Town & Style: 12.1.22

by stephanie wallace

saint louis zoo Say hello to Rhubarb! Born earlier this fall, she’s the first ever Francois’ langur born at the zoo—an important birth for the endangered species.

united way of greater st. louis

The organization’s Charmaine Chapman Society hosted its annual Divine 9 Soiree. The event brings together nine historically Black sororities and fraternities for a friendly local fundraising competition to see who can raise the largest amount for United Way.

humane society of missouri

Thanks to a tip from a concerned citizen, the nonprofit’s Animal Cruelty Task Force rescued nine dogs from a property in Farmington, Missouri.

Donations to support the care of the animals can be made at hsmo.org/farmington.

enterprise rent-a-car

In honor of Veterans Days, the company joined Progressive Insurance in its Keys To Progress campaign, an initiative to provide veterans and military-related organizations with newly refurbished vehicles across the county. In the St. Louis area, veteran Calvin Nichols received a 2020 Nissan Rogue.

ST. LOUIS’ PREMIER GENESIS DEALERSHIP

round has been broken on the St. Louis Metropolitan area’s first brick and mortar Genesis dealership. According to Kevin Maher, Jr., president and general manager of St. Charles Automotive (SCA), the parent company of Genesis of St. Charles, this retail and service center represents the first dedicated Genesis dealership to be built in Missouri, and one of the first in the Midwest region. As a result, this Genesis flagship also will be first to provide Genesis certified technicians working inside Genesis-certified environs. A third quarter 2023 completion is anticipated.

Maher says the philosophy behind the Genesis brand center marks a departure from the traditional car dealership. “One almost has to see it to believe it,” he notes. Hallmarks of the dealership will include tall ceilings accented by the elegance of white space to showcase the luxury vehicles, almost as art. Perhaps more impressive is the way the Korean principle of son-nim is interpreted within the design. Son-nim conveys the idea of each visitor as a welcome and invited guest rather than simply a buyer. No walls, doors or barriers block guests’ access to assistance, or dealership personnel. The overall aesthetic is one of peace and calm.

Genesis of St. Charles aspires to be the sales volume leader in the Midwest. Selling approximately ten of the premium models monthly, the dealership is on target to triple those monthly sales next year from the Genesis showroom. Maher credits his dealership’s policy of not exceeding manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) with strong sales to in-state and out-of-state-drivers. The practice is honored across all of the dealerships on the SCA campus.

Genesis of St. Charles also is exceeding regional and national customer satisfaction benchmarks. Maher notes that employees seek to daily create exceptional customer experiences and promote exceptional automotive value for both first-time guests and the dealership’s lengthy roster of repeat buyers and multi-generational clients. He credits longstanding employees and their professionalism with the dealership’s high customer retention rate. “Our employees are here for a career,” he says. “That translates to trust, and we value our long-term partnerships with our customers.”

Long-lasting relationships are a theme not only with employees and customers, but also with location. Maher noted the 11,700 square-foot Genesis center will rise out of the ground at 5601 Veteran’s Memorial Parkway in St. Peters, the address where SCA pioneered its first Datsun dealership (c. 1979). If history repeats itself, success awaits this new Genesis dealership. Third generation leadership possesses a similar vision and business acumen to that which established this automotive trailblazer.

Five exciting Genesis models, with a sixth all electrified version debuting in 2023, are offered. The luxury automaker, known for exceeding expectations, has included every imaginable creature comfort in these stunning rides, along with a comprehensive suite of technology, safety and driver-assist features. Yet, these stylish vehicles are priced much less than their luxury German-engineered competitors.

Previously regarded as Hyundai’s luxury line, the Genesis brand is now its own premium marquee. Until the unveiling of the new dealership, the entire Genesis line up can be found, test driven and purchased within the St. Charles Hyundai showroom.

GENESIS OF ST. CHARLES

HELP & HOPE FOR MENTAL HEALTH

PROVIDENT by carrie edelstein

A SINGLE MOM WHO JUST LOST HER JOB, an elderly woman with no one to turn to during the holidays, a college-aged man afraid to tell his parents he’s failing in school and in relationships— these are just a few examples of the type of people that Provident Behavioral Health helps every single day. The nonprofit serves St. Louis through telehealth services as well as face-to-face programs at its three offices and various other locations in the community. Since the pandemic, the number of individuals in need of mental health support services has increased.

Provident has been around since 1860 and is the local 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline crisis center, serving as the sole backup center in Missouri and one of only 14 nationwide. In addition to suicide prevention services, the organization provides counseling, psychiatric services, 24/7 crisis support, school-based programming and residential services for older women through the Mary Ryder Home. More than half of the clients who receive care through Provident come from low-income families or from households earning less than $30,000. Through grants and donations, some services are offered for as little as $5.

“The Barnes-Jewish Hospital 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment and Implementation Strategy ranked mental health as the top health need for adults in St. Louis,” says Julie McDowell, director of advancement at Provident. “In particular, it noted ‘emergency department staff do not feel equipped to manage those who present with acute mental illness,’ highlighting a need for services to address these types of crises. The New York Times recently published an extensive series on the mental health crisis, and the Surgeon General has declared child and adolescent mental health to be a national emergency.”

The impact of Provident’s services is clear, according to board chair Edward Lawlor, Ph.D. “A significant number of suicides have been prevented among families who have been able to get the tool kits for their kids, also helping them stay in school,” he notes. “And many of the women who live at Mary Ryder think of it as their family and their home.”

To make its life-changing and life-saving services possible, Provident relies on community support. Its largest annual fundraiser is the Spirit of Provident Gala, which will be held Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta. Many individuals who have made a difference will be recognized, and the event will feature a program of video testimonials from those who have benefited from the organization’s programs. The evening will be emceed by Tom Ackerman of KMOX and will include a silent auction, live auction and fund-a-need at the event.

“There has been a tremendous increase in the demand for mental health services since COVID-19 and athletes like Simone Biles raising awareness about the issues,” Lawlor says. “Our upcoming gala will raise money that allows us to expand our mental health services in the community and provide access to individuals and families.” &

The Future of Senior Living Has Arrived

home in the Central West desire to move. But now that I’m here, I have a new lease on life that I wasn’t even looking for—truly a pleasant surprise.”

With 5-star hospitality and boutique hotel-style residential amenities at Clarendale Clayton senior residences, it’s where you want to be. See what life is like at Clarendale. CALL 314-789-8173 TO LEARN MORE. Independent Living ■ Assisted Living ■ Memory Care Clarendale Clayton 7651 Clayton Road Clayton, MO 63117 ClarendaleClayton.com

“I just can’t imagine any place I’d like more.”

—John Drew

PROVIDENT

OF THE TOWNS talk

by bill beggs jr.

the metro

Any of you who’ve read this column for awhile may recall some of the antics of the dumb criminals we cover from time to time. We tend to avoid the police blotter these days, but a few perps and perpetrations I’ll not soon forget. Like the bank robber whose haul the teller dispensed in small bills, which fell out of his pockets like leaves, making a trail for police to follow through U. City and Clayton all the way to the Metrolink station. Some of my favorite knuckleheads to strut their stuff lately have been billionaires. By the time Elon Musk is done with Twitter— in, oh, a few more weeks—he’ll probably be begging Trump for a special deal on Truth Social. Not to buy the former president’s social network, mind you. Just to join. I wonder whether Trump will charge him $8 for an extra-special check mark. I’m pretty sure Musk would’ve charged Trump—would the world’s richest man leave money on the table? Well, other than that $44 billion for a bunch of circuits, a whole lot of hot air and some measly intellectual capital. Meanwhile, I bet Mark Zuckerberg is wishing he hadn’t screwed over all of his Harvard classmates. I hear the first billion dollars is

the hardest, and then the automatic raises start to kick in. Finally, what’s to be said about whatshisname, the Amazon CEO, whose generous ex-wife MacKenzie Scott is angling for sainthood with her divorce settlement, a hundred million bucks at a time. Jeff Bezos—that’s the name of the knucklehead whose biggest concern is whether his superyacht can sail under a bridge in Holland.

umsl

I don’t know about you, but I was over holiday music before Thanksgiving this year. Of course, songs about the holiday season’s first holiday would take up the bottom half of a dog-eared, faded sheet of paper with Great-Aunt Gertie’s sweet potato pie casserole (featuring mini-marshmallows!) typed on the top half, single-spaced, with a 1928 Underwood. Well, the tiresome lyrics to “Over the River and Through the Wood, to Grandmother’s House We Go!” used to be down there until some ornery kid spent hours rubbing them out with a big pink eraser. The great existential question, of course, is who hid all the great Thanksgiving songs? They couldn’t all have been performed by Wayne Newton. Well, here comes a different spin on holiday tunes that probably doesn’t include that unfortunate modern classic about Grandma getting run over by a reindeer. Think very classy … and quite brassy. Plus, there’s no charge! The United States Air Force Band of Mid-America will perform its “Spirit of the Season’’ concert Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. at UMSL’s Touhill Performing Arts Center in the Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall. Although admission to this family-friendly, all-ages event is free and open to the public, tickets are required. This year, Santa himself will give a special guest reading of “Hababy’s Christmas Eve.” After the performance, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available to meet with young guests. For tickets, visit usafboma.eventbrite.com.

hazelwood

At the POWERplex in Hazelwood, for our blurb this issue we could go with one of two ledes, based on recent developments. Let’s start with the one about best-laid plans, mixed with the cinematic aphorism, “If you build it, they will come.” Or, based on the apparently long-held municipal wishes for an area that hasn’t managed to find its footing since the early 2000s, when the original St. Louis Mills mall was built: “You can’t fight city hall.” You see, we’d heard rumblings before our Nov. 16 issue that the hoped-to-be future home of one of the country’s largest youth sports resorts might actually be replaced by an industrial park. The place has been there a long time, and ‘they’ still ain’t comin’—if not for the area’s only Cabela’s outdoors emporium and the Ice Zone skating complex, the acreage is well on its way to resembling an industrial park, anyhow. Anyone who could have found a way to monetize thistles and other noxious weeds, meanwhile restoring deteriorated and crumbling concrete, would’ve been off to making their first zillion dollars by now. OK, then: It never came together as a shopping mall, so now what? Well, in one version of a perfect world, Dan Buck et al. may have had first dibs. Their wildly innovative concept didn’t float any boats five years ago in Chesterfield, the first projected location for Buck’s Big Sports group’s enterprise (and others, including Mike Matheny of the Redbirds). For a while afterward, it could have been St. Peters. But that’s all conjecture, and in the past anyhow. A Cleveland-based developer has scooped up the defunct mall for an undisclosed price, and if everybody can play well together, a scaled-down version of the POWERplex is in the offing. For one thing, the developer has retrofitted once-abandoned malls for similar purposes. For another, the concerns would be at opposite sides of the property and operate at different times of day. So, let’s play ball, and let’s all play fair. We’re already into extra innings.

TT trivia

Other than Dasher, what are the seven other tiny reindeer named, and who dreamed up those eight tireless critters, anyhow?

“On Dasher…” starts the phrase in Clement Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas”— written in 1822 for his own children as “Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas”—as Santa Claus commands his team of eight tiny reindeer to leap into the night. Saint Nick’s other seven other reindeer are named Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. (“Donder en Blixem” can be translated from old Dutch to “Thunder and Lightning.” But where’s Rudolph? The red-nosed reindeer wouldn’t be dreamed up until 1949 by songwriter Johnny Marks. Gene Autry sang the first recorded version.)

BILL BEGGS JR. HAS WORN MANY HATS AT NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES AND IN MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS SINCE BEFORE THE ERA OF THE FLOPPY DISC. NOW HE JUST WEARS A HAT TO KEEP HIS BALD SPOT FROM GETTING SUNBURNT. YOU CAN REACH HIM AT WRTRS.BLCK@GMAIL.COM

wildwood

Maybe the aroma of coffee brewing intoxicates you, or perhaps you’re one for whom just a whiff of beans grinding will send you to the moon. The elixir of life was the main topic of conversation while sitting across a coffee shop table from Deborah Reinhardt, author of St. Louis Coffee: A Stimulating History. While perusing the menu at Blueprint Coffee on The Loop (name-checked near the end of her book), my eyes snap to Italian Espressoda, and my mouth starts to water. Meanwhile, to the untrained eye, not to mention palate, Reinhardt orders something right out of chemistry class: It comes in an Erlenmeyer flask and indeed has several active ingredients, two of which are not sugar or cream. (It was a filtered pour of two coffee varieties halfway around the world from each other, Reinhardt confirms. It’s a seasonal blend called Tekton. Some beans come from Chiapas, Mexico; the others, from Riripa, Ethiopia. They’re roasted in-house at Blueprint.) “I’ve been drinking coffee from the get-go,” Reinhardt says, as we sit down between a young man and woman both focused on their laptops. Reinhardt takes her coffee black because it brings out the unique character and flavor of the particular roast. Cream and sugar may have been introduced to mask the heinous taste of cheap, mass-produced brands like Maxwell House and Folger’s, which were as common as old Kleenex by the

end of World War II, and now, they’re among heaven knows how many other mediocre blends crowding supermarket shelves. But something great has been percolating here and has been since the 1800s. The Gateway City was a key stop for miners, trappers and settlers heading west, so offices and wholesaler warehouses lined the riverfront. Railroads and steamboats brought an abundance of goods, including green coffee. By the early 20th century, St. Louis—with more than 70 roasting companies—was the coffee capital of our still-expanding nation. Some businesses—including Blanke, Forbes and Evans—folded. Ronnoco (backwards, it’s O’Connor; see?) is still chugging, alongside newer generation roasters such as Kaldi’s and dozens more. Could you identify a regional coffee magnate? This book will help. “A lot of people can name the beer barons,” notes Reinhardt, with a grin, “but few know who the coffee barons were.” Today’s creative roasters, blenders and baristas continue to influence our culinary culture. The StL is remarkable for shoes and brews, but we’re unlike somewhere such as Kansas City, the self-proclaimed world capital of barbecue. Reinhardt has been making headway in that regard. The native St. Louisan and award-winning travel and food writer co-wrote A Culinary History of Missouri: Foodways & Iconic Dishes of the Show-Me State with Suzanne

Corbett. As author of Delectable Destinations: A Chocolate Lover’s Guide to Missouri, Reinhardt posits that quality chocolate and a good cup of coffee are two of life’s greatest pleasures. “Having written about chocolate before this, I see the similarities,” she says. In 2020, Reinhardt launched her food blog, Three Women in the Kitchen, with a focus on comfort food and wisdom from her mother, grandmother and other home cooks. Visit threewomeninthekitchen.com and you’ll probably see why it’s already received state and national awards. &

Maggie Holtman, owner of Advanced Nursing Services with her daughter and daughter-in-law.

Deborah Reinhardt

Along with founding partner Purina, St. Louis CITY SC unveiled its team uniform. The reveal coincided with the official opening of CITYPARK, the soccer team’s home stadium, for a match between St. Louis CITY2 and Bayer 04 Leverkusen of Germany’s Bundesliga.

THE INSIDER

Celebrate the holidays with a new book from local authors! St. Louis musician Brian Owens and actress Sophia Stephens co-authored A New Holiday, based on the musical of the same title they wrote together in 2020. Inspired by the life of local philanthropist Thelma Steward, the book follows a 10-year-old girl on her journey to reclaim hope and joy as she copes with the loss of her grandmother.

PATTY

by patty hannum

GREETINGS FROM THE FLORIDA KEYS

We survived that rogue Hurricane Nicole at the same time St. Louis got its first dusting of snow. It is quite warm here, like August in St. Louis, so I am actually looking forward to coming home for the start of the holiday season. I’ve already started preparing because in my precisely ordered mind, it is never too early to start checking things off my list.

Let’s talk presents. I LOVE presents. There is nothing I don’t like about getting one, but I get fewer and fewer each year, and that’s my own fault. For years, I used to exchange gifts with a variety of people—friends and family—but as time has gone on, one of us suggested enough with the presents. I think this starts happening in your mid-40s so enjoy those gifts while you can!

I do think the holidays are the perfect time to thank the people in your life that provide you service throughout the year. Cash is king in most

for little learners

The Kirkwood School District recently celebrated completing construction at the Kirkwood Early Childhood Center. The project included a new secure, ADA accessible vestibule to improve visitor management, accessibility and safety.

Global Foods Market in Kirkwood is currently hosting its second annual spice drive. Through Dec. 24, shoppers can purchase any spice to be donated to people facing food insecurity. The initiative benefits the International Institute of St. Louis and St. Louis Area Foodbank.

situations, including your trash hauler, recycle guy and hair stylist. Don’t go pawning off that bottle of red wine you got last year from the neighbors. We always give a gift card to our mail person because there is some rule about postal service employees taking cash. (I sure hope I didn’t make that up).

Teachers don’t need another No. 1 Teacher mug unless your child has made it, but they do appreciate gift cards. Don’t like to place a value on your gift? Then have your child, perhaps with your help, write a letter of appreciation to the teacher along with a gift bag of school supplies.

Shopping for family can be tough. We used to draw names but then decided enough—again, I think, in my mid-40s. Since I’m the youngest, don’t my siblings owe me? I lost in the present count! Buying for your parents is hard. My daughter and son always do a good job whether it is a gift certificate to a spa, personalized

jewelry or framed family photos, and you can never screw up with a box of candy. Clothing is hard to get right. You may be tempted to shop in one of the “I’ve given up” stores for your mom, but the sight of that box could ruin her Christmas morning. Don’t be tempted by flowy tops and elastic waists. That’s mom’s choice, not yours.

This time of the year always makes me appreciate my family and friends more so I tend to eke out a few more “I love you’s” and hug a little longer, sometimes long enough the other person starts squirming. But for a woman who writes, I sometimes just can’t find the words I need to tell them how lucky I am to have them in my life. Each of us needs to do that. So, I will go first.

Thank you for reading my columns. I really enjoy writing them and hope they mostly make you smile but occasionally cause you to tear up. I have a good gig at Town&Style so please keep reading. Peace my Peeps. &

HAMMER

by joan berkman

Q: After spending more than 20 years at a major corporation, I’ve decided to start a new chapter by finding a job with a more informal, relaxed work culture, but I’m not sure what, how or where to begin my search. Any thoughts?

A: The decision to make a new beginning can be exciting, both personally and professionally, but the search as well as the transition can be challenging.

Recently, I had the opportunity to meet one of the country’s most legendary advertising executives, Jeff Goodby. Not familiar? He created the wildly successful “Got Milk” campaign, the Budweiser Lizards and many other highly recognized, award-winning works. He says sometimes it’s good to unlearn all the rules.

After working in a corporate structure for so many years, take some time to decompress. This may entail learning how to be yourself and to find your own way. Think about doing away with preconceptions about how something should be done or how a problem is going to get solved.

That said, look for work environments where your immediate office team and especially upper management have a sense of humor. Organizations that know how to humor up are a really good sign of flexibility and understanding. There are many workplaces where humor is not encouraged. So, when being interviewed for a new position, make sure to listen carefully to get a complete understanding of the company’s culture.

For instance, during the interview consider whether they are interested in anything else besides your job qualifications. And, while you’re in the interview process, keep in mind, it’s good to have focus, but it’s just as important that you don’t narrow your sights before making a decision. However, if you feel the new job opportunity requires you to humor down, run, don’t walk, to the door!

Most importantly, take time to get a perspective on your wants and needs so you don’t find yourself in another corporate echo chamber.

Finding a good fit may take time so unless you have a solid financial cushion, hold on to your current position until you find just the right match for your second chapter. Use the various networks you’ve developed over the years to help in your search. In-person informational interviews are still one of the most effective tools and are imperative to give you more time and space to get to know an organization and ensure that it truly resonates with your new career direction.

Don’t push, take your time and be intentional about what you bring to the job and trust your gut. If we are all being honest with ourselves, all things being equal there is a special chemistry when we’ve made the right match. Good luck! &

PHOTO:

JOAN

STUDENT STANDOUTS

by stephanie wallace

EVIE DOLES OF WHITFIELD SCHOOL

EVIE DOLES ISN’T EASILY INTIMIDATED. The Whitfield senior has been showing horses since before she was 10 years old and riding for even longer. This fall, she and her horse Moose won big at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, the largest single-breed horse show in the world with more than 25,000 entries. Her first place wins include the 15-18 High Point Champion, the 15-18 Hunter Under Saddle and the National Youth Association Team Tournament Equitation.

How did you get involved with horses?

My grandpa was the president of the American Quarter Horse Association, and my mom also has ridden and shown horses since she was young. My twin brother and I were born prematurely. When we were two, my mom got us involved in therapeutic horseback riding to help build up our leg muscles. I’ve been hooked ever since.

I started showing horses around age eight.

How did it feel to earn three first places at the All American Quarter Horse Congress?

That was huge. It was extra special because I had won two of those categories last year, so it was great to win them again. Earning the 15-18 High Point Championship was amazing. I didn’t see it coming. I thought that I was out of the running due to some rider error in one of my other classes. To win is a dream I’ve had ever since I was 10 years old.

What’s your favorite part about working with horses?

I really love the bond you make with your horse. We spend so many hours at the barn, at competition or just running through different maneuvers—it’s late nights and early mornings. While I do miss out on some things, I wouldn’t trade it for anything at the end of the day. My horse Moose is my best friend. It’s awesome that people can build a mutual relationship with such big animals.

Do you plan to continue showing horses?

I will keep doing this however long I’m allowed to. Last November, I committed to ride for Southern Methodist University. They are currently ranked No. 1 in the National Collegiate Equestrian Association team rankings. It’s really nice because I’ll also be able to continue working with and showing Moose on my own.

What are you looking forward to during the rest of your senior year?

Honestly, it’s been kind of a big blur. It’s going by so fast. My goal is to have fun, keep my grades up and really savor every moment at Whitfield. I know my whole life is going to change as soon as I graduate, and I’m looking forward to the things that are coming.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I like to bake and spend time with my friends. Over the past year, I’ve gotten into knitting and crocheting. I’m also a huge reader. I love anything to do with books, grammar and English. When I was younger, I used to sneak books into class to read under the table.

I think the thing I was told the most was, “Evie, stop reading.” &

SPONSORED BY: BACKYARD COURTS BUILT TO LAST...CHAMPIONS START HERE!

AS PART OF ITS SPONSORSHIP, SPORT COURT HAS MADE A DONATION ON BEHALF OF EVIE TO THE NONPROFIT OF HER CHOICE.

GIVING BACK

Pointe to Succeed

by stephanie wallace

WHETHER IT’S A

FAVORITE HOLIDAY

RECIPE,

SLEDDING

ON ART HILL OR JUST SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY, there are certain things that make winter a special season. For thousands of St. Louisans, it wouldn’t be the holidays without Saint Louis Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker . The ballet is dedicated to ensuring the magic of live performance is accessible to as many people as possible. As part of that mission, it launched Pointe to Succeed, a program that offers students a glimpse into the world of professional ballet—including special free performances of The Nutcracker every holiday season. T&S spoke with Cici Houston, the ballet’s director of education and outreach, to learn more.

What is the mission of Pointe to Succeed?

We launched the initiative in our 2015-2016 season. The goal was twofold. One, to help educate future audiences so they feel comfortable and welcome going to live performances. Two, to teach the next generation of dancers and increase diversity in ballet. It’s a historically European artform, and it doesn’t always reflect society and culture today. A lot of youth may not be able to see themselves in that world, either as audience or performer, if they don’t learn about it first.

Why is it important to introduce children to ballet?

Every human being can benefit from ballet. It offers a world of beauty and sensitivity. For children, the art of non-verbal communication is extremely valuable. It also introduces them to a world of discipline and helps raise their self esteem. No one can do ballet for you. They have to work to accomplish it. It’s also invaluable for them as audience members.

How does the program make ballet accessible?

We offer field trips to see The Nutcracker: A Shorter Tale, a shorter performance with a narrator. It helps kids understand the story. We provide tickets and transportation to Title I schools. We also offer discounted tickets for other field trips. Due to the pandemic, many of the youngest students have not experienced live theater. Last year, a child asked me if the people on stage were real. They weren’t sure if they were watching a movie screen. I explained that the dancers were in the room with them, and I could see the wheels turning in their head. The excitement of live performance is palpable, especially for this generation which has been educated so much virtually.

Other than performances, how does Pointe to Succeed connect kids to ballet?

Prior to the pandemic, we offered a comprehensive experience by visiting schools before performances. Dancers would read books in character for special storytimes, and we’d have interactive presentations where kids got to see and try ballet themselves. Due to COVID-19, we had to pivot. Right now, we have two different ways to augment the performances. There are online resources for teachers like workbooks and ballet videos to teach students about the lives of dancers, how to be good audience members and more. We also offer streams of performances. Any school can register to watch them for free. Currently, we have The Nutcracker and Alice in Wonderland. We hope to add more.

What are Pointe to Succeed’s greatest needs?

Right now, the largest impediment for schools is the rising cost of transportation. The costs have multiplied by about 600%. We also would like to resume classroom visits and interactive seminars. We need to be able to hire designated staff, including technical support to ensure our dancers have a safe surface to perform on at schools. We use the program to scout for scholarship students for our ballet school. However, finding transportation to Chesterfield has been difficult for many kids. &

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT STLOUISBALLET.ORG/POINTETOSUCCEED.

PHOTOS: KELLY PRATT COURTESY OF SAINT LOUIS BALLET

Nonprofit News

1. Circle of Concern Food Pantry

Warm holiday feelings make this time of year special for clients at Circle of Concern. Our popular Holiday Adoption program provides gift cards to families, allowing them to shop for their own children and loved ones.

112 ST. LOUIS AVE. | 636.861.2623

CIRCLEOFCONCERN.ORG

2. Humane Society of Missouri

The Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force is one of the largest rescue/disaster response teams in the United States, saving nearly 10,000 animals each year from abuse and neglect.

1201 MACKLIND AVE. | 314.647.8800 | HSMO.ORG

3. Provident Behavioral Health

Provident Behavioral Health is proud to be a local 988 crisis center, as well as the sole Missouri backup and one of 14 national 988 backup centers, offering 24/7 crisis support to people in St. Louis and across the nation.

2650 OLIVE BLVD. | 314.802.2626

PROVIDENTSTL.ORG

4. Saint Louis Ballet

St. Louis’ most popular holiday tradition The Nutcracker returns to the Touhill performed and presented by Saint Louis Ballet! The joyful dancing, beautiful sets and colorful costumes are perfect for families continuing or starting a new holiday tradition.

ONE UNIVERSITY BLVD. | 314.534.1111

STLOUISBALLET.ORG

5. SSM Health Foundation - St. Louis

Give the gift of hope to your neighbors. Make a difference in your community at givetossmhealth.org/donate.

12312 OLIVE BLVD., STE. 100 | 314.523.8044

GIVETOSSMHEALTH.ORG

Take Note

6. Clayton Financial Group

With a strong focus on wealth management for successful families, Clayton Financial Group also is proud of its strength in the area of managing company retirement plans. Chris Michalak and Amy Borkowski head this practice unit.

165 N. MERAMEC AVE., STE. 130 | 314.446.3250

CLAYTONFINANCIALGROUP.COM

7. Genesis of St. Charles

Ground has been broken on the St. Louis Metropolitan area’s first brick and mortar Genesis dealership. This retail and service center represents the first dedicated Genesis dealership to be built in Missouri, and one of the first in the Midwest region.

5701 VETERANS MEMORIAL PARKWAY | 636.441.4481

GENESISOFSTCHARLES.COM

8. Hindman Auctions

Trusted for 40 years, we offer appraisal and auction services for fine jewelry, fine art, furniture, decorative art property and more. We provide local clients with seasoned expertise in the global art market.

32 N. BRENTWOOD BLVD. | 314.833.0833

HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM

9. Immerse

Devon & Devon offers fabulous fixtures and fittings, unique wall coverings, lighting, accessories and more. The collection featured here is currently on display at Immerse.

836 HANLEY INDUSTRIAL COURT | 314.375.1500

IMMERSESTL.COM

Seniors

10. Advanced Nursing Services of St. Louis

We have served the St. Louis area with quality nursing care since 1984. We provide private duty nurse aides, licensed practical nurses and registered nurses for patients. We work as a team, so you will always speak to a team member.

PICTURED: OWNER MAGGIE HOLTMAN, R.N., BSN

141 N. MERAMEC AVE., STE. 102 | 314.863.3030

ADVANCEDNURSING.ORG

11. Parc Provence

Parc Provence offers its residents and their families exceptional care for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease through dedicated, person-centered support. We empower senior adults by promoting individual physical and cognitive abilities.

605 COEUR DE VILLE DRIVE | 314.542.2500

PARCPROVENCE.COM

12. Clarendale Clayton

Clarendale Clayton has just launched their new winter menu! It includes resident favorites like pecan encrusted salmon and new dishes. Don’t forget dessert—fan favorite Tahitian vanilla crème brûlée!

7651 CLAYTON ROAD | 314.390.9399

CLARENDALECLAYTON.COM

THOMPSON FOUNDATION FOR AUTISM amaze gala 2022

by bill barrett

Every day, children with autism find a path to achieve extraordinary success at the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Along with their families, they experience the wonder in the ordinary moments of life. The AMAZE Gala helps support the center’s plans to reach more children and families with life-changing services. The event featured cocktails, dinner and silent and live auctions.

guests: Founders Nancy and Bill Thompson, honorary chairs Andrea and Brad Thompson, executive director Myles Hinkel

Clayton Financial Group serves as the financial guide for a limited number of successful families. Our boutique approach allows us to focus on your goals and your portfolio. If now is the time for a free second opinion, please let us know if you would like to talk.

GLORIA BAHN, SARAH HAKES, REBEKAH BAHN

PAT AND DAN FAUST, TOM AND SHARI ZYCHINSKI

AMY AND MARK FELTEN, MARY AND TIM NEY

JOAN AND JOHN SCHNOEBELEN

DEBBIE AND BILL WEAVER

MIKE FABIAN, VICKI KIEHL

BILL AND NANCY THOMPSON, ANDREA AND BRAD THOMPSON

by bill barrett

Presented by the Red Shoe Society St. Louis, the event benefits the nonprofit’s mission to provide a home-away-from-home to families of seriously ill children and support to organizations that serve the needs of children. Guests enjoyed an evening of beer and wine tastings, appetizers, a silent auction and live music by Knifehand.

guests: President Dan Harbaugh, board chair Jeff Barone, St. Louis Wine Market owner Richard Sterkel

BRIGID SCHERER, LAUREN HIEGER

SHEILA

ROBIN MCCUNE, KIM BERGMANN

PHIL SAETTELE, JOE NONNENKAMP

elebr a ting Mor e Than 150 Years of Giving Animals a Second Chanc e

Leading the Way in Memory Care

Caring for an aging loved one can be difficult — but you don’t have to do it alone. As a licensed skilled memory care community, Parc Provence specializes in providing the best care through strong partnerships with residents and their families. We promise to give the best of ourselves to the remarkable people we serve — just one of the many reasons why Parc Provence is leading the way.

FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS, THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO PROVIDING CARE FOR ANIMALS IN NEED. ITS MISSION IS TO END THE CYCLE OF ABUSE AND PET OVERPOPULATION THROUGH RESCUE AND INVESTIGATION EFFORTS, SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAMS, AND EDUCATIONAL CLASSES. PICTURED ON THE COVER: HUMANE SOCIETY PRESIDENT KATHY WARNICK WITH ACTOR AND ANIMAL-WELFARE ADVOCATE JOHN O’HURLEY. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 314.951.1542 OR VISIT HSMO.ORG.

COVER DESIGN BY JULIE STREILER COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI

CARE & COMFORT

HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI

by stephanie wallace

WHEN IT WAS FOUNDED IN 1870, the Humane Society of Missouri was dedicated to helping abused and neglected draft horses. Now more than 150 years later, the nonprofit has broadened its mission to advocate for cats, dogs and other domesticated animals, but it still has the same commitment to protecting those in need by offering important care. Along with being the largest provider of adoptable pets in Missouri, it is committed to ending the cycle of abuse and overpopulation through rescue efforts, spay and neuter programs, and educational classes.

In the 1950s, the Humane Society Animal Cruelty Task Force was founded. “This group is highly trained and investigates cases of abuse and neglect throughout the entire state of Missouri,” president Kathy Warnick explains. “They make sure we can provide animals the care needed for rehabilitation and adoption so they can have a chance at a happy, healthy life.” The team doubles as a crisis response unit that is called across the country to aid in rescues during natural disasters like floods and hurricanes. To better help animals during their rehabilitation, the Humane Society recently opened a new rescue center at its Macklind Avenue location. The facilities offer an increased capacity and special isolation rooms for sick and injured animals.

Another of the nonprofit’s initiatives is SNIP, the Spay/Neuter Incentive Program. Since it launched in 2001, the program has treated more than 425,000 animals to help reduce pet overpopulation in St. Louis. Warnick notes that community support is especially important for SNIP. “In the last 12 to 18 months alone, the cost to perform each surgery has increased sixfold,” she says. “We are dedicated to continuing to offer free or low cost spay and neuter services. It’s something that we need to do for the overall health and wellbeing of animals in St. Louis.”

The rising cost of providing care isn’t the only critical expense the Humane Society is facing. This July, the massive flooding caused extensive damage to the nonprofit’s Best Buddy Center in Maryland Heights. “We had 24 inches of water in our lower level, where we house more than 100 animals,” Warnick says. “We were able to remove all of them safely, but the water did around $1.5 million in damage.” The Humane Society is independently funded, so donations and community support are essential to ensuring it can continue offering services and meet emergency needs.

To help spread awareness about its mission, the Humane Society is launching a new campaign with actor John O’Hurley. “While most people know him from Seinfeld, he’s a celebrated animal ambassador and co-host of the Purina National Dog Show—so he’s passionate about our mission to rescue, rehabilitate and care for animals,” Warnick notes. “The Humane Society has been in existence for more than 150 years, and we plan on being here for at least another 150. We definitely need the support of St. Louisans to continue. We are lucky to be part of a community that is so caring and generous in its support of animals in need.” &

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI

THE ANIMAL CRUELTY TASK FORCE INVESTIGATES THOUSANDS OF ANIMAL ABUSE REPORTS ANNUALLY.

QUICK BITES

by stephanie wallace

OPENS

CLOSES &

Food truck favorite Sando Shack has opened a brick-and-mortar location at 3173 Morgan Ford Road in Tower Grove South. The eatery focuses on Japanese-inspired sandwiches. … The team behind Three Kings Public House has launched a new venture. Casa deTres Reyes is serving up Mexican food at 1181 Colonnade Center in Des Peres. … A little bit of South Florida has come to Soulard. Located at 2022 S. 12th St., Café Miami is inspired by co-owner Tom Peterson’s experience with Cuban bodegas in the eatery’s namesake city. … U. City has welcomed a new all-you-can-eat hot pot spot. Shabu Day is open at 8237 Olive Blvd.

HOLIDAY FUN

Eckert’s is ready for the holidays. This month, St. Louisans can enjoy a variety of seasonal activities at the farm, including cutting their own Christmas tree through Dec. 22. Other offerings include gingerbread house workshops, breakfast and photos with Santa, and a Naughty & Nice Boozy Brunch at the Cider Shed. For more information, visit eckerts.com.

IN GOOD SPIRITS

After working with various local organizations to provide libations at events, STL Barkeep is opening its first brick-and-mortar location. Located at 1301 S. Vandeventer Ave., The Vandy will focus on cocktails and bourbon, featuring a menu of classics and innovative seasonal offerings. … Looking for a unique cocktail experience? Pour Decisions STL is a new mobile bar developed by Javia Gilliam-Sanford and Kaje Sanford. Created in a converted horse trailer, it offers a wide variety of experiences from full bar services to curated pop-ups.

ON THE MOVE

After almost 40 years in Tower Grove South, Thai restaurant King & I is relocating. It will reopen in the spring at 8039 Dale Ave. in Richmond Heights—the former home of Blaze Pizza. … PokeDoke has also made a move … across the street. Last month, the CWE eatery moved to 23 S. Euclid Ave., Ste. B. The new location is almost twice as large as its original space, offering an expanded seating area and the potential for a larger menu.

GAME TIME! 〉〉

If you can’t wait for St. Louis CITY SC’s inaugural season, you’re not alone. Schlafly Beer and Wellbeing Brewing Co. have released Match Day, a 35-calorie non-alcoholic English Pale Ale, to celebrate the StL’s love of soccer.

“This new style showcases our rich history at Schlafly as well as St. Louis’ pride for soccer,” says Schlafly CEO Fran Caradonna. “The English Pale Ale has been intricately linked to the sport for generations.” &

DRIVEN

JAGUAR F-TYPE

by robert w. paster

DESPITE THE PROLIFERATION OF SUVS ON OUR ROADS THESE DAYS, there are a number of us who are willing to sacrifice a bit of utility and practicality to satisfy our need for speed and the unmatched exhilaration of pulling a few G’s around a turn. Thankfully, there are still a few cars around that deliver motoring fun and excitement, such as the Jaguar F-Type.

Following in a grand Jaguar sports car tradition dating back to the exquisite XK120 of the late 1940s, the modern F-Type is a small, two-seater sports car that comes as a coupe or convertible. Either way, you get a beautifully sculpted, aggressively styled rocket that’s a pure joy to drive on the street or on the track. It starts with the quintessential sports car formula of a long hood, short rear deck and a massive engine, doling out gobs of horsepower with either rear or all-wheel-drive. Being British doesn’t hurt either.

Power, handling and strong brakes are the three key ingredients to having fun in a sports car, and the F-Type delivers on all three. It starts with a 444 horsepower supercharged V-8 that’s good for a zero-to-60 time of 4.4 seconds. If that’s not enough for you, there’s an R trim version with 575 horsepower. Combined with a sport tuned suspension designed to provide maximum cornering grip, very good brakes, an electronic active differential with torque vectoring and nicely weighted steering with a good feel, the F-Type is a fun little ride that engages the driver. Unfortunately, the F-Type is no longer available with a manual transmission, so an 8-speed automatic is your only option.

At a recent track event with the Midwest Automotive Media Association, I was lucky enough to be able to pilot an F-Type around a track and was thoroughly impressed by its performance. It was able to keep up with the best of them and was a pure joy to do a few laps. A quick run on a twisty, windy road during my test drive returned many smiles to the gallon. Thanks to the ability to select drive modes amongst regular, snow and dynamic, it can be a reasonably comfortable car for everyday use as well.

Unless you have a lot of stuff or people to haul often, the F-Type is actually comfortable and practical enough to drive every day. The cockpit is a welcoming escape swathed in comfortable leather with well bolstered heated and cooled seats, a relatively easy to use 10” touchscreen interface for the audio, compatible with Apple car play and Android auto, and other controls with a physical volume knob on the console between the seats. On the coupe, hatchback versatility makes loading and unloading the moderately sized rear cargo compartment easy. The air vents magically arise from the front of the center dash when needed, thus keeping the system clean and dust free. Of course all the modern safety nannies are available to make sure you and your car stay in one piece such as blind spot assist, lane keep assist, a reversing camera and more.

Bottom line: the Jaguar F-Type is a classic British sports car modernized for the 21st century. It has excellent styling, everyday practicality and the ability to remind you that driving can be fun. Joe White, sales consultant at Jaguar Land Rover Chesterfield, says of the F-Type, “It’s a sleek, sexy, sophisticated sports car that’s track ready at any time.” &

THE HOLIDAY GUIDE

SPECIAL SECTION

8 ARESA DIAMOND TASSEL NECKLACE, price available upon request from Elleard Heffern Fine Jewelers

COVER STORY

BOLD & BRIGHT

THE DIAMOND BAR

by stephanie wallace

FROM THE BRILLIANCE OF FRESHLY FALLEN SNOW to the twinkle of thousands of colorful lights, the holidays are a time when the world truly shines—and it’s a wonderful opportunity to give some sparkle to the special people in your life. Whether it’s the perfect gift or a custom engagement or wedding ring, The Diamond Bar in Town and Country has jewelry for every occasion. Owned by designer Christopher Phillips, the store offers a shopping experience unlike any other.

Phillips has been designing custom jewelry for 18 years. He studied at a jewelry school in Illinois where he handcrafted many of the tools he still uses today. To date, he has created more than 3,500 custom pieces. He enjoys providing clients with one-of-a-kind items that no one else has. “I create pieces that are unique for each customer,” he says. “You can walk down the street and see three women wearing the same bracelet. One received it as a birthday gift, one to mark their anniversary and the last to celebrate having a baby. Those are major occasions, and they deserve unique pieces to reflect how special these life events are—not just something picked from a case that anyone can buy.”

When designing jewelry at The Diamond Bar, Phillips says the process starts with choosing a stone. “I’m always inspired by the gemstone first,” he explains. “I start with five to 10 different drawings, and then mix and match ideas to create a truly unique piece.” For custom pieces, people can bring in their own stones or choose from the store’s selection of natural diamonds and other gemstones. This holiday season, Phillips recommends starting the consultation process before the end of the first week of December. “Depending on how complicated the piece is, the process takes anywhere from two to five weeks from start to finish,” he says. “Over the next month, we’ll probably make around 100 custom pieces.”

For holiday shoppers who don’t

items, The

Bar has a

more

is seeing a lot of people looking for colored stones right now, especially sapphires. “We have a great collection of sapphire jewelry, including pieces in different colors like pink, green and teal,” he says. “We’re also excited to offer our new Candy Collection, which debuted with our Black Friday sale. Each piece is designed around a gemstone with amazing color, and they all can be stacked and worn with one another.”

As they browse, guests can enjoy the store’s complimentary fully stocked bar— another part of Phillips’ unique approach to reimagining the jewelry purchasing process. “At The Diamond Bar, we want to create an atmosphere that welcomes people to explore comfortably,” he explains. “My staff and I build relationships with clients—they aren’t just sales statistics. I’ve had people compare us to custom boutiques in New York and California. It’s a high compliment to be recognized for that level of craftsmanship, quality and innovation.” &

LOCATED IN TOWN AND COUNTRY AT 13360 CLAYTON ROAD, THE DIAMOND BAR OFFERS A ONE-OF-A KIND SHOPPING EXPERIENCE, INCLUDING CUSTOM JEWELRY DESIGN. PICTURED ON THE COVER: DESIGNER JESS TROECKLER AND OWNER CHRISTOPHER PHILLIPS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 314.548.5100 OR VISIT THEDIAMONDBARSTL.COM. COVER

have time to design their own

Diamond

selection of

than 850 unique pieces in store. Phillips notes that he

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIAMOND BAR

THE DIAMOND BAR OFFERS A CURATED SELECTION OF ONE-OF-A-KIND PIECES.

DESIGN BY JULIE STREILER | COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIAMOND BAR

EXPERIENCE NEWWAY TO SHOP FOR JEWELRY

THE HOLIDAY GUIDE SPECIAL SECTION

ALBARRÉ JEWELRY

This 18kt. yellow gold and diamond bracelet makes the perfect holiday gift.

9711 Clayton Road 314.997.1707 albarre.com

SALLIE HOME

Our most popular candle, ERNESTO by Trudon, is a wonderful gift for all occasions. This candle offers 55 to 60 hours of burning time with notes of leather and tobacco.

9821 Clayton Road 314.567.7883 salliehome.com

THE DIAMOND BAR

Our new 14kt. rose gold Art Deco diamond enamel necklace comes in a variety of vibrant colors to fit everyone’s style.

13360 Clayton Road, Ste. 103 314.548.5100 thediamondbarstl.com

CRAFT ALLIANCE

Shop unique artist-made gifts! From housewares and jewelry to textiles and wall art, there’s something for everyone on your list—including you!

5080 Delmar Blvd. 314.725.1177 craftalliance.org

GENOVESE JEWELERS

These 14kt. yellow gold oval drop huggie earrings contain three rows of prong-set diamonds at 2.83cttw.

12460 Olive Blvd. 314.878.6203 genovesejewelers.com

K. HALL STUDIO

The Barr Co. Holiday Barrel Candle is hand-poured with a 100% natural wax blend and festively scented with cinnamon, apple and clove.

715 Hanley Industrial Court 855.819.3397 khallstudio.com

FIRE AND FACET STUDIOS

Find something for your honey! This hand-fabricated custom honeycomb pendant is sterling silver accented with a gold and diamond bee.

601A E. Lockwood Ave. 314.731.6008 fireandfacetstudios.com

SPORT COURT ST. LOUIS

With Sport Court, you don’t have to choose just one game! Our backyard courts can be used for everything from basketball and volleyball to tennis, soccer, pickleball, futsal, roller hockey and more. 636.451.0400 sportcourtstlouis.com

Find the perfect gifts and stocking stuffers this holiday season at K. Hall Studio. From festive candles to luxurious personal care items, our products cover all of your gifting needs.

Packaged with decorative bakers twine and hang tag our Barr Co. trios are ready for gifting! Available in a variety of festive scented travel candles and flavored lip balms for everyone on your list.

Shop holiday specials in-store & online!

K. Hall Designs

Brentwood 8416 Manchester Rd. Brentwood, MO 63144 314.963.3293

K. Hall Designs Ladue 9831 Clayton Rd. St. Louis, MO 63124 314.254.7378

HOLMAN MOTORCARS ST. LOUIS

Need a gift for the holidays? Stop by our showroom to pick out something special for your special someone.

One Arnage Blvd. 636.449.0000 holmanmotorcars.com

HEARTH & SOUL

Add a splash of glamor to any outfit with the Cobra Bracelet. It offers a lot of style and is available in three finish options. You’ll find yourself wearing it every day! 9640 Clayton Road 314.567.SOUL (7685) hearthandsoul.com

THE FACE AND BODY SPA

Receive a $25 bonus card for every $100 you spend on gift cards or products. Available at all three locations.

2515 S. Brentwood Blvd. 314.725.8975 faceandbodyspa.com

GLENN BETZ & ASSOCIATES JEWELERS

This 18kt. white gold tanzanite and diamond ring features 38 round brilliant cut diamonds at 0.49cttw. and one oval tanzanite center stone weighing a total of 4.48ct.

11776 Manchester Road 314.984.0040 glennbetzjewelers.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

Anna Shaver 314.833.0833 stlouis@hindmanauctions.com HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM

MY MESSY M M LIFE

WITH KATELYN & THE #CRUMBLYCREW

KATELYN YOUNG IS A LOCAL MOM OF FOUR (HER #CRUMBLYCREW) WHO SHARES REAL MOMENTS OF MOTHERHOOD AS IT RELATES TO FASHION, FOOD AND FUN! FOLLOW HER ON INSTAGRAM AT @_KATELYNYOUNG_ OR FOLLOW HER BLOG AT THEBEJULEDLIFE.COM.

‘TIS THE SEASON TO TAKE THINGS OFF YOUR LIST

SOMETHING AWFUL HAPPENED TO ME THIS YEAR. I saw Christmas coming around the bend and had unexpected feelings of anxiety and, dare I say, dread. So many presents to buy, school parties to plan, decorations to put up, light shows to attend, crafts to do, fun holiday outings to plan. I feel nauseous writing it all down—and I feel guilty for saying that.

It is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year with our kids, but I’m hearing from more and more moms that Christmas has become the most exhausting and stressful time of the year. Why do we let it happen?

My suggestion, for myself and all of you, is to make The List. Write down all of the things you think you have to do to make Christmas perfect this year, then Marie Condo the heck out of it. If the activity gives you anxiety or doesn’t spark joy, cross it off.

Give yourself permission to cross off around half of the items. Do not let the fear of missing out or social media antics make you pack your schedule this year. Your priority should be to do less and be more present. I absolutely can promise you that the quiet peaceful moments spent at home this season will be the special ones that make your heart burst. That’s what you will always remember. In a digital age where everything is pushing for more, that age-old principle still rings true: Less is actually more. The quality of time spent together is more important than the quantity of activities. We have to choose wisely.

We missed a special Christmas kick-off party last week because the baby was fussy. I felt guilty, and my husband told me to let it go. We turned off our phones, watched Home Alone as a family and made popcorn. I’ve never heard my son laugh so hard. We had an incredible family moment that I would have missed if I was rushing out the door to do something fun. So this season, let it be. Let it go. Let the magic happen instead of trying to force it. Let all of the simple moments fill you up with seasonal joy. If you have time, I also recommend listening to the audio book Present Over Perfect

The painter Hans Hofmann once said, “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” Have I already given you some version of this advice? Yeah, probably, but we all need a reminder once in a while.

—XO Katelyn

PHOTO:

Treasured Holiday Recipes

BY STEPHANIE WALLACE

Food brings people together, especially during the holidays. Whether we’ve eaten them since childhood or adopted them as more recent traditions, many of the dishes we serve up this season have special meaning. T&S reached out to St. Louisans for their favorite recipes to share some holiday joy. Bon appétit!

LATKES

DARCY GLIDEWELL

Latkes are not only my favorite holiday food, but the smell is synonymous with Hanukkah to me. My mom, Sharon Greenburg, has worked on perfecting her recipe, using just the right combination of potatoes and onions and experimenting with the best oil, and skillet, for the job. We have always eaten these as an appetizer for our Hanukkah party meal, usually the first night of Hanukkah. When my family arrives at my mom’s house, we can smell the latkes before we walk in the front door. I’ve had many potato pancakes over the years, but there is simply nothing like a tried-and-true homemade Jewish latke.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 egg, beaten

• 1 tsp., garlic powder

• ¼ tsp. salt

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 4 medium potatoes, peeled

• 1 medium onion

• 1 tsp. baking powder

• Vegetable oil with neutral flavor (grapeseed or canola) for frying

• Sour cream or applesauce for topping

— Grate potatoes and onions into a bowl. Put mixture into a clean dish towel and squeeze to remove excess liquid.

— Return to bowl, add beaten egg and mix well. Add garlic powder, salt, pepper and baking powder. Mix to combine.

— Heat oil in a large skillet. Drop mixture by large spoonfuls (about 2 tbsp.) into hot oil and spread to make a circle approximately 2½ inches. Fry until golden brown on each side (do not flip too soon–about two to three minutes on each side). Add more oil as necessary.

— Drain on paper towels, and serve warm, topped with sour cream or applesauce.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb. fresh jumbo shrimp, peeled

• 1 tbsp. fresh garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp. olive oil

• 1 tsp. AABIII Steak Seasoning

• ½ bottle of Budweiser

• 3-4 limes

• A splash of dry vermouth

• ⅛ tsp. cayenne pepper

AAB III’S SECRET SHRIMP RECIPE

SUSIE BUSCH TRANSOU

We absolutely love including this recipe as an appetizer during holiday get-togethers. It is always a favorite, making so many family and community events extra special—and delicious! Of course, it has a special place in my heart since it uses the seasoning my dad, August Busch III, created.

— In a large skillet, heat olive oil and saute garlic.

— Add shrimp, a dash of cayenne pepper and a dash of AABIII Steak Seasoning to the skillet, quickly saute.

— Pour half bottle of Budweiser over the shrimp, and bring to a simmer.

— Juice two to three limes over the shrimp, and add a splash of vermouth to finish.

— Transfer shrimp to serving dish, and sprinkle with AABIII.

— Serve with fresh limes.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 eggs

• 2 c. of milk

• 2 c. of flour

• 1 tsp. salt

• ½ c. pan drippings from rib roast

YORKSHIRE PUDDING

PETER PALERMO

My paternal grandparents loved to celebrate Christmas with a southern Italian feast—I think I even remember the Feast of Seven Fishes one year. During my time in San Francisco, I learned to love the holiday tradition of cioppino—with Dungeness crab straight from the Wharf. But Christmas Eve at my maternal grandparents was an entirely Anglophile affair—and this is the holiday meal I crave—featuring a rib roast and Yorkshire pudding. It’s just not the holidays without it.

— Preheat oven to 450°. In a blender, mix the eggs, milk, flour and salt until it forms a smooth batter.

— Place the empty rib-roast pan and pan drippings in the oven until smoking hot. Pour batter into the pan and return to the hot oven.

— Cook at 450° for 15 minutes and then turn the heat down to 350° for another 25 minutes. Cook until puffy and golden brown.

— Cut into large pieces, and serve with a slice of rib roast.

fromBEAUTY A-to -Z

BY STEPHANIE WALLACE

The beauty world can be a little daunting to explore—from TikTok to high fashion runways, there are so many trends to follow that seem to be constantly changing. One day neon eyeshadow is all the rage, and the next more natural looks are everywhere. And it all comes with its own ever-evolving lingo. Here’s a look at what everyone was buzzing about in 2022.

HAIR FILLER:

This term is used to describe a slew of products that promote fuller hair—from extensions and keratin treatments to permanent solutions for baldness and everything in between.

Gym Lips:

DIP DYE:

This two-tone hair coloring technique leaves the hair dark at the roots while the ends are lighter or brightly colored. Unlike with balayage or other ombres, there is no blend between the colors.

A trend straight from TikTok. Makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell shared the minimal lip look she wears to the gym. It involves overlining with a liner close to your natural lip shade, filling them in with the same pencil and then layering on a nourishing treatment with a bit of gloss.

Niacinamide:

Long-time beauty fans are probably familiar with the superstar ingredient, but thanks to TikTok, niacinamide had a big 2022. This form of B-3 vitamin helps your skin grow its protective lipid barrier, helping it retain moisture. It also can help with redness, reduce the appearance of pores and regulate oil production.

space buns:

If Princess Leia is your style icon, this is the look for you. The hairstyle is characterized by two buns worn on the top of the head.

KIDCORE:

Let out your inner kid! This trending aesthetic is defined by bright, bold colors and imaginative makeup application—think Lisa Frank but make it fashion.

VAMPIRE SKIN:

Think more Twilight and less Dracula with the trend. The idea is to capture that Edward Cullen sparkle by mixing glitter into foundation for an all-over candescent complexion.

butterfly bridges:

This makeup trend was big on runways in 2022. The look is achieved by blending eyeshadow along the crevices of the nose, the inner crescent of the eyes and bridge of the nose, bringing attention to the center of the face by creating a shape much like the wings of a butterfly.

REVERSE CUT CREASE:

Flip Bun:

A mix of ponytail and bun, Kim Kardashian and her hairstylist, Chris Appleton, made this simple updo trend this fall. Easy to recreate, the style simply involves pulling your hair into a ponytail, and when you reach the final loop, don’t pull the hair all the way through. Instead, leave part of it sitting like a bun.

frothing:

No, this has nothing to do with a visit to Starbucks—but it does use some of the same equipment. This viral hack uses a frother to change the consistency of beauty products.

Sticky Method:

This application technique is used to ensure that makeup covers acne and dark spots. The process involves using grippy primer products and not blending concealer before applying foundation. This ensures that product stays put over the blemish and gives you more pigmented coverage.

A YEAR IN REVIEW

SPECIAL SECTION

Houseplants for the Holidays

by stephanie wallace

1. amaryllis

These beautiful colorful blossoms grow from bulbs, which can bloom inside during the winter months. You can get them in classic holiday shades like red and white or mix it up with colors like burgundy, rose and apricot.

2 . donkey’s tail

This unique succulent grows stems of tear-drop shaped, blue-gray leaves that are a striking, quirky addition to any holiday decor. To grow donkey’s tail indoors, just be careful not to overwater it, keep it in a sunny place and be careful moving it—those distinct leaves fall off easily.

Plants are a great way to bring a natural touch of color to your home during the holidays. This winter, we’re looking beyond the classic poinsettia. There are many other houseplants that can add some cheer and bring a unique touch to your holiday decor.

3 christmas cactus

Come on, ‘Christmas’ is right there in the name. These tropical plants produce beautiful pink or lilac tubular flowers and usually bloom from November through February. While they may be cacti, don’t treat them like a regular succulent—they need to be watered every two to three weeks.

4. begonia maculata

With its polka-dot green and red leaves, this charming plant is perfect for the holidays. It’s also easy to care for—just make sure it’s near a humidifier or mist it regularly. The

begonia maculata will add beauty to your home all year as it can produce delicate white blossoms in spring, summer and fall.

5. norfolk island pine

While not actually a pine tree, this plant is a lovely addition to holiday decor. If you’re short on space, you can easily use it as your Christmas tree—just add tinsel, lights and ornaments. Make sure you keep it indoors—this tree has been adapted for warmer climates and won’t survive a St. Louis winter. &

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT

by carrie edelstein

Whether it’s a winter soirée, Christmas with the family or a Hanukkah bash, how you set the table can set the mood for your event. Aisling Leonard of Ash Leonard Design has designed rooms, tables and even the menus for party perfection. Here are some of her best tips!

LEONARD OF ASH LEONARD DESIGN

When designing a tablescape, is it most important to match the room, the occasion or the meal?

There are many things to take into consideration when designing a dinner party or event. The overall theme is key; whether it will be formal or informal sets the tone for the overall design. Once that is decided, I work on the color scheme, taking into consideration the space the event will be taking place. It is very important to figure out the flow and the movement of the guests, along with whether it will be silver service or self-serve buffet style. This dictates the size of the table and seating and space planning.

How many supplies do you bring compared to what clients provide?

Each project is different and I work closely with all my clients to see if they have platters, tableware and glasses that we can use.

It’s always nice to finally get to use the fancy china and silverware or platters and heirlooms from grandparents. It raises the bar for the occasion and makes it feel so much more personal than rentals.

If, however, a client does not have enough pieces that will work with the overall scheme or vision, I pretty much supply everything!

When using multiple tables for hosting, how do you differentiate the main table display from where guests eat?

I always incorporate the theme across all areas, keeping the design and feel of the event cohesive, but there will always be a wow factor for the main table. The whole design tends to be a surprise for the host too, which is fun as they trust me with delivering and designing the overall vision.

When using the table as a charcuterie board, what types of food work best?

Solid foods that won’t drip or melt! Some dips are OK, and this depends on the size of the party, too. I find that using small bite-sized pieces work best and having small plates with mini pick up cutlery are useful too. It’s so important to have a wide range of textures and shapes to make the board visually appetizing.

We’re ready to set our tables!

I am fully booked for 2022 but taking bookings for 2023. The cost of creating dinners or events varies depending on scale and scope of each project, and I work with all of my clients to figure out the best way to create a package for them. &

AISLING

by stephanie wallace

SPONSORED BY MICHAEL LAUREN DEVELOPMENT

points of INTEREST

Overall, area sellers received, on average, of their list price. Which community costs the most per SqFt? Ladue >>

Where did sellers get the most for their listings compared to the asking price? 63011, 63021, 63119 >> Overall Average Price per SqFt >>

Buyers in these areas spent more than $3.1 billion on real estate in 2022! 63021

had the highest number of single-family homes sold.

The average number of days on market for homes and condos was 30.4

The three ZIP codes with the highest average sale prices were: >> 63124 >> 63105 >> 63131

MOST EXPENSIVE >>

LISTED FOR: $9,250,000 601 Barnes, Ladue, 63124

AGENT: John Ryan of Coldwell Banker Realty Gundaker

SQFT ABOVE: 4,240 ACRE: 9.95 BEDS: 4 • BTHS: 5 (4 1) PR/SQFT: $2,146 AGE: 63 years

LARGEST >>

SQFT ABOVE: 11,470 ACRE: 5.48 19203 Brookhollow Drive, Wildwood, 63038

AGENT: Tracy Kelly of Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield BEDS: 6 • BTHS: 9 (6 3)

PR/SQFT: $244.12 AGE: 17 years LISTED FOR: $2,799,999

OLDEST >>

AGE: 202 years 9 Hill Drive, Kirkwood, 63122

AGENT: Sally Harris of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties SQFT ABOVE: 2,386 ACRE: 0.45 BEDS: 2 • BTHS: 2 (2 0)

PR/SQFT: $216.68

LISTED FOR: $1,127,000

AGENT PROFILES

Dooley Rowe Schnoebelen COMPASS REALTY GROUP

Our team delivers luxury representation, expert negotiation, white glove service and unparalleled marketing throughout the St. Louis Central Corridor. We represent a collective 100 years in real estate covering a full spectrum of properties.

EXP REALTY

Our team has helped more than 4,200 families achieve their goals since 2008. We are fast approaching $1.7 billion in career sales. We’re proud of the culture we’ve created following 11 core values, including building lifelong client relationships and giving back to the community. 2001

The Alicia Cop Team BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES SELECT PROPERTIES

As a top producer, our team is committed to a positive mindset and believe that offering our clients a tailored experience will alleviate much of the stress often associated with a move. We exceed expectations and offer outstanding service and knowledge.

With 44 years of combined experience, more than $675 million in sales, superior knowledge of the market, unsurpassed negotiation skills and unwavering dedication to client satisfaction, our father-son real estate team ranks in the top 1% of Coldwell Banker agents globally.

GLADYS MANION

With more than 40 years of experience, we combine our unmatched marketing ability with pricing strategies and customer service to curate a perfect plan for clients’ needs—whether it’s buying or selling, we understand how to approach the market.

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY

ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE

With more than 20 years of real estate expertise, we understand the magnitude of buying or selling a home and the dynamics of the St. Louis marketplace. Our personable and responsive approach gives you the confidence you need every step of the way!

8077 Maryland Ave. | 314.691.0683 | 314.872.6649 | kathykarasick.com

and AFEE REAL ESTATE

Over a decade strong, with closed sales in excess of $400 million, we rank in the industry’s top 1% of all realtors, with the highest average sales pricing for more than 10 consecutive years. As leaders in exclusive real estate, our mission is to offer unmatched, highly personalized service.

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICE ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE

Experience, integrity and connections are some of the many important things we provide our clients. Our emphasis is you, not just another transaction. Our many vetted partners are available to help with personal attention to detail. We do the work beyond the sale!

Keith R. Manzer and Christopher M. Klages

Mark and Neil Gellman The Gellman Team

Diane and Rod Patershuk Patershuk Partners

Wayne Norwood

Steve Mathes and Joe Mathes COLDWELL BANKER REALTY GUNDAKER

Kathy Karasick and Joelle Webbe Hibbard

HOMESERVICE

Ted Wight

DIELMANN SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

Having sold real estate for almost 20 years with Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty, I am a top-ranked agent in the region. I sell properties from downtown St. Louis to Wildwood. Check out stlouis.style, or find me on Instagram @stlouis.style. 8301 Maryland Ave., No. 100 | 314.607.5555 314.725.0009 | tedwightrealestate.com

Sabrina Robb

Sabrina Robb Partners

COMPASS REALTY GROUP

We are real estate professionals united to protect our clients from anything or anyone unreasonable in your real estate journey. Our mission is to provide exceptional service and a luxury experience for clients at every price point.

1608 S. Lindbergh Blvd. | 314.283.7590 sabrinarobbpartners.com

Amanda Alejandro-Steinback REA LTY SHOP STL

As president and owner, I have built several companies where professionalism, support and opportunity are unrivaled in our market. Breaking the mold of the traditional box brokerages, we have created what you need in today’s marketplace. 12395 Olive Blvd. | 314.372.0324 | realtyshopstl.com

INTERNATIONAL REALTY

I am known for my impeccable presentation of properties and concierge level of service. I’ve created a client-centered business model designed to grow with my clients and their families, resulting in working relationships that last long after closing. 8301 Maryland Ave., Ste. 100 | 314.239.4993 314.725.0009 | thornhillstl.com

Alyssa Suntrup

G LADYS MANI ON REAL ESTATE

I excel at identifying pre-market and off-market properties because I love collaborating with clients and fellow agents to find the perfect pair of buyers and sellers. Recently I closed my tenth off-market transaction of 2022.

8227 Maryland Ave. | 314.359.3568 | 314.721.4755 alyssasuntrup.gladysmanion.com

Rebecca Spear

REDKEY REALTY LEADERS

I love to roll out the red carpet for my home buyers and sellers and to craft a distinctive experience for each and every one. You can count on me to be patient, genuine and focused while navigating you through the entire buying or selling process.

16123 Chesterfield Parkway W. | 636.237.6000 redkeystlouis.com

Alex Thornhill

DIELMANN SOTHEBY’S

Clayton Gardens Grandeur

This executive residence in exclusive Clayton Gardens will surpass every expectation. Embrace an enviable lifestyle on Downtown’s doorstep, yet also enjoy a haven of luxury and self-indulgence. The imposing arched entry framed by Juliet balconies evokes the stately homes of bygone eras. Inside is a commodious, contemporary, light-filled interior. Opulence at every turn: 10ft tray ceilings, stylish mattfinished hardwood floors, exquisite light fittings, masterful millwork and a cleverly conceived openconcept/partitioned layout that provides space aplenty yet enough cozy corners for all-season living. An ultra-modern kitchen, wine fridge, butler’s pantry & massive island bench is a gourmand’s delight. Other highlights: a relaxing fireplace nook, wet bar, 7 luxe bedrooms (3 with ultra-modern ensuites - do Netflix & Chill while soaking in suds) and a stunning steam room. Upstairs, an arcade-sized games area, gym and balcony atop an entertainer’s courtyard, fireplace and a covered hot tub

PICTURE THIS…

BASEMENT UPLIFTS

by lauren rechan

MANY OF US HAVE BASEMENTS THAT WE JUST CANNOT IMAGINE EVER BEING NICE they are just that awful. Low ceilings with vents and hanging wires, beaten up concrete walls, poor lighting, drain holes—sound familiar? I had one such basement when we remodeled our current house. My husband said it could be nice, and I said there was absolutely no way. As sometimes happens, he was right! This issue, I am sharing some creative ways to transform your basement. Trust me, it can be done!

Beams are a necessary evil in basements, but you can trim them and build them into the design

These IKEA Pax units hold a ton of stuff in a stylish way. Because basement ceilings are often low, it is very easy to make them look built in with just some crown and base.

If your looks skew contemporary, try a stain

With just some applied molding and a coat of semi gloss paint you can create a cozy, library feel in your lower level.

If you add a kitchen to the basement, movies or the game.

that match the rest of your home.

If you have a door to the outside in your basement, make sure it is not an afterthought and can be used.

If your basement and yard allow, consider a small patio like this one off your lower level with lots of doors for natural light. did in the ’70s!

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is all the rage in basements because it looks like wood, is flexible on uneven concrete and is fully waterproof. Layer with throw rugs and you won’t know it is not wood.

natural light at only one end and you don’t want to always close sections off, consider barn or double pocket doors

BLOG OF...

OUR FAVORITE BLACK BAR CARTS

Perfect for those who love to entertain in style and appreciate sleek and simple storage, a black bar cart or cabinet is an ideal way to add a refined element to any bar or dining space. This selection represents a variety of design styles, all sure to bring a touch of timeless style and modern edge to your home bar.

Entertaining with Ease: The flexibility and convenience of a bar cart makes entertaining stylish and efficient. Whether on wheels or a stationary cabinet, black bar carts are perfect for fast-paced lives and make entertaining guests fun and effortless.

Entertaining with Style: A black bar cart or cabinet is an ideal way to create more contrast and depth in your home bar or dining room while also incorporating additional storage into your space. You can choose from a variety of materials and textures to create more interest with any design style.

Commerce & Market Black Bar Cart - Hooker Furniture

A top pick from Hooker Furniture, the Commerce & Market Black Bar Cart is crafted of iron and stone, coming together to make an industrially sleek aesthetic that also is well-designed and offers lasting functionality, convenience and style.

Torrey Black Bar Cart - Currey & Company

Currey & Company’s stunning bar cart is the perfect piece to bring your design together. Featuring a steel frame with a black finish and frosted white glass shelves, it offers convenience without sacrificing style.

Chauncey Wide Curio Black Bar Cabinet - Jamie Young

Offered by top designer brand Jamie Young, the Chauncey Black Bar Cabinet offers sturdy, simple and sleek storage. This approachable design features smooth textures and a simple silhouette, making it the perfect addition to any modern or transitional home bar.

Isador

Bar Cabinet - Four Hands

Crafted of solid poplar in a worn black hue, the classy and cool Isador Bar Cabinet from Four Hands offers elegant dual drawer shelf space and bottle racks for extra storage and easy stylish organization for your home bar.

Sterling Black Bar Cart - Scout & Nimble

A favorite from our brand, the Sterling Black Bar Cart is crafted of gray faux shagreen, black metal and tempered glass. This piece has stunning curves that will add a modern softness to any space. With two levels of storage, wheels and a handle, this bar cart is perfect for those who entertain throughout the home.

Ciao Bella Black Bar Cart - Hooker Furniture

The Ciao Bella Black Bar Cart from Hooker Furniture is constructed of poplar, hardwood and metal. This cart style is a perfect example of how elegant entertaining can be, while also being sleek and sustainable. &