StreetScape Spring 2018

Spring 2018

St. Charles CAPS Student Associates P art O ne of O ur F eature S eries

R ecipes • G et F it • F ashion

Everything Spring!

H ome D ecor • E vents

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W edding

Spring 2018

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Couldn’t decide on a name.

Not sure what color to paint the nursery.

Knew exactly where they wanted to deliver.

One of the most joyful moments of life is welcoming a new baby to the world. Mercy offers you and your family an exceptional birthing experience in comfortable, home-like surroundings.

Schedule a birthplace tour at mercy.net/expecting Your life is our life’s work.

Get care for you and your new baby close to home at:

Your life is our life’s work.

Mercy Urgent Care 107 Piper Hill Dr., Suite 100 St. Peters | 636.447.4149 Mercy Clinic Pediatrics 4525 Mid Rivers Mall Dr. St. Peters | 636.441.5437

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Mercy Urgent Care 300 Winding Woods Dr. O’Fallon | 636.379.4329

Table of Contents Publisher’s Note

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Found on Page 4

Glad Hearts

10. Crisis Nursery-Healing Hearts 12. Freezin’ for a Reason 14. Baskets of Blessings 16. Community Living Celebrating 40 Years

Dynamic Duo

18. Rick & Mary Leach Home Sweet Home

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23. Ask the Expert 24. Heidi’s Hints What’s Under Foot?

27. The Flower Petaler

37

Health/Fitness

30. Resolution Reset 32. Head to Toe

Fashion

37. Spring into Gear Wedding

47. Molly & Mike Guithes Recipes

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51

51. Folly Island Shrimp & Grits BusinessScape

55. The Changing Workplace 57. Featured Financial Planners 64. Business Profile Fast

Education

72. CAPS 75. Emma Jackson

Society Pages Begin on Page 92

Cover Image

Cover Layout Design: Jeanne Strickland On the Cover: St. Charles CAPS Student Associates; Brandon Siebert (OF), Levi Virden (SCW), Tommy-lee Neville (SCW), Taylor Payne (OF), Tyler Barteau (SCH), Cheryl Graber (CAPS Instructor), Payton Dill (OF), Blake McFarlane (OF) Photography: Michael Schlueter

Spring 2018

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Publisher’s Note

Welcome Spring!, We are excited to be publishing the Spring 2018 issue, as 2018 marks our 12th year of connecting our local community. When I started this publication 12 years ago, my purpose was to highlight local people and businesses who are bettering our community, changing lives, creating jobs and making St. Charles a better place to live, work and play. I look back to 12 years ago and, WOW, what a difference. Our city, county, and region have experienced amazing growth and we have maintained our sense of community and pride in the area in which we live.

Spring is such a wonderful time of year when we get to experience a renewal of life. The days start getting a little warmer, grass begins to turn green and we all get a little more motivated.

Whether you are planning your Spring planting or a home makeover, you’ll find a lot of inspiration in this issue. We talk with Edward Spevak, PhD, of the St. Louis Zoo about pollinators and how we might make a difference with our Spring planting. Heide and April both give great suggestions on sprucing up your living space with a new area rug or a new paint color and matching accessories.

With the release of this issue, we also welcome back the St. Charles Trolley, making it easier for people to see some of the popular sites in St. Charles.

StreetScape is delighted to be sponsoring the 2018 Wing Ding, hosted by BCI and helping to support employment opportunities for adults with disabilities. This year’s Wing Ding will be on Thursday, June 21st at the Family Arena. See back cover for details. We are also sponsoring a Spring fashion show that showcases the Spring shoe line for The Walking Cradles Company, on April 29th at The St. Louis Bridge Center (tinyurl.com/WalkingCradles).

SS_flwrpetaler_QPspr18_print.pdf

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Thomas P. Hannegan Publisher & Founder, StreetScape Magazine

Volume 22, Issue 2 SPRING 2018 TPH Media 223 North Main Street St. Charles, Missouri 63301 636.448.2074 Judy@StreetScapeMag.com www.StreetScapeMagazine.com StreetScape Magazine is registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office. #3251745. Any reproduction of StreetScape Magazine or its contents requires publishers written consent. StreetScape Magazine aims to ensure that information is accurate and correct at all times but cannot accept responsibility for mistakes. StreetScape Magazine reserves the right to refuse an advertisement and assumes no responsibility for submitted materials.

Unsolicited material must include a self-addressed stamped envelope. © 2018 TPH Media. All rights reserved.

DISTRIBUTED TO Chesterfield • Cottleville • Dardenne Prairie

Lake St. Louis • Maryland Heights • New Town O’Fallon • St. Charles • St. Peters Weldon Spring • Wentzville ADVISORY BOARD Deborah Alessi Susan Berthold Nadine Boon Linda Brown-Didion Steve Church John Clark Sally Faith April Feldewerth Lorna Frahm Grace Harmon Mike Haverstick Ann Hazelwood Jason Hughes Dianne Isbell Lisa Kalz

Steve Kaspar Mike Klinghammer Martha Mazzola Bob Millstone Connie Petree Craig Norden Susie Pundmann Linda Sanchez Kelley Scheidegger-Barbee Victoria Schmitt-Babb Keith Schneider Vicki Schneider Mary West Brian Wies George Wise Spring 2018

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the d n i h e B Scenes

Scott Mell Sales Account Manager 314.537.5655 Scott@StreetScapeMag.com

Judy Peters Senior Sales Account Manager 636.448.2074 Judy@StreetScapeMag.com

Jeanne Strickland Layout | Design | Graphics 314.605.7193 Jeanne@StreetScapeMag.com

Tom Hannegan

Jackie Vick Production & Distribution 636.875.6833 Jackie@StreetScapeMag.com

Founder & Publisher Tom@StreetScapeMag.com

Kelly DeRossett Website-Social Media 314.322.8322 KellyStLouis2004@yahoo.com 6 StreetScape Magazine

Mary Ellen Renaud PR Director-Marketing 314.660.1975 Renaud7207@Outlook.com

Lance Tilford Contributing Photographer LanceTilfordPhotography.com Lance@LTphoto.us

Michael Schlueter Contributing Photographer 314.580.7105 SchlueterPhoto.com

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UPCOMING EVENTS For more information, call 636-255-0270 or visit our website | www.foundryartcentre.org

“AT THE SURFACE” OPENING RECEPTION Free & open to the public

March 23 | 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM/Gallery Talk 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM/Exhibition Reception

FOUNDRY WORKSHOP SERIES - BIRD PORTRAITURE April 21, 2018 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Figure Drawing Workshop | May 19 | 1:00pm - 4:00pm Oil Painting Workshop | July 15 | 1:00pm - 4:00pm

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Spring 2018

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FUTURESCAPE Written by Amy Armour Photos courtesy of St. Charles County Police Department

used for recreation and therapy. For the past few years, the SCCPD Bomb Disposal Unit has built and donated beeping eggs to organizations that aid blind, low vision and autistic children,” said Joyner.

A technology discovered at a national bomb technician conference has been providing children with disabilities the chance to participate in a tradition that was once impossible.

Children of all abilities will have the chance to hunt for specially-designed ‘beeping’ Easter eggs at the third annual EGGstravaganza for children with disABILITIES on March 24.

Presented by the St. Charles County Parks & Recreation Department and St. Charles County Police Department, the free event will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, March 24 at the Youth Activity Park located at 7801 Highway N in Dardenne Prairie.

“The EGGstravaganza started from our Bomb Disposal Unit recognizing a need for children with disabilities to have an event where they could not only have fun, but also create first-time memories with their families,” said Val Joyner, public affairs officer, St. Charles County Police Department.” Our great partners at the St. Charles County Parks & Recreation Department were gracious and invited us to join their successful annual egg hunt. We look forward to presenting this event together.”

The beeping eggs offer blind/low vision children and those with sensory and mobility disabilities the chance to participate in an egg hunt.

“The traditional egg hunt often times has been too complicated for some children with disabilities to enjoy, or they have never attempted before. However, the EGGstravaganza was created with their special needs and comfort in mind,” said Joyner.

With a very easy flip of a switch, the eggs echo a chirping sound that helps children with disabilities navigate the egg hunt.

“What’s more interesting is that the eggs can be

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The SCCPD Bomb Disposal Unit originally learned of the beeping egg technology at the National Bomb Technician Conference.

“The unit then brought the idea back home for our children. Last year, the unit taught students from Lutheran High School’s robotics team, The Roboteers, how to create the beeping eggs. They helped to design eggs for last year’s EGGstravaganza,” said Joyner.

The special eggs—which are jumbo, plastic Easter eggs—are wired to a battery and speaker. Holes are drilled into the egg for the sound to escape.

Joyner said the EGGstravaganza is open to children of all ages and disabilities from both sides of the river. Last year, the event drew attendees from as far as Iowa.

The egg hunt offers four categories—12 & under sensory hunt (autism); 12 & under mobility hunt; 12 & under blind/low vision hunt; and 13 & up hunt—which are staggered to ensure everyone has plenty of time to play. The EGGstravaganza for children with disABILITIES will follow the St. Charles County Parks & Recreation annual Easter egg hunt.

“We just ask that each participant has someone assist them during the hunt,” said Joyner.

In addition to the Egg Hunt, Joyner said many community sponsors will be on-site with resources and giveaways.

To pre-register for the event, visit www.stccparks.org or call 636-949-7535. ¤

©2018 SSM Health. All rights reserved. MG-STL-17-381323 2/18

Rebecca Melvin, DO Pediatrics

WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS • Sees newborns through 18 years of age • Same-day appointments may be available, as well as extended hours • Practicing pediatrician since 2009 • Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics SSM Health Outpatient Center 1475 Kisker Road St. Charles, MO 63376 636-498-5970 Get to know Dr. Melvin by visiting ssmhealth.com/doctors and search 63304 and Melvin. Click View Profile.

Spring 2018

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d GlaHearts

HEALING

Hearts

Tiffany*, ten years old, came to the Nursery after her mother left a domestic violence situation. Although she was withdrawn and angry, she was interested in painting and agreed to meet with Ann, the Art Therapist. As Tiffany began to paint, she became more relaxed and said that painting makes her feel happy. Tiffany chose to paint the night sky full of stars and explained, “I made a lot of stars so that I could have a lot of wishes. I would wish for a house for my mom and me, I would wish for lots of yummy food like I get at the Nursery, and I would wish for my dad to be nice to my mom so we could be a family again.” When she returned from her session, she happily joined the other kiddos in a dress-up fashion show.

Ann Wier and Lisa Cholley

Healing Hearts is more than just the name of a program at the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery. It is more than broken crayons, worn out markers and well-loved puppets. It is more than oozy finger painting, organizing furniture in a wooden dollhouse and sparkly glitter. It is more than colorful beads, ripped construction paper and squishy play-dough. It is a program that uses all of these fun and creative mediums to help heal the hearts of children all over the St. Charles and St. Louis region.

Children come to the Crisis Nursery when their parents are dealing with overwhelming stress from homelessness, illness, domestic violence or unemployment. “This trauma can be difficult for most adults to deal with, but is especially challenging for a child,” says the Crisis Nursery’s Registered Art Therapist, Ann Wier. “We encourage children to use art and play as a way to express themselves in a language that is comfortable and natural for them. Art and Play Therapies help children who are struggling to cope with difficult situations.”

Most kids define therapy as being ‘boring,’ ‘just talking’ or ‘for big people.’ In the Healing Hearts Program, kids get to use fun things like art supplies, recycled items, dolls, puppets, toys and games to process trauma and big emotions while feeling safe, making cool stuff, and playing fun games.

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Billy, eight years old, was having nightmares because someone broke into his house while the family slept. Now in the safety of the Crisis Nursery, Billy cried as he used dolls in the dollhouse to reenact the scary night. Registered Play Therapist at the Crisis Nursery, Lisa Cholley, helped him open up about what had happened and talk about some things he could do when he feels scared again such as taking deep breaths, writing or drawing his feelings in a journal, or talking to a trusted adult.

Even the age-old favorite, Candy Land, gets a re-boot in Play Therapy.

Sara, age 6, was yelling at other children and angrily throwing toys.

When she played Candy Land in her Play Therapy session, the rules changed a little bit. Each color represents a feeling; red is angry, blue is happy, green is scared, and so on. When Sara picked a red card, she would tell Lisa something that made her angry, when she pulled a blue card, she would talk about something that made her happy. By putting a name to her feelings, she was able to relieve the stress of holding all those feelings inside.

Many of the kids that stay at the Nursery may not make artwork at home because they do not have the art supplies available. During an Art Therapy session, children learn they can use recycled materials like cereal boxes, popsicle sticks, and plastic cups to be creative.

Seven-year-old Jacob wanted to make a ‘Helping Robot.’ He used a shoe box for the body, tongue depressors for arms, a pipe cleaner for an angry mouth, googly eyes, and plenty of stickers to make his robot. At the end of his Art Therapy session, he said, “I get mad a lot, and sometimes I wish I could give it away. I drew the things I am angry about and put them in the robot's brain. Now he can think about them, and I can go play.”

d GlaHearts

Artwork on display at Picasso's

Sparkly Heart

Wishing Stars artwork

The Crisis Nursery has been part of the St. Charles community for 26 years.

In 1992, the Crisis Nursery opened on the grounds of St. Joseph Hospital on First Capital Dr.; in 1997 the Nursery moved into its current location across the street. Because of increased demand, the Wentzville location was added in 2008. Since 1992, over 35,000 children have stayed at either the St. Charles or Wentzville locations.

“Making sure children feel safe and loved is a big part of what we do.” DiAnne Mueller, CEO of the Crisis Nursery, explained. “The Healing Hearts Program has helped hundreds and hundreds of children deal with trauma from gun violence, domestic violence, natural disasters, divorce, homelessness, the death of loved ones. These are things with which most adults would have trouble dealing. It is hard to see how much emotional baggage some of the children carry; it is so gratifying to help lighten the load. To just let them be kids.”

The Saint Louis Crisis Nursery is committed to preventing child abuse and neglect. The Crisis Nursery provides a short-term, safe haven for almost 7,000 children a year, birth through age 12, whose families face an emergency caused by illness, homelessness, domestic violence, or overwhelming parental stress.

The Crisis Nursery provides care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at five sites, serving families throughout the greater St. Louis, St. Charles, Southern Illinois and surrounding regions. Providing respite care to stressed parents in crisis prevents child abuse. The Crisis Nursery is an independent, not-for-profit agency. For more information on the Crisis Nursery, including ways to help, please call 314-292-5770 or go to CrisisNurseryKids.org

Angry Robot

*all children’s names have been changed ¤ Spring 2018

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FREEZIN’ REASON

GladHearts

Written by Jeff Stahlhut Photos courtesy of BTP by Alison

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for a

Finding people from the St. Charles/St. Louis area who have heard of Cupid’s Undie Run or Cupid’s Charities is fairly common. Less commonly known, though, is the reason Cupid’s Undie Run exists to begin with. And that is to find better treatment - and eventually a cure - for Neurofibromatosis.

The Cupid’s Undie Run raises money for the non-profit foundation called The Children’s Tumor Foundation, which has brought in a total of $14,500,000 since its founding in 2010.

According to the Mayo Clinic definition of Neurofibromatosis, or NF, it is “a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue. These tumors can develop anywhere in the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and nerves. Neurofibromatosis is usually diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood. The tumors are usually non-cancerous (benign), but sometimes can become cancerous (malignant).”

The Cupid’s Undie Run is an event involving people running one mile through downtown St. Louis in their underwear.

Its success can be largely attributed to Tonya Hall.

Tonya is also directly impacted by NF on multiple fronts. Not only does she have NF herself, but so do her son and her daughter.

While some runners may feel a little shy about what they do - or don’t - wear, or are concerned with the temperatures, Tonya says you shouldn’t be concerned with either.

“Last year it was 70 degrees and we loved it, but that’s not important,” said Tonya. “Comfort is not the goal. My daughter has a new tumor on the right side of her face. That’s not comfortable. They can’t take that off, so why should we put on extra clothes to make us feel better or feel warmer?

We always say that we’re out there ‘freezin’ for a reason’ and doing it for the kids. People can run in what they want to run in - all are welcome for sure - but that’s why we do it how we do it.”

“NF is an unpredictable disease

GladHearts

that can affect kids and adults in different ways,” said Tonya. “My daughter has it worse than I do, as do many others. You would not be able to tell just by seeing us that my son and I have it, but my daughter has a tumor on her face, a seizure condition, and she lost an eye. It’s just much more complicated than what we have.”

To make matters even more complicated, NF doesn’t always present itself in a predictable way.

“It can be hereditary - there’s a 50/50 chance if a parent has NF, a child will,” said Tonya. “But 1-in-2,000 births will see it randomly mutate, which makes it a very common disease that many people have but are not aware of it. But we have amazing doctors who dedicate their lives to this, including the doctor we see, Dr. Guttman.”

Dr. David Guttman, who works at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, comes with impressive credentials. As the director of the NF Program at Children’s, Dr. Guttman is internationally recognized for his work in NF, and was a member of the research group that identified the entire NF1 gene. He is the Donald O. Schnuck Family Professor of Neurology and Director of the Neurofibromatosis Center at Washington University School of Medicine, as well as Co-Director of the Neuro-Oncology Program at the Siteman Cancer Center and Washington University School of Medicine.

“He has really dedicated his life to it,” said Tonya.

“He is doing all he can to find a cure for NF. We just don’t know a lot and are trying to spread awareness.”

Awareness, meet Cupid’s Undie Run. What started in Washington, D.C. in 2010 through Cupid’s Charities as an effort to raise money to help research NF, Cupid’s Undie Run made its way to St. Louis in 2012. “We’ve really started to get it going, and now we have it to where we take over the PBR Bar at Ballpark Village downtown; we run in front of Busch Stadium and stop traffic, and it’s a really fun event,” said Tonya. “My friend, Heather Riley, who lost her daughter Nicole to NF a couple of years ago, brought me on as a participant originally.”

Tonya has been back every year since.

“You really get to know other people with NF. It’s become a yearly tradition for me to do the run, and have fun with it,” she said. “I look forward to it every year and sign up myself and my kids as soon as I can because it’s different than just a fun event. These kids deserve the world, and more and more are just not given that opportunity. You never know what it will do, so the more fundraising the better to help find a cure to give my kids - and kids like Nicole - the life they never got to have.”

This year’s run was on February 10 and was once again a rousing success.

“It really did go great this year.” said Tonya. “We had a little over 200 participants and have raised close to $46,000 so far. With final numbers including t-shirts sold at the event, we think it will end up close to $48,000. As a committee, we decided that if we hit $45,000 this year we would be happy, so anything more is just the cherry on top. We are happy to have any amount, and every little bit helps.”

“When someone registers they can choose to create a team, join a team, join a random team, it’s really up to the individual,” said Tonya. “Most, however, create a team so they can get their friends together!”

The event itself is not an actual race, Tonya pointed out, meaning there are no times actually kept. “But we do recognize the top three individual fundraisers and the top three teams who raise the most money,” she said. “The top three individuals get a medal and the top three teams get a trophy.”

Registration for the next Cupid’s Undie Run will open in October. The exact date will be released closer to that time. For more information about Cupid’s Undie Run, visit https://cupids.org/city/st-louis/. ¤

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BASKETS of GladHearts

Blessings Written by Jeff Stahlhut

Easter morning is a special time, for not only Christians but for children who come to equate the holiday with a celebration that includes candy, Easter Egg hunts, family, and Easter baskets.

Some, though, do not get the chance to celebrate Easter in a traditional way for any number of reasons. Thanks to two local charities, those who may have not otherwise received an Easter basket do so thanks to the kindness and generosity of others.

The two groups - Hayleigh’s Helping Hands and Alleluia Baskets - are headed up by Hayleigh Arbutti, a 19-year-old college student who attends the University of Arkansas and Karen Mesler, who recently stepped away from her full-time job to make Alleluia Baskets her life’s work.

The two got to where they are, though, in quite a different way.

“I fractured my back in a gymnastics competition in 2012, was sent to Cardinal Glennon to get x-rays and had to go back multiple times. I realized there were children there that were too sick and injured that could not go home for Easter,” said Arbutti.

“I wanted to do something for them, so in 2012 I deceived 50 Easter baskets to Cardinal Glennon and have since delivered not just to Cardinal Glennon but also Youth in Need, the Women’s Crisis Center, Our Lady’s Inn, and Progress West Pediatric Hospital.”

Arbutti saw that number grow to 482 last year when she teamed up with the St. Charles Police Department for it’s annual Easter Egg Hunt, and this year has a goal of making 1,000 baskets. That’s quite an accomplishment for one person and her family - especially considering the vast majority of the funding for the baskets is out of pocket.

“I come home from Arkansas about once a month to put the baskets together,” she said.

“My mom, dad, and a couple of friends do help out - we get them made, put them in 14 StreetScape Magazine

our cars and get them delivered - and are hoping to start delivering in Arkansas, too.”

Alleluia Baskets has a clear mission - to deliver Easter baskets to deserving children on Easter morning.

“I was teaching 8th grade religion in 2004 and I wanted to bring Easter to the awareness of more people and help out children, so I asked a dozen 8th graders to start a project,” said Mesler. “I challenged them - I bought them all baskets and asked them to bring things in to fill the baskets and we managed to fill 25. We had to go buy more things to fill the baskets and donated them to the St. Vincent DePaul Society.”

The number of baskets filled by Alleluia Baskets has reached 738 - a number that has pushed Mesler and her volunteers out of her home and into donated commercial space.

“We make requests for space donation every year, and once we get the ‘yes’ that’s all it takes.

We now service 33 different homes and shelters. We go to the places where the children are that have no place else to go. We do what we can to help children smile on Easter.”

While making baskets for kids of all ages - infants to 18 years old (with special care to customize for each age group, including no choking hazards for the littlest among them) - Mesler says Alleluia Baskets delivers from Troy, Old Monroe, Independence, and Springfield, MO to the Illinois side of the river and everywhere in between.

“We start filling these in January so that parents or caregivers can hand them out on Easter morning. We make them available two to four weeks in advance so we can either deliver them or they can be picked up,” she said. “We do all of this with support from Central County Fire and Rescue, Knights of Columbus Council 1587, families, volunteers, other groups, and Rom Hamann American Family Insurance, who has made sure we are 100% covered with donated insurance.”

For both Arbutti and Mesler, the opportunity to make a difference on Easter is what makes it all worthwhile.

“This is where I need to be,” said Mesler. “I do this with love, for love, and out of love.”

“It’s amazing to see their faces knowing I am making a difference in a child’s life,” said Arbutti.

“I would recommend this to anyone. It changes your life seeing the impact you make on their lives.”

For anyone interested in donating to Hayleigh’s Helping Hands, they have a GoFundMe set up that is set to remain active indefinitely at https://www.gofundme.com/hayleighs-helping-hands.

Alleluia Baskets has places for donations, volunteers, and sponsors at http://alleluiabaskets.org/. ¤

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GladHearts

CELEBRATING

Written by Christine Rutherford & Lauren Hall | Photos courtesy of Community Living For 40 years, Community Living, Inc. has been committed to excellence and compassion in providing innovative services and opportunities for people with disabilities.

Community Living was established in 1978 to provide services to people with disabilities after Senate Bill 40 passed in St. Charles County. A day activity center now called Support Services for Adults was the first program of the agency.

Joe is a favorite employee at Steak ‘n Shake with his coworkers and customers.

Money raised for Community Living’s Technology Fund was used to grant 24 participants with needed technology, including Caleb who received an iPad Pro and Otterbox.

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For those not familiar with the agency, what it does is simple: It works to enrich the lives of people with disabilities so they can achieve their highest potential by providing children and adults with services and programs that allow them to live, learn and work in our community. In turn, they make our community inclusive, diverse and a better place to live.

The agency’s mission comes to life in stories of its impact in the community. Some of the families and individuals the agency serves have shared their amazing stories on the agency website. Joe, an individual who uses Employment Services, works part-time at Steak ‘n Shake. “Joe is a phenomenal worker and always brings positive energy here,” Bethany Klohr, Restaurant Manager at Steak ‘n Shake, said. “Every time he comes in, everyone lifts up and the morale jumps up.

Everyone smiles when they’re around him.”

This past summer, 24 individuals received technology through the agency’s Technology Fund. Caleb, a participant of the SOAR program, received an iPad Pro. His mom, Rosetta, shared this: “For me to see how excited he was, it comes from a grateful heart. Everything Community Living does as a whole has opened so many doors for him that he would never have had access to otherwise.”

Community Living has experienced a lot of growth and changes over the past 40 years.

The agency offers six life enriching programs to over 1,000 individuals with disabilities

and their families. Today the agency employs nearly 450 people, with the majority providing personalized client care at 20 service locations throughout St. Charles County.

A major highlight of the agency’s history is its merger with Family Support Services in July of 2010. This merger allows Community Living to be there from early childhood to adulthood, helping people with disabilities lead as independent and productive lives as possible.

Each of Community Living’s programs has experienced significant growth since its beginning. Some highlights include the Residential program which provides services to 60 individuals living in 15 homes throughout the County; its first program, Support Services for Adults, has grown from serving 11 adults to 114; the Adult Recreation program began offering on average 10-20 events per month and now offers 60-70 events per month and the In-Home Respite program has grown to serving 753 families from 53.

Not only have the employees, service sites and programs grown but the agency has had 70 board members since 1978 and volunteers have provided over 50,000 hours of service.

Community Living began its year-long anniversary celebration at its kick-off party on January 25th where staff, board members and supporters celebrated the unveiling of the agency’s 40th logo. The agency invites you to help continue the celebration at its Big Kahuna Bartender Challenge on June 26 at Gettemeier’s in St. Peters and at its Swing 4 Kids Golf Classic at the Links at Dardenne on August 3.

To learn more about services, events, volunteer and job opportunities visit www.communitylivingmo.org. Be sure to follow Community Living on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. ¤

GladHearts Members of the Adult Recreation program have been enjoying Archery since 1981.

The Adult Recreation Panthers basketball team has really grown since 1983.

Since the beginning, dances have been a favorite activity of the Adult Recreation Program.

Spring 2018

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Dynamic Duo

Rick & Mary

Leach

Shared Passions Drew Them Together Written by Amy Armour | Photos courtesy of the Leach Famiiy

A love of children and a commitment to community drew a St. Charles couple together more than three decades ago— that same love later helped them survive a personal tragedy.

Rick and Mary Leach met by happenstance through work after each moved across the country for Jet America Airlines. Mary, born and raised in Alaska, moved to California to get into the airline business. Rick, a Midwest boy from St. Charles, moved to California for a new management position. They became friends first, and found a mutual love for volunteerism and giving back to the community.

Rick was heavily involved in volunteer work back home in St. Charles, and he wanted to continue that in California.

“My mother volunteered for everything, whether it was at church or for the March

of Dimes,” said Rick, who also volunteered for the Kidney Foundation, cystic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy. “As a kid, my mother instilled in me the importance of volunteering and giving back.”

Rick found a short-term group home for children that he fell in love with.

“I noticed that on the weekends when all the other kids had families come to visit, this one kid (Shawn) never had anybody,” said Rick. “I quickly decided that I was going to start coming and being there just for him.”

Mary started going with Rick to visit Shawn, and the three of them started hanging out regularly. The first time out together was a drive-in movie—a first for Mary.

“It doesn’t get dark in the summer and it’s too cold in the winter,” she said.

Shortly after, the couple had their first ‘official’ date at the Lionel Richie concert. And exactly one year later the couple said their wedding vows.

“Shawn was around us all the time, so it was a very odd courtship for Mary and I because we’re starting to get to know each other, but we have this nine-year-old who’s very needy, but at the same time really a great influence on our lives,” said Rick.

Shawn became an important part of the couple’s lives, so much that he chose the engagement ring for Mary—and proposed to her.

“I wasn’t going to propose until a couple of days later when it was just Mary and I, but we get to Mary’s apartment and Shawn grabs the ring and runs up Mary’s steps ahead of me,” said Rick.

“And it’s Shawn who asks Mary if she will marry us.”

And while it was not at all like Rick planned, it was even more special when Mary said

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So the couple decided to channel that devastating grief and focus their energy on working with the youth. Rick has been on the board of directors at YIN for the last 25 years, and Mary worked with teen parents.

yes. A few months after the engagement, Rick petitioned for guardianship of Shawn.

Since the couple was not married, it would take another year following the marriage before Shawn could officially be adopted.

“He was our son all along,” said Rick. “We were not going to let Shawn get forgotten.”

Just before the adoption Rick, Mary and Shawn moved back to St. Charles to be close to family. The family expanded over the years when the couple had four additional children: Sarah, Jennifer, Kate and Ricky.

As a teen, Shawn volunteered as a peer counselor for Youth In Need.

“He was one of the first peer counselors,” said Rick. “He would befriend kids in the program and he was very effective.”

In 1994, the family experienced a great tragedy. At the age of 19, Shawn passed away to suicide.

“He had a lot of demons from abuse in his childhood,” said Rick.

After Shawn’s death, Rick said family and friends offered support, but there were no words to express the loss.

“Nobody really knows what to say, they want to help you. We have amazing friends and family... but they could never really relate to what we were going through,” said Rick.

Jim Brown, former executive director for Youth In Need (YIN), reached out to the family and helped Rick and Mary learn to channel the grief.

“You never get over it, you become different,” said Rick. “You learn to have the strength to talk about it. You learn how to channel that grief in a different way that makes you stronger.”

“When you see these kids from not the best circumstances, how they start maturing--even being able to live on their own and having their own successes in life--that’s really rewarding,” said Mary.

The entire family got involved with the teens participating in the transitional living program.

“They embraced it and thought it was an adventure,” said Rick. “They got to meet new and neat people.”

The family would visit the teens at the Youth In Need transitional homes for game night or dinner. Or the Leach family would all go bowling, see a movie or play demolition ball.

“We didn’t act like it was a chore or a duty.

It was just something we wanted to do,” said Mary. “We made it pleasant. We made it fun.”

“The kids just thought it was a good time,” said Rick.

Over the years, Mary and Rick were honored as a Celebration of Youth Honoree for Youth In Need, and the couple was also named Volunteer of the Year.

In addition to Youth In Need, the family has been involved with numerous charities, including Five Acres, St. Jude, Village of the Blue Rose, and Community Living Inc. On March 3, Rick was honored with the Legacy Award from Community Living Inc. for his decades of community service to the organization.

Youth In Need also named an annual award after Shawn, which the couple introduces and hands out each year at the Legacy Ball.

Shawn was an artist who loved to draw and used his art as a form of therapy. His photo hangs on the wall in the Art Gallery at the YIN corporate office.

Shawn was adopted, the family couldn’t do a DNA test. Rick asked the mother to send a picture of the little girl.

“They sent a picture... and they looked like twins,” said Rick. “Mary and I knew immediately that this had to be his daughter. We had no doubt, but we needed proof.”

When Shawn passed away, the family donated his corneas. Grasping at straws, Rick contacted the hospital to see if there was a plasma sample that could be tested for DNA. The lab technician explained to Rick that the samples are spun down, and that only the white blood cells are kept. The red blood cells house the DNA. Rick asked if she would just check. Three days later, the hospital called the family.

“She said I cannot explain it; I have tens of thousands of these samples but for some reason this sample did not get spun down,” said Rick. The lab was able to retrieve DNA from the sample, to prove that the child was in fact, Shawn’s daughter.

“It was just a crazy blessing,” said Rick, whose granddaughter is now 25.

Shawn passed away within the first year of his daughter’s life, and he was unaware of her existence. The family shared all of their memories of Shawn with the daughter he never had the chance to meet.

“We’ve always kept Shawn very present in our lives,” said Rick. “He was our son. He wasn’t our adopted son. He was our son.”

When the couple isn’t out volunteering their time, talent and treasure, they have found a new love—grandchildren. Rick and Mary now have three granddaughters who have shown the couple the joys of being grandparents.

“We knew it would be fun (to be grandparents), but it’s beyond fun,” said Rick.

“Seeing our oldest granddaughter grow up and mature into an awesome adult is really satisfying,” said Mary.

So their love of children, and of Community... continues. ¤

“He has continued to impact lives even after he passed away,” said Rick.

About eight years after Shawn’s death, the family received some shocking news. Jim Brown came to Rick’s office and shared that there was a young woman who thought that Shawn was the father to her nine-year-old daughter.

The family was skeptical, but since Spring 2018

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Home Sweet Home

HOMEBUYING

7

DO'S & DON'TS

Written by Kyle Hannegan

DO Research the Neighborhood

Look at the house, but also look at the neighborhood. Location is the most important thing, so it's critical to look at more than bricks and mortar. How can you choose the right community? Become a neighborhood detective. Figure out what you're looking for, do research and find a neighborhood that fits your description.

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DO Look at Several Houses Before You Buy

Buying the first house you look at it is kind of like marrying the first person you go on a date with -- not necessarily a good idea. If you buy a home without comparing it to other listings in the area, you're likely to overpay or miss out on a great nearby home. Walk through at least three homes before you choose. If you still love the first one you saw, make an offer!

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DO Invest in a Professional Inspector

Sellers don't always know every possible thing that has happened to the home over it's life. Sometimes these houses have had many owners with much upgrading over the years by each different owner or a one owner home and they haven't done work for many years.

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Home inspectors can look beyond the fresh coat of paint to find costly underlying problems. Hire an experienced professional -- it will save you time, money and possible house-induced heartache later on.

DO Buy Based on Needs, Not Wants

The average American lives in the same home for about 5-7 years, so it's crucial to consider your long-term and short term needs when buying a home. A 2-bedroom house with a gourmet kitchen may dazzle you today, but will you still be enamored down the road when your family starts to grow? Make a list of your needs and stick to it to avoid buyer's remorse down the road.

x DON'T Buy a House for its Decor

A home might have gorgeous furnishings at the showing, but it needs to accommodate your furnishings and lifestyle after the sellers pack up their sofa. Look past a home's decor and make sure the space will accommodate your lifestyle and furnishings. Are the spaces functional and efficient for your daily routine? You might love how a seller has transformed an extra bedroom into a crafting space, but will it be big enough for your twins' bunk beds? Focus on the floor plan and the square footage to decide if a home is right for you.

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DON'T Trust Everything You Read in a Real Estate Ad

As with all marketing, it is the listing agent’s job to generate interest in the home and make you feel like it is the best house ever! Your buyers agent will help you read between the lines, so you can be better prepared with what the home is offering. Like any ad, real estate classifieds are meant to pique your interest enough to make you take a closer look. Be a savvy buyer and decode the clever phrases sellers use to draw you in.

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Spring 2018

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Ask the Expert

Before

After

It happens when you least expect it. You look around your favorite rooms and discover that you are tired of everything you own.Your living space no longer appeals to your senses. There is nowhere to add anything new, not enough money to start from scratch and you feel incapable of making the changes necessary to breathe life into your home.

You could, of course, hire an interior decorator if you are prepared to purchase all the goods to complete your makeover. Or with the guidance of some of your favorite “idea people” at April’s on Main and Designs by Ave’ it is possible that you could learn to rearrange, landscape, group and layer your existing décor so that it takes on a whole new feel. These techniques will most likely minimize the amount of space used and allow for the addition of missing elements needed to make you smile again.

Before moving everything around you should decide if your paint color needs a facelift. If so, consider really altering it. That’s right – not changing to another neutral color that works with everything, but rather a deeper, brighter color that compliments your current furniture and accessories. We have a variety of wall colors in our stores and are continually amazed at the range of responses elicited by simply hanging a picture on different paint colors. Paint is cheap but it can really be a mood setter. So while everyone is going with multiple shades of grey, try something outside the typical choice that really shows your personality.

Once you are ready to make placement changes, identify the pieces of furniture that are visual rather than functional.You can have the most fun when there are no restrictions. Large mantels, sofa tables and low cabinets provide nice surfaces and wall space. Begin with the largest elements and keep in mind that wall art does not need to be hung. What you layer/landscape in front of pictures may be relative to the art itself. If your picture is abstract you can choose mirrors, metals, or other artwork showcased in front of or leaning into the backdrop. When working around a beautiful landscape painting, try to incorporate items that give you the feel of dimension, like trees, flowers, lanterns, birds and animals. Work other elements in and around the main focal point to enrich the area and soften the edges. This technique may use up more items than originally displayed and free up space for something new.

Written by April Moxley Photos Courtesy of Mike McManus Shelving is another area that can be difficult to arrange. Built in bookshelves on opposite sides of a fireplace are among the places that cause customers the most struggle. Most notably this is the area that gathers all the small gifts, collectibles and heirlooms passed down from our relatives. It is easy to get tired of trying to make sense out of all these unrelated items.

But it can be done. Start first by grouping items that make sense together.You very likely can pull

items from multiple shelves and landscape them into a single shelf, freeing up more space. Some items deserve solo placement while others are best shown in a grouping. Solid green orbs or something similar on various shelves will give your eyes a break from all the decorations and provide some continuity.

Coffee table trays are a great way to encapsulate an assortment of decorations within a specific space. People are often perplexed as to what to do with them. You can consider the similar technique as applied to your sofa table or your shelves but should keep in mind that this is an area that will be seen all around. Develop your grouping with varying heights, colors and textures.

Unless you are planning to buy new upholstered furniture (we can help with that, too), colorful pillows are a common remedy in updating your look. Of course if you already opted for a more vibrant wall color you will probably want the pillows to change as well. Any florals that are no longer impressive can be made over or replaced using the same container. David, our floral designer is outstanding when it comes to perking up old arrangements.

April’s staff is always ready to offer up suggestions to assist you in creating a home that makes you glad you live there. We love it when customers bring pictures, swatches and dimensions of their concerns. Remember to capture photos of surrounding areas so we can fully visualize your style and colors. We are here to help you in the store but for more detailed assistance, we make house calls. ¤

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What's

Under

Foot?

Written by & Photos courtesy of Heidi Sowatsky SWAT Design Team Decorating Den Interiors

Every home renovation project on television lately has all new wood floors. With the new wood floors, that new space needs area rugs. At first it might feel wrong to cover up the beautiful new floors you just spent a fortune on, but in the long run, you will want an area rug.

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Area rugs provide an extra layer of insulation for your feet, providing both real and perceived warmth, and absorbing sound. They can change the feel of the room in an instant. As the “fifth wall,” the floor can showcase your personal style, set the color scheme, and give the room some excitement with a decorative statement.

For rooms with busy interiors, I generally recommend delicately patterned or symmetrically designed area

For even more great ideas, check out our blog at SWATDesignBlog.com

rugs, with subdued coloring. Such area rug styles compliment a room without overpowering existing artistry.

For rooms with fireplaces, where the fireplace is intended as the focal point, repetitive, subtle patterned rugs (as opposed to medallion or other bold styles) are ideally suited. Look for an area rug with colors that blend well with existing paint, furniture, and other design elements.

If the interior is generally subdued without a lot of patterns, a bold area rug can really set the tone. The right rug is a quick and relatively inexpensive way to provide a tired room with a whole new look. For informal spaces, consider that the symmetry of a center medallion rug makes it more formal and more difficult to use with furniture arrangements that aren’t also symmetrical.

SIZE MATTERS There are a lot of factors to consider when selecting an area rug, but the number one mistake that home owners make when selecting a rug is the size. Most home owners start with a rug that is too small. In a retailer’s showroom a 5x8 area rug hanging up on one of those swinging rug racks looks really large. At home, however, it can feel completely inappropriate.

So what size do you need? The appropriate rug size is based on the furniture configuration and the room size.

The correct rug will fill the space properly and make the rug and the

room look their best. Rugs help define the living space. Ironically, a larger rug can often make a room look bigger.

For a living room, the minimum size rug to consider is a 5x8. Anything smaller just looks like a postage stamp under the coffee table. For a small space, the 8’ length can run the length of the sofa, with a little bit of room on either end for a chair. For most living spaces, however, an 8x10 or larger rug is appropriate. This allows for the front feet of all the furniture in a seating group to sit on the rug. The larger your conversation area, the larger rug you will need to encompass all of the seating.

In a dining room, select a rug that allows for enough space for all chair legs to stay on the rug when the chairs are pulled away from the table.

This means that the rug will be about 5 to 6 feet larger than your table. For a typical 72” x 40” rectangular dining room table, the rug should be at least 8 x 11.

For a bedroom, the rug can be placed under just two of the feet so that at least 24” of rug shows on three sides of the bed. It is nice to have the rug large enough to reach almost all the way up to the nightstand so you can feel the softness under your feet when you get out of bed.

More than one area rug may be placed in the same room, as long as the colors are coordinated. Rugs of varied sizes tend to go together best; same-sized rugs tend to divide a room in halves.

Always leave some floor showing around the edge of the room. Area rugs are not meant to go wall to wall.

When shopping for a rug, measure your space and your furniture arrangement first. You can avoid the number one reason for returning a rug by following these guidelines. If you are having trouble finding the right rug, call the SWAT Design Team / Decorating Den Interiors at 636-244-1623. ¤ Spring 2018

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26 StreetScape Magazine

Tom Feldewerth

The

Flower Petaler

Mary Swinney

Written by Sarah J. Moeller Photos by Michael Schlueter and courtesy of The Flower Petaler

For nearly half a century, Tom Feldewerth, shopkeeper at The Flower Petaler on South Main Street-St Charles, has delighted generations of area families with items such as custom flower arrangements, home decor items, antiques, and lamps, but most importantly, with his open door and generous heart. For many patrons, a pilgrimage to The Flower Petaler has even become a family tradition; people that grew up going to his store with their parents will often return with kids of their own, and the ritual becomes even more established.

At certain times of the year, the shop is especially festive. During Christmas, Easter, and fall, the entire downstairs is transformed into a beautiful depiction of the corresponding holiday or season. He has recently added Karen Didion Original Santas to his Christmas collection.

Even though technology, new trends, and even the pace of life has changed dramatically over the decades, people know they can always find a haven in his shop.

Tom has an amazing memory, which definitely helps make people feel special, because of his recall of details they have shared with him over the years. He also hands out cookies, a tradition that he appropriated from a lady who once served him a treat in her own shop. Also, besides being a good listener, and offering refreshments, Tom clearly wants to make things comfortable otherwise for every visitor that comes inside. In an age where the number of establishments who offer public restrooms is declining, Tom has bucked this trend, knowing that shoppers would appreciate this amenity. However, it doesn’t matter if they decide to make a purchase or just look around. All visitors, young and old, are welcome to come and browse the shelves, get a bite to eat, and just enjoy the atmosphere.

That welcome extends to individuals of the animal kingdom as well.

Once, many years ago, a stray kitten came to his store. Tom and his crew cared for her, and paid for her to get the proper medical treatment. In the years following, the shop would eventually come to host around 500 of these creatures (but not all at once!) who needed rescuing. Tom was very glad that he had the resources to do this, but remains humble about his part in the matter. For him, giving back to the community is simply the right thing to do. It is no surprise, then, that in addition to the complimentary “people treats” he offers, he will often put water dishes outside for his four-legged customers.Yes, even pets are welcome to come “shop” with their owners, in keeping with his desire to make everyone feel at home.

This warm atmosphere he wanted to promote in his shop was already at play in his previous job as well. Feldewerth hasn’t always designed flower arrangements or sold home decor. In the late sixties to the late seventies, he was a teacher at the Ft. Zumwalt school district, covering the subjects of French and English. However, even though it has been several decades since he stood in front of a chalkboard, it comes as no surprise that many of his students still remember him and contact him. For his recent 75th birthday, over a hundred of them sent birthday wishes, for example. Clearly, he has always connected well with people, and they remember and appreciate that.

While his store now spans almost twenty rooms, and is about fifteen thousand square feet in size, it wasn’t always that way. Before he ever opened up shop, he said he was “very intrigued” with the St. Charles area. He began to do a little research, asking about rental prices and availability, etc. Eventually he secured one room in the Crow’s Nest, which wasn’t an ideal location, but was definitely a good place to start. It was located way up off the street, and customers had to take a circuitous route up and down some stairs just to reach him.

At the time, his first employee, his sister Mary Swinney, was working for him, and she said he needed to do something “irresistible” to shift the dynamics a bit and increase sales. He would stand on the sidewalk and ask people to come up, and once they reached his shop, Mary would charm them with her effervescent personality. Naturally, this led to more and more sales, which in turn allowed his business to grow so that he could eventually have the means to operate everything from a better location.

Back in the early days of his business, in the beginning of the 1970s, this first little rented room was just one of about ten shops in the area. Over time, he transitioned from renting to buying, and then from this initial room to nearly a score of them: as the neighbors would move out The Flower Petaler would often acquire their unit, expanding many times over the years. The buildings he owns are all original--they are from 1810, which predates the founding of Missouri by almost a dozen years, and which perfectly suit a shop like his. Sometimes, major restoration was needed, however, to bring the newly acquired quarters up to par with the existing shop, and to maintain continuity of decor. One expansion even required gutting almost down to the frame.

In addition to the metamorphosis of the Flower Petaler’s physical layout, its product line has also changed somewhat over the years.

While Tom has always offered traditional flower arrangements, certain colors will trend, and sometimes certain flowers are in demand at one time more than another. His antiques are unique--he doesn’t know of other places that offer the same exact pieces that he does.

Nowadays, in addition to florals, he also offers lamps, furniture, and other home decor items. One thing that has remained constant over the years, however, is that Tom himself still personally designs flower arrangements; although he is in his seventies, a “septuagenarian,” he says, he thankfully has been blessed with good health to continue doing that. It was this desire for freedom and creativity that first drew him to open up this kind of shop, after all.

Tom hasn’t kept this creative and generous spirit just to himself and his patrons, however. While the people who have passed through his shop over the years have definitely been beneficiaries of his kindness, others beyond the walls of his business have been recipients of his generosity as well. He is a supporter of the Crisis Nursery, and funded their first garden party. He is also a benefactor of the Five Acre Animal Shelter. As mentioned earlier, hundreds of stray cats have found sanctuary and help in Tom, before they went to their forever homes. Also, as previously mentioned, were the students whose lives he invested in, during the decade before becoming self-employed.

From the classroom to the Calla Lily, he has always been one to give back to his community. ¤

Spring 2018

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Spring 2018

29

Health &Fitness

Written by Courtney Tucker, Creator of

Remember that New Year’s resolution you set a few months ago? How is that going? If you’ve “fallen off the wagon,” that’s okay! You don’t have to wait until January 1 to push the “reset” button and get re-energized about making changes in 2018. Henry Moore said, “I think in terms of the day’s resolutions, not the years.’” Every day is a new chance to create a better you.

I want to first address a common mistake I see when it comes to making resolutions. Many people set goals rather than resolutions, and it’s important to understand the difference here. You see, a goal has a specific finish line (i.e. “lose 12 pounds”). And if you don’t accomplish your goal within the first few weeks of the new year, you’re more likely to become discouraged and give up. A resolution, on the other hand, does not have a deadline or a final destination.

A resolution is “a firm decision to do or not to do something.” It’s a commitment to improving your way of living, thinking, or behaving long-term. It’s ongoing.

If you set goals at the beginning of this year, but no resolutions, I encourage you to take some time to set your resolutions now. Here are a few examples of health and fitness related resolutions: • Get daily physical activity • Avoid fast food • Consume more whole foods • Drink more water • Meditate Once you’ve decided on your resolutions, you can set specific goals that align with them. The good news is, by adhering to your resolutions, you may reach your goals naturally. For example, by following your resolution to “avoid fast food,” you may lose 12 pounds as a result. Make sense?

Now that you’ve reset your resolutions for 2018, here are my top 3 tips for sticking to your resolutions all year long.

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blogs, Facebook groups, and social media networks for people with similar goals to get in shape. Once you’re connected in one of these communities, vocalize your goals with the group, so they know how to best support you.

1. SET REMINDERS. Right now, while the ideas are fresh in your head, set up a system so you are reminded of your resolutions every day. This could be a post-it note on your refrigerator, a screensaver on your computer, or an alert on your phone. It should be something that is in your face, so even on your busiest days, you will be reminded. And let’s be honest, the busy days are the days we need the reminder the most.

2. GET ACCOUNTABILITY. Accountability means having someone check in with you regularly. Someone who is expecting you to follow through with what you say you’re going to do.

When you have external accountability, you are far more likely to stacy on track. This is why so many people hire trainers and coaches. Yes, to provide the education, but also to hold them accountable for showing up and putting in the work. Here are a few ways to get accountability for your health and fitness resolutions: Recruit a Friend. I bet you have at least one friend who wants to improve his/her health. You can schedule times to meet for workouts, or just put a system in place to check in with one another every week.

Attend Group Classes. Group classes can be a great way to get you in the door. You don’t have to plan anything. You just need to show up, and then someone else will be there to motivate you. Introduce yourself to other participants in the class. Once they’ve seen you there a few times, they can be great accountability buddies for you.

Hire a Personal Trainer. You’re much less likely to bail on your workout when you have an appointment with a trainer. Once there, a good trainer will challenge you to work harder than you would otherwise. If you’re lucky, they may even help provide accountability for the days you’re not meeting with them.

Join an Online Community. There are so many

Hire an Online Coach. As an online coach myself, I believe this is the most effective and most efficient form of accountability. A good online coach will provide you with the tools and the resources to be successful, then check in with you regularly. They will be available to you when you need them, and get back to you in a timely manner. Many coaches create an online community (as mentioned above) with their clients, so they can support one another and act as another layer of accountability.

3. REWARD YOURSELF ALONG THE WAY. Even adults respond to rewards. Of course there are inherent rewards with getting fit and healthy (more confidence, more energy, feeling incredible, reduced risk of disease, etc.), but rewarding yourself for the small successes along the journey can help keep you motivated. Often times, people focus only on their BHAG (big, hairy, audacious goal), and therefore, they overlook their day-to-day progress. If this is you, then you probably feel discouraged and are ready to give up because “it’s not working.”

Instead, shift your focus to the baby steps that lead to your BHAG. Set mini goals to reach along the way. I encourage you to have a combination of physical and habitual mini goals. A physical goal could be losing the next 5 pounds of your 30 pound weight loss goal or doing 10 consecutive push-ups. A habitual goals might be eating 4 servings of vegetables a day for 10 days in a row, or getting into bed by 10:00 each night for 2 weeks.

When you achieve one of these mini goals, reward yourself! Treat yourself to a pedicure or a massage.

Buy yourself a new pair of workout pants or a cute sports bra. I encourage you to stay away from food rewards. When you reward yourself with food, you’re telling yourself that certain foods are “off limits” or “cheat meals” and this can lead to a negative relationship with food. Instead, I believe in a Flexible Dieting approach, in which no foods are off limits, but you learn how to consume foods in moderation and optimally fuel your body. Visit www.empoweru.life to download my free Ebook, Macros, Micros, and Food Freedom, to learn more about Flexible Dieting.

There’s a lot of 2018 left. What will you do to reset, and make your resolutions last? *For coaching inquiries, email courtney@empoweru.life ¤

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Spring 2018

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e your child’s pediatrician vider complete this form. ng this prescription form to your registration paperwork. for:

_________________________

d to Toe weight management

Who:

estrictions:

_________________________

Kids age 8-17 who are at risk for obesity and interested in weight management, fitness and healthier living

Cost:

_________________________

$60 for 17 sessions

h Care Provider Name

To register, call: 314.454.KIDS (5437) or 800.678.KIDS (5437)

_________________________

h Care Provider’s Signature:

_________________________

ber: _____________________

r: _______________________

_________________________

For more information about specific dates, times, and locations or to register for the program, please call 314.454.KIDS or 800.678.KIDS.

KEEP YOUR

© 2015 | St. Louis Children’s Hospital | All Rights Reserved

_________________________

_________________________

Written by Nikki Peters, MA, PLPC

Family's Heartbeat

STRONG & HEALTHY The Obesity Action Coalition estimates that children of overweight parents have an 80% chance of being overweight themselves. At first glance, the uninformed individual might easily attribute this statistic to genetic predisposition. Upon further inspection, however, it is evident that the correlation is not within the genetic makeup, but in the family environment itself. Genetics actually only account for a very small portion of a weight-related familial connection. Food and eating habits as well as physical and/or sedentary activities, are often modeled by the parents and acted out by those in the family system. While this research and information may be readily available, it can be overwhelming and daunting to determine how to turn around an “unhealthy family ship.” It is not uncommon for many of us to feel alone and trapped by our lives of busy-ness and paralyzed to act on well-meaning information before us.

defined by St. Louis Children’s Hospital as a “weight management program that helps children, teens and their parents learn to make healthier lifestyle choices.”

Originally, the program began with only two families meeting with a Physical Therapist and Dietician in 2001. The program continued to grow, eventually incorporating paid staff members and a detailed program. Today, this program involves attendance at 17 classes, 90 minutes each, which address various topics and issues to help foster a healthier lifestyle. Topics covered in these classes include: exercise, body image and self-esteem, communication within the family, how to cope with stress, and other health and nutrition topics.

It is not uncommon for individuals to misinterpret such sedentary activities as“binge-watching TV.” The rise in technological advancements has created this problem of too much “screen time.” Activity can now be replaced by iPads, iPhones, and computers that do the work of entertaining, so individuals do not have to do the work of being active and entertaining themselves. It is research and information such as this that lends support for a local program offered

by BJC HealthCare available through St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

Children and teens ages 8-17 may participate in the program if assistance is needed in areas of weight management, nutrition education, and the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle to reduce the risk of obesity. Assessments are administered to both the parents and children at the start and completion of the program. Children in the program also complete a fitness assessment, which encompasses “curl-ups, sit and reach, modified push-ups, and a cardiovascular endurance test.” Active participation in Head to Toe by children, the parents, and applicable teens is expected.

Sensing and responding to a need, BJC HealthCare has made a program available to the community known as Head to Toe, and is

Participants have the added benefit of meeting for a free orientation time with the Head to Toe Team prior to the start of the

32 | StreetScape Magazine

sessions. This orientation time is required, and must have taken place before the class begins. During this session, families will be able to get their schedules, receive further clarity on class expectations, and secure their place in an upcoming session. This connection time allows for a greater opportunity for both the team and participating families to get to know each other a little better.

The Head to Toe Team is comprised of three major players or disciplines: A registered Dietician to help the family recognize healthy food choices, a Social Worker to promote self-confidence in the family system, and an Exercise Expert who will orchestrate interactive games in session, as well as teach the families how to become more active. To register for an informative orientation session, you may call: (314) 454-KIDS (5437).

To eliminate confusion, Head to Toe is very clear on the expectations for the participants in the program. Participants are to come to session ready to explore the realm of fitness in the appropriate shoes and clothes needed to do so. Session families should be prepared to join in! Everyone is expected to contribute to the game and activities, unless medical restrictions prevent them from doing so. Members are expected to exercise their brain muscle by remaining open and thoughtful in the Head to Toe process. In addition, the heart needs to be open, and possess the courage ready to make an ongoing lifestyle change.

Classes are available in both the Spring and Fall at assorted locations. For now, all classes are held at BJC at The Commons, 4249 Clayton Ave., Conference Room 101, St. Louis, MO 63110. As Head to Toe has grown, location availability has broadened to Boone County Hospital in Columbia, MO, Cerner Medical in Kansas City, MO, Parkland Hospital in Farmington, MO and Progress West Hospital in O'Fallon, MO. The cost for all 17 sessions as well as the assistance of the Head to Toe team, is $60. Insurance will not cover the cost of this service. However, it is possible that financial assistance, scholarships, or sibling discounts may be available for families needing additional funding to participate in the program.

As an added bonus, payment reimbursement is available for the families that complete all 17 classes.

Health &Fitness The educational family fun does not have to end once the 17 sessions are completed. Mini-meetings are open to the whole family upon completion of the program to further encourage athletic movement and nutritional eating. Even the St. Louis Children’s Hospital website holds resources on exercise and nutrition, should one become forgetful or lost along the healthy journey. The Obesity Action Coalition offers that building a healthier, more active family does not have to be an overwhelming task. Setting clear and manageable family goals may go a long way in creating a sustainable and healthy family environment.

The Obesity Action Coalition acknowledges that change is difficult.

We humans are creatures of habit and will happily dodge practices and behaviors that are unknown to us, even if the new practices are beneficial to our overall functioning and quality of life. Fear is a motivator that leads many to resist change; fear often drives a once sound support system to pull away or react in unexpected ways. In addition, it is helpful to be aware that family members and others expected to be a support system may not be in favor of healthy changes. They may be fearful that these actions require them to change as well, or that once the objectives are achieved, their support will no longer be necessary. Nevertheless, it is possible to get resistant family and friends on board with the help of insight from the Head to Toe team, as well as a commitment and dedication to this courageous process.

Celebrations are in order for the small victories and the achievement of momentous family goals. This program may not be for the faint of heart, but it is for those who desire for the heartbeat of their family system to be strong. Head to Toe provides a well thought out and constructed program that offers social supports and practical tools to combat the obesity epidemic, and suggests that a positive correlation can exist between the family environment and the overall health of its members. For those interested in the program, individuals with questions, or for more information, please contact Jill Schnurbusch at jill.schnurbusch@bjc.org or call (314)286-2139. ¤

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FORWARD M My Mom used to say that, “age is a state of mind.”

Her sentiment being that while the physical body ages, the mind and lively spirit of the individual does not have to. I can recall the boisterous laughing and sarcasm of my Grandmother, and the look on my Great-Grandmother’s face when she went for a ride on an ATV in her 90’s.

Age does not have to limit our motivation for social interactions and adventures.

34 StreetScape Magazine

MOTION

for the Young at Heart Written by Nikki Peters, MA, PLPC

However, there are times when the reality of ageing clashes against the “young at heart” ideology. As we advance in age and experience, we may find our eyesight is not as sharp as it once was, or our bodies do not move in quite the same way. It is in these times when a little help or support is needed from others to help us accomplish the goals our mind and soul have that our body cannot help us carry out. It is at this stage of life when a service like that which iTNAmerica provides, becomes invaluable.

Katherine Freund created iTNAmerica when an 84 year-old-driver injured her three-year-old son. She became burdened by the realization that there was not an organization or structure available to meet the needs of senior adults who required transportation assistance. From this experience, Freund decided to find a way to meet the unmet need. As a result, iTNAmerica was born, standing for “Independent Transportation Network of America.”

Today, this service boasts 13 affiliates with services available in 12 states, including Missouri. Furthermore, iTNStCharles has a home in our own backyard.

Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, those 65 and older and/ or adults with visual impairments in the St. Charles area, can call on the trained drivers of iTNStCharles for a ride, regardless of the specific need for the ride.

49% of individuals utilizing iTNStCharles still retain a drivers license, but opt to use the services of iTNStCharles regardless. For an annual membership fee of $50 for a single person and $75 for a family membership, individuals can take advantage of this service for less than it would cost to get a taxi.

Individuals do not even have to worry

about counting out money in the car.

When they pay their membership fee, they pre-fund an account for this service and will receive a statement every month detailing the expenses deducted. In addition, iTNStCharles goes above and beyond, offering physical assistance to and from the vehicle and assistance with purchased goods if needed. There are other perks available for iTNStCharles customers. Participating customers can also expect a $5 credit on their birthday.

Tips are unnecessary, and there are even discounts available if rides are booked in advance or if rides are shared.

Furthermore, should a senior decide to become an iTNStCharles volunteer driver, this individual could earn ride credits for use with iTN and affiliates. Ride credits can also be earned should the participant decide to forgo vehicle ownership; his or her car may be traded in for ride credits with iTNStCharles. If a senior adult is unable to volunteer or afford the service, iTNStCharles offers the Road Scholarship Program.

While 46% of iTN customers have an annual income of less than $25,000, lower income seniors can apply for this program and potentially receive services at little or no cost.

iTNStCharles is a realistic and helpful alternative for senior citizens and visually impaired adults who desire to stay active and mobile as an alternative to Uber, taxi fare, family rides, or bus transportation.

While iTNStCharles is not the fountain of youth, it is an organization brimming with possibilities and opportunity to keep the youthful spirit alive with dignity and heartfelt care.

For more information, iTNStCharles can be reached at: (636) 329-0888. ¤ Spring 2018

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Zander’s Jewelry

For a more personal touch

Kimberly Zander

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inCottleville!

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Boutique Shopping Written by Amy Armour

Last November, a new concept of boutique shopping was launched in Lake Saint Louis, where eight unique boutiques have set up shop—under one roof.

Boutique It! Collective opened its doors on November 24, 2017 in The Meadows at Lake Saint Louis Shopping Center. Located at 20 Meadows Circle Drive in Suite 214, the shop is next door to Bath & Body Works.

Boutique It! Collective consists of eight locally-owned boutiques run by female entrepreneurs from in and around the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. Currently Boutique It! Collective houses: Marie Angelique, Addi & Ains, The Silver Hanger, A Taste of Luxurie, Nette's Closet, A Classy Closet, Six + Cypress, and The Luxury Body Bar. “The concept has been really well received. The community loves being able to shop at several different boutiques under one roof,” said Naomi Fitzpatrick, owner of Marie Angelique.

Combining the different boutiques into one storefront offers the women business owners a chance to test a product in a new location, see if an online product can succeed in a store front, or simply get more business exposure. Boutique It! Collective offers women the opportunity to sign a lease for as short as 90 days.

“Business collaborating in this form is not new but I believe that participating in a collective and sharing the cost of overhead and other expenses will become a way for new businesses to get their product to market in a more affordable way,” said Fitzpatrick.

“Our boutiques have a passion for helping women grow their business.”

Boutique It! Collective also provides a new way to boutique shop.

“We’ve got so many great boutiques, but they are all spread out,” said Fitzpatrick, who saw a need for a shop like this in the St. Louis area. “I hope it’s going to change the way people shop.”

And while Boutique It! Collective houses eight boutiques, Fitzpatrick said it really feels like one boutique for shoppers.

taken to a

Higher Level tiful bras and undergarments at Marie Angelique to young contemporary fashions at Addi & Ains to sophisticated fashions at The Silver Hanger to the perfect jewelry and accessories at Nette’s Closet, the shop offers a multitude of options for the everyday woman.

“You will find merchandise to take you from day to night, work to play, or just something cozy and comfy. Whatever your occasion or style, you are sure to find something at Boutique It! Collective,” said Fitzpatrick.

Follow Boutique It! Collective on Facebook or Instagram.

Boutique It! Collective houses eight unique boutiques, all operated by women entrepreneurs: • Marie Angelique

•Nette's Closet Jewelry and accessories.

“It is run seamlessly under one roof,” said Fitzpatrick.

Specializes in bra fittings and offers undergarments for everyday wear to special occasions.

And the shop is operated by each of the boutique owners.

•Addi & Ains Boutique

• A Classy Closet Affordable fashions.

•The Silver Hanger Boutique

Unique fashions for the sophisticated lady.

•Six + Cypress Comfortable and affordable clothing for work and play.

•A Taste of Luxurie Hip, fashionable, affordable clothing.

•The Luxury Body Bar Natural made whipped body butters and oils.

“Whenever you shop with us you will be greeted by one of the participating boutique owners,” said Fitzpatrick

Boutique It! Collective offers a variety of fashion styles for women of all ages and sizes. From beau-

Young contemporary fashions.

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Molly & Mike Guithues 9.3.16

• • •

•

Officiant

Cole Epley

Ceremony & Reception Bogey Hills Country Club

Mother & Father of the Bride Jeannie & Steve Goodman

Mother & Father of the Groom Edna & Mike Guithues

•

Bride’s Dress

Maggie Sottero; from Girls in White Satin •

•

Grooms Suit

Savvy Formal Wear

Wedding & Reception Theme “Things the bride thinks are pretty” •

Flowers

Flowers N More

•

Bridesmaids

•

•

Groomsmen

Mike Nichols, Patrick Harper, Chris Koentz, Jake Kolesa

Flower Girl

• M adison

Goodman

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Photography Elisa

Petersen Photography •

Megan Stoller (Goodman) Megan Crook, Anna VanVoorhis, Annie Kolesa

•

•

Ring Bearer

Dylan Goodman

Videography

Memories Media

Cake & Desserts Sweets to Remember

Transportation

St. Louis Trolley Co. •

•

•

•

Music

The Shenanigans

Bride’s Hair Terri Wombles

Wedding Party Hair & Makeup Breeze Blow Dry Bar

Special Moments & Personal Touches

•

Mike and I decided to do “first look” photos because we’d always loved how emotionally charged those photographs can be, and as a bonus, it worked better with our wedding day timeline.

Neither my husband nor myself had any living grandparents at the time of our wedding, but we were still able to incorporate heirlooms from them into our wedding day, including my Grandma Lowry’s ring worn on my right hand, Mike’s Grandma Kramer’s brooch--which was worn by his mother and sister at their respective weddings, and our vows that we had written ourselves were carried in a box carved by my Grandma Goodman.

Our Unity Ceremony was a “Glass Ceremony.” We ordered two colors of frit (small pieces of glass) from the Third Degree Glass Factory in St. Louis, poured them together at our ceremony, and then Third Degree made a bowl and three Christmas ornaments for us. We gave each set of parents an ornament and kept one for ourselves.

When our guests needed a break from dancing, we invited them to get their caricatures drawn by an artist we’d hired, and the couples got to keep the pictures as a memento!

We had our ceremony and reception at Bogey Hills Country Club and it was phenomenal. They provided the linens and catering (it was delicious). They contracted with a bakery, so it had an all-inclusive feel to the venue. We were able to do some decorating the day before, and my florists were eternally grateful to have their own space to put together arrangements. The Bogey Hills staff even cleaned up for them! They have a pavilion there that has speakers along the entire length so all of our guests could hear our ceremony. The wedding coordinator was very good about answering emails in a timely manner and running the show on wedding day without ever making us feel as though we were asking too much! ¤

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Perfect

Written by Kate Santellano Photos courtesy of Drive Social Media

Food and wine pairing has been around for centuries. But, it is a highly debated topic.

While there are specific techniques and rules for properly pairing food with wine, it is also about personal taste.

Pairing is a funny thing, because every dish will have more than one component. For example, a chicken dish is not just a chicken dish. It is a chicken dish with a variety of herbs or spices, and served with a side dish which will also have its own set of flavors.

So how do you know what works together?

Well, when you are sick, you go to the doctor. And when you need help selecting wine, you ask a sommelier. Becoming a sommelier requires rigorous study, both mentally and physically, and years of industry experience.

With less than 150 sommeliers in the United States, finding a certified sommelier may be a bit tricky.

If you eat at The Rack House Kitchen Wine Whiskey in Cottleville, you are in luck.

Josh French, General Manager and newly certified Introductory Sommelier, will help you choose the perfect wine to accompany your meal. While each entrée on the menu has a recommended wine, French “enjoys talking with customers to understand their particular flavor profile and make suggestions they would enjoy.”

With more than eighteen years in the hospitality industry, French started at The Rack House Kitchen Wine Whiskey restaurant soon after it opened in 2014 as General Manager. It was not long until he and owner, John Hamilton, wanted to offer their customers more of an inclusive dining experience. “Having a sommelier adds to the guest experience and gives our customers a sense of trust,” French said.

French explained that obtaining the Introductory Sommelier Certificate encompasses more than wine. It is a rigorous and intense training in offering a unique guest experi-

PAIR (ings) ence and uncompromising service levels.

The Rack House menu changes about every six weeks as the chef works with local produce and offers In-season items. The menu ranges from an Angus beef burger, better known as the Big Rack Burger, to a Missouri Pasture Raised Pork Chop. The fromscratch American comfort food kitchen also offers fresh seafood. “All dressings, vinegar, pickles and several other items are made from scratch as well, providing customers a unique experience only available at The Rack House Kitchen Wine Whiskey,” explained Hamilton.

“Our chef also creates a weekend feature that starts on Thursdays and runs through Saturday... if it lasts that long.” Of course, each selection has a recommended wine to compliment your entrée.

When asked why red wines are better with meat and white wines are better with fish, French explained that red wines contain tannins, and in combination with certain umami-rich fish, they create a metallic and bitter taste which can be quite unpleasant.

But that is not always the case, according to French. “The most important factor when pairing wine and food is personal preference. Most people prefer a robust red wine with steak and white wine with smoked salmon, but if you prefer a Chardonnay with your steak, that’s fine too.”

“I tend to drink and eat things that go well together and compliment each other. One group of food I like to deviate from is spicy Thai. It's hard for me to find a wine that can stand up with the amount of spice I normally enjoy, so I switch and go to the sweet side on wines. They cut each other just enough to let them shine independently, all during the same meal,” French said. “Over the last

year I am finding myself grabbing dry rose. It has been a trend on the rise for a few years now and the good producers are really showcasing some amazing offerings. Right now, we have a great Italian blend from Puglia. It is comprised of 95% Negro Amaro and 5% Malvasia Nera. It pushes some people out of their comfort zone because of its unique nose, but most end up really enjoying it. It is so unique we have even found a way to work it into one of our Manhattans.”

Hamilton and French started a wine club to further enhance their guest experience.

Club members are offered several benefits, including discounts on wines and opportunities to sample wines from around the world.

“We started with 24 members and have grown to over 140 in the last year. Much of the success is attributed to having a dedicated on-site sommelier like Josh to help grow our wine collection.”

In addition to the wine club, The Rack House offers Three Course Thursdays for Two. It is a carefully created menu paired with French’s wine recommendations. The cost is $45 plus tax for two people and includes customer’s choice of one sharable appetizer, two chef-featured entrées and one sharable dessert. Each course is paired with wine at an additional cost.

The Rack House Kitchen Wine Whiskey has a private banquet room that seats up to 50 guests.

Lunch and dinner are served Tuesday through Sunday, with a special Sunday brunch.

The Rack House Kitchen Wine Whiskey is located at 5065 State Highway N, Cottleville, MO 63304. Reservations for dinner are recommended. Call 636-244-0574.

Visit www.therackhousekww.com ¤

Spring 2018

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Fol

y

d n a sI l

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G d n a r i p t s m i r Sh

Spring is here! After what I think was one of the most brutal winters I can remember in a long time I'm jumping with joy over here! Everything about Spring is oh so excellent; from the green grass to the blooming trees and flowers, to the slight chill in the air at night, but mostly the gatherings and the food I love to cook! I feel everything is much more straightforward when the weather is pleasant outside. It's no secret I love to entertain, and I mostly like to entertain outdoors. A table full of people under my Willow Tree does my heart right.

Recently we had a night around the table. One of my favorites go-to meals, when I'm feeding a few, is shrimp and grits. Admittedly in the past when I have shared with my guests what was on the menu they very nicely turned up their nose; until they taste this delicious dish! Now, it is a request of many and my youngest daughter’s favorite meal.

Shrimp and grits have been a favorite in the South for many years, but I've noticed it's on the menu at many restaurants around the area and there are many different ways to prepare them.

My recipe is a very no-nonsense dish but loaded with tons of flavor and very easy to prepare. You can use it as just one dish for the evening and add some bread, or you can add a salad or another vegetable to complement it. On this particular night, I added some fried corn and baked panko crusted zucchini and yellow squash and made

Written by Sandi Caro Photos courtesy of JHarder Photography

some delicious garlic bread. An easy meal full of flavor and beautiful color enjoyed by all! This recipe has been in my family for years, and I would encourage you to give it a try! It's one of my favorites, and it never disappoints. Happy Spring Y'all! Fill a table with some good friends, great food, some good wine and laugh until your sides hurt! ¤

Folly Island Shrimp and Grits 2 ½ c. low fat chicken broth ½ c. chopped green onion 4 tbsp. (½ stick) butter 1 lb. uncooked medium shrimp (peeled & deveined ¾ c. quick cooking grits

3 tbsp. cream cheese 2 tbsp. fresh lime juice 2 tbsp. half & half ½ c. shredded mild cheddar cheese ½ c. shredded Monterey jack cheese

Combine chicken broth and 1 tablespoon of butter in heavy medium saucepan and bring to boil.

Stir in grits. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix cream cheese and half and half into the grits. Cover and simmer until all the liquid has evaporated and grits are tender, stirring frequently, about 7 minutes. Stir in the cheddar and monterey jack cheese until melted. Stir in the green onions and remove from heat.

Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a large heavy skillet over medium high heat. Add shrimp and salt and pepper and saute until just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Stir in the lime juice. Remove from heat. Spoon the grits into a large bowl, top with the shrimp and drizzle with the lime butter. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Spring 2018

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Jeff Strickland, Agent 1018 First Capitol Drive St Charles, MO 63301 Bus: 636-947-6226 jeff@jeffstrickland.com

Emily Swift-Wise, Agent 3741 New Town Blvd St Charles, MO 63301 Bus: 636-946-6927 emily@emilyswift.com

200 N. MAIN STREET, ST. CHARLES, MO 63301 P: 636-940–9290

FREE APPRAISAL NO PROCESSING FEES DONATION MADE AFTER CLOSING

54 StreetScape Magazine

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company Bloomington, IL

Written by Amy Armour | Photos courtesy of Inspire 70 Coworking

THE CHANGING WORKPLACE The traditional office space with workers clocking in to a 9 to 5 job is waning as more companies are offering workfrom-home positions and entrepreneurs are seeking shared workspace options.

“Telecommuting has become more popular. And finding a shared workspace has become much easier,” said Shanna Palans, owner of Inspire 70 Coworking in O’Fallon.

“There has also been a rise in the number of large companies adding amenities to their office space to make it more appealing to employees.” Palans said the traditional office has become less important.

“Companies can save money by putting sales people in charge of their own work space and not leasing huge offices,” said Palans. “Employees want the option to telecommute and the freedom to set their own hours. Technology and the internet has made working remotely easy to do, and often more efficient.”

But some employees still need a bit of human interaction, secure Wi-Fi, and a professional environment.

“Enter the coworking space,” said Palans.

Palans and her husband, Andy, opened Inspire 70 Coworking last fall to accommodate the work-from-home employees and small businesses who enjoy the freedom and flexibility of working from home, but crave the workplace interaction and collaboration.

Located at 2173 West Terra Lane in O’Fallon, the 4,000-square-foot building offers small business owners and entrepreneurs the opportunity to lease cubicles, private offices, or conference rooms on a daily or monthly basis.

“It’s perfect for people in sales or tech; we even house a radio station satellite office,” said Palans.

Members at Inspire 70 Coworking are not required to sign long contracts, but can lease month-to month. All of the spaces are also available by-the-hour and by-the-day for people who don’t need space full-time. Memberships include use of all the amenities—such as a receptionist, kitchen, waiting area and smart TVs in the conference rooms.

Wi-Fi memberships allow the tenants to come in, pick an open spot, and get right to work.

“It’s similar to hanging out at the local coffee shop, but without the screaming kids or unsecure internet access,” said Palans. “We also offer workstations, assigned cubicles, and private offices.”

Members can also rent out the conference rooms which can accommodate a six to 12-person meeting, as well as a larger space that seats more than 50.

“We also have a Virtual Office Membership--we can accept your mail, sign for packages, and be your brickand-mortar building for Google,” said Palans.

Inspire 70 Coworking offers a free networking event on the second Monday of each month that is open to the public. In addition, the business also hosts mastermind groups on various topics, such as Navigating Social Media.

"Use Canva For Your Business, investing and financing, legal issues, and other topics of interest to the small business owner,” said Palans. “We encourage members to attend our free networking events, mastermind sessions, and seminars. Being in a space with other small business owners encourages collaboration and forming referral partnerships.”

As for the future of Inspire 70 Coworking? Palans said they are going to see where the membership takes them.

“If demand is higher for private offices, we will add more. If conference room rental is in higher demand, we will add more space for that,” said Palans. “There are a few other coworking spaces in St. Charles and St. Louis County, and they are all a little different, so it’s difficult to know who we will attract. But we are ready to adapt to the needs of our clients.”

Visit Inspire 70 Coworking on Facebook or www.Inspire70Coworking.com. ¤

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Most people have rented an apartment or a house when first starting out or when moving into a new area. But given the choice, most families would prefer to own their own home.

Homeownership is usually a good investment and can have some favorable tax advantages. Here are some things to consider as you take steps to make your dream of owning your own place a reality.

Budget – Sit down with your family and create a written budget. This exercise will help identify where you are spending your money and help you determine how much you may be able to save toward a down payment on a new home.

Credit Score – your credit score is a very important part of the home buying process. Basically it shows a lender how much debt you currently have and how likely you are to repay a mortgage. Request your free credit report by going to annualcreditreport.com. Read it carefully, make a note of any false information and take the necessary steps to have that misinformation corrected. Also, check to make sure that all your payments are being reported correctly. Don’t be discouraged if your report is not perfect or if your score is low. By obtaining your report and

reviewing it thoroughly, you will be able to take steps to correct past mistakes and get yourself prepared to buy a home.

Down Payment – In addition to saving for a down payment you may qualify for down payment assistance. Lenders understand that stable neighborhoods strengthen the entire community, so some may offer special programs to help people more easily afford the down payment required to purchase a home.

Check with your local bank about any down payment assistance for first time home buyers or for purchases on homes located in certain census tracts. A little preparation work ahead of time might really pay off in the end.

Pre-Approval – It’s a good idea to contact your local bank and get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start looking for a home to purchase. This will help you shop with a realistic budget in mind. Many banks offer pre-approval applications right on their website, so you can submit the application anytime.

Follow these steps and you’ll be shopping for that new place sooner than you might think! ¤

If owning a home is one of your goals this year, learn more about how to get prepared. Call or stop by Midwest BankCentre today.

They have 19 locations in the St. Louis metro area and most recently opened a branch office in University Commons across from Lindenwood University. (314) 633-1222. Midwest BankCentre. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS#685869 56 StreetScape Magazine

FINANCIAL Something magical happens when you write down your goals.

It changes the way you see your situation.

Dave Ramsey

BusinessScape: Featured Financial Planners Spring 2018

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BusinessScape: Featured Financial Planners

Y

ou’ve worked hard, spent cautiously, saved wisely.

But now you want to protect and grow.

What you really want is confidence.

• stability • integrity • experience • relationship You can find what you’re looking for right here.

Welcome to Michele Berra Financial Group.

Helping people just like you since 1983.

Securing tomorrow...today.

Michele Berra, CSFP Chartered Senior Financial Planner Phone: 636-946-7222 www.micheleberra.com

Securities offered through Center Street Securities, Inc.(CSS), a registered Broker-Dealer and member FINRA & SIPC. Michele Berra Financial Group is independent of CSS. 58 StreetScape Magazine

BusinessScape: Featured Financial Planners

Experience works here.

Meet Russ T. Clever. For more than 16 years, this Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor has been helping individuals and families with retirement planning, wealth management and estate planning, by supplying guidance that is always based on his clients’ goals.

To see experience at work, call our Chesterfield branch to schedule a meeting with Russ Clever.

Russ T. Clever, CFP® Vice President Senior Portfolio Manager Financial Advisor 14805 North Outer Forty Road Suite 200 Chesterfield, MO 63017 314-889-4876 www.morganstanleyfa.com/clever russ.t.clever@morganstanley.com

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S. © 2018 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC1998906 02/18 CS 9152106 02/18

Spring 2018 JOB INFORMATION 9152106 / 604241863

PROJ. NO.:

TRIM SIZE:

SPECIFICATIONS 8.5" × 11"

NOTES

59

BusinessScape: Featured Financial Planners

Thomas A Burke, CFP®, ChFC® - Private Wealth Advisor Tom Burke, Private Wealth Advisor and CEO of Syntegra Private Wealth Group™, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., has been a financial advisor since 1992. He has been named to Barron’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisor’s State-by- State Ranking, 2016-2017.

Tom Burke 314.446.0422

During Tom’s 25 years in the industry he spent twelve years with American Express Financial Advisors, five of those years in the capacity of Vice President. In 2002, Tom made the decision to open his own financial advisory practice and became co-branch manager of the MollerBurke Branch, spending time mentoring and developing others. In 2018, Tom announced the rebranding of his practice as Syntegra Private Wealth Group™, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

In addition to his own busy schedule with Syntegra, Tom commits a great deal of time to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He serves as a board member of the St. Louis Chapter and has helped to organize many events to help raise awareness and financial support for CF patients. Tom is also committed to supporting many charitable organizations.

Tom’s focus is for Syntegra Private Wealth Group™ to be the premier wealth management provider in the St. Louis area. His approach to helping clients is to work with integrity and with synergy between the client, their professional network, and his own team to help the client achieve their financial goals and dreams.

Tom is a life-long resident of St. Charles, Missouri who graduated from Duchesne High School and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He is happily married to Patty and together they have two children, Nathan and Alayna. The family enjoys traveling and being adventurous together. ¤

825 Maryville Center Drive | Chesterfield, MO 63017

Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results. Investment advisory services and products are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser. Barron’s ® listings are based on data compiled by many of the nation’s most productive advisors, which is then submitted to and judged by Barron’s®. Key factors and criteria include: assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory and compliance record, and years of professional experience. Barron’s® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones, L.P.; all rights reserved. Rankings for the Financial Times Top 400 Financial Advisers list are based in large part on data gathered from and verified by Ameriprise Financial, and as identified by Financial Times, reflecting each advisor’s performance in six primary areas: assets under management, asset growth, compliance record, experience, credentials and accessibility. Ameriprise financial advisors were nominated by Ameriprise Financial. Investors should conduct their own evaluation of a financial professional as working with a financial advisor is not a guarantee of future financial success. Neither Ameriprise Financial nor its advisors pay a fee to Financial Times in exchange for the ranking.

2024706ACMR0218

60 StreetScape Magazine

BusinessScape: Featured Financial Planners

At One Financial, YOU are the “one.” The focus is on you and what you want to get out of life through your savings and investments. The characteristics that drive us are foundational to each of us. We are people who care about other people and we respect the faith placed in our team.

Sure, we handle your money, but money is just a means to an end. Your happiness and the attainment of your goals are paramount. Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort."

t you want to get out of life ve us are foundational to For you to experience that happiness, One Financial under a four-step process to in help you see the spect operates the faith placed our progression of your personal financial plan.

1. UNDERSTAND AND DISCOVER There will be time spent upfront getting to know you, your wants and your desires for now and in the future.

DESIGN YOUR PLANand the . Your 2.Together, happiness we will develop a personalized plan to achieve your goals, so you are fully aware of what your can, and should, you over e said, investments “Happiness isdo fornot intime.

IMPLEMENT AND EXECUTE in the 3.When thrill ofis increative your plan place, it is mapped out to give clear direction and expectations to everyone involved.

4. MAINTAIN AND ACTIVELY MANAGE Your portfolio will be monitored and there will be consultations with you on a regular basis to update and evaluate the services provided to you.

er a four-step process to You can choose to invest in several different ways –

standard retail; commission-based accounts; actively managed accounts using Raymond James portfolio managers; or in a partnered relationship, making investment decisions alongside our team.

Honoring Trust.

Shaping Futures.

At One Financial, we don’t operate in a vacuum. We operate on the philosophy of choosing the highest quality investments that will also be the most tax-efficient and cost-effective use of your investment dollars. We rely on a variety of research and analytical tools to support our efforts. We work on the viewpoint of choosing the highest quality combination of investments that meet your risk tolerance and timeframes for spending.

Since you are the “one,” and it’s your money, you will feel confident in the decision of allowing One Financial to assist you in creating your personal financial plan and making investment decisions that work for you. It is an honor for us to receive the trust you place in our team.

Our goal is to help you shape your financial future into a life well lived and a legacy you are proud to pass on to your family. ¤

5700 Mexico Road, Suite 2 | St. Peters, MO 63376 | (636) 244-0528 | fax (636) 487-0224 | OneFinancialSTL.com Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. One Financial is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Services. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC Investing always involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss. No investment strategy can guarantee success.

r wants and your desires for

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BusinessScape: Featured Financial Planners

Clients Come First The Promise that Drives

Mary Alsup-Niedergerke of First State Wealth Advisors

Choosing a financial planner with whom to partner can be a daunting task. You want someone with extensive industry knowledge and experience. You want someone who is in your neighborhood, that you can call or meet in person when needed. You want someone who will listen and put you first. Mary Alsup-Niedergerke of First State Wealth Advisors fits the bill. “Clients come first” isn’t just her motto; it’s her mission.

Mary manages the financial planning office of First State Bank, a community bank that is 150 years strong in St. Charles. She brings nearly 30 years of industry experience to every client meeting and she holds Brokerage licenses 7, 63, 65, and 24. Mary and her team of licensed financial advisors and sales assistants strive to exceed customer expectations in every interaction and work hard to help build a better future for their clients.

Mary was with Invest Financial since 1988 and with First State Bank since 1990. This month the independent broker-dealer network of Invest Financial Corporation was sold to LPL Financial LLC, the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer. After careful consideration, Mary chose to affiliate with LPL Financial as First State Wealth Advisors because the change provides more technology and ease of doing business.

“Although our name has changed, clients receive the same great service from First State Wealth Advisors that they have come to expect from our team during the last 30 years. The new tools we now have access to allow us to better serve our clients,” Mary explains.

Mary has been recognized both locally and nationally throughout her career: • Mary and her team were voted #1 Financial Planner for the past 7 years by the St. Louis Post- Dispatch/Suburban Journals Reader’s Choice Poll

• Named one of the Top 100 St. Louisans You Should Know to Succeed in Business by the St. Louis Small Business Monthly, 2017 • Named one of St. Charles Business Magazine’s 50 Over 50 Community Shapers • Listed as a Top 50 Bank Rep by Bank Investment Consultant • Distinguished as the First Million Dollar Producer at Invest Financial Corporation, 1999 • Honored as the Chairman’s Club Top 10 Bank Advisors in the Country, year after year • Served on the Invest Financial Advisory Board as a liaison between financial advisors and Invest Financial for more than 25 years Mary is committed to the growth and success of St. Charles County. She is an active member of the Board of Directors at Community Living, Inc., and has served as past Chairman of the Board. She’s volunteered with several local nonprofits including Sts. Joachim & Ann Care Service, OASIS Food Pantry, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Crisis Nursery Saint Charles.

Mary has lifelong ties to St. Charles. She is a graduate of Duchesne High School and resides in St. Charles County with her husband, Bob Niedergerke. She has two children in the financial services industry.

“There are so many factors involved in financial planning: cash flow, debt management, tax planning, retirement planning, and market indices and trends. It can be very overwhelming, but at the end of the day, helping my clients reach their financial goals is what is important to me,” Mary says. “My clients truly do come first.”

636.940.5601 www.fsbfinancial.com/investments 62 StreetScape Magazine

BusinessScape

PROVIDING FINANCIAL E D U C AT I O N , ACROSS AMERICA ONE COMMUNITY AT A TIME

The Society for Financial Awareness (SOFA) is proud to announce their newest chapter member – Marita LaChapell, who will represent the greater St. Louis/St. Charles area. Marita is a Financial Advisor, CPA/PFS and Certified Kingdom Advisor with Pathfinder Financial Advocates.

They are opening the door for this discussion to help individuals find financial comfort through their financial workshops and seminars. These workshops are purely educational – nothing is sold or solicited. It’s 100% non-proprietary financial literacy education.

SOFA is a nationwide nonprofit organization with the mission to end financial illiteracy across America, one community at a time.

They are comprised of various working financial professionals who volunteer pro bono service to their communities by conducting free financial educational workshops and seminars to companies, churches and other organizations.

SOFA workshops are designed to educate, inspire, and empower individuals to take better control of their financial lives. More often than not, this empowerment comes back to the organizer – and organization in the form of good will and higher morale.

Founded in 1993, SOFA has had the opportunity and privilege to work with various prominent companies and organizations across America. Their educational financial outreach, and years of continued success, has provided them with name recognition and a reputation of excellence. SOFA’s clients include the FBI, NASA, Time Warner, Disney, and other Fortune 500 companies.

As an organization, SOFA understands that discussing finances and financial blunders can be taboo and “off limits” for many.

For organizations with retirement plans, SOFA helps satisfy Erisa (DOL) 404(c) requirements to further educate and help employees better manage their retirement. They offer over 30 educational topics which can be viewed here: http://sofausa.org/ literacy/seminars/.

If you would like SOFA and Marita to host a FREE workshop at your company or organization or if you would like more information about our organization, please visit www.sofausa.org, or contact Marita at 636-277-9876, or Marita.LaChapell@Trust Pathfinder.com. ¤

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BusinessScape: Business Profile

After 38 years as a first responder, Fire Chief Russ Mason, wanted to work for himself and build a family owned and operated business in the same area that he had served for 21 years with Central County Fire Rescue. In December 2015, he and his wife, Jan, opened a new FASTSIGNS location in Cave Springs. In the ensuing two plus years they have met and assisted businesses of all sizes to help solve their visual communication needs.

At FASTSIGNS®, Russ and Jan’s goal is to work with you to provide the right communications solutions to meet your business challenges and help your company realize its full potential. They want to make you look great, and they have both the sign and marketing knowledge and the product expertise to help you succeed.

Whether you want banners, building signs, digital or LED signs, vehicle graphics, or signs for your windows, walls, doors, or floors, FASTSIGNS® uses the latest sign-making systems and techniques to create high-impact signs that provide results.

Because of their backgrounds and beliefs, it is a priority to give back to the St. Charles County Community.

FASTSIGNS will provide a FREE “Welcome Home’ banner or yard sign for any returning service person. They support The St. Louis Crisis Nursery, Community Living, The Alzheimer’s Association and other non-profits whose cause they are passionate about. They are active members of the Cottleville – Weldon Springs Chamber of Com64 StreetScape Magazine

merce, O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce & Industries and The Greater St. Charles Chamber of Commerce.

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the largest sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of more than 675 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS® centers FASTSIGNS® consultants provide comprehensive visual marketing solutions and help companies of all sizes and across all industries attract more attention, communicate their message, sell more products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touch points including décor, events, wearables and marketing materials.

When you work with FASTSIGNS, you get more than just a sign; you get the benefit of smart thinking (Visibility Strategies), skilled execution (Project Services) and impactful signs and graphics that meet your needs (Product Solutions).

Their highly skilled team of marketing and graphic experts has the experience and insight needed to create, manage, and execute projects. Stop by and work with the team of visual specialists: Leyda, Donna, Brandi, Russ or Jan. They can handle all your business visibility needs — from vehicle graphics, interior décor signs and point of purchase signs to next-generation digital signs and mobile websites — and everything in between. They'll review the principles and priorities that drive your business and work with you to execute your project accurately, on time, and on budget. ¤

KOLBE NAMED BOARD CHAIR OF UNITED WAY OF GREATER ST. LOUIS – West Region Lauren Kolbe, of Dardene Prairie, Mo., was named 2018 auxiliary board chair for the United Way of Greater St. Louis – West Region.

“I’m honored to serve as the West Region’s board chair and to work with generous, enthusiastic and passionate leaders to further United Way’s mission to help people live their best possible lives.”

Lauren Kolbe

Kolbe has served several roles with the organization throughout the past few years, including as a member of the auxiliary board of directors since 2011, as well as on the marketing and events, board development, campaign, and one-time grants committees.

Kolbe is partner and co-owner of kolbeco, a full service communications firm that provides public relations, marketing strategy, graphic design, social media, and web design & development services.

In addition to her support of United Way, Kolbe serves on the board of directors for the St. Charles County Workforce Development. She previously served on the board of directors for the American Marketing Association – St. Louis Chapter and was president in 2006.

“Lauren is a long-time supporter of United Way, and we are excited to have her lead our West Region as board chair,” said Dayna Stock, vice president of regions and special initiatives. “Lauren’s dedication and passion for helping others is the perfect example of the leaders who volunteer their time and expertise with United Way to strengthen the St. Louis region for all.” ¤

Lloyd & Company

LLC _____

Certified Public Accountants & Advisors

T a x P l a n n i n g & P r e p a r a t i o n • B u s i n e s s C o n s u l ti n g C e r t i f i e d Q u i c k B o o k s Ad v i s o r s Ac c o u n t i n g & B o o k k e e p i n g • Estates & Trusts

MICHELE BERRA, CSFP Certified Senior Financial Planner, Private Retirement Advisor

Michele Berra Financial Group works together with individuals, families and businesses in providing sound financial advice.

You will find the confidence you seek at Michele Berra Financial Group.

Whether you’ve been actively focused on your wealth management for years, or haven’t gotten started - call us today to schedule your FREE consultation.

O: 636.946.7222 | F: 636.724.5005

(L to R: Caryn Lloyd Watson, CPA Julie Pryor, Jackie Lloyd Johannesman, Jim Lloyd, CPA)

636.946.3411 • lloydcpa.com 4 0 Por t wes t C t . • St . C h a r l es , M O 6 3 3 0 3

2249 Bluestone Drive St. Charles, MO 63303

www.micheleberra.com Securities offered through Center Street Securities, Inc.(CSS), a registered Broker-Dealer and member FINRA & SIPC. Michele Berra Financial Group is independent of CSS.

Spring 2018

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BusinessScape

in

Written by Kate Santellano Photos courtes of Sue Cobb & Christy Weber

Imagine for a moment a life without running water. A life without clean water to wash your face, brush your teeth or take a shower. Or imagine not having basic hygiene supplies. Many countries face these challenges every day. In fact, nearly 6 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate.

Celebrating 30 Years!

Rotary International was founded by a Chicago attorney in 1905. It started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris. He formed the club of male professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas, form meaningful, lifelong friendships, and give back to their communities. After more than 80 years as a male only club, a decision was made to allow women to be part of the Rotary International Club. The 1989 Council on Legislation vote to admit women into Rotary clubs worldwide remains a watershed moment in the history of Rotary.

Nadine Boone was one of the first women invited to be a member in 1989. “It was not an easy transition,” said Boone. “I was inducted in the club with 400 men and only a few women.” Still, the number of women continued to grow and now makes up 40% of membership. “Our local experience with women being active in Rotary is much different than in many countries around the world. In 2010, of the 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide, only 200,000 were women,” said Susan Cobb, member of Rotary 6060.

This year the Rotary club celebrates 30 years of women. Over the last 30 years, women have played a crucial role in the club. You can say they brought a “women’s perspective.” Meaning, several of their programs are focused on empowering women both physically and mentally. For Mayor Sally Faith, the first women president of the Rotary in St. Charles, “women bring a different perspective on how to do things that help make the club more solid.”

Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotary's people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From litera66 StreetScape Magazine

cy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.

Rotary is dedicated to six areas of focus to build international relationships, improve lives, and create a better

Rotary 6060 helped support the funding and construction of simple latrines in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic,” said Cobb.

A few other projects that local Rotary clubs were involved with include: TREEHouse Project: Rotarians donated supplies to TREEHouse, a therapeutic horsemanship program located in Wentzville.

Blanket Project: Local Rotarians donated 75 blankets to benefit the clients of FISH, a non-profit organization that has been meeting the needs of low income families in our community for 60 years.

Volunteers in Medicine: Volunteers in Medicine received laptops and printers from the Cottleville/ Weldon Spring Rotary Club.

India Project: Local Rotarians visited India and participated in several humanitarian projects, including distribution of school uniforms and supplies. world to support our peace efforts and end polio forever.

Most Rotary projects reflect one of Rotary International’s Areas of Focus: literacy, economic development, peace and conflict resolution, health, supporting mothers and children, water and sanitation, or other local community needs.

Rotary District 6060 includes 52 local Rotary Clubs in eastern Missouri from Hannibal to the Bootheel. In District 6060 women account for nearly 40% of our members and serve in a number of leadership roles. This year’s District Governor is Rose Cooper from the Downtown St. Louis Rotary and next year’s District Governor

Rotary International’s signature humanitarian project is the eradication of polio. When this effort began in 1985, there were 350,000 new cases of polio occurring in 125 countries around the world... .that’s 1000 new cases of polio occurring every single day! Today—millions of dollars later and millions of man hours later—there are just a handful of new polio cases reported each year in two remaining countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Rotary has partnered with the United Nations, World Health Organization, governments around the world, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to nearly eradicate this crippling disease.

While providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene are one of the six core areas of focus for Rotary, a woman can identify areas within the core that will specifically empower and help women. For example, The St. Charles County Rotary Clubs partnered with Dignity Period to provide menstrual hygiene supplies to girls in Ethiopia and water and sanitation projects in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. “Girls would stay at home for the week of their cycle and not attend school. Having a private toilet and proper supplies allows them to attend school, thus furthering their education,” Cobb said. Studies have shown that an additional year of secondary school can raise a women’s future earning potential by 15 to 25 percent.

Clean water and sanitation is a human right. When people, especially children, have access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, they lead healthier and more successful lives. Rotary members integrate water, sanitation, and hygiene into educational projects. When children learn about disease transmission and practice good hygiene, they miss less school. And they can take those lessons home to their families, expending the impact.

“In another effort to provide clean water and sanitation,

is Linda Puchbauer from Cape Girardeau West Rotary Club. Nineteen of our 52 clubs currently have women Presidents.

While women may be changing the face of Rotary, all Rotarians, regardless of gender, live by the Rotary motto of Service Above Self.

The St. Charles Rotary Clubs are Cottleville/Weldon Spring Rotary, St. Charles Noonday, St. Charles Sunrise, O’Fallon, St. Peters, and Wentzville. These clubs meet on different days of the weeks and guests are welcome to visit and learn more about Rotary International and the work of these local Rotary Clubs. Information about the meeting locations, days, and times is available at www. rotary.org. Sue Cobb, District 6060 Foundation Chair, can provide contact information for any St. Charles County Rotary Club. ¤ Spring 2018

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BusinessScape

THE KEY

2018

Building Loyalty with Your Customer Written by Scott Kolbe Photos courtesy of Kolbe Co.

Many organizations talk about customer loyalty, and some dedicate substantial resources towards building that loyalty.

These efforts can take many forms, from perks and special discounts to “membership” statuses achieved by doing various levels of business with the company.

While these programs are great, one can’t help but wonder whether they really get to the root of loyalty. What is it that builds true loyalty?

I recently attended a conference featuring James Cain, an author who focuses on business loyalty. He presented an interesting perspective that had nothing to do with the programs I mentioned above. Loyalty centers around the issue of whether people can trust your brand at a deeper level, a level that goes beyond even your brand promise. That trust is much easier to gauge in today’s world of social media.

WHAT TRUST MEANS TO YOUR CUSTOMERS Cain made it a point to discuss that there is a big difference between smaller, privately held companies and large corporate entities when it comes to building trust. Specifically, he described how smaller organizations are more nimble, and oftentimes are more in touch with their customers. In many cases, they’re communicating personally with their customers more often, either in person or via social media. The customer may even know the person behind the social media account.

While smaller organizations may face certain limitations when it comes to resources available to build loyalty programs, they can use their size and personal touch to their advantage.

68 StreetScape Magazine

CAIN OUTLINED FOUR BASIC THINGS TO FOCUS ON Competency – This is the baseline - does your company have the skills to actually do the job? This is an area where companies have to be very careful. Do you have the knowledge and ability to do what you say you are going to do? If you can’t deliver (or can’t deliver excellence), trust and loyalty will suffer.

Character – Does your organization have values that match with what customers in a social world believe? In other words do you do the right thing and do your customers believe it? You need to make sure that these two match consistently, that you have defined the characteristics of your organization, and that you live to them. It may take some time to get completely clear on these.

Consistency – Do you deliver reliably on an ongoing basis? This is an area where small businesses get themselves in trouble. They make many little changes over time that may or may not be perceived as good for the customer, and as a result, the customer’s consistent experience can be disrupted, offering them an opportunity to go elsewhere. To identify what value may exist by making a change, and to prepare your customers for it, get their input. Before making any change, ask your customers what they think, and how their experience may be enhanced with the change you’re considering.

Capacity – Do you have the manpower, resources, inventory, and time to actually deliver what you promise? Many entrepreneurs can find themselves in trouble over the capacity issue. They get a bit too optimistic and can’t deliver what they promised.

As you look at your organization in 2018, examine your core values and make sure they are truly who you are, continue to build on your skill sets and capacity, and institute processes to ensure your values, culture, and consistency are front and center (and lived by your team) each day. With these things in place, you can experience a measurable improvement in customer satisfaction. ¤

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M

THE NOBLEST JOYis the joy of understanding. ~Leonardo da Vinci

There is a difference in meaning among the words “teaching,” “learning” and “understanding,” all three of which tend to be lumped together when we talk about schooling.

To teach is “to train by formal instruction and supervised practice especially in a skill, trade, or profession.”

To learn is “to gain knowledge of ,or skill in, by study, instruction, or experience.”

To understand is “to be thoroughly familiar with the character and propensities of concepts and to be able to “interpret in one of a number of possible ways.”

Teaching can be a one-way process– from teacher to learner. It is directive and not necessarily receptive.To teach is to put forth information without regard to whether learning takes place. Propaganda is a form of teaching.

Training (as in training children to walk down the hall, memorize times tables and dates in American history, learning the meanings of words on a spelling test) is a form of teaching.

Learning is receptive but, again, is a one-way process. Each student learns something in their own way but they do take something away from it. One can learn their times tables, how to walk down the hall, memorize dates in American history, and the definitions of new words.

EDUCATION Rob Ciampoli, Headmaster Andrews Academy Lake St. Louis

times tables will help them solve math problems faster and with greater accuracy? Do children understand why it is important to know that the American Civil War began while slavery was still legal in most of America?

Do students understand that words can have several different meanings, depending on the context of use?

Today our culture is putting lots of time and effort into teaching and learning and not enough on understanding. The result could be a country filled with people who know a lot but don’t know what to do with the knowledge. Or worse, we will become a population that idolizes those with “easy” answers but fails to understand how complicated the world really is.

The power of the internet, “alternative facts,” bots, fake news (“real” fake news, not the “fake” fake news), the emphasis on “learning” as much as possible in the shortest time possible; all of this works against what good schools and good teachers try to do.

Understanding isn’t always easy. To build understanding teachers must be given the time, administrative support and freedom to know each child as well as (or more) than knowing the curriculum. We must find ways to engage children more than they are engaged in Snapchat or Instagram or, conversely, find way to use Snapchat and Instagram to build understanding.

But, to what end do we teach and learn? Understanding calls for a higher standard. One must be able to make judgments, have opinions, apply what We are at a crossroads in education. While the world around us is movone has learned and be able to use it in different contexts. Do children ing exponentially faster, the little humans we teach are moving at, well, a understand that the reason they have to walk down the hall is that they human rate.Teachers and students can experience the joyful pursuit of won’t disturb others? Do students understand that memorizing the MO 63376 understanding... if we understand its importance. ¤ 427 Spencer Road St. Peters,

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Spring 2018

71

Payton Dill, a senior at Orchard Farm High School, had no idea what she wanted to study in college. After hearing about a new program called CAPS, Dill learned about all kinds of different professions - and found a direction for her future.

“The first semester we learned many professional skills from writing a resume to how to professionally present yourself. The second semester we get real internships with real companies.

These internships are jump-starting our future careers. Through this program, I have learned so much based on complete hands-on, real-world business experience,” said Dill.

CAPS, also known as the Center for Advanced Professional Studies, is available to students through the St. Charles City and Orchard Farm School Districts. This program throws high school students into hands-on, real-world business experience related to their academic and career interests.

The goal is for these students to develop professional skills that employers expect in the workplace.

“This program becomes a win-win partnership as CAPS helps to build a stronger workforce for St. Charles County and provides a pipeline of future talent,” said Cheryl Graber, CAPS instructor.

Each year the CAPS program begins with a two-week professional skills boot camp. Throughout these two weeks, the students are visited by professionals in the areas of resume writing, business speaking, and even handshaking. The student associates were visited by Nancy Imbs from STL Polished, Dr. Gina Cooper from Cooper Management, and others who shared employment skills. Students are taught how employers expect them to conduct themselves in a business environment. Once this skills boot camp is complete, the student associates start their experience bucket list by going on site tours, starting business projects, and meeting more guest speakers.

The inaugural guest speaker for St. Charles CAPS was Zach Hesterberg of SoZesty Social Media Marketing. Hesterberg shared the story of his journey to entrepreneurial success, along with the bumps he experienced along the way. But Hesterberg’s involvement with CAPS has become far more than being a guest speaker.

“I had the opportunity to present to the program about my story as a young entrepreneur, then was able to be a volunteer judge/investor for a pitch competition the program had 72 StreetScape Magazine

CA

and helped out a mock interview day,” said Hesterberg.

Hesterberg has become a constant source of mentorship for this group of young entrepreneurs.

“I also love being able to give back and help the students out where possible.

I know how important mentorship can be to personal and career growth. I would’ve loved to have had a program like this when I was their age so, I will happily continue to help them out now,” said Hesterberg.

From the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to The Embassy Suites, local businesses have welcomed the CAPS students with open arms. Students have been able to learn the behind the scenes of how to run all types of businesses. This past fall, the student associates opened the OPO Café from the ground up. The students split into groups to tackle different projects for the Café, including: marketing, research and development, and health safety. The students did everything from adding the cafe to Google maps to going to the health department to

EDUCATION on experience in the career field the students plan on pursuing. Not only are the students seeing the benefits of these internships—so are the adults.

“The seniors in this program are coming out with more real-world knowledge and exposure to business than most business majors at four-year universities,” said Hesterberg.

The CAPS program is providing real-world experience which is beneficial to both the student associates and future employers. From safe homes to skin care lines, CAPS students had the opportunity to create their own passion business projects. Some of the projects included creating a new way to rate your realtor, a safe home for victims of sex trafficking, and an all-natural skincare line. At the end of the semester, the students participated in a Shark Tank-like pitch competition for a panel of local judges that included River Collins, Megan McKissen, and Mark Neville. The judges are members of OPO Startups, which provides the incubator space for the CAPS classroom.

APS

Written by Payton Dill and Taylor Payne Photo by Michael Schlueter

get a copy of the health code. Newco Enterprises generously donated an espresso machine to the program.

Along with the support from Newco, the City of St. Charles has donated lots of time to these up and coming entrepreneurs. The City even organized a meeting to introduce the directors of each office to the students. It was here that student Tyler Barteau met David Leezer, the Director of Economic Development. This meeting peaked Barteau’s interest in economic development, which secured him an in-

ternship. Levi Virden, another student associate, has secured two internships within his career field of interest: app development and computer science.

“I have two internships: one is with The SoHo Shop working with the Smart Care group helping create tutorials and also learning about software development,” said Virden. “My other internship is with Stauder Technologies helping the Palaroo app team with the user aspects of the app and with getting event producers on the app.”

These internships are providing hands-

While there was no cash prize during their pitch competition, three of the students were finalists for the 2017 SLU teen escalator pitch competition.

Hosted by Saint Louis University’s Entrepreneurship Center, the annual event chooses 12 finalists from across the country after they submit a 30-second business idea pitch. This year the competition deviated from the norm and the students had to ride up and down elevators while pitching their businesses to local entrepreneurs.

Orchard Farm’s Payton Dill brought home the 2nd place $250 cash prize after pitching her idea—Payton’s Place, a safe home for victims of sex trafficking.

Next year, St. Charles CAPS will extend outside of the Orchard Farm and St. Charles City school districts. The plan is for CAPS to be a county-wide consortium which will also include the Francis Howell, Wentzville, and Fort Zumwalt school districts. Along with adding more schools, CAPS is also adding more strands. Next year, students will be not only be offered Global Business & Entrepreneurship but will also have the opportunity to join the Health Care Academy or Technology Solutions strands.

Forget about traditional classrooms, now is the time to join the movement of 21st-century education.

Check out what the Francis Howell School District CAPS program is learning in the next issue of StreetScape Magazine. ¤ Spring 2018

73

EDUCATION

How is it that ‘THE TOUGH GET GOING?’ Susan Tyree Dempf, Ph.D. Head of School Academy of the Sacred Heart, Saint Charles

Have you ever heard the saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going?” Recently, I overheard this advice being shared by a 4th grade student to his classmate. It got me thinking... how has this youngster come to understand that there is a value in sticking with something--to see a project through to completion. In recent years there has been a renewed focus on the emotional intelligence of student development as evidenced by the addition of character education into school curricula.

This is good, but does it go far enough?

Researchers such as Carol Dweck and Angela Duckworth suggest that a child’s mindset can have a significant effect on the academic opportunities and challenges s/he might embrace. Resiliency or ‘grit’ (as it is being described) is needed as children, adolescents and adults face the challenges inherent in our evolving world and marketplace. This attitude of ‘the tough get going’

should and can be encouraged, nurtured and developed.

Identified by Dweck as a growth mindset, she suggests that each of us begins with a certain set of skills, talents and competencies but that these are not fixed points.

Our efforts, our focus, our stretching helps us to develop, grow and change what we are capable of doing and how we view ourselves. This mindset (that we are able to move beyond our present-day capacity), consistently reinforced by parents and the learning community, eventually helps children to, in the words of Carol Dweck, develop “a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.”

In his ‘last lecture’ at Carnegie Mellon University, the late Randy Pausch, Ph.D. stated “experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.” Life is full of experience producing moments! Steve Jobs

certainly had a few, as did Soichiro Honda, Arianna Huffington, David Robinson, Winston Churchill and Missouri’s own Walt Disney to name a few. Each of the aforementioned struggled before they experienced great success. No one likes to experience disappointment, falling short or rejection but these are some of the moments that later proved to be our growth plates, and just as the growth plate in a bone determines the future shape and length of a bone, these experiential growth plates help shape and direct our living and learning journey.

If you want to build anything it takes some heavy lifting…this includes character. It is not enough to say this month’s focus is ‘perseverance.’ That ‘tough get going’ attitude must be shared and lived out by students, teachers and parents. And if we are successful, we will have helped a new generation of problem solvers, innovators, inventors and visionaries. ¤

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74 StreetScape Magazine

a m m E Jackson Earns Prestigious Honor Photo by PEC Photo

EDUCATION Emma Jackson, a student at Fort Zumwalt East High School, has been selected to represent St. Peters, MO as a National Youth Delegate to the 2018 Washington Youth Summit on the Environment at George Mason University.

Jackson joins a select group of 300 students from across the country to participate in an intensive, week-long study of leadership in environmental science and conservation. She was chosen based on academic accomplishments and a demonstrated interest and excellence in leadership in the sciences and conservation studies.

George Mason University, along with partners National Geographic and the National Zoo will be welcoming the nation's young scholars to Washington, D.C. With distinguished faculty, guest speakers, and direct access to elite D.C. practitioners, the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment offers aspiring environmentalists and student leaders an unparalleled experience. The week-long program is held at George Mason University’s state-ofthe-art campus.

The Washington Youth Summit on the Environment, being held June 24 to 29, 2018, is a unique student leadership conference designed to develop and encourage future leaders in the important and dynamic field of environmental studies and conservation in the 21st century. The Advisory Board is chaired by Mark Bauman, Senior Vice President of the Smithsonian Institution's Enterprises Division.

Additional members include world renowned scholars, distinguished scientists and award-winning university faculty, such as Dr. Tom Lovejoy, noted environmentalist and former executive vice president of the World Wildlife Fund. Delegates gain an insider look at environmental science, policy and conservation issues.

For more information visit wyse.gmu.edu or contact Richard Friesner, (703) 993-5010. ¤

Spring 2018

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Thursday, May 17, 2018 The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis 7:00 am - 5:30 pm

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76 StreetScape Magazine

Whether you are staying in a hotel, B&B or guest house, enjoying the many historical sites, staying with friends and family, or exploring incredible shops and restaurants – your transportation options have been expanded – St. Charles has a trolley!

Drumroll please…it’s free! Yes, you read that right, free.

The St. Charles Trolley runs March 15th thru December 31st. Trolley times are Monday through Saturday from 11:30am to 9:30pm, and Sundays from 11:30am to 7:30pm.

The Trolley makes a loop that takes about 30 minutes and you can ride in comfort.

You’ll have eight opportunities to hop on and off at the designated Trolley stops to visit some of the city’s attractions. The Trolley

starts at the St. Charles Convention Center, then heads to its first stop at the Streets of St. Charles near the AMC Theater, and continues north to the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa. After leaving Ameristar, it will make three stops along historic Main Street, on the south end at Country Inn & Suites, at the Tourism Center, and near the Foundry Art Centre at the north end of Main. After leaving Main Street, the Trolley proceeds to the Frenchtown District, then travels along Fifth Street to the Mark Twain Village before looping back to the Convention Center.

While you enjoy the ride, the Trolley driver will share some fun facts about St. Charles.You’ll learn a little about St. Charles’ historic past and its current events. Did you know that St. Charles is also the home of Missouri’s First State Capitol or that it was founded by a French Canadian fur trader named Louis Blanchette?

The Trolley is a fun and easy way to explore St. Charles; be sure to enjoy the ride this season!

Hop on Board. . Discover St. Charl es!

Written b y & Photo s

courtesy G reater St. Charles C onvention & Visitors Bureau

For route information, please visit www.saintcharlestrolley.com Spring 2018

77

s ' t a h W UPSTAIRS ???

Written by Jeff Stahlhut

“I bought an old house at Fourth and McDonough and that got me interested,” said Pitman. “The first restoration I did was at 416 S. Main.”

While enjoying the shopping, lunch spots, coffee houses, nightlife, and all of the other things that attract us all to Main Street in St. Charles, often times the more buildings we enter, see, or otherwise pass on our journey the more questions might arise. What exactly is happening in the parts of these buildings most of us never get in to?

What’s up there?

As it turns out, it’s not exactly a big secret. There is no Elvis/ Graceland conspiracy going on. It’s actually pretty simple - many of the buildings on Main Street that house the establishments we all like to visit have either businesses up there - or in many cases, residents, who are renting spaces - all kinds of spaces - from various landlords.

“Typically second and third floors have offices or apartments in them,” said Penny Pitman, who owns Iron Star, Inc., which specializes in restoring (and renting out) properties on Main Street in St. Charles. “We started doing this in 1975 and over the years we’ve restored 12 properties. We specialize in the buildings that are the largest and in the worst shape.”

Her passion for the charm and history of Main Street actually started back in 1970 when she purchased her first house in the area.

78 StreetScape Magazine

Now home to Riverside Sweets and Blue Bird Yoga, 416 S. Main serves as a prime example of where businesses reside downstairs and there are apartments on the upper floors. Unfortunately, though, it’s not always too easy to figure out where to go to rent in the area.

“No, there is no one place to stop to get information on renting an apartment on Main Street,” said Pitman. “That would sure be helpful to people, though.”

Sharlotte Worthington, who has been working on Main Street for over 47 years, noted that the idea of people living above the businesses on there is not a new concept.

“Oh yes, people do live on Main Street. A number of buildings have second floor residential units and further south, some properties are entirely residential,” she said. “But the concept of ‘live work buildings’ is not new, it just has a contemporary name. Many buildings started out with shops on the ground floor and owners living quarters above.

Other buildings have offices on the second floor and that was often times their original use.”

Worthington would certainly have a good understanding of both the present and the past on Main Street, having spent her nearly five decades there helping to redevelop the area.

“During the 1970’s I was a city em-

ployee at the Redevelopment Authority - an agency that worked on the redevelopment of Main Street and the surrounding neighborhood doing public improvements and assisting in private rehabilitation and redevelopment of individually owned properties,” she said. “This program built Frontier Park, Kister Park and Berthold Square, Riverside Drive and the off-street parking areas, rebuilt streets, sidewalk sewers, placed a lot of utilities underground through the area, and restored several large buildings.”

In other words, Mrs. Worthington knows her stuff - and to this day she continues to rehab buildings on Main Street.

“In 1980 my husband and I went into the stove and fireplace business and in 1983 we bought the Central Building and moved our business there,” she said. “Through the time we’ve owned that building we’ve done several major rehabilitation projects from the interior ground floor spaces, the front facade, and the first rehab of the upstairs that we did in 1986.

In 2017 we spent most of the year doing another rehabilitation of the upstairs and converted the space back to office use appropriate for modern office users but still retaining the original 1906 architectural features. We have new tenants in over half of the space. This is probably the largest building on Main Street with 7,000 square feet on each floor. “ With such a strong background in both Main Street history and the ability to put tenants in buildings, people like Penny Pitman and Sharlotte Worthington are a big

reason for the success and constant revitalization of the neighborhood. A lot of people both live and work on Main Street.

“Why would people not want to spend their days here?” asked Worthington. “The buildings have interesting architecture, they have spaces which vary in size and are adaptable to many uses, which are attractive because of the interesting shopping, varying types of restaurants, interesting public spaces, varying special events and activities.”

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

“There is the history and sense of community - and the aesthetics are unmatched. You have the Missouri River, the parks, the Katy Trail… the open natural environment is available alongside the built-up established community including nearby residential areas,” said Worthington. “Then there are the people - shop and business owners, residents, customers and visitors - it’s exciting. And among the residents and business folks there are friendships, a strong welcoming, supportive environment; and sense of pride in community and commitment to the neighborhood.”

“People are attracted to Main Street,” said Pitman. “A lot of people work to keep the area manageable, understandable, interesting, and have an entrepreneurial attitude - people who like to walk down the street and take people to lunch.”

Among the types of businesses that seem to be especially attracted to Main Street in recent years are those in the tech industry, including quite a few in the Old Post Office, which is run by a company called OPO Startups.

“Yes, there is a growing strong group of tech related businesses who have chosen their home here for all

of the above reasons,” added Worthington. “They like community, diversity, active environments, and many obviously favor older buildings with interesting architectural interiors that have been updated to support modern technology needs.”

OPO Startups operates not just out of the Old Post Office, but is now in seven buildings in the 100 block of South Main. OPO Startups owner and founder Randy Schilling is perhaps the biggest reason Main Street has become such a hotbed of tech companies.

“Because of my background in technology with Quilogy and later BoardPaq, we have specially targeted technology companies to OPO,” he said. “It’s really becoming a technology innovation district. We have been very deliberate in recruiting a mix of technology startups as well as freelance or small service firms such as social marketers, graphic designers, website developers, etc. We are also beginning to see remote corporate employees working at OPO. It’s become a great community that is very supportive of the ecosystem here as well as in St. Louis.”

Upstairs, downstairs, in the Old Post Office, and all over Main Street, life continues to evolve. Be it an antique shop, a restaurant, or a bevy or tech startups, Main Street has for a long time - and continues to be - a destination spot to live, work, and play. The history and the present have given the area a strong and positive reputation.

“St. Charles is well known in the Midwest and has an aggressive tourism effort to reach visitors,” said Worthington “I think most who decide to relocate and live or work here do so because they have visited the area and are drawn to be part of what they see and experience here.” ¤

Spring 2018

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Sweet Laughter

ComedySportz is the live comedy entertainment in St. Charles you’ve been waiting for! Every Saturday night at 7:30pm, ComedySportz delivers laughter, friendly competition, and fun on the second floor of the Sugar Cubed candy store on Historic Main Street. ComedySportz is for EVERYONE. All ages will have a blast.

The humor is smart, clean, and hilarious.

Bring the whole family.

If you’ve ever watched the show “Whose Line is it Anyway,” then you already

Written by George Haynes Photos Courtesy of ComedySportz

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have a pretty good idea of what improv comedy is all about. ComedySportz wraps all of the improv goodness into a sports theme. A red team and a blue team “battle it out” with your laughter and your applause deciding the points and the winner.

ComedySportz is the flagship event under the umbrella of the company CSz St. Louis. CSz also offers improv classes for all levels of interest. If you’ve always wanted to try improv troupe comedy, but have never taken that first step,

CSz has got you covered. There are affordable Level 1 improv classes, for busy adults, taught by some of the best improv gurus in the metro area. Improv class is a creative, fun and accepting environment.

Every third Friday of the month, at Sugar Cubed, stand up comedy is the entertaining treat for your evening. The “Sweet Laughs on Main Street” show (adults only) is a comedy open mic where beginners and seasoned comics step up to the mic and bring stand up comedy to St. Charles.

Saturday night at Sugar Cubed is the hidden gem of weekend entertainment you’ve been searching for.

There’s a trio of awesomeness that will leave you smiling for days: St. Charles Historic Main Street, the Sugar Cubed candy store, and ComedySportz. https://www.cszstlouis.com/ ¤

Streaming Without a

PADDLE Written by Lance Tilford Wayward Critic Logo Design by Benjamin Tilford

Have you “cut the cord” yet? Or are you just looking to move beyond Netflix, Hulu or amazon? You can widen your binge-worthy horizons with a smorgasbord of viewing options that have flown under the radar.

I cancelled cable last year. After researching my options with YouTube TV, SlingTV, Netflix, amazon and Hulu, I chucked Charter and went rogue. I was able to hobble together some similar replacement of service—though local network channels were not always available on those options, and DVR service did not always allow for skipping past the commercials. When Charter offered some decent no-contract specials, I was back into cable and the ability to control everything with one complicated-looking remote.

Lots of offbeat options offer a cornucopia of riches for the film lover, from schlocky B-movie fare to international oddities.

Rifftrax, and they each have a dedicated channel on Pluto.

The Onion’s TV channel is here, there are channels for geeky gamers, and there is a Gorilla channel—yes, 24/7 gorilla action. Cat videos? Yep, dedicated channel. Lots of live music and eclectic music streaming. Oddly, my favorite late-night Pluto channel is All Aboard: Cab Ride Norway, in which you travel endlessly on a train around the lush fields and fjords of Norway. In all, there’s over one hundred channels for news junkies, foodies, stoners and pop culture geeks, as well as live news and sports options and a decent selection of movies. The only downside to Pluto, being free, is the frequent commercial breaks—remember TV with commercials? That, and the broadcast quality is not toprate.

So start exploring the wide world of alternatives—but you might not be quite ready to cut that cable completely. ¤

YouTubeTV runs $35/mo and has a lot of the basic-cable options including AMC, FX, National Geographic, MSNBC and Fox News (I recommend flipping between them at a rapid pace, with the sound turned down, so that the constant barrage of surprised and outraged expressions are much more entertaining). The tricky thing with YouTubeTV is that pesky “not all channels available in all areas” disclaimer; our local KTVI Channel 2 was not available, or played alternate content. So be sure to check that your favorite local stations are available in your area. Still, the service offers a great unlimited DVR option and works across pretty much any device.

Filmstruck is a meticulously curated site “for film lovers by film lovers” and is the exclusive home of the Criterion Collection—restored classics, foreign films, cult gems and more. It’s film geek heaven and well worth the $10.99/mo or $99/yr, if you take your film studies seriously or want to broaden your horizons.

Fandor also boasts an eclectic curated list for film geeks, but skews more toward cult, short films, and some interesting oddities. It’s not as expensive as Filmstruck, but doesn’t have those Criterion nuggets. Still, it’s a great source for offbeat oddities and some films not available anywhere else.

Pluto TV is a free app available through the amazon Fire TV app store (as well as ios, Android, Google, Xbox and others), and I have to say I enjoy surfing through this site more than anything. The available channels range from a mix of sports, news, pop culture, humor, and just plain weird. I’m a huge fan of Mystery Science Theatre 3000 and its spinoff,

The Wayward Critic reviews movies, television and streaming entertainment with healthy doses of snark. Follow @ waywardcritic on Facebook to see the latest new reviews!

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Save the

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Written by Melissa Whitwam, MFA Photos Courtesy of Edward M. Spevak, Ph.D

“When Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.�

-Harriet Ann Jacobs

Squash Bee (Peponapis pruinosa)

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Winter is finally behind us for another year. Surely I’m not alone in looking forward to April showers, May flowers, hikes, walks in the park, and a lot more sunshine! My favorite part about the advent of Spring is planning the season’s garden.

the pollinators and pollinated that are helped, either. When we create more bees and butterflies, the birds have larvae and caterpillars to feed their young. “Everything is interconnected!” Dr. Spevak repeats – that is the message he wants everyone to hear.

This year, however, something has been on my mind as I look forward to planting. The topic of bees is everywhere…specifically, a shortage of the little guys. According to journalist Chuck Dinerstein, “It has been a tough decade for the honeybee.” I’m fearing a shortage of my favorite sweetner, and I’m curious:

The wonderful part about this interconnectedness is that conservation efforts also ripple out with speed. The easiest and most important way to help is to create corridors. All one needs to do to create a corridor is to plant a pollinator garden. Give bees a “re-fueling” station. If you are able to have a full vegetable garden, great! If not, container gardens work as well. Creating any plot is key to repairing fragmented habitats, and it is as simple as making a pathway with plants.

1) What’s the most important thing to know about bees?

2) Realistically, what can be done to help?

3) Lastly, what can I do to help without getting stung?

Luckily, my best source is right here at the Saint Louis Zoo. Edward Spevak, PhD, is the Zoo’s Curator of Invertebrates and the Director for the Center for Native Pollinator Conservation.

Not only is he an expert on bees, his driving passion is educating others on pollinators’ importance and how to conserve. In the course of our conversation, he offers many exciting and practical way to help this Spring. First, let’s dispel a few myths.

We’ll start with my faint-hearted concern about stingers. Dr. Spevak is understanding, putting common fears to rest immediately. For starters, the odds of NOT being stung are much better than you think. At best, there is a 50/50 chance that a bee will try to sting you, as only females sting. Also, of 20,000 different species of bees that exist, there are only a few that can actually pierce the skin, and only a small percentage of those are venomous.

Dr. Spevak illustrates by asking if I am ever tempted to stop eating my meal and hit someone. No? You neither? That puts us in the same frame of mind as the bee, who is only interested in their own endeavor. Also, we’re not often tempted to hit a random stranger, provided of course, they are not flailing their arms and screaming at us. That is his diplomatic way of saying not to freak out around bees. If you’ll allow me just one pun, around bees, mind your own beeswax and you’re likely to be just fine.

Some places (Dr. Spevak references the Bumblebee Highway in Oslo, Norway) have more elaborate and communal efforts than what I’ve just described. In this area, we’re fortunate enough to be close to the CNPC to support their global efforts. Of their many initiatives in pollinator conservation is “Native Foods, Native Peoples, and Native Pollinators,” which, as the name suggests, cultivates not just crops, but culture, diet, and lifestyle as well.

Although this work is done on Tribal and Reservation land, the lessons are applicable to all of us.

On the whole, these lessons and efforts are minimal, and natural to most of us. What can we do to help pollinators this season? We can support the work of Organizations like the CNPC. Our region is rich with conservation efforts, and when you give back to the Saint Louis Zoo, you are supporting those efforts.

We can also make smarter choices in our eating habits. Just through the act of buying fresh fruit from the store, you are supporting pollination! We can spread the word. When we’re planting our Spring gardens, share your knowledge. In a few months, you and your friends will reap the rewards of all the pollination your garden has encouraged.

If there’s anything more rewarding than creating sustainability, it’s sharing it. As the lovely butterflies and helpful bees circle, remember how grateful they are, too! ¤

So what else do we need to know? Let’s go back to the honeybee for a moment. I mentioned Dr. Spevak is the Director for the Center for Native Pollinator Conservation (CNPC). Although they are iconic, beautiful, and useful, honeybees are not even native to the New World, and there are 475 other native Missouri species that need our help much more. I was also under the misconception that most bees are social. Not only is that incorrect, often, solitary species are more efficient than honeybees in pollinating plants. So, wonderful news – you don’t have to build an apiary to be a conservationist. I certainly won’t stop you (although you should check your City Ordinances) from beekeeping, but there are alternate ways that are necessary to make a positive impact.

The CNPC clearly explains why native pollinators are essential: “Pollination of plants is the cornerstone of most ecosystems. Almost 90% of the approximately 400,000 species of flowering plants need the help of animals to move pollen for reproduction.”

Another iconic pollinator is the Monarch butterfly, who migrates 2,500 miles in the course of a year. With buildings and barriers increasingly paving that 2,500 miles, their habitats are severely fragmented.

There are so many diverse species of bees because they pollinate an incredibly diverse range of plants. The Squash bee is specific to squash, for instance. There is even a Blueberry bee, and you can guess what that pollinates. Because of physical differences, plants rely on their pollinating counterpart. When you think that we depend on the pollination of bees for one out of every three bites of food we eat, it is clear that we need to help sustain all of these pollinators and create habitats for them. It’s not just

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)

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A Century of the Muny Written by Melissa Whitwam, MFA Photos courtesy of The Muny

Although not stage actors, Kwofe Coleman and Emily Parker have all the charisma of leading stars. They were kind enough to meet me to talk about the Muny’s 100th Anniversary Season this year, and after one conversation, I felt like I had been given a full backstage tour.

Kwofe is the Director of Marketing and Communications, while Emily is Assistant Director of Marketing. When I ask them about their roles with the Muny, their responses are immediately personal. Neither focus on what they do professionally as employees of the Muny.

Instead, they talk about what all the theatre does, and how fortunate they are to be part of the team that makes that magic.

We all have our own Muny memories, they explain. In celebration of the 100th Anniversary Season, you are invited to share your own “Muny Story” on their website. The response has already been overwhelming, and it is a heartwarming affirmation for Emily. “It’s easy to make the magic when you realize how important it is for so many people!” Their excitement is contagious. The three of us go down a rabbit hole of musical memories and stories, and at every turn, they surprise me with fascinating things I never knew about the Muny.

Furthermore, these audiences are from all over the world. The Muny regularly attracts worldwide travelers, producers, performers, and audience members.

One of the most startling things I learned is about the rehearsal schedules. In a full season, there are seven separate shows, each with its own performance run. Packing all that into a single summer is tight, and even more so when you consider the cast only has eleven days of rehearsal together. Of those, only the last three are on the physical Muny stage, and only the last two are with the orchestra. Consider that miniscule time frame next time you watch how coordinated and sophisticated the shows are! It’s important to note that the Muny doesn’t choose simple shows, either. It will come as no surprise, then, when I say that the process of choosing shows is also elaborate.

More interesting than the “final word” in this case is who has the

For example, native St. Louisans may know the Muny holds 11,000 seats. Did you know that a typical Broadway Theatre seats only 1,100 – ten times smaller! In addition to the sheer size of the Muny, let’s not forget that it is an outdoor theatre. While a roof is half-jokingly suggested by every audience member that’s seen a show on an inclement day, the Outdoor Theatre has its own irreplaceable character. There’s a special connection between audience and actors when they’re in the same space, vulnerable to the same elements and under the same stars. Recalling some of the “My Muny” stories they’ve read, Kwofe and Emily laugh that some of the most telling are the memories of rainy nights when all 11,000 audience members are crowded under the eaves mingling until the show could begin again.

The Muny Stage; Circa 1928.

Performance of Aida.

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“first say.” At the end of every season, the Muny distributes surveys to all audience members (feedback is also taken online), enabling them to create their “dream season” from a pre-curated selection of possibilities. Muny staff review these for months, compiling audiences’ preferences, and even cross-referencing with past years’ survey results. While decisions cannot be made from these results alone, asking the audience makes the process truly democratic. Once trends and popular requests have been reviewed, the logistical steps begin.

Schedules are checked, budgets are reviewed, contracts are drafted, and all the unglamorous factual possibilities are called into play.

Because they have good relationships with licensing agencies, the Muny can arrange shows that may not be successful or possible in other venues. At the same time logistics are being arranged, the less tangible artistic directions are also arranged.

While teams on the staff determine what’s available, they also have to determine what “goes together.” If you imagine picking the art on the walls of your home, the pieces coordinate overall, even though they are meant for different rooms. Each season features at least one Premiere, a family favorite, and a carefully curated balance of nostalgic and continuing classics. Kwofe describes the social responsibility of the Muny as: to provide the audience with “a look back, a look forward, and a look to the family” with cultural awareness and sensitivity. They must constantly evolve with the community.

After teams have edited the choices even more, the choice “goes to the room,” as Kwofe says in a tone of reverence. He is one of three

people in the final room, and feels the responsibility keenly. The other two are President and CEO Denny Reagan, who has been with the Muny 50 years this summer, and Artistic Director and Executive Producer Mike Isaacson, who has been with the Muny seven years this summer. They have the difficult task of considering the community’s needs, cultural trends, and performance possibilities and making them work within the practical parameters the production side demands. Once that balance has been struck in “the room,” the final selections are considered and approved by the Repertory Committee of the Board of Directors.

The thoughtfulness and diplomacy with which the Muny team chooses shows is an example of the attitude with which they treat the whole artistic process.

This year’s 100th Anniversary marks a rare accomplishment and can be attributed to a number of things. Subscribing ticket holders financially sustain the Muny, but it is the loyalty of St. Louisans that is the true magic behind their sustainability. Theatre mogul Lee Shubert once said in regards to the Muny, “It must be a community affair backed by city pride, and St. Louis has supplied that backing to an unheard of extent.”

And how could we not, given the quality of life the Muny provides?

Dennis Brown has written a wonderfully historical “Muny Saga” that takes a look at each of the ten decades of the Muny. It will leave you with fascinating stories and no doubt as to how the Muny has become so loved by its audiences.

The memories of the past will remind you to look forward to this season. I had to ask my new friends what they are most looking forward to. This season, the Muny will feature Annie, Gypsy, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, Jersey Boys, Meet Me in St. Louis, Singin’ in the Rain, and The Wiz. Kwofe is looking forward to Jersey Boys and The Wiz, as they reinforce the Muny’s mission of enriching the community with exceptional performances, and these will surely bring in some new faces.

Emily is excited about the season’s openers and closers. Jerome Robbins’ Broadway is a spectacular start to the season. As dynamic as it will be to start the season with this performance, it is equally appropriate to end the Muny’s 100th Season with Meet Me in St. Louis.

After all, the season’s tagline is the last line of the performance, and seems a natural end to this article as well. When you’re buying your tickets for the summer, I know you, too, will feel as lucky as I do to be “Right here in Saint Louis.” ¤

The Muny Stage; Circa 2016.

Performance of Wizard of Oz.

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Society

Go Red for Women

February 2, 2018 • The Ritz-Carlton in St Louis • Photos courtesy of Patti Gabriel The American Heart Association held its annual Go Red for Women Luncheon Feb. 2nd at The Ritz-Carlton in St Louis. The event unites and empowers the St. Louis area to prevent heart disease and stroke. This year’s program featured a “heart to heart conversation” with KTVI Anchor Jasmine Huda, and Dr. Mary Mason, Chief Medical Officer of the Specialty Companies-Centene Corporation. The 2018 Go Red for Women Event Chairs are Cynthia Brinkley, President & COO of Centene and Deb Hollingsworth, retired VP-External Affairs at AT&T. The Go Red for Women Luncheon is designed to increase awareness and raise funds for research in an ongoing effort to save the lives of women. National Sponsors include Macy’s & CVS Health, and local Sponsors include BJC HealthCare and the Centene Charitable Foundation.

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A. Luncheon attendees participate in a sugar education exercise sponsored by BJC Healthcare. B. Go Red for Women Event Chairs, Deb Hollingsworth and Cynthia Brinkley addressing attendees. C. More than 500 women, and men, in red attended the event. D. Survivors, Gretchen Cliburn and Chery Rauchenbach shared their amazing stories of survival of heart disease and stroke. E. Country music artist and songwriter, Filmore, sings a song written for the luncheon dedicated to Emily Rauchenbach and others who we’ve lost to heart disease. F. Keynote Speaker Dr. Mary Mason and luncheon emcee, Jasmine Huda

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S Society ociety

Denim & Diamonds

February 3, 2018 • The Foundry Art Centre • Photos courtesy of Mirage Photo in St. Charles BCI hosted its 11th Annual Behind the Mask Gala on Saturday, February 3 at The Foundry Art Centre. The night had a casual country flair with the theme, Denim & Diamonds. Behind the Mask celebrates the people doing great things behind the scenes to ensure that adults living with disabilities have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

At the gala, BCI honored both Barb Griffith and Chuck Blossom with its Loving Hands Award. Griffith is the current President and CEO of Community Living, Inc. and is a positive, energetic advocate for children and adults with disabilities. Blossom served as BCI's CEO from 2000-2013 and raised the bar for how adults with disabilities can find success in manufacturing.

The event raised $50,000 to support BCI’s new Skills Center, which opens this summer. A first-of-its-kind vocational training facility specifically for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the Skills Center will provide customized training and handson experience that will foster success for individuals and businesses alike. To learn more, visit www.skillscenterSTL.com.

“BCI is standing on the leading edge of an inclusion revolution,” said CEO Tony Spielberg, “and we thank each and every person who lends their support to this very important mission.”

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A. Justin Wetter & Libby Smith were the proud new owners of the auction puppy B. Cedar was the Belle of the Ball C. Derek and Stephanie Beatty joined Client Services Solutions, the gala's presenting sponsor owner; Andy Rowe, and his wife, Emily Fondahn D. Tony Spielberg, BCI CEO, with Loving Hands Award recipient Barb Griffith E. Friends and Family of Director of Development, Don Rothermich F. Many thanks to the friends of BCI for all of the silent auction items G. St. Charles' beautiful Foundry Art Centre KDiamonds H. Chris Griffith with his set for Denim & wife, honoree Barb Griffith with their family, daughter Alison, daughter-in-law, Jamie, son Ben. I. The evening's entertainment was provided by Russ Kasper and his band the "Rough Riders" J. Val Brattin & Bert Neal, Geri & BCI Board member Ron Kloppenburg, Jan & Gary Pflum, Laura & Steve Wootten K. BCI staff and employees, Jaclyn, Cat, Matt, Donna and Sarah had a great night.

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Crystal Ball

February 10, 2018 • St. Charles Convention Center • Photos by Michael Schlueter Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County hosted its 53rd Crystal Ball, themed and decorated for an entertaining Mardi Gras Celebration. The Crystal Ball Committee joined Co-Chairs Mike and Kim Hannegan as they welcomed over 400 generous donors and supporters. The goal of the evening was to raise funds to provide endless possibilities that will lead to promising futures for the children served at the Clubs. The event raised $190,000! To introduce additional excitement to the event, Randy Karraker, St. Louis sports announcer and media personality was Master of Ceremonies and Auctioneer for the evening. Autumn, 2018 Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County Youth of the Year, shared her life story. Successful raffles included a Blinky Ring, Wine Pull and Lottery Ticket along with over 100 Silent Auction baskets and 15 Live Auction items. The evening also touted a delectable dinner, open bar and entertainment. Crystal Ball Sponsors included: CRYSTAL SPONSORS Patriot Machine, Inc., S&H Property Holdings LLC, Tom Bruening at Coldwell Banker Gundaker; SILVER SPONSORS Beck Elder Law, Mercy Hospital, Toyota Motor North America, Inc.; BRONZE SPONSORS DH Schmidt Co., Ferro Magnetics Corp., the Haberstroh Family, Mueller Prost, LC, Pio’s Restaurant, Riviera Too, St. Charles Jaycees Junior Chamber of Commerce, StreetScape Magazine, and the Kyle Hannegan Group, Berkshire Hathaway.

Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County, its Board of Directors, Staff and Volunteers extend their sincere appreciation for your generosity and kindness. We thank you for your commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs as “Great Futures Start Here.”

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Taste of Vegas

February 17, 2018 • The Christy Banquet Center • Photos courtesy of K. Thaemert Photography Taste of Vegas was a premier event in St. Charles County featuring tastings by the area's best restaurants, drinks, gaming tables and NEW this year- Dancing with the Stars! Entertainment featuried The Sax Man ands Griffin and the Gargoyles!

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A. Heather Patterson, Nina DeAngelo, Kim Jimenez, Barb Koch, Michelle Callahan. B. Susie G’s provided tasty desserts for attendees C. Chamber members Vincent and Naomi Fitzpatrick and Barb Kinder D. Clayton’s Restaurant E. Sugarfire WingHaven F. The Sax Man provided dinner entertainment to Taste of Vegas attendees. G. Casino style gaming was a big part of the Taste of Vegas event H. The Christy was filled with over 300 guests in attendance. I. Griffin and the Gargoyles provided entertainment for guests and kept the dance floor packed for the entire night! J. O’Fallon City Councilman Dale Kling, John Cook, Councilwoman Debbie Cook and friends enjoy fellowship at the Taste of Vegas K. Chamber Members Michelle Callahan and Brian Laiderman L. Lily Hunter of Central Bank of St. Louis and Charles Stokley M. Steve Mohrmann of USA Mortgage and Mary Poll-Collins N. Extreme Electrical’s Caleb Hunter and dance partner Shannon Norman of Shannon Norman Law. O. Dancing with the Stars Champion, Shelley Barr of KSLQ 104.5 and partner Jeff Lucas. P. Founder of Little Black Book, Angel Magasano and Stan Collins. Q. Chamber President Erin Williams and partner Steve Kuhn. R. Edward Jones Agent Bob Engert and Deepika Gomes. S. O’Fallon Mayor Bill Hennessy and dance partner Gabrielle Almgren.

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ADVER T L I S T ISER I N G Abigail's Apparel Academy of the Sacred Heart Ameriprise Financial,Tom Burke Andrews Academy April's on Main BCI Wing Ding 2018 Bike Stop CafĂŠ and Outpost Black Dress Partners Bogey Hills Country Club Care to Learn CenterPointe Hospital Decorating Den Interiors Erio's Ristorante Executive Homes First State Wealth Advisors Foundry Art Centre Framations Fratellis Ristorante Half Price Books Hendricks BBQ Hollywood Blonde Salon Integrity Mortgage iTN Gateway La Gallerie Fine Art LIJ Designs, Inc Lindenwood University Lloyd & Company

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facebook.com/abigailsapparelstcharles 37 ash1818.org 31 ameriprise.com 60 andrewsacademy.com 50 aprilsonmain.com 22 BCIWingDing.com back cover bikestopcafes.com 31,37, fashion spread midwestwboconference.com 76 bogeyhillscc.com 46, 54 sc-care-to-learn.com 31 CenterPointeHospital.com 31 swatdesignteam.com 20 eriosristorante.com 50 executivehomes.net 7 fsbfinancial.com/investments 62 foundryartcentre.org 7 framations.com 15 fratellisristorante.com 29 hpb.com 70 hendricksbbq.com/smoke 91 hollywoodblondesalon.com 37 integritymortgagemo.com 54 itngateway.org 29 facebook.com/LaGallerie 20 lijdesign.com 36 lindenwood.edu 74 lloydcpa.com 65

Mercy Michele Berra Financial Group Midwest BankCentre Midwest Pool Morgan Stanley, Russ T. Clever MOss Boutique Old Millstream Inn Oma's Barn Home & Garden One Financial Parkview Gardens Quackers Waterproofing Schlueter Photography SOFA SSM Health St. Charles City-County Library St. Charles County Historical Society State Farm-Strickland/Swift STL Buy & Sell Realtors Streets of St. Charles The Flower Petaler The Potted Plant The Rack House Kitchen Wine Whiskey The Walking Cradle Company The White Hare Thros and Michelles Walters Jewelry Zanders Jewelry

mercy.net/expecting 2 micheleberra.com 58, 65 MidwestBankCentre.com 5, 56 bestpool4u.com 15 morganstanleyfa.com/clever 59 MOssboutique.com 5 facebook.com/MillstreamBar 36 facebook.com/omasbarnHG 20 OneFinancialSTL.com 61 parkviewgardens.com 50 quackerswaterproofing.com 22 schlueterphoto.com 36 sofausa.org 63 ssmhealth.com/doctors 9, 15, 63 stchlibraryfoundation.org 71 scchs.org 35 jeffstrickland.com, emilyswift.com 54 TomYourAgent.com 28 thestreetsofstcharles.com 9 flowerpetaler.net 4 pottedplant.net 4 therackhousekww.com 69 walkingcradles.com 29 thewhitehare.com 46 throsandmichelles.com 37 waltersjewelryinc.com 46 zandersjewelry.com 36

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