Town at St. Charles. “That’s the best sales we’ve had in those months since 2007.”

We did something we didn’t think we could do, he admitted, “We were able to get prices back to when we started New Town in 2003.”

Whittaker has rolled back prices on single-family and cottage homes to 2003 levels, which means a savings of from $50,000 to $80,000. “It’s for a limited time only,” he said, “and part of our ’25 Homes in 25 Days’ promotion.

“And it’s working,” said Whittaker, adding that buyers are taking advantage of lower prices, low mortgage rates and the federal tax credit.

“If you wish you had bought in New Town at the beginning when prices were at their lowest,” he said, “here’s your chance.” For example, a four-bedroom, two-bath ranch with two-car garage normally priced from $242,500 is now priced from $164,500.

As part of the program, Whittaker also lowered the prices on New Town’s popular Tarn Street lakefront homes to the $180’s.

“We have contracts on nine of them,” he said.

In 2003, New Town was established as the first true New Urbanism development in Missouri and one of the premier Traditional neighborhoods in the country,

designed in the mold of Seaside, Florida.

Seven years later, New Town has eclipsed Seaside in growth and amenities. New Town is designed to accommodate a wide price range of homes and small businesses in a setting that combines old with new, creating a town reminiscent of the past where children can ride their bikes to the corner market or ice cream shop and residents can walk to restaurants and bars like the new Padavan’s, a New York-style eatery.

Residents can enjoy shopping at Marsala’s Market, the new Haute Cakes Bakery, fun under the sun at Shire Lane Pool, sand volleyball, an ice-skating rink and a full yearly schedule of music festivals, all of which contribute to the stimulating atmosphere.

“There are so many things to do at New Town,” said Whittaker. “It’s just an unbelievable place.”

More than half of the residents in New Town live, work and play within the comfort of their own neighborhood, which is what helped make New Town the best-selling development out of 18,600 communities in 16 states two years in a row and one of the top 100 places in America to raise a family.

Last year more than 180 families moved to New Town, Whittaker said. “I don’t think there’s any other development that even comes close to that!”

To visit New Town take Highway 364 to north on New Town Boulevard 1.5 miles to the entrance on the right. Call 636-9492700 or visit www.newtownatstcharles. com.

40 I

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

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I 41

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP MEETING Learn, Laugh, and Cry Caregivers - Take Care of Yourself!

Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month.

700 Garden Path O’Fallon, MO 63366

5

636-240-2840

Com mu n it y Event s MEDICAL SEMINARS SSM St. Joseph Health Center will have a presentation on sleep disorders from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Thurs., March 11, in the St. Charles Room at St. Joseph, 300 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles. Tours of the SSM Center for Sleep Disorders at St. Joseph will follow the lecture and free screenings will be held from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The event is free and refreshments will be served. To pre-register for this event, call 314-SSM-DOCS. • • • The 17th annual Hospice Teleconference will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Wed., March 24, in the SSB auditorium at St. Charles Community College. This years’ subject focuses on Living with Grief: Cancer and End-of-Life Care. Registration is $15 per person and lunch will be available for an additional $8. Attendees may also purchase a book and/or stay for continuing education credits for $25.

Attendees working in a hospice organization will have their $15 registration fee waived. Seating is limited. Professionals may register online at baue.com or call 946-4042. Registration closes March 22.

• • • Gentle Flutters Share of St. Joseph Hospital West, a pregnancy and infant loss support group, will meet from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month

at the Turning Pages on Main Bookstore in Troy. The support group is open to all individuals who are grieving the loss of a pregnancy or infant family member. For BENEFITS more information, email gentleflutters@ Francis Howell Central Football Boostgmail.com. ers Mouse Races will be held at 7 p.m.

• • • on Fri., March 26, at the Elks Lodge in SSM Hospital West will have a presen- O’Fallon. Tables of eight are available for Newsmagazine tation on sleep disorders from 6:30 p.m. $120. There will be seven races, 50/50, gift Salesperson: to 7:15 p.m. on Thurs., March 25 in the basket raffles and Proof: a bake sale. For more Client: community education room of the H.W. information or to reserve a table, contact Koenig Medical Building located at 400 Tracie Russo at 314-504-4563.

Medical Plaza Drive in Lake Saint Louis.

• • • Tours of the SSM Center for Sleep DisFirst Step Back Home Homeless Minorders at St. Joseph, plus free screenings, istry will celebrate its fifth anniversary will be offered from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sun., March The event is free and refreshments will be 28, at Wentzville Christian Church, 1507 served. To pre-register for this event, call Hwy. Z. A concert is planned to benefit and 314-SSM-DOCS. promote the Homeless Ministry. Admission is free and offerings will be accepted.

MUSIC & ART Reservations are required. Send RSVPs to The St. Charles County Youth Orchestra First Step Back Home (Attn: Benefit Con(SCCYO) Symphony Orchestra will be in cert) P.O. Box 966, O’Fallon, MO 63366 concert at 1 p.m. on Sat., March 27, at the or paulwkruse@centurytel.net. For more First Baptist Church of Lake Saint Louis. information, call 466-1365.

The concert will benefit the Larry Hart Memorial Scholarship Fund which pro- POLICE ACADEMY vides scholarships to SCCYO students in Enrollment in the O’Fallon Police need. The concert is free, but donations for Department’s 2010 Citizens’ Police Acadthe Scholarship Fund will be accepted. emy (CPA) is open to O’Fallon and St. • • • Charles County-area residents who are at Young People’s Theatre of St. Charles least age 18. The six week class will be Community College will present “Beauty held from 6:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and the Beast” at 7 p.m., Fri. and Sat., March and Thursdays starting March 25. The cost

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19-20 and March 26-27, and at 2 p.m. on Sat. and Sun., March 20-21 and March 27-28, in the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building Theater. The cost is $8 for general admission and $7 for students/seniors.

For more information, call 922-8233.

Consult your tax or legal advisor for specific advice.

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of the course is $30. Additional information and applications for 2010 Citizens’ Police Academy are available online at ofallon.mo.us/PD/cp_cpa.htm. For additional information, e-mail jcook@ofallon. mo.us or call 240-3200.

MEETINGS The Constitution Party of Missouri will hold its St. Charles County meeting from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Mon., March 22, at the Date of issue: Middendorf-Kreddel Library, 2750 Hwy. Client: call K in O’Fallon. For more information, Susan or Ed Koob at 544-0963.

Size:

Colors: The 17 annual St. PetersPictures: Home, Garden and Great Outdoors Show will be held Logos: from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat., March 27, Copy: and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sun., March 28, at

GARDEN SHOW th

St. Peters City Hall next to the Rec Plex.

The event will be in conjunction with the city’s Going Green campaign with Earth Month, which will begin at the annual Home, Garden and Great Outdoor Show.

The event will have approximately 60 vendors. Exhibitors will display products and services from fields including; remodeling, real estate, security, landscaping and a few more unusual displays. For more information visit stpeterschamber.com.

CIRCUS The Moolah Shrine Circus will be held from Thurs., March 18 to Sun., March 21, at the Family Arena. There will be seven shows, and tickets range from $15 to $38.

For more information, call 896-4200.

A-1 CONCRETE

UNEVEN SIDEWALK? WE PUMP IT UP! Save 50 to 70% Over Replacement • Driveways • Patios • Steps • Any Slab!

FREE ESTIMATE

We'll meet any written competitor's bid, plus discount 10% OFF the difference!

(636) 529-0635

•

w w w. a 1 c o n c r e t e . c o m

42 I

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM CANDIDATES, from page 23

TRUSTY MAID SERVICE OF CHESTERFIELD, LLC

• A Neighborhood Company • Trustworthy Employees • Superior Value • No Long-Term Contracts • Bonded & Insured • A Comfortable Choice For St. Charles County

14340 South Outer Forty Rd. Town and Country, MO 63017

314-576-5400

www.trustymaidservice.com

Do you like making collection calls?

Are the people making your collection calls trained to do so?

Can you afford as little as $500 a month to free up you and your company’s time?

See every conversation and every letter in real time on the internet. No software, just like on-line banking.

For harder collections, use our litigation department for just filing costs.

The days of hourly and miscellaneous fees piling up are over!!

Let us help you be more profitable- guaranteed.

Call for your free March consultation.

1-866-OWED-YOU or 314.513.3730

Councilman – Ward 4 Jeff Schwentker

Councilman – Ward 5 Mark S. Perkins Mike Pheney Daniel E. Christoff WELDON SPRING Alderman – Ward 1 Bruce J. Robb Alderman – Ward 2 Richard “Dick” Jelen Jack Strick

Alderman – Ward 3 Ronald L. Griesenauer

WELDON SPRING HEIGHTS Board of Trustees Stephan G. Heitkamp Alice Nelsen Christopher Donahoe State office filings began Feb. 23, ending on March 30 for the Aug. 3 primary election. To date the following have filed for office. Chrismer recommends checking the Election Authority Web site for the most recent list of candidates.

Mo. Representative – Dist. 13 Vickie Boedeker, Democrat, Wentzville Chuck Gatschenberger, Republican, O’Fallon Mo. Representative – Dist. 14 Kyle Meadows, Democrat, St. Peters Kathie Conway, Republican, St. Charles Mo. Representative – Dist. 15 Paul Woody, Republican, St. Charles Sally Faith, Republican, St. Charles Bill Slantz, Libertarian, St. Charles Mo. Representative – Dist. 16 Mark A. Parkinson, Republican, St. Charles Mo. Representative – Dist. 17 Kenny Biermann, Democrat, St. Charles Vicki Schneider, Republican, O’Fallon Mo. Representative – Dist. 18 Gary McKiddy, Democrat, St. Charles Anne Zerr, Republican, St. Charles Mo. Representative – Dist. 19 Matt Simmons, Democrat, O’Fallon Dave Evans, Republican, O’Fallon Kurt Bahr, Republican, O’Fallon

Mo. Senate – Dist. 2 Scott T. Rupp, Republican, Wentzville Cynthia L. Davis, Republican, O’Fallon

Absentee voting – one of the following has to apply to vote an absentee ballot: • Absent on election day from the jurisdiction where voter is registered.

• Incapacity or confinement due to sickness or disability • Religious belief or practice.

Employment as an election authority or by an election authority at a location other than assigned polling place.

Members of the military may request an absentee ballot from commanding officers or by contacting the Election Authority Patients who are hospitalized within the county after 5 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to an election may request an absentee ballot.

A bipartisan team of election judges will be sent to the hospital.

Permanently disabled voters and caregivers to the disabled can request to be put on a list.

The affidavit envelope does not have to be notarized for anyone requesting an absentee ballot because of sickness or disability.

Only registered voters can vote on ballot issues - you must be a registered voter and provide proof of identification.

To apply for an absentee ballot to be mailed, the request must be made in writing for each election.

Written requests should contain the following information: full name, residential address, the address to which the ballot is to be mailed, reason absentee ballot is required, the election date of the desired absentee ballot, if an August primary election ballot, supply a political party preference and the signatures of everyone requesting an absentee ballot.

Absentee voters will receive a notarized affidavit envelope. This, with the completed ballot inserted, must be returned to the Election Authority no later than 7 p.m. the day of the election.

The Election Authority will only accept absentee ballots delivered by mail, registered carrier or personally returned by the voter or family member.

Absentee ballots may be voted at the Election Authority’s office up to six weeks prior to an election until 5 p.m. the day before the election.

For additional information on absentee voting call 949-7550.

The office is located at 397 Turner Blvd., St Peters.

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

I 43

ristorante

old World italian Cuisine

1/2 OFF LUNCH

Carry Out Special

1/2 OFF

FREE Large Dinner Salad with purchase of a large 2 topping or more pizza

Buy One Lunch Pasta and 2 Beverages, Get One Lunch Dine in only. Valid Mon-Fri 11am-4pm. Valid thru 5-15-10. *Free pasta of equal or lesser value with coupon.

Limit 1 coupon per table. Not valid with other offers or discounts.

Carry Out Only. Valid Sunday thru Thursdays only. Limit 1 coupon per person. Limit 1 FREE salad per order. Not valid with other offers or discounts. With coupon. Expires 5-15-10

Elegant and Affordable Banquet Room Space

• Private space down spiral staircase • Vast stone fireplace • Private bar • Seating and elegant dining for small or large groups

Monday all you Can eat pasta 4pm-9pm. Select Group of Pastas.

636-949-9005 2061 Zumbehl Rd. Bogey Hills Plaza St. Charles www.fratellisristorante.com Serving Authentic Chicago Pizza, Italian Beef & Hot Dogs!

Home of the

TWO LOCATIONS! Tuesday - Industry Night (Just act like you work in the industry) Wednesday - Karaoke Thursday - Live Music Friday - DJ Saturday - Ladies Night As a Special Added Attraction: Bill Massa on Thursday!

Steve, Kirt and Tony behind the bar Steph, Alex, Denise, Jaime, on the floor - gorgeous

If you can't find us, we're on Winghaven Blvd.

Right near Outback in the same shopping center.

(A Little Plug For them!)

3072 Winghaven Blvd.

636-561-5202 Lakeside Shoppes Plaza (Hwy. 40 & Winghaven Blvd.)

Now opeN!

Taj Palace

CUISINE OF INDIA

CARRY OUT • CATERING

ALL YOU CAN EAT LUNCH BUFFET

314.482.3146

Chesterfield Commons Shopping Center 92 THF Boulevard • Chesterfield • Behind Taco Bell Lunch Buffet: 11:30am-2:30pm • Dinner: 5:30pm-10pm

$5 Off

Any Dinner Purchase of $25 or More Dine in only. Valid only with coupon. Coupons can not be combined. Limit one coupon per table. Expires 3/31/10. WN

$1 Off

Lunch Buffet 7 Days A Week Dine in only. Valid only with coupon. Coupons can not be combined. Limit one coupon per table. Expires 3/31/10. WN

O'Fallon & St. Louis

• Dine-in • Carry-out • Lunch • Dinner

ORIGINAL DOubLe DeckeR PIzzA

Lunch Specials: Daily 11-4pm

636-225-9945

636-225-9944 carry out The Landings at Dougherty Ferry and Big Bend Rd.

2964 Dougherty Ferry Rd.

636-379-4447 636-379-4446 carry out Seconds from T.R. Hughes Ballpark

1090 Tom Ginnever Ave.

www.jjtwigsstl.com

3821 McClay Road at Jungermann Rd. • St. Peters 636.922.1566 • www.SaintCharlesCoffeeHouse.com

44 I Taj Palace brings fine Indian dining to Chesterfield Valley MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

a tamarind chutney. The savory sweet

By SUZANNE CORBETT The word “taj” refers to a crown or a mark of distinction, combination makes a nice dinner preand Taj Palace has distinguished itself as a crown jewel lude, as does one of Taj’s appetizers, in the Chesterfield Valley. The restaurant emerged as an such as the vegetable pakora (the Indian elegant alternative to the fast food and chain restaurants version of a fritter).

“Pakora and samosa (crisp fried vegthat dot the area.

P.J. and Farhana Singh opened Taj Palace in October etable patties) are two of our popular with their business partner, Suresh Bhakta, owner of appetizers that are often ordered as a Indian Palace. Indian Palace is where P.J. honed his skills meal,” P.J. said. “Nan is another favoras a restaurateur and mastered the art of Indian cuisine. As ite.”

Nan, also called tandoori bread, is a result, Taj Palace provides authentic Indian dishes, traditionally prepared using the spices, herbs, vegetables and the puffy, flat bread that is baked on meats native to India and sometimes using less expected the walls of a tandoori oven. It can be ordered plain, flavored or stuffed as an ingredients, such as goat.

“Goat is on the menu because it’s something different appetizer. Although nan is served with that some people like,” P.J. said. “It’s also a traditional entrees, it makes a nice pre-dinner treat favorite in India. Goat is a very common meat for us. It’s that is studded with cashews, pistachios, raisins and cherries. as common as chicken is in the U.S. ” Entrée picks during a recent visit were Dining options also include chicken, seafood, lamb and 20 vegetable entrees. While deciding on an entrée, guests Chicken Korma – chicken swimming in are served a welcoming plate of papadums – wafer-thin, a rich cream sauce flavored with cashews, Taj Palace’s Chef Singh. crisp crackers served with two dipping sauces – mint, and almonds and raisins – and, Lamb Vindaloo, a highly spiced meat and potato stew.

Both are classic dishes that can be made with different and spice gravy, and goat curry that has the addition of an Taj Palace meats and at various levels of heat. aromatic onion blend in its sauce.

92 THF Blvd. • Chesterfield “Just tell us how you like it, and we’ll make it any way All entrees are served with basmati rice steamed per(636) 728-1000 you like it,” Farhana said. “We can make it mild, extra fectly light and fluffy and scented with a special blend of Lunch buffet served daily, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. spicy and hot – even hotter. That’s called ‘Indian hot.’” cinnamon, cumin, bay and coriander.

Dinner, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Another Indian culinary classic is curry, which in India Taj Palace features an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet, usually is understood to mean “gravy.” Curries offered at which provides an opportunity for sampling a variety of www.tajpalacestl.com Taj Palace are fish and chicken curry sauced with a tomato the unique foods that have made Indian cuisine renown.

Ozella’s is Back

D I N I N G

Pizza Pasta salads aPPetizers Burgers & More North County’s All Time Favorite Pizza Comes To O’Fallon Join us every Wednesday for North County Night $

2.00 OFF Any Large Pizza

$

5.00 OFF

a $25.00 or more purchase

Not valid with other coupons. Expires 4/30/10.

636-240-0087 www.OzellasPizza.com

468 Hwy P, O’Fallon, MO 63366 Hours: Tue-Thur 4-9pm • Fri & Sat 4-10pm • Sun 4-9pm • Monday-Closed

Specials!

UNLIMITED Buffet of Pizza, Pasta, Soup, Salad, Baked Potato Bar and Desserts!

Incredible Lunch! *

Private rooms available for your monthly meetings!

www.ipcstlouis.com

Incredible SENIORS! *

5.99 $4.99

$

Mon-Fri, 11am - 4pm *Not valid with any other offer/coupon.

mR

Mon-Fri, ALL DAY!

*For ages 55+. Not valid with any other offer/coupon. mR

4105 N Cloverleaf Dr. · St Peters · (former Burlington Coat Factory) · 636-477-2700

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

MID RIVERS SAVER 150 OFF

I 45

$

Call Us for FUNDRAISING, VOLUME ORDERS & CATERING to any events!

Any Medium or Large Smoothie

chewing is

20% OFF

Free enrollment!

Good only at Cottleville location. Excludes build up & indulge smoothies. Not valid w/punch cards. Not valid w/any other offer. Limit one coupon per visit. Some restrictions may apply. Expires 3-31-10. MMag

Save up to $90!

Any Supplement/Protein

overrated

Good only at Cottleville location. Not valid w/punch cards.

Not valid w/any other offer. Limit one coupon per visit. Some restrictions may apply.

Expires 3-31-10. MMag

ALL NATURAL: FRUIT

Full time • Part time • Evening Care • Low student - teacher ratios State Licensed with established curriculum • Transportation to/from local schools

HAPPY HOUR

for a personal today!

FINAL VALPAK® PROOF: Visit us BRIC jjc Thu - tour 11/05/2009 - 9:06:41 AM 31 ® BRIC 978-9988 • www.LullabyInn.com FINAL VALPAK PROOF: (636) jjc Thu EXTRA - 11/05/2009 9:06:41 AM CHARGES - FOR OFFICE U 10390 Veterans Memorial Pkwy. 1/2 mile east of LSL Blvd.

Mon-Fri 5pm-7pm Receive a Medium Smoothie FOR ONLY $3.99

FRUIT JUICES Good only at Cottleville location. Excludes build up & VERIFY ALL COPY FOR indulge smoothies.

Not validACCURACY w/punch cards. Not valid w/ any other offer. Limit one coupon per visit. SomeSPECIAL NOTES INGREDIENTS restrictions may apply. Expires 3-31-10. MMag VERIFY ALL COPY FOR ACCURACY

4765 Hwy N. • MIDRIVERS 636-939-KING (5464)

25%off

GOVERNMENT TAX CREDIT ON WINDOWS & DOORS!

30%

With the coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases.

Offer expires 4-1-10

12 Months Same As Cash!

12 Months Same As 12 Months (636) 305-7300 Cash! st-louis.handymanconnection.com Same As Cash!

Bath Remodels Carpentry Repairs ● Ceiling Fans Per Window ● Lighting Fixtures off Factory Rebate ● Molding & Trim Work ● Ceramic Tile With the coupon. Not valid with other CUSTOMER PROTECTION NATIONWIDE COMPANY ● Drywall & Painting Detailed written estimates. No Payment 120 locations offers or prior purchases. ● Kitchen/Bath Fixtures Bonded and Insured is satisfactorily completed.

PROTECTIONEXPERIENCED NATIONWIDE COMPANY Offer expires 4-1-10until work CUSTOMER CRAFTSMEN ● General Home Repairs 120 locations FREE ESTIMATES! Detailed written estimates.

No Payment

Our Windows & Doors Qualify!

Let Air Shield, an award-winning, locally owned company, help you make the right decisioin. Our products meet the strict energy saving requirements

FACTORY REBATES

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100

● ●

Call (636) 305-7300 Call (636) 305-7300

DRESSES | VEILS | BOYS SUITS | JEWELRY | KEEPSAKES MISSAL GIFT SETS | BIBLES | ROSARIES | STATUARY PARTY SUPPLIES | PERSONALIZED GIFTS

PLUS..The finest selection of Sacramental and Seasonal Religious Gifts, Books, Bibles, Music, Statuary, Jewelry, Rosaries, Wall Crosses, Sacred Art, Memorial Items, Irish Gifts, School Uniforms, Church Supplies and Church Furnishings.

®

catholicsupply.com ®

QUALITY WORKMANSHIP until work is satisfactorily completed.

$100 Off

S T O R E C O U P O Nwww.valpak.com There are more savings online for you ™

   CATHOLIC SUPPLY | EXPIRES 05/01/10

                                   Limit one coupon/discount per person.

ST. LOUIS HILLS (314) 644-0643

6759 Chippewa (at Jamieson) | St. Louis, MO 63109 MON - FRI 9:00a.m. - 5:30p.m. | SAT 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

April 5th - 30th: Monday & Thursday Nights until 7:00 p.m.

O’FALLON, MO (636) 379-3705

2953 Hwy K (at Hwy N, between Dierbergs and Sears) MON - FRI 9:00a.m. - 5:30p.m. | SAT 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

Year-Round open Monday & Thursday Nights until 7:00 p.m.

April 5th - 30th: Saturday Nights until 7:00 p.m.

©Valpak®,

11/2009.

GA

M

HANDYMAN FOR 1/2 DAY ONLY $219

A DAY ONLY $399

636-305-7300

$

Color Perfect

Prices up to 50% cheaper than 4006 Ehlmann Rd - 636-922-9060 body shops www.colorperfectstlmetro.com

Most repairs completed in the same day

150 $ 15

636-305-7300

Advertise with Valpak of Greater St. Louis, (314) 272-309

Advertise with Valpak of Greater St. Louis, (3

Seasonal Merchandise now up to 70% off!

3449 Pheasant Meadow #103 O’Fallon, MO 63368 636-379-4600 www.HeartAndSole.com

Save $50 $25 off each of the first two cleans.

Valid on bi-weekly or weekly plans.

Must present at estimate. New customers only.

Not to be combined with other offers.

S AV S

With this coupon. Present coupon after evaluation & pricing. Offers subject to change without notice. Not valid with other offers. Offer expires 12/31/10.

TO THIS

In half the time at the half price of traditional body shops

S AV S

Some restrictions apply. Call for details. includes up to 8 hours of labor. Not valid w/any other offer. Jobs vary & final cost will be based on the job details. Expires 4/30/10.

All MBT Footwear

S hoeS Y ou L ove T o W ear

S AV S

50 $ 50 5 $ 100 $ 10 $

1 Year 636-305-7300 Warranty Year Some restrictions1apply.

Call for details. includes up to on All 4 hoursWork of labor. Not valid w/any other offer. Jobs vary & Warranty final cost will be based on the job details. Expires 4/30/10. on All WorkFOR HANDYMAN

Free estimates

Our professional craftsmen are background checked, insured, bonded and have at least 10 1 year written guarantee.

EXPERIENCED CRAFTSMEN QUALITY WORKMANSHIP years of experience.

Our professional craftsmen are background checked, insured, bonded and have at least 10 1 year written guarantee. www.valpak.com There are more savings online for you ™ ©Valpak®, 11/2009. years of experience.

While Supplies Last!

First Communion Headquarters!

CP SIDE 1

Call Today To Schedule Your Free, No Obligation, No Pressure Evaluation & Estimate 636-225-7177

M SP O EXTRA CHARGES - FOR

10% OFF ON ANY wORk OveR $250

AIR SHIELD

AIR SHIELD

GO FROM THIS

EXPERIENCED CRAFTSMEN QUALITY WORKMANSHIP SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST

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AIR SHIELD

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

Home Repair and Remodeling One CallHome Gets theRepair Things Youand WantRemodeling Done...DONE.

BONUS SAVINGS

GA

ES

NO Change After Proof Approval

There Has Never Been A Better Time To Replace Your Windows & Doors!

Proudly Installing Andersen & other fine window brands.

Since 1983

ES Dow, Owner/Director NO Change After Brittany Proof Approval

SPECIAL NOTES

TEXT SK861 to 21333 TO GET EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS

CP SIDE 1

Hours: M-F 7am-10pm Sat 8am-10pm Sun 10am-8pm

Contact Us Today & Experience The Cleaning Authority Difference.

636.477.8300

Visit Us Online at www.TheCleaningAuthority.com

46 I

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

MID RIVERS SAVER

Moisture In Windows?

5% OFF GET THE

Solve your condensation problems at a fraction of the cost of window replacement.

• Remove moisture from inside thermal pane windows • Recover insulating R-value • Relax with quick, on-site service and a 20-year warranty

FOG

25% OFF

3 or more or

Any One Regular Priced Item Discounts may not be combined with any other offer, coupon or discount. Not valid on gift certificates, in-home services, special orders, custom floral or books.

10% OFF

OUT!

8 or more

3070 Winghaven Blvd. • Lakeside Shoppes near Hwy 40/61 (636) 561-4611 • www.TheWhiteHare.com

Clear Window Technology • 314-966-2666 www.clearwindowtech.com

Mon-Thu 10-7, Fri & Sat 10-8, Sun 12-5

M I D R I V E R S H O M E PA G E S

RestoRation Need work done on your home?

We handle it all!

• Remodels • Drywall

• Repairs • Painting

• Tile • ANY Job

Call Jon at 636.866.6587 www.mjburnsconstruction.com

Heman Home Repair Interior/Exterior Painting And Staining Wallpaper Removal Roof and Gutter Repairs Garage Doors and To Do List and Openers Home Maintenance

Free Estimates 314-280-9913

FREE ESTIMATES Life of Structure Warranty Foundation & Crack Repair Sump Pumps • Drain Systems

$50 OFF Repairs of $400

(or more)

636-625-3554

Mr. Happy Crack says...

‘A dry crack is a happy crack!’

Lawn Cutting & Maintenance

Landscapes, Fences & More L.L.C. 10% OFF A Full Year Service & FIRST CUT FREE!

(636) 294-0280 (314) 795-8219

Mark Grannemann

Bauman’s Handyman

services, LLc

• • • • •

1 Room Or Entire Basement FREE Design Service Finish What You Started As Low As $15 sq. ft.

Professional Painters, Drywall Hangers & Tapers

Call Rich on cell 314.713.1388

• RepaiRs • Honey Do’s • Basement RemoDeling • Decks • BatHs

around the house InsIde and out Dan Bauman 636-332-8577 314-852-0589

Don’t have the right tools for the job?

We’re the place to check out first.

• Free Pella Entry Door or Sliding Patio Door W/purchase of whole house siding thru 3/31/10. Ask about a $500 tax credit.

Have the Benefits of a Maintenance Free Home

Call 636-949-2030

• 0% Financing for 12 Months Available!

www.TheSidingCompanyStCharles.com

specialists l.l.c.

We Don’t simply stain your deck, we refinish it

Specializing in Deck Refinishing

House Powerwashing Concrete Sealing • Underdecking Military & Senior Discounts

Remodeling

MORE LIVING SPACE FOR LESS!

Your Hometown Choice for Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Father & Son Owner On Every Job!

Call Today For FREE Estimates

636-443-9540 636-734-2451

Spring Special Powerwashing $ 9900 Ranch $ 16900 Two-Story Restrictions may apply Expires 4-30-10

(636) 240-0966

www.deck-restorations.com

J&

Dirt

Works

Grading, Leveling, Grapple work, Hauling & other bobcat services.

FREE ESTIMATES

(636) 368-1279

THE FAN MAN SPRING SAlE SAvE 20% UNTIl 3-31-10 Ceiling • Wholehouse Gable Vent Fans • Recessed Lighting

Specializing in installation for two story homes with no wiring on first floor.

insuREd, quality woRkManship

Crown Molding 10x10 rooM

Starting at $200!

Specializing In: • Crown Molding Chair Rail • Baseboards • Fluted Molding

Free Estimates • 636-379-8345

Beckmann Plumbing Commercial & Residential Services

$10 Off Service Charge with any completed service

Sewer/video Cabling Plumbing Repairs & Replace Code Violation Repairs Backflow Testing & Installs

(636) 925-0800

www.beckmannplumbing.com

CALL ABOUT TUCKPOINTING SPECIALS! “Your Sweep for Life”

Quality Work At Competitive Prices!

(636) 337-0880

Established in 1979

CHIMNEY SERVICES

Sweeping Chimney Covers Tuckpointing Brick Work Camera Evaluation Flue Relining Full Restoration Air Duct Dryer Vent Maintenance

636-391-2226

www.englishsweep.com

MARCH 10, 2010 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM

I 47

MID RIVERS CLASSIFIEDS Assisted Care Services

In Home Care & Assistance

Providing In Home Care for the Seniors and Disabled xMed Reminders xServices available Call Right At Home 24/7 xLight Housework 636-379-9955 xBathing &Personal x1hr-24hr care xInsured Care xErrands xBonded No Minimum Hours &Transportation xRecommended by Rates as low as $10/hr xAfter-Surgery Care Alzheimer’s For 10-12 hour sleepovers Association xLive-Ins & Respite www.stcharles.righathome.net

Carpet Services

Flooring Services

CARPET REPAIRS. Restretching, reseaming & patching. No job too small. Free estimates. (314) 892-1003

Mill-Direct Pricing on Luxury Name Brand Carpet Laminate & Wood Flooring

Computer Services

Service at your home or office for: PC problems or set-up PC won't start or connect Spyware, adware, virus removal Hardware and software upgrades

$30 diagnostic charge only for first ½ hour

Day, evening and weekend appointments available.

Serving St. Louis & St. Charles Co www.stlpcguy.com

Call Mike at 636-675-7641

We Will BEAT the Other Guys In Quality, Pricing and Service after the Sale!

We stand behind our product by bringing you, all the latest styles including the new Frieze Carpet. We employ our own installers to guarantee quality work.

Free Financing & Free Estimates

We Bring the Showroom to YOU!

Serving the St.Louis Area Since 1992

Lentz Flooring. Specializing in hardwood floors, repairs and restoration. Family owned and operated. Free Estimates. Call Jeff. 314-604-3997 or 636677-5801

Hauling Services St. Charles Junk is your local bulk and container service company catering to the St. Charles and surrounding counties. We haul it all...basement and garage cleanouts, appliances, yard waste, construction debris, and NOW OFFERING CONTAINERS! For the best service and pricing call St. Charles Junk at 636-697-7825 www.stcjunk.com

Help Wanted

Computer Service & Support

for Small Business & Individuals

Computer Problems?

Computer Support Needs?

Computer Training Needs?

Website Needs or Questions?

Moving to a MAC? For Economical On Demand Service and Support Since 1995

Call 636-532-0859

Ask about our special offers for new customers!

HOME COMPUTER SERVICES We destroy viruses and spyware, fix slow or crashed computers, perform software and hardware upgrades, install and troubleshoot any wired or wireless network, recover/ move data and install new computers. 14+ years experience working on home/corporate computers and networks.

To schedule an appointment call Matt at 314.226.4279 o r w w w. y o u r p c d o c s . c o m

Lumber and Millwork Driver/ Loader for Metro St. Louis area deliveries. Must have current CDL with airbrakes. A minimum of 5 years experience to include Forklift and Moffitt use.

Apply in person at Kelly Building Products, 425 Old State Road, Ellisville, MO

MidRivers NewsMagazine Classifieds

Advertise Your Business or Service With Mid Rivers NewsMagazine In the Mailboxes of 60,000 Homes 314-610-3313 or 636-591-0010 x 121

kfclassifieds@yahoo.com

Help Wanted

Home Inprovement

Nap Time Income Part time efforts, full time rewards, your own schedule, part of a fun, motivated and positive team, no membership fees, no inventory, internet based, on-line and telephone training. Call Carol for website 314-954-7346.

– K PRO HOME – IMPROVEMENT

Attention!

Can you see yourself or your child in front of the camera?

Companies hire Images Agency to supply them with people for Ads & Commercials.

We're accepting applications for all ages, sizes & heights.

Major companies like Picture Me, Sears Portrait Studio, BJC Hospital, Build-A-Bear, Honda etc. use our people.

Apply Online at stlcastingcall.com or call 314-372-0500.

Beginners Welcome!

Want to set your own schedule?

Then selling, 925 sterling silver jewelry is for you! The sky is the limit! Work part-time or full-time selling beautiful jewelry and having fun! Earn 30% on your sales along with opportunities for trips and Free jewelry!

Interested? Call 314/807-7844 OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING Looking to be your own boss… this is it. Get maximum return on your time and effort. Only you can limit your earnings. To learn more about this opportunity, respond by e-mail to: opportunityknocks@wmhuittco.com.

Factory Direct Cabinetry, Countertops & Hardwood Floors Stone & Tile Floors Custom Decks Almost Home Improvement at Very Competitive Pricing 25 years experience

636-443-3015 St. Louis

Remodeling Pros

314-220-8282

FREE DESIGN & ESTIMATES Specializing in finished basements!

Landscaping/Lawn Care

Landscaping/Lawn Service

Outdoor Kitchens & Fire Places Lawn Maintenance, Fertilizing, Mulch, Retaining Walls Landscape Design, and Installation Call for a FREE Estimate. ittle Joe's awn and andscape

314-651-0261 since 1992

Painting Services

Quality Puppies For Sale FREE Vet Visit & Health Package

Over 20 breeds to choose from Full Service Grooming & Boarding Facilities Newly Remodeled Showroom 104 Laura Hill Rd. (off Hwy K) St. Peters/O'Fallon 63376

www.painting-pros.com

Roofing Services A-ACCURATE ROOFING SIDING & GUTTERS

no job too Large or too Small, Affordable Roofing residential & commercial, all types of roofing, 40 year experience, call for a Free Estimate, 636-939-5109 or 1-800-459-ROOF

•Top Quality/Affordable

Wedding Services

david decorative painting 314-732-FAUX(3289)

Anytime...

Anywhere...

Insured/References

Call 314-426-8833

Love 'N' Care Pet Care

636-240-3647

Professional Painting Faux Finishes Trim and Crown Moulding Installation •Al l Surface Prep •Cabinet and Furniture

Spring Clean-Up, Edging, Mulching, Dethatching, Grass Cutting, Fertilization, Turf Maintenance, Planting, Pruning, Brush Removal, Retaining Walls, Patios & Drainage Work

Pet Services

Interior and Exterior Painting

I LOVE TO PAINT plus Courteous • Dependable

Home Inprovement

Total Bathroom Remodeling Cabinetry•Plumbing•Electrical 20 Years Experience

includes paint Call Today

636-527-2501

314•295•1234

636-225-7286

3 rooms $490

Power Washing • Window Washing Gutter Cleaning

Reglazing www.new-finish.com

PROFESSIONAL, HONEST WORK WITH PRIDE AND INTEGRITY Basements, Built-Ins, Moldings, Doors Carpentry, Bookcases, Cabinets Kitchens, Baths, Painting, Repairs Whole House Remodeling OWNER ON THE JOB 30 Years Experience–Super Quality

PA I N T I N g

314.941.1851

$75.00 Off Bathtub•Tile

HOME CRAFTSMAN

Painting Services

Serving West County Since 1989

Bath/Tile Service

JS Home Services Handyman • Carpenter 25 Plus Years Experience Cheap Rates! Free Estimates! House Closings, Deck Repairs, Structural Repairs. All Jobs Big or Small.

Licensed, Bonded, Insured.

Call James at 314-420-3562

Insurance Services

Will Beat Any Reasonable Bids Call 636-230-0185 Plumbing Services

Marriage Ceremonies Renewal of Vows Commitment & Affirmation of Love

(314) 703-7456 REAL ESTATE

ANYTHING IN PLUMBING. Good Prices!

Basement bathrooms, small repairs & code violations repaired.

Fast Service. Call anytime: 314-409-5051 MASTER PLUMBER. Water Heaters, Code Violations, Backflow Preventers. Licensed & Bonded, Fully Insured. No Job Too Large or Too Small.

(314) 288-9952

Display Home For Sale

2 br, 2 bth, Filled with fabulous design features & professionally decorated, located in a prestigious 55+ community with more than $5 million worth of on-site $ amenities, a must see.

329,900

®

To Advertise Call 636-591-0010 x 121

636-561-0060