January/February 2015
www.gibsonprinting.com
www.byerlyrv.com
ssmdrs.com
January/February 2015
Contents
4 COUNTY BUSINESS NEWS
This issue of Our Town contains a voting
ballot for the “Best of North County”
contest produced by a partnership
between the Community News and
the Greater North County Chamber of
Commerce. This contest will be similar
to the “Best of Maryland Heights”
contest we held a few months ago.
For those of you not familiar with a
“Best Of” contest, it is an opportunity
for our readers to vote for their favorite
business in several categories. The
business that receives the most votes is
elected “Best Of” a category, receiving an
award and bragging rights until another
contest takes place. Those bragging
rights can help your favorite business
have a better year. So, please vote.
This particular contest is focused on
the Greater North County Chamber
of Commerce, limiting candidates
for this election to members of the
chamber, or any non members located
in the chamber’s service area. The
chamber’s service area is defined as
nine zip codes in North County. Those
zip codes are shown on the ballot.
There will be more ballots available
to readers of the Community News.
Those ballots will be published in the
paper every week for eight consecutive
weeks starting January 7, 2015. You
can also vote online at www.mycnews.
com or direct email your vote to
[email protected].
These “Best Of” contests are good
for all concerned; the contestants,
the chamber, this publisher, and most
important, the service area for the
contest because it promotes a positive
attitude about our local business
community. Please vote.
Thank you for reading Our Town.
Robert Huneke
Publisher
Greater North County Chamber of Commerce
Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce
North County Incorporated, Regional Development Association
8 AROUND TOWN
Reinvest North County Fund issues third round of funding and more.
10 FEATURE
Cooking up business in Florissant
Family-owned restaurants give city a unique flavor
By Sara Hardin
13 ADVERTISER PROFILE
Byerly RV gearing up for a busy 2015
By Russ Patton
14 ENTERTAINMENT
The best movies of 2014
15 THE MEDICAL MEMO
Beat the winter blues: explore the outdoors year-round
By Rajiv Patel, MD
16 ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE
Battling the snow with a mechanical behemoth
17 MOORE ON LIFE
Resolutions Schmesolutions
18 NONPROFIT PROFILE
Crisis Nursery provides safe haven for children and families
By Val Joyner, PR Manager at Saint Louis Crisis Nursery
19 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
VOL 6 / NO 1
Our Town is a Community News publication. It is published every other month and directmailed to 7,150 business executives in North and Northwest St. Louis county, plus online circulation.
Online subscriptions are FREE and available at www.mycnews.com
For advertising information please contact:
Community News
2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Drive | O’Fallon, MO 63366 | 636.379.1775 | www.mycnews.com
Publisher - Robert Huneke
Editor - Mathew DeKinder
Staff Writer - Sara Hardin
Contributing Writers -Russ Patton | Rajiv Patel, MD | Val Joyner
Photographer - Ray Rockwell
Art Director - Chris Oth
Cover Photo - Sara Hardin
Copyright 2014 Huneke Publications, Inc. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without
the express written consent of the publisher.
3
Our Town
County Business NEWS
Maryland Heights Chamber hosts 3rd Annual Trivia Night
The Maryland Heights
Chamber of Commerce Trivia Night
was such a huge success they’ve decided to bring it back on
March 6, 2015. The
event will be held at
the Moolah Temple at
12545 Fee Fee Rd in St.
Louis with a portion
of the proceeds benefitting the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.
This year’s theme is “Decades” with questions from the 1950’s
to the current decade. A table of 8
is $160 with snacks,
beer, soda and water
included. There will
be lots of fun in-between round games,
raffle prizes, winners
every two rounds and
a best dressed table
contest. We sold out
last year so get your table today by calling 314-576-6603 or
email [email protected].
Business Leader of the Year Awards
The Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce hosted their 7th Annual Business
Leader of the Year Awards on Nov. 12 at
Orlando’s Event & Conference Centers located at 2050 Dorsett Village in Maryland
Heights.
The Award recipients were recognized
for their outstanding commitment to the
Business Community.
Business Leader of the Year awarded to
World Wide Technologies, Business In-
vestment awarded to U.S. Bank, Corporate Commitment awarded to Dave &
Buster’s , Innovative Leadership awarded to BSR Services, Inc., Service Award
awarded to CATCO, Small Business of the
Year awarded to P.S. Rapp Sewer & Plumbing , Rookie of the Year awarded to BookKeeping Express, Ambassador of the Year
awarded to Debbie Loftus, Non-profit of
the Year awarded to The Center for Head
Injury Services and Volunteer of the Year
awarded to Kathy Kusmec.
Inaugural annual
banquet announced
The Maryland Heights Chamber of
Commerce will host their Inaugural Banquet Luncheon on Jan. 11 at Syberg’s Restaurant located at 2430 Old Dorsett
Road. Companies that have been members from five to 25 years will be recognized. This event will sell out fast and reservations are required, secure your seat
today by calling 314-576-6603 or email
sherry @ mhcc.com.
New staff member introduced
The Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce announced Dec. 1 2014 that they added a
new member to their team, Sales and Marketing Manager Rick Gregory. The chamber is excited to welcome Rick Gregory.
Want to make
a difference?
Be a teacher!
Teacher Certification
program available at
Columbia College-St. Louis
(314) 429-5500
GoForGreater.org/STLTCP
4
Our Town
County Business NEWS
Greater North County
Chamber Nite of Stars
The members and guests of the Greater North County Chamber of Commerce enjoyed another sold-out evening at the annual Nite of Stars Holiday Gala. The event was held on Dec. 5 at
the Paul Detrick Auditorium at Christian Hospital. Lavish Hors
d’ oeuvres, Decadent Desserts, Cocktails and music were enjoyed by all.
Photos courtesy of Kent Miller Photography
5
Our Town
County Business NEWS
Greater North County Chamber
accepting scholarship applications
The Greater North County Chamber of
Commerce is now accepting applications
for the 2015 scholarship program.
The chamber will award six $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors who reside
in the greater North County service area,
which includes the cities of Bellefontaine
Neighbors, Black Jack, Cool Valley, Ferguson, Florissant, Hazelwood, Jennings,
Spanish Lake and surrounding unincor-
porated North St. Louis County.
The scholarship can be used for posthigh-school, continuing-education expenses including college tuition, room
and board, books, fees, or for expenses associated with a trade or technical
school program.
The scholarship fund was established with
donations from chamber members and
a fall bowling tournament. The Greater
North County Chamber of Commerce has
awarded $52,000 in scholarships to date.
Applications are available at local high
schools; at the chamber office, 420 W.
Washington St.; or online at www.greaternorthcountychamber.com. Applications
must be submitted to the chamber office
by Feb. 20.
For more information, call the chamber
office at 314-831-3500.
New members of the Greater North County Chamber of Commerce
The Dewight E. Patton Jr. Foundation
Alliance Credit Union - Hazelwood Branch
O’Charley’s Restaurant & Bar
M & M Contracting
Alliance Credit Union - Jennings Branch
Djd InDepth Consulting Services
Mattingly’s Sports Bar & Grill
International Food Products
Quality Assurance Homecare Services
Stepping Into Elegance, LLC
A M Healthcare Enterprises Ltd.
ABC Mobi Telecom
2010 Nails & Spa
I Love Ferguson
GFI Digital
Hawthorne Players
A2B Towing & Recovery
Max’s Meats & Deli
Phancy Fingers and Feet & Boutique
Take it from
a
ar
b
ar
B
“Choosing The Villa is an
intelligent decision. It’s a place of
humming activity, great customer
service and a diverse community
full of wonderful people!”
Gracious Retirement Living
– Barbara Havis
Villa at Riverwood resident
and retired Professor
#1 Pratt Place
Florissant, MO 63031
314.839.5000
2 months free in first 13 months
or no 2nd person fee for 12 months
6
Our Town
Best of North Co. Ballot
Vote for your favorite Greater North County Chamber
member or any other business in 63031, 63033, 63042,
63135, 63136, 63137, 63138, 63032 or 63034 in the categories listed below. All entries due no later than
March 1, 2015. Vote as often as you wish. There will be two winners in each category.
Accounting
Dentist
Landscaping/Lawncare
Apartment Complex
Financial/Investments
Medical Doctor
Attorney
Fitness Center
Mortgage Company
Auto Repair
Florist
Optometrist/Eye Care
Bank/Credit Union
Hair Salon
Plumbing
Bar/Grill
Heating & Cooling
Printing
Catering
Home Remodeling
Real Estate Co./Agent
Chiropractor
Hotels/Lodging
Restaurant/Dining
Computer Services
Insurance Agent
Roofing
Childcare
Jeweler
Senior Living
You can vote online at www.mycnews.com as often as you want to... or you can email your
vote to [email protected]... or you can clip this and mail to:
Community News
2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366
7
Our Town
around town
Reinvest North County Fund
issues third round of funding
The St. Louis Regional Business Council (RBC) organized the Reinvest North County Fund as an immediate business response when
civil unrest began in Ferguson. In partnership with North County
Inc., the fund was created and has already invested $128,500 to help
numerous small businesses and four school districts.
Today, the Fund is awarding $119,500 to support 11 small businesses
and support children in four school districts. With this announcement, it brings the total donated to $248,000.
The businesses receiving funding are: BJ’S Everlasting Oils; Children’s City Discount Clothing; Clip Appeal; Daba Hair Braiding;
Drake’s Place Restaurant; Fan Wireless, LLC; Mounas and Sisters;
S and K PX Market; St. Louis Cordless Communications, LLC; Sole
Pro Shoetique; and xSolo Insurance Service.
portant vehicle for many caring and generous businesses, organizations and individuals to demonstrate how much we care about
their communities.”
Through the generosity of the Monsanto Company Fund, help
and support for school children and their families is being provided for the Parents as Teachers program in the Normandy Schools
Collaborative; transportation and security in the Ferguson-Florissant School District; transportation and security in the Riverview
Gardens School District; and parenting classes, family engagement
activities outside of school hours, staff and community wellness
room creation in the Jennings School District. Additionally, funding is provided for tutoring potentially needed in all four districts.
Previous business grants were given to: Best Insurance/Always Love
and Care; Fashions R Boutique; Freedom Customized Care; Nail
Trap; New Chong Wah Inc.; Rehoboth Pharmacy; STL Feel Beauty;
Velvet Freeze; Yolo! Boutique; and 911 Hair Salon.
Further donations are encouraged. Checks can be made payable to the Reinvest North County Fund at the 501(c)3 non-profit
North County Regional Development Association (NCI), 350B Village Square Drive, Hazelwood, MO 63042. Visit the website www.
NorthStLouisCounty.com for additional ways to give.
“The RBC and North County Inc. share a deep appreciation of the
challenges that both businesses and schools continue to address
during this difficult time,” said Kathy Osborn, Executive Director
of the RBC. “The Reinvest North County Fund has become an im-
“North County Inc. Regional Development Association is immensely grateful for the kindness and support of the RBC and all
of the donors during this stressful time,” said Rebecca Zoll, President and CEO of NCI.
First Bank helps blanket St. Louis area with warmth
With temperatures plunging, First Bank employees donated a record 202 new electric
blankets and raised $6,000 on behalf of EnergyCare, a non-profit organization located in St. Louis.
“I cannot thank our employees enough for
their generous donations,” said Ed Furman,
First Bank Senior Vice President and Chief
Investment Officer who organized the employee effort with First Bank. “Their efforts
will help more St. Louisans stay warm this
winter.”
In addition to setting a record for most
blankets collected since the EnergyCare
initiative was started in 1999, First Bank
and its employees set a record with over
$6,000 in donations.
Helping Furman load the blankets onto the
EnergyCare truck on Dec. 17 was Jonathan
Roberts, First Bank Executive Vice President – Director of Retail Banking; Angela Pinex, First Bank Community Affairs Officer; Xavier Koenig, First Bank IT Analyst
and Project Leader; Dennis Kelley, EnergyCare Executive Director; and James Owen,
Assistant to the Executive Director, EnergyCare.
Since 1999, First Bank employees have donated a total of 1,933 blankets valued at
nearly $52,000. In the summer, First Bank
employees also donated new air conditioners to EnergyCare. Combined, First
Bank has raised well over $115,000 for the
non-profit during the past 15 years.
EnergyCare relies on generous donations
to help to keep low-income, homebound
and medically-at-risk people safe. EnergyCare provides energy-related services and
8
Our Town
Photo courtesy First Bank
(From left) Jonathan Roberts (First Bank), Dennis Kelley
(EnergyCare), Angela Pinex (First Bank), Ed Furman (First Bank)
and James Owen (EnergyCare) all helped load blankets into the
EnergyCare truck on Dec. 17.
information for the low-income elderly, ill,
disabled and families with young children
in St. Louis City and County. Donations are
tax deductible. For information, please visit www.energycare.org or call 314-773-5900.
around town
St. Louis Rams recognize former
Merchant Marine for volunteer service
Leo McGeoghegan, a former Merchant
Marine disabled in a spinal cord accident,
has received a Georgia Frontiere Community Quarterback Award from the St. Louis Rams for his extraordinary volunteer
service with the nonprofit St. Louis HELP
organization, which freely loans home
health equipment to anyone who needs it.
“Being paralyzed and in a power wheelchair may stop some people, but Leo McGeoghegan makes limitations seem nonexistent. For more than six years, Leo has
used his carpentry skills, helpful demeanor and positive attitude to enhance the St.
Louis HELP lending program,” lauded St.
Louis Rams executives in ceremonies Dec.
5 at the Rams Park training facility of the
National Football League team.
As a volunteer, McGeoghegan, age 63, organized the St. Louis HELP warehouse by
building custom shelves, tables and display
cia Rodriguez, Rams owner emeritus and
daughter of former owner Georgia Frontiere.
Submitted photo
Lucia Rodriguez, Rams owner emeritus and daughter of former
owner Georgia Frontiere stands with Leo McGeoghegan, recipient of the Georgia Frontiere Community Quarterback Award
from the St. Louis Rams.
racks for donated home health equipment
items. He improved systems for processing home health equipment and distributing the items such as walkers, wheelchairs,
crutches and canes free to people who
can’t afford to rent or buy it. For his volunteer service, McGeoghegan received an
awards plaque from St. Louis Rams Chief
Operating Officer Kevin Demoff and Lu-
“Leo is a blessing for the people we serve
and the St. Louis HELP organization as a
whole,” says Executive Director Laura Cannon Singer, who founded St. Louis HELP in
2008. “He often spends weekends working on projects for us just to save St. Louis HELP time and money in addition to
volunteering during the week. He made
certain our program can accommodate all
ages by helping to set up a ‘pediatric only’
section of our warehouse. Leo often volunteers to distribute equipment to people
he meets in the community outside of his
volunteer hours.
“Everyone at St. Louis HELP loves working
with Leo because he proudly displays the
possible instead of what is not possible,”
says Singer.
Aesculap rewards Hazelwood Fire Department
A member of the contributions committee for Germany-based
Aesculap, a global leader in the production of surgical equipment
and medical devices with a North American office in Hazelwood,
recently presented a $250 check donation to Fire Chief Dave Radel
of the Hazelwood Fire Department. The company wanted to express its appreciation to the department for efforts in organizing
several meetings with its workforce relating to safety preparedness
in times of emergency.
The Hazelwood Fire Department has formed an excellent safety partnership with Aesculap by having its firefighters conduct informative presentations in the company’s conference room for its
employees. Some of the topics covered during these meetings involved evacuation procedures in case of fire, shelter in reinforced
areas during times of tornadoes or other natural emergencies, and
reaction to possible civil unrest within the building. The firefighters also reviewed the in-house first aid kits for updated supplies
and accessibility.
In addition, Aesculap management staff has invited fire department officials to do a “walk-through” of their facility to look for any
hazards or areas of concern in order to maintain the highest work9
Photo courtesy the city of Hazelwood
Bobbie Hudson (left), Aesculap Human Resources Associate and Contributions Committee member, presents a generous $250 check donation to Hazelwood Fire Chief Dave Radel (center) with
Keith Burke (right), Aesculap Senior Order Fulfillment Manager.
place safety standards for their employees. Plus, Hazelwood firefighters have been invited to view and critique an actual practice
drill of a full-scale evacuation plan for employees.
“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made in working with Aesculap management in creating a safe working environment for their
employees and putting in place proper safety protocols in case of
emergency situations,” said Battalion Chief Randy Getz. “This is
our new model for building cooperative relationships with companies of all sizes in Hazelwood’s business community.”
Our Town
Cooking
up business in Florissant
Family-owned restaurants help give city a unique flavor
By Sara Hardin
When it comes to finding a great place to grab a bite, the city
of Florissant is anything but short-handed. Florissant is home to
many family-owned businesses whose owners have called the
city home for generations. Two of them happen to be a couple
of the best places in not only Florissant, but in the St. Louis area
to find an unforgettable meal.
de.lish Cheesecake Bakery & Café was opened in 2011 by owner
Jeff Mullersman, resident of Florissant for 10 years.
“I grew up here, I live here, so I wanted to invest my money here,”
said Mullersman.
Jeff Mullersman (left) owner/chef of de.lish Cheesecake Bakery & Cafe; stands with server manager Ethan Payer.
Photos by Sara Hardin
de.lish is located in the historic Narrow Gauge Railroad train station and was built
in 1878. After noticing the empty
building, Mullersman decided that
it would serve as
the perfect location for a new business prospect.
“The fact that we’re
in a historic location brings people
here not just for
the food, but for the history,” said Mullersman. “We have some
popular neighbors, Fritz’s and Old Town Donuts, and I had a
feeling that this location would be the perfect spot for us to be
noticed.”
Mullersman discussed that since there isn’t a lot of room within the de.lish’s budget to pay for advertisements, he relies heavily on word-of-mouth from his customers in order to continue
getting regular business. Even so, his business has maintained a
loyal customer base since its opening just three years ago.
“I believe word-of-mouth is your best advertisement … We rarely did any advertising and business grew and grew and grew. We
still have customers come in who have never been here before,
so that tells me that word-of-mouth works. When you’re in a
tight-knit community like Florissant you get a lot of local support and that’s what keeps us going. We do have a lot of regular customers, people who I see on a regular basis and I know by
name who I’ve come to call friends and even some family.”
When it comes to the food, Mullersman’s passion for his dishes shines through. Being the restaurant’s only cook, (that’s right
– the only cook) Mullersman is responsible for all of the food
that is ordered at de.lish, including special orders and take-out.
Some may not prefer the wait that sometimes comes along
with his made-from-scratch meals during busy lunch and dinner rushes, but those who do find that the wait is well worth it.
“Everything that I make are things that I love to eat. And I practiced a lot! So I pass that along to my food. I think our customers get that; they see the passion we put into our food. … I think
a lot of people don’t know what to expect when they come in,
and leave extremely happy, and that’s what we love. It’s not a
normal place, it’s not like what you see anywhere else, and that’s
11
what I like about it,” Mullersman said.
Another restaurant that calls Florissant home, Pirrone’s Pizzeria, is an establishment that is considered to be one of the city’s
most adored businesses in general.
Rick Puckett, owner of Pirrone’s, has called Florissant home since
1977 when he moved to the city with his parents and two brothers. Puckett began working for the Pirrone family at the age of
14. When the Pirrones returned to Italy in 1988, they passed the
business on to Puckett and his business partner, John Jaworski.
“Pirrone’s has been family-owned since the beginning,” said
Puckett. “My business partner John Jaworski and I began working for the Pirrones at age 14. When they returned to Italy we
were both young and single. We have raised our own families
over the years and we employ many children of former and current employees as well as our own relatives. It won’t be long before some grandkids will be old enough [to work]. I call it our
‘farm team.’”
There is no doubting the rapport that Pirrone’s has successfully
built over the years. Many residents have been loyal customers
since the business first started in 1975, and it continues to gain
devoted fans to this day.
“The people are
the biggest advantage to running a
business in Florissant. Not only the
customers,
but
also city leaders
and other business
owners. I’ve met a
lot of great people.
There are plenty of great places
to eat in Florissant.
We have many customers who are longtime customers. A few have been here longer than Jay and I, but you can never take them for granted.”
Florissant Pirrone’s is the restaurant’s main location, but a location has also been opened in St. Peters. A banquet hall has also
been added to the Florissant location, which seats up to 100
guests and can be reserved for private parties. Even with these
changes, Pirrone’s remains true to the family recipes and ways of
running the business.
“Knowing that we took what the Pirrones family had and have
been growing it without major changes is very rewarding after
so many years,” said Puckett.
And as far as the food? Take it from the boss himself:
“All of our food is great, but our pizza is the best.”
Florissant is a city that takes pride in its local businesses, and
one of the best showcases of that pride is the local restaurants.
Residents have been calling themselves regulars of the city’s
family-owned restaurants for generations, and the customer
base that the community has built for its businesses is some-
Our Town
thing at which can truly be marveled. However, with so many
families working hard to keep their businesses running and successful, Mullersman knows that the support much reach beyond
the regular customers.
“The only way for us to survive in small businesses is to support
each other: our employees and the people that own the businesses,” explained Mullersman. “By frequently going to these
other places, that’s how we survive. We know that over at the
other restaurant that’s family-owned, they’re going through the
exact same thing we are. They need our support, we need their
support. And although we have great food, I want to go out
somewhere else and let someone cook my dinner for me. So, I’m
going to go to another small business, because I know he’s working or she’s working hard back there 16 hours a day, just trying to
keep the lights on, pay the kids’ tuition, put gas in the car. We’re
not getting rich by any means, but we need to support each other and do that positively. Not look at each other as competition,
but look at each other as partners.”
Rick Pucket (center left) is the owner of Pirrone’s Pizzeria. Patrons at de.lish
(bottom) order up items made by owner Jeff Mullersman (center right).
12
Our Town
Promotion
Byerly RV gearing up for a busy 2015
By Russ Patton
This time of year, RVers in the Midwest either hibernate or join
the great migration to warmer climates. Meanwhile dealers are
winding up the year and planning for 2015. The Midwest Gateway
RV Show, Jan. 29-31, promises to be another record breaker. Hundreds of RVs will be on display at Americas Center.
Byerly began our holiday season with our annual Light Show
Caravan which drew over 400 people. Pat and crew shuttled
customers in motorhomes from Byerly up to Jellystone Campground near Six Flags in Eureka. Each year Jellystone decorates
the campground with a fantastic array of lights for the holiday
season.
Special thanks go to Jellystone for permitting the motorhomes
to go to the head of the line. Anxious attendees waited in the
showroom and enjoyed cocoa, cookies and had photos taken
with Santa Claus. What a beautiful way to end another great year.
After another bountiful year we enjoy a brief rest. Our lot is filled
because we anticipate shortages and long backlogs on orders.
Falling gas prices are a factor, but the compelling reason is
the appeal of the family centered lifestyle provided by RVs.
From $5,000 to $500,000 Byerly RV has an RV waiting for you.
We call Byerly the “Center of the RV World” because customers
come hundreds of miles to buy from one of the Midwest’s oldest
Photo courtesy of Byerly RV
and most reputable RV Dealers. See you in 2015. Meanwhile visit us at www.byerlyrv.com and watch for our upcoming Facebook page.
747-WELL
For an appointment right away with a primary
care provider who’s right for you, just pick up
the phone and call 314-747-WELL (9355).
MYCNEWS.COM
Need a doctor appointment? We
can usually get you an appointment
within one or two business days.
13
Our Town
entertainment
The Best Movies of 2014
2014 wasn’t exactly a year to remember
at the movies. There were a lot of good
films, but no truly great ones (and a whole
lot more that were just plain lousy).
Even still, we had a lot of fun at the movies this year and putting together a list of
the best 10 movies of 2014 was much easier than I initially thought it was going to
be. That’s what makes the movies so great,
even a down year will produce some really
cool stuff.
Let’s get to it!
10. “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” – Marvel Studios continue to make
blockbusters that also happen to be really good movies. A superhero movie that
smacked of a 70s political thriller (complete with Robert Redford), this second
Captain America stand-alone film solidified Chris Evans’ status as a movie star and
proved that it’s ok to have a big, loud action movie that makes you think a little
bit.
9. “Finding Vivian Maier” – This littleseen documentary was as compelling as
it was mysterious. Beginning with a man
purchasing a lot of old negatives at an auction, the movie follows his quest to learn
everything he can about the incredibly
talented, unknown photographer who left
them behind. The more we learn about
the woman who took the pictures, the
murkier her story becomes. This movie is
an amazing study of identity, artistry and
legacy. It is one of the year’s hidden gems.
8. “Gone Girl” – You’re going to be hardpressed to complain about your marriage
ever again after seeing this movie. Taking
a tabloid premise, straining it through the
dark lens of director David Fincher and
mixing in tremendous performances from
Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, “Gone
Girl” was the perfect date movie for masochists. It was also clever, witty and had
some interesting things to say about relationships and the media.
7. “The Guardians of the Galaxy” – This
was the most fun I have had at the movies
in a long time and all it took was a buttkicking tree, a wise-cracking raccoon and a
70s AM gold soundtrack. Bringing a sense
of playfulness and wonder to a superhero
genre that had become pretty grim, “The
Guardians” were like a breath of cinematic
fresh air. We are Groot.
6. “Nightcrawler” – For those who like
their social commentary a little creepy
and unsettling this was the movie for you.
Set in the unseemly world of L.A. crime
journalism, this pitch-black satire features
Jake Gyllenhaal causally dropping one of
the best performances of the year. Best described as “Taxi Driver” meets “Network,”
this is one of those movies you are going
to want to take a shower after watching.
5. “The Grand Budapest Hotel” – I’m
a sucker for a Wes Anderson movie, so
this one was probably destined for this
list even before it opened. His mannered
quirks aren’t for everyone, but even the
biggest Anderson hater would have to tip
his hat to the performance Ralph Fiennes
gives as the mannered concierge at the titular, opulent, pre-World-War-II European
hotel. If Fiennes made nothing but comedies from here on out I would be totally
fine with that.
4. “The Imitation Game” – This is one
of those based-on-a-true-story movies that is so incredible you can’t believe
you haven’t heard about it before. British mathematician Alan Turing (played
with heartbreaking precision by Benedict
Cumberbatch) not only cracked the unbreakable Nazi code to help the Allies win
World War II, but he invented the modern computer while doing it. He was also
socially abrasive, reclusive and harbored a
few secrets of his own. Probably the most
well-rounded entrant on this list.
3. “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue
of Ignorance)” – Easily the most impossible move to summarize in a paragraph.
This movie is a beautiful freak, a film that
lives on the edge, satirically skewers showbiz and has singlehandedly revives the ca14
Our Town
reer of Michael Keaton by parading him
around Times Square in his tighty-whities.
It’s one of those movies that if you go with
its flow you’ll wind up soaring above the
clouds, but struggle against it and you’ll
come crashing back down to earth.
2. Whiplash – This movie! It’s an intense,
rhythmic, tightly-crafted film about a student in a musical conservatory (played by
Miles Teller) and his relationship with a
tyrannical professor (played by Best Supporting Actor frontrunner J.K. Simmons).
It effortlessly wrestles with big concepts
like: “What is greatness?” “What does it
take to achieve greatness?” “Is greatness
even worth the sacrifices it takes to get
there?” Plus it features one of the most
breathtaking finales you’re going to see
anywhere. It’s something to behold.
1. Boyhood – The top movie on my list
is the very definition of a labor of love.
Filmed on the sly over a 12-year period,
writer/director Richard Linklater has
crafted “the” definitive coming-of-age
movie by showing his cast actually coming of age. But this movie is more than
just its gimmick as Ellar Coltrane goes
from a boy to a man under the watch of
a volatile single mother (played by Patricia Arquette) and a semi-present father
(Ethan Hawke) who talks a much better
game than he plays. In addition to being
sublimely beautiful, this movie this movie struck a personal chord as it caught me
at the perfect time in life where I found
myself able relate to both the kids and the
parents. “Boyhood” is like an unpolished
jewel which makes it the perfect movie to
top the list for 2014.
By Mathew DeKinder
Mathew DeKinder is a film
critic and member of the St.
Louis Film Critics Association,
and also serves as the editor
of the Community News.
Rajiv Patel, MD
Beat the winter blues:
explore the outdoors year-round
Rajiv Patel, MD, SSM DePaul Health Center vice president of medical affairs, shares
some fun winter activities that can keep
the whole family active despite snow and
chilly temperatures.
ture, make sure you’re also staying safe.
While outings in colder temperatures are
often perfectly fine, you may need to dress
differently than you would during other
times of the year.
Finding the motivation to get up, get out
and get active can get harder as the days
get shorter and the temperatures get colder. But even with snow on the ground and
a chill in the air, you can reap the many
benefits of spending time outside. In fact,
some winter activities can quickly become
family favorites!
• Dress in layers and remember to remove
layers as needed. Not only can layers keep
you warm, but they can allow you to adjust your temperature based on activity
level and changes in weather conditions.
It can be very dangerous to be wet out in
the cold, so if a layer becomes wet from
snow or if you start to sweat from activity,
remember to remove layers appropriately.
Here are a few ways you can get your family
out for at least 30 minutes of outdoor fun
– while reaping the many benefits of fresh
air and physical activity.
• Head out for a winter hike. Even if there
is some snow on the ground, many local parks still provide hiking trails that offer a scenic escape from our everyday hustle and bustle. If you’re not sure where to
go, try checking out one of the many area
parks with walking trails.
• Venture out onto the ice. Our area has
several ice rinks. If you don’t own ice skates,
call ahead to see if the rink you want to try
out has your family’s sizes available for rent.
• Just play. Not looking for a big planned
outing? Bundle up and head into the backyard for some good old-fashioned play
time. If there’s snow on the ground, build
a snow fort or family of snowmen. Make
snow angels and look for paw prints in any
fresh snow that may be on the ground.
Even a fun game of tag or an impromptu
backyard soccer game can have the whole
family laughing while getting the blood
pumping.
• Work together. Just because winter is
here, doesn’t mean outdoor chores are
over until the spring thaw. Have the family work together to make snow shoveling
or raking the last of the leaves a little more
fun – and maybe even finish the work a little faster.
When you do head out on a winter adven-
• Wear the right shoes. Ice on sidewalks and
trails can sometimes be hard to see. Make
sure you’re wearing proper footwear that
not only supports your feet and legs, but
also offers enough traction in case you encounter some ice.
the cold, it’s time to go inside. Pain is a
warning sign that your body needs a break
and that sensitive tissue in your fingers and
toes may need to warm up. Ignoring these
warning signs from your body can lead to
longer term damage.
By staying safe and trying out new ways to
enjoy the weather, you can continue to
reap the physical and mental health benefits of the outdoors. It doesn’t have to cost
much – if anything at all – to enjoy all Missouri and nature offer year-round.
Dr. Rajiv N. Patel, M.D., is board certified in
internal medicine with SSM Medical Group.
His office is located at 1035 Bellevue Avenue,
Suite 400, St. Louis, MO 63117 and he can be
reached at 314-925-4700. For referral to any
SSM physician, please visit ssmhealth.com.
• Don’t forget the safety gear. In addition
to dressing in warm layers and ensuring
you have enough traction, don’t forget activity-specific safety gear like helmets and
goggles. Even seemingly safe activities like
sledding should be done wearing a helmet
– frozen ground can cause serious injuries
like concussions if you or your child hits
the ground during a sledding spill.
• Monitor weather conditions. Missouri’s
weather can change quickly. When you
head out, plan to take breaks and remember to assess the temperature, wind chill
and other weather factors as your activity
wears on.
• Pay attention to the time. It’s always important to give your body a break. Because
it’s not as hot out, sometimes it is easy to
forget that your body will need rest during
periods of activity. Don’t forget to stay hydrated and take a break every 30 to 60 minutes while being active outside. You might
not feel overheated, but with extra layers
and your body working to stay warm, it can
be easy to over-do it.
• Listen to your body. If you start to feel
tired or feel pain in your extremities from
15
Our Town
www.rickniblettphotography.com
ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE
Battling the snow
with a mechanical behemoth
The snow fell faster than I could shovel, and had been doing so for
several days. The pile at the end of the driveway rose to well above
my head; it was becoming quite difficult to throw each shovel load
up to that level. Many such efforts didn’t clear the top, and after
landing on the side of the pile, the lifted and flung snow simply slid
back down adding to my workload and the already thick blanket of
white on the ground.
Staci opened the front door and yelled out, “Jeff found two snowthrowers in the city, an 11 horsepower model and a 13hp. Which one do
you want?” Pausing in my seemingly futile quest and looking at the
growing pile I yelled back, “Have
him get the biggest @$^$#%& one
they have!!” The next day I took
delivery of a 360 lb., 32” wide, twostage snow-thrower from my friend
Jeff. When he purchased the beast,
it was one of two left in the state.
He said he was the subject of much
envy as he rolled it out of the store.
With good reason, as it was an epic
snow year in Colorado. My neighbor measured over 70 inches that
fell between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Narrow roads in the
neighborhood resembled tunnels, with tall white sides and covered by snow-laden trees sagging over the roadway. Parking areas
became quickly shrinking spots where one could barely squeeze in
and out of a vehicle.
The highways weren’t much better, as the state highway department could barely keep snow cleared from the traffic lanes; the
shoulders quickly became tall berms of snow, to be cleaned off later, once the precipitation stopped. Driving in the nearly continuous storm was hazardous, as the white covered pavement blended
in with the white snow banks on the shoulders and the white falling
from the sky. Visibility and depth perception would become nonexistent in the whiteout, causing traffic to slow to a crawl or stop,
with the only other option being “drive-by-feel.” Of course, some
dimwitted motorists chose the kinesthetic driving method, and the
cleanup of the results of their choices added tow trucks and state
trooper vehicles to the mix.
Staci hated the thing. Weighing as much as some full-sized motorcycles, it was less-than-graceful when maneuvering around
corners and in deep snow. Pull-starting it took a fair amount of
grunting, especially when very cold outside. It was loud enough
to require hearing protection, and it guzzled gas fast enough to
make an oil sheik smile. It could be maintenance intensive, as shear
pins would break as designed when the machine devoured rocks,
frozen newspapers and any other solid objects buried and forgotten after weeks of blizzards. Staci’s
dislike was irrelevant to me, as I was
the one doing most of the snow removal work, and the care and feeding of the beast was much less than
say, a motor grader owned by a municipality. I was, and still am, quite
happy with the purchase.
The rest of that winter went well
from my perspective. I could
quickly clear areas that otherwise
would have remained under feet
of snow. Our dogs now could wander about the yard without having
to paddle through deep fluff. My neighbors quickly learned that
while I would help anyone in an emergency, routine snow removal cost money. Most were quite happy to pay for the service, making the purchase price of the beast a little less painful, and putting
some lunch money in my pocket.
Staci still hates the thing, especially after one winter when I was
out of town for a couple of months. She was burdened with a fair
amount of snow, and a heavy, maintenance-intensive contraption
to clear it with. She still reminds me that “the biggest @$^$#%&
one they have” was not the choice she would have made.
This year, as this month’s Crossroads goes to press, my roads and
yard are clear of snow. It rained a few days ago, melting off what
snow fell in November. The snow-thrower remains in the garage.
Instead of wrestling with snow-throwers, Jeff and I are still riding our
motorcycles, making for some unseasonably warm fun.
By Avalanche
That year the snow-thrower was worth the extortionate amount I
paid for it. It would easily chew up and spit out over a foot of fresh
accumulation without slowing down. It would then launch the debris up to 50 feet away, enabling me to clear out the piles alongside the driveway and deposit them into the woods. I was suddenly
quite popular with the neighbors, giving me an assortment of newly found best friends.
16
Avalanche is a functional illiterate who left the St. Louis
area three decades ago in search of adventure. He enjoys
motorcycling and all things outdoors. He lives with his
wife and dogs.
Our Town
moore on life
Resolutions Schmesolutions
It’s a brand new year and we all know what to expect. For me it
means I’ll still be writing “2014” in the checkbook until mid-July. But
for others, it’s a great time to make big flashy promises that consciously will never ever be kept. Of course, I could also be referring
to the pledges of any of our elected government officials. But at
this time of year these blatant fairy tales are not referred to as campaign promises, they are simply called “resolutions.”
Yes, January is that special time of year which allows each and every one of us to fabricate as many big, flashy whoppers as possible without the fear of man’s disapproval or God’s wrath. And sadly,
while we are only privy to this once-a-year, free-for-all phenomenon, politicians get the fun of practicing it throughout their term
limits. So enjoy!
are then compared to Mr. Johnson who is apparently a total hipster
since he bought his kids the new Xbox One. Coincidentally, this is
the very same Mr. Johnson who suddenly has oodles of money for
an expensive toy but somehow can’t fork out ten bucks to get his
own snow shovel! Another resolution goes down.
4. I’m going to learn something new.
This fraudulent fantasy is about as well-intended as promising to go
on a diet (refer to #1). This goal is equally impossible to achieve because people typically commit to mastering something unattainable, such as learning to race-car drive or mountain climb Everest
or become proficient in a new incredibly difficult language...teen
Here are a few favorites, which won’t last past the turning of the first
page of the new calendar.
1. I’m going on a diet.
This fat fib is about as likely to last as that freeloading neighbor is
about to return the snow shovel he “borrowed” last December. Remember…the one you needed right before the epic snowfall transformed your house into an igloo, which didn’t melt until mid-July?
(Coincidentally, right around the time I figured out the correct year
to write in my checkbook.) We all know it merely takes the realization that you received a $50 Christmas gift card from your favorite Aunt Minnie to The Delicious Pig BBQ to blow that ridiculous
promise right out of the water and straight over to the all-you-caneat buffet bar.
2. I’m going to get out of debt and save money.
Can I just say…Ha! And by Ha, I mean the kind of explosive HA that
produces an embarrassing pig-snort along with tears and the need
for a quick trip to the bathroom. Yea right! This fictitious falsehood
lasts only long enough for the after-Christmas-sale catalogs to enter the mailbox. It’s then quickly forgotten in a frenzy of irresistible ads: Buy-one-get-two-free, 50 percent off…60 percent off plus
gobs of rebates or no interest deals until the year Hailey’s Comet
returns along with free hot dogs and soda! I personally prefer those
ads which offer free dogs with every purchase! A poodle and a pop
for every customer! Now, if someone would only give out free snow
shovel coupons.
text (Which would make it possible to actually converse with the
kids—lol). Unfortunately, this year you will only learn to never loan
your tools to the neighbors and discover how to clear a path in
your driveway after a blizzard using a garden trowel and the kitchen broom.
But wait. All is not lost. There is one pledge that you can absolutely keep.
5. I’m going to break all of my resolutions.
Congratulations! You may be the one and only person to ever fulfill
a New Year’s commitment.
3. I’m going to spend more time with the family.
This phony fallacy sounds as sugary as your momma’s sweet tea
in summertime, but only lasts up until you discover that you don’t
actually like your family. This happens right about the same time
crazy Uncle Willie backs into that new snow blower you specifically requested from Santa because your deadbeat neighbor still
hasn’t returned the shovel. It is further reinforced when your children complain that the Xbox 360 you sold your granny’s wedding
ring for is already a Jurassic relic. Little Tommy adds further insult by
suggesting you might as well have purchased him a cotton gin. You
17
Our Town
by Cindy Moore
Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids,
servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty
husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange
and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint
filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated
a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder.
nonprofit profile
Crisis Nursery provides a safe
haven for children and families
By Val Joyner, MA | Public Relations Manager at Saint Louis Crisis Nursery
Four-year-old twins Maury and Mason* visited the Nursery one cold winter evening,
following their family’s eviction from a onebedroom apartment that was condemned
because of sewage contamination. The
twins were ecstatic to freely run around the
Nursery in new superhero pajamas and slippers playing with dinosaurs and race cars.
When asked how they liked being at the
Nursery, Mason replied: “It smells like yummy here, and I get lots of hugs!”
For more than two decades, Crisis Nursery
has served as a beacon of hope to families
with children (birth through age 12) that find
themselves in overwhelming emergency situations. Now operating three Crisis Nurseries in St. Charles County in partnership
with the St. Charles County Community and
Children’s Resource Board and SSM St. Joseph Health Center, the Nursery is a safehaven, offering hope for vulnerable children
and parents who have nowhere else to turn
for support during the most difficult time of
their lives.
Meanwhile, their parents were connected
with a Crisis Nursery Family Empowerment
Program (FEP) staff that provided one-onone counseling services, helped them with
personal hygiene items and food, and connected them to job and housing referrals.
The parents are still active with the Crisis
Nursery FEP and they have a secure, stable and clean place to call home. Both parents are employed; and the twins have new
friends in their safe community.
Crisis Nursery is an independent, not-forprofit that offers short-term care for children, birth through age 12, 24-hours a day,
365 days a year. While children are safe and
protected in the Nursery’s home-styled safe
havens, their parents receive abuse/neglect
prevention services, including parenting education, confidential counseling and access
to much needed basic resources.
Each child who stays at the Nursery receives a full range of services necessary for their growth and well-being. In addition to food,
formula, clothing and shoes, diapers and medical care, they also receive therapeutic services to encourage positive self-expression.
Thanks to donor and community contributions, all services are
available at no cost to the parents.
Family Owned and Operated - Established 1921
Published Every Week In North County for 93 years.
As the ancient proverb suggests, it takes a village to raise a child.
Agency-wide, Crisis Nursery provides cares for close to 7,000 children each year. Dedicated staff and volunteers together deliver approximately 240,000 hours of individualized support to every child
in care. Not one child’s needs are unnoticed or unattended.
The agency’s flexible volunteer schedule offers an opportunity for
more community members to get involved. Interested volunteers
can register to be a member of the “Crisis Nursery Best Friends”
to help in the Nursery; shopping for children, family and Nursery needs; and to support fundraising events. Each contribution,
whether its volunteer work or donating new or gently used items,
helps forward the Nursery’s mission of saving babies’ lives, keeping
kids safe, and building strong families.
To learn more about Crisis Nursery and the “Best Friends,” visit
www.crisisnurserykids.org. To volunteer, email Volunteer Manager MaryPat at [email protected]. For emergency care,
call (636) 947-0600. You may also follow the agency on social media at Facebook: Saint Louis Crisis Nursery and Twitter: @STLCrisisKids.
Free Online Subscription at:
mycnews.com
*names changed to maintain confidentially
636-379-1775 - [email protected]
18
Our Town
CALENDAR of Events
JANUARY
8 Is Your Refund Impacted by the Affordable Care Act? Find out. Come into H&R Block
at 11280 West Florissant in St. Louis, MO 63033 from 9 a.m – 9 p.m. and ask your questions. ACA Specialists will get you the answers you need, for free. No appointment necessary. No charge. No reason to wait.
14
MHCC Membership Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. –
1 p.m at Syberg’s Restarant located at2430 Old Dorsett Rd. in Maryland Heights.
15MHCC Breakfast Club, 7:30 – 9 a.m.
at Wingate By Wyndham located at 13615 Riverport Drive in Maryland Heights
20MHCC Board Meeting from 11:30 a.m – 1 p.m., location to be determined.
FEBRUARY
5
MHCC Breakfast Club, 7:30 – 9 a.m. at Dave & Busters
located at 13857 Riverport Drive in Maryland Heights.
11
MHCC Membership Luncheon from 11:30 a.m – 1 p.m
at Syberg’s Restaurant located
at 2430 Old Dorsett Rd in Maryland Heights.
17
MHCC Executive Board Meeting, from 9 – 10 a.m.
at Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce
located at 547 Westport Plaza in St. Louis.
19
MHCC Breakfast Club from 7:30 – 9 a.m. at
Wingate By Wyndham located at
13615 Riverport Drive in Maryland Heights.
Presorted Std
US Postage
PAID
St. Louis, MO
Permit 2828
2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Drive
O’Fallon, MO 63366
www.stcharlesconventioncenter.com
www.stygar.com