CrossRoads: Mar. 2012

CROSSROADS MARCH 2012

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2012contents

Community NewsShelly SchneiderRay RockwellSteve BryanDonna M. Huneke

PublisherEditor

PhotographerMovie Critic

Creative Design

VOL 8 | NO 3

3MARCH 2012 CROSSROADS

MARCH

spotlight

lifestyle

entertainment

around town

Severe Weather Awareness Week4

6

9

How about a Real-Life Awards Show?by Shelly A. Schneider

by Steve Bryan

13

16

Father/Daughter Sweetheart Dancephotos by Ray Rockwell

courtesy of Family Features

photo op

food

March Movie Preview

14 Addiction Isn’t Funny...Is It?by Joe Morice

10

12

15

17

18

Community Calendar

Wentzville Chamber News

Spring Forward & Check Your Smoke Alarm

LSLDP Chamber News

Irish in America Celebrating St. Pat’s Day

7 Catch the W.I.N.D.

19 Baby Kid Expoby Shelly A. Schneider

Cash Prizes at Annual Washer’s Tourney7

8 Yard Waste Pickup / LSL Mothers Club

Discover Nature Through MDC Photo Contest

SPOTLIGHT


Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 12-16The National Weather Service (NWS) and the State Emergency

Management Agency (SEMA) have declared the week of March 12-16, 2012 as Severe Weather Awareness Week for Missouri. The goal of the week is quite simple – save lives. The best way to do this is by being prepared. Everyone should have a basic knowledge of severe weather safety rules and have a se-vere weather plan in place. Know-ing what to do or where to go when severe weather threatens can be the difference between life and death. A good time for all Missouri citizens to practice their severe weather plans will be during the Annual Missouri Severe Weather Drill, which will be held Tuesday, March 13. Follow these steps to prepare yourself in case of severe weather.Step 1: Identify the severe weather hazards you may face. In the central United States, severe thunderstorms are a fact of

life. These storms can produce tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain that can produce flash flooding. At some point in your life, you will likely be faced with one of these hazards. Step 2: Set up your plan. Everyone should have a severe weather plan for their home. Like-

wise, businesses need to have a plan for the workplace. There will be similarities, but there will also be differences between the two. Following are some ideas that can be applied to both. 1. Establish who is responsible for the plan. Someone needs to be

in charge. For a large workplace that runs several shifts, you may have several people responsible for the plan. 2. How will you receive weather warnings? NOAA Weather Radio

is a great way to receive severe weather warnings from the National Weather Service. You can also get information from the commer-cial media, and the Internet. There are also services today that will send weather warning directly to cell phones. Do not depend solely

on one method. Have multiple ways to receive critical weather in-formation. 3. If you receive a weather warning such that you need to activate

your plan, how will you inform the people you are responsible for? In a home that should not be a problem, but in a large workplace you have to have a method for communicating the severe weather information to everyone present. This is also im-portant at large gatherings, such as sporting events or county fairs. 4. Establish shelter areas in your

home or workplace. Depending on the amount of people who need to be sheltered, multiple areas may be needed. For large events, depending on time available, it is usually bet-ter to have people stay instead of

rushing to their automobiles. If your home or building is in an area prone to flooding, you need to have an evacuation plan in place. Step 3: Practice your plan! Conduct drills and then review the drill to find strengths and

weaknesses and make improvements where necessary. It is hard to foresee every circumstance, but drills can often bring out problems that were not previously seen. Additional family protection items • Have a family disaster plan. A plan will cover what to do, where

to meet, and how to contact family members in the event of a fire or severe weather. Give emergency information to babysitters and other caregivers. • Put together an emergency supply kit for your home, your office,

and your car. A kit should have bottled water, a radio with extra batteries, a flashlight, prescription medicine and first aid supplies. • Purchase a generator for your home or business. A generator

can provide some basic electric service until the commercial power returns. A generator can also keep health equipment functioning

Joplin, MO after May 22, 2011 tornado. Photo courtesy of Jace Anderson/FEMA

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SPOTLIGHT

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(ventilators, oxygen, monitors) during a power outage. Remember to always follow the instructions when using a generator. For exam-ple, never use a generator in a closed structure. The engine gives off deadly carbon monoxide gas. Always place the generator outside. • Make sure all family members know all possible ways to exit your

home and where to meet outside the house. Keep all exits clear. • Choose a place for your family to meet after a disaster in case

you are at work or school when the disaster happens. • Know how to contact your children at their school or daycare

and where you can pick them up after a disaster. Designate a specif-ic person to pick up your child if you cannot. Make sure the school or daycare has the most current emergency release information. • Have a tone-alert weather radio to receive severe weather warn-

ings. Also have a portable radio with extra batteries in case there are power outages. This allows you to get the most current weather and emergency information quickly. • Learn first aid and CPR. • In the event of a flood, tornado or earthquake, learn how to shut

off your water, gas and electricity. Know where to find the shut-off valves and switches. • Keep a small amount of cash on hand. ATM’s will not operate if

the power is out. • Keep your gas tank full. If the power is out, gas pumps will not

operate.Deadly Tornadoes In September 2011, NOAA’s (National Oceanic Atmospheric

Administration) National Weather Service released its final assess-ment report on the May 22, 2011 tornado that struck Joplin, Mo. The report identified best practices and made recommendations to help save more lives during future violent tornadoes. Most im-portantly, the assessment emphasized that people must be pre-pared to take immediate action when a warning is issued. “The tornado that struck Joplin offers important lessons about

disaster preparedness,” said National Weather Service Director Jack Hayes, Ph.D. “Tragically, despite advance tornado outlooks, watch-es and warnings, 159 people died and more than 1,000 were in-jured. At NOAA we will do all we can – working with our partners

throughout the weather enterprise and emergency management – to reduce the impact of similar disasters.”This was the single deadliest tornado in U.S. history since modern

record-keeping began in 1950. Rated EF-5 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, this mile-wide tornado was the largest and most powerful type, and it traveled 22 miles on the ground. Warning the public of severe weather is the National Weather Ser-

vice’s (NWS) most important job. To help the public prepare for tornado situations, the NWS has adopted a Watch and Warning program. Tornado Watch: This means that conditions are favorable for tor-

nado development. This is the time to prepare. Keep alert by listing to NOAA Weather Radio, or the commercial media for the latest weather information. Tornado Warning: This means a tornado has been sighted or the

NWS is seeing signs on radar that indicate a thunderstorm may be capable of producing a tornado at any minute. People in the path of the storm should take immediate life saving action. In schools, hospitals, factories, shopping centers and other public

places, move to designated shelter areas. Interior hallways on the lowest level are best. Stay away from windows and out of auditori-ums, gymnasiums, or structures with large free span roofs. In Vehicles: Do not try to outrun a tornado. A tornado does not

have to slow down for traffic, stop signs, or curves on the road. Quickly assess your situation. If necessary, seek shelter in a nearby substantial building. If you have no alternative, abandon your ve-hicle and hide in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head. Most deaths occur because of the flying debris and head injuries. Mobile Homes: Mobile homes should be abandoned in favor of a

more substantial structure if threatened by a tornado. When severe weather is approaching, move to a different location for a couple of hours and wait until the storms have passed. Mobile homes are not built to withstand the strong wind gusts that come from severe thunderstorms or tornadoes.For detailed information about severe weather preparedness,

please visit www.ready.gov.

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BY SHELLY A. SCHNEIDER


LIFESTYLE

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Award-show mania! It’s almost over, thank-fully. Do you watch them? I do, and I cannot tell you why. I think it’s along the same lines as having to slow down to watch an accident on the highway.The Emmys are a personal favorite of mine, as

are the Oscars, and I used to plan my evening around the Soap

Opera Digest Awards. Maybe it’s be-cause I can live vicariously through these people. I must admit being fa-mous has always held some allure. I wouldn’t want fame and fortune for-ever…that usually leads to infamy. But to win an Oscar or an Emmy Award…who wouldn’t love that? What award would I win? (This is the part where, if this were a television commentary, I’d go into a Wayne’s World-like dream sequence. It’s print, though, so you’ll just have to make the dream noise yourself. Make me proud.)There are the usual awards. Best actress, best supporting actress,

one half of best super couple, and hottest female lead. (Ha! This is some dream sequence, hmm?) I’m thinking of something a little out of the award-show ordinary. I’d kick butt in the “Real Breasts Under a Size 38 DD” category. I’d lose, though, in the “Had Fat Suctioned From Her Butt and Injected Into Her Lips” division. OK. Enough of the beauty-based awards. Let’s tackle the lifestyle

awards. Wouldn’t you love to see an award given to a female char-acter who gives birth to a kid and then actually wears sweat pants out of the hospital instead of a size 2 evening gown? (Wearing maternity pants would rate a gold medal in my opinion.) Oooh! Oooh! How about the award for the woman who has kids and ac-

How about a Real-Life Awards Show?

tually raises them? I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen soap parents feed their toddlers or give their youngsters a bath (of course these youngsters went from the age of 3 to 16 in a week!). Once (or even if) the illegitimate child makes it through 8 months of pregnancy (because most Soap babies never make it a full nine months before they make an appearance), they’re whisked off to a nanny-in-waiting or a boarding school for infants.

Then there are the “I play a doctor/designer/lawyer/reporter on tele-vision and I seem to make money without ever working” awards. Wouldn’t you love to have that life? Forget about winning the award, I just want the clothes, jewelry, per-fect hair and make-up, and amazing shoe wardrobe, along with the end-less cash flow that seems to appear out of nowhere.That’s the problem with us every-

day kind of people. Life is never like an awards show. That’s what’s missing in the awards season. Maybe Oprah will one day dedicate an hour or two (if we promise short acceptance speeches) to an awards show for everyday people. My personal favorites would be “Eyes in the Back of My Head” award, or the “I can fit into these jeans if I just hop around the room long enough and suck in my gut at the same time” award.And the prize? A great big mommy hug. It’s something my

daughter, Samantha, seems to want whenever she’s feeling low…even at age 16. Ironically, or maybe intuitively, it usually coincides with a low-point in my day, too. That’s better than the world’s biggest golden statue. And most days it’s better than the world’s biggest chocolate statue.

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AROUND TOWNCatch the W.I.N.D. (Wentzville Information Notification Delivery)

What is the W.I.N.D. program? W.I.N.D. is a new, free program where residents can sign up to get city emergency notification and city an-nouncements in a multiple number of ways. They can get calls to their land lines, cell phones, text messages and emails to whatever device they desire. Anyone who wishes to receive the alerts and an-nouncement may enroll in person at Wentzville’s city hall, or online at www.wentzvillemo.org. The system will be used to notify residents about imminent threats

to health and safety. Public safety officials will send alerts about emergencies, for example: severe weather, water outages, traffic is-sues and critical police activity. If you sign up for city announce-

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ments you will receive information on the topics you designate. City announcements may consist of reminders of city events and activi-ties along with public announcements such as: community events, street closures (construction), road closures/detours (traffic ac-cidents, community events), water outages (main breaks, testing), crime alerts, city meetings, parks and recreation events. Alerts and announcements can be sent to your cell phone, work phone, home phone, text message and email. You can choose to receive alerts/an-nouncements just one way or a combination of different ways. You choose! If you don’t sign up, you will only receive emergency notifications

on your traditional home phone but nowhere else. If you have an unlisted phone number you will not receive notice without enroll-ing. The system is only as good as the information you provide. If your cell phone, work phone or email address changes, you must go to your profile and update the information. The one exception is traditional landlines. If a traditional landline changes to another landline number, that information will be automatically updated.Those who do enroll for the program may opt out anytime by going

to the city’s website. The information that you provide will be used for emergency and city announcements. The city will not distribute your telephone numbers or email addresses to any vendor or other organization.

Competitive teams are needed for the Third Annual St. Charles County Parks Washer’s Tournament, Saturday, March 3, at the Na-tional Horseshoe Pitcher’s Association Hall of Fame building inside Quail Ridge Park, 5501 Quail Ridge Parkway near Wentzville. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top teams based on the number of par-ticipants. Registration fees are $25 per two-person teams. Both team members must be at least 18 to play. Teams may only register the day of the event, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Chal-lenge yourself against the area’s best washer’s teams! Teams are guaranteed at least two games in

this double-elimination tournament, which is co-sponsored by the Quail Ridge Horseshoe Club. The tournament will begin at noon. Practice time is available from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Cash prizes will be awarded, with prize values dependent upon the number of teams entered. For more information about the St. Charles

County Parks Washer’s Tournament, contact Parks Programs Coordinator Bekin Young-blood at 636.949.7535.

Cash Prizes at Annual Washer’s Tournament

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8 CROSSROADS MARCH 2012

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AROUND TOWN

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Yard-waste pickup for the city of Wentzville will resume the first week in March and continue through the last week of De-cember. Residents who have not canceled the service and were receiving the service when it ended last year will au-tomatically be put back on the list for 2012. Residents who were not receiving yard-waste pickup last year and want to subscribe to the service in 2012 will need to call Wentzville’s Public Works Department at 636.327.5102. Also, residents who receive yard waste pickups cannot stop it and then start it later in the season. Once yard waste service begins, it continues throughout the year.Now that the city has gone to a five-day-a-week pickup schedule,

residents who receive yard-waste-pickup service can put their yard waste out on the same day they put out their trash and recycling. Everything should be placed at the curb by 6 a.m. on the appropri-ate morning.

Yard-Waste Pickup Resumes in MarchResidents can place their yard waste in brown recyclable bags or

in a trash can. If residents use a can, however, they need to paint or apply a “Yard Waste” sign on the side of the can. Residents can also rent a cart for yard waste for an additional fee. The city will also accept bundled yard waste/limbs. The

bundles should not exceed 4 feet in length, 18 inches in di-ameter, or 40 pounds in weight. Also, the bundles should be

tied with a natural twine or other bio-degradable binding ma-terial. If residents have questions about fees, recycling, yard waste, or

regular sanitation pickup, they can call the Public Works Depart-ment at 636.327.5102. They may also go to the Public Works sec-tion of the city’s website at www.wentzvillemo.org, and then click on the Solid Waste and Recycling Quick Link in the right column.

The Lake Saint Louis Mothers Club (LSLMC) is an organization for both “Career” and “Stay at Home” Mothers, and their families living in Lake Saint Louis.

Our organization is a not-for-profit and raises money through fundraising events throughout the year. The Holiday Home Tour and Nite at the Races are just two examples of fundraising events which allows us to enrich the lives of children and families. Over the years we have been responsible for thousands of dollars donated to the Lake Saint Louis community. Each year the club donates funds and purchases equipment to benefit a wide range of groups and individuals in our community. Club meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the LSLCA

Clubhouse Ballroom. The monthly meetings are a great opportunity to get involved, find out what is planned in the community for the upcoming year, and an excellent way to make friends. The March General Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on March 13. Wil Baker of Lib-erty Mutual provides food, refreshments, and some insight on how save energy at home and protect yourself from fraud.We have a weekly playgroup that meets from 10 a.m. to noon on Fridays for preschool

aged children and activities for school aged children. Please call Andrea Crislip 314.479.0306 to get the latest info on where to meet and if there is a special theme for the day.For more information on the Lake Saint Louis Mothers Club, please visit www.lslmother-

sclub.com.

Lake Saint Louis Mothers Club

BY STEVE BRYAN

MARCH 2012 CROSSROADS

March Movie Preview

In a normal year, movie studios typi-cally wait until the summer or the holi-day season to release notable projects in theaters. For 2012, however, Hollywood is spreading the cinematic wealth around, as witnessed by some of the releases scheduled to arrive in theaters in March.“Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” (March 2)Starring the voice talents of: Danny De-

Vito, Ed Helms, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Betty White and Rob RiggleThe cautionary tale of the Lorax is as

true today as it was when it appeared as an animated television special in the 1970s. Danny DeVito gives a sarcastic edge to the orange creature who speaks for the trees and animals that cannot de-fend themselves against mankind. With animation that honors the Dr. Seuss tra-dition, “The Lorax” looks like a great one for the whole family.“Project X” (March 2)Starring: Miles Teller, Dax Flame, Alexis

Knapp and Jillian ReynoldsWarner Bros. Pictures has been teasing

audience with clips about this party film for the last several weeks, suggesting that “Project X” will make “Superbad” look like a quiet Sunday afternoon in the park. The story follows three high school seniors who seek to increase their social standing by throwing a major party, but their plans succeed beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. In scholastic terms, this one could either pass or fail.

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“John Carter” (March 9)Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Thomas Haden Church,

Willem Dafoe and James Purefoy Another character from the prolific mind of author Edgar Rice

Burroughs, John Carter is a former military man who is transport-ed from Earth to Mars and becomes caught in yet another war. If the acting is a stunning as the visual effects, Walt Disney will have a spring hit on their hands.

“A Thousand Words” (March 9)Starring: Eddie Murphy, Clark Duke, Al-

lison Janney, Kerry Washington, Jordan-Claire Green and Philip PavelAfter a disappointing comedic turn in

“Tower Heist,” Eddie Murphy could re-turn to top form in this new comedy. Murphy plays literary agent Jack McCall, a man who would say anything to close a deal. To teach him a lesson, a New Age guru links Jack’s spirit to a tree with a thousand leaves, each representing one spoken word. If the last leaf is allowed to fall, Jack is doomed.“21 Jump Street” (March 16)Starring: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum,

Brie Larson, Dave Franco, Rob Riggle and Ice CubeParodying the cult television series that

gave Johnny Depp his start, “21 Jump Street” features Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum as recent police academy gradu-ates who masquerade as high school students in order to bust a drug cartel. Though the television show played it straight, this movie is going for big laughs.

ENTERTAINMENT

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COMMUNITYC A L E N D A R

MARCH 2012

To see your organization’s event listed here, please contact us.

E-mail: [email protected]: 636.379.1632Mail: 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366

CrossRoads MagazineAROUND TOWN


March 6Book Club at the MuseumEnjoy reading books on a variety of topics and discussing them with other avid read-ers? Join the Monthly Book Club at the Museum, held once a month, on a Tuesday, from 7–9 p.m., at the St. Charles County Heritage Museum, at 1630 Heritage Land-ing at Highway 94. For more information about the Monthly Book Club at the Mu-seum, contact St. Charles County Historian Ryan Graham at 636.949.7535.

March 8Summer Job FairWant to have fun while earning a little ex-tra cash this summer? If so, then be sure to attend Wentzville Parks and Recreation Department’s Job Fair from 2 - 7 p.m. at Progress Park. Temporary summer posi-tions include: lifeguards, concessionaires, day camp counselors and umpires. Ap-plicants should be prepared to be inter-viewed at that time, highly motivated, and age 16 or older by May 1. Starting pay var-ies depending on position and experience. Download the form at www.wentzvillemo.org or picked up and completed on the day of the job fair. No advance appointments provided. For more information, please call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Office at 636.332.9236.

March 10Softball Pitching Clinic This 45-minute clinic covers the basics of softball pitching for all youths ages 7 - 16. The clinic is designed for a child/parent or child/coach duo and will cover fundamen-tals such as pitching wind-up, footwork, and delivery techniques. Each participant must provide their own catcher for the clinic. This clinic will be held in the Prog-ress Park Gym. Coaches are welcome to attend. Times: 7 - 8 year olds from 9-9:45 a.m.; 9- 12 year olds from 9:45- 10:30 a.m.;

and 13- 6 year olds from 10:30 –11:15 a.m. The fee is $15. For more information, please call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Office at 636.332.9236.

March 14Bone Density Screening for WomenDetermine your risk of Osteoporosis for free. The event will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at Lake Saint Louis City Hall. Limited to women 30 and older not being treated for Osteoporosis. Pre-register at 636.561.4620.

March 16H.O.P.P. NightHangin’ Out at Progress Park (H.O.P.P.) has become a fun and safe place for kids in grades 6 through 8 to spend some time with their friends. Dance the night away listening to some of your favorite songs under the supervision of Wentzville’s finest recreation staff, volunteers, and police offi-cers. Register at the door. Refreshments for purchase. Everyone is required to stay the entire time unless signed out by an adult. The cost is $3 at the door. For more infor-mation, please call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Office at 636.332.9236.

March 19Flex & Strength Adult Yoga Class All skill levels welcome. Classes meet Mon-days and Thursdays from 4:45-5:45 p.m. through April 26. Please bring your own mat to class. Cost is $54 for LSL residents; $66 for nonresidents. For more informa-tion and to register, please view the parks and recreation section of our website at www.lakesaintlouis.com

March 21Just Once Song Writing Have you ever wanted to write your own songs? In just a few hours you can learn the principles about what makes a song a hit. In this course, we will study popular songs

and music theory, and learn the craft and art of professional songwriting. All mate-rials provided. The class will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Green Lantern. The fee is $50 for residents; $55 for nonresidents. For more information, please call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Office at 636.332.9236.

March 31Easter EggstravaganzaHippity Hop! The Easter Bunny has been busy filling thousands of eggs with candy and prizes for the annual Easter EGGstrava-ganza. Some eggs will contain a slip of pa-per for prizes. Bring a basket to collect the goodies. Children will be grouped accord-ing to their age (ages 1 to 10). Come early and enjoy face painters and clowns. Regis-tration will be taken in advance. Each child registered will receive a ticket for hunting. You must have your ticket on the day of the hunt. The hunt will be held at Rotary Park. Gates open at 8:30 a.m. Ages 1 -2 hunt at 9:30 a.m.; ages 3-6 at 9:30 a.m.; ages 7-10 at 10:30 a.m. The fee is $2 in advance or $3 on the day of the event.

March 31Bone HuntBring your pooch to Rotary Park’s upper field for some fun! All pets must be leashed at all times and have a responsible adult. Bark for bones when all kinds of dog treats and bones will be hidden for our furry friends. Your dog will be allowed to try to find as many goodies as possible. Don’t for-get to bring a basket to put your treats in! After the hunting ends, each dog will re-ceive a doggie bag to take home with them and we will draw for door prizes. Dogs and their owners may roam around in the park after the event and take advantage of our trail, which is a little over 1-mile in length and also loops around the lake. The fee is $8 for residents and $10 for nonresidents.


March 31Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Youth Activity ParkThe Easter Bunny will visit with hundreds of children participating in the 7th Annual St. Charles County Parks Easter Egg Hunt beginning at 10 a.m. at the Youth Activ-ity Park (YAP), located at 7801 Highway N. in Dardenne Prairie. Thousands of candy-filled eggs will be hidden throughout the park’s 25-acre facility for the children to find. $5 per child. Toddlers 3 and under be-gin at 10 a.m.; ages 4-6 at 10:30 a.m. and 7-12 at 11 a.m. Each hunt limited to the first 100 participants; advanced registra-tion is required. For more information and to register a child, please contact the St. Charles County Parks Department at 636.949.7535.

March 31Easter Egg Hunt Free to the community! The Easter Egg Hunt will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at Lake Saint Louis Boulevard Park, 2550 Lake Saint Louis Blvd. The event will be held rain or shine. Children 10 and under may

participate. This year non-perishable food items will be collected for local food pan-tries. Please bring your food item to the park. For more information, please call the Lake Saint Louis Parks and Recreation De-partment at 636.561.4620.

AprilDouble Header COED Softball Leagues Swing into spring and join the Lake Saint Louis softball league. This “Open League” will be a six-week (12 games) regular sea-son, plus a single elimination playoff for-mat. Games will be played on Sunday evenings at Founders Park beginning this April. Please view the parks and recreation section of our website for more informa-tion and to register, www.lakesaintlouis.com. April 11Wednesday Men’s Golf League Two-man team scramble league at Heri-tage of Hawk Ridge par three golf course, beginning April 11. Visit the parks and rec-

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reation section of our website for more in-formation and to register: www.lakesaint-louis.com

April 14Babysitting Basics Offered from 8:30 a.m. - noon at Lake Saint Louis City Hall, this program is designed for boys and girls ages 11 and older. The fee is $16/person, and includes a light snack and course certificate. Visit the parks and rec-reation section of our website for more in-formation and to register: www.lakesaint-louis.com.

April 16Adult Art and Painting Lake Saint Louis offers four separate classes taught by award-winning artist Marie Do-nato. Choose from Adult Drawing, Pastel Painting, Portrait or Watercolor. Classes meet for six weeks on Tuesdays or Thurs-days. $65 for LSL residents, $82 for nonresi-dents. View the parks and recreation sec-tion of our website for information and to register: www.lakesaintlouis.com.

AROUND TOWN

WENTZVILLE - Chamber News BY TONY MATHEWS

Photo courtesy Wentzville Chamber of Commerce

Wentzville Chamber Welcomes Seven New MembersThe Wentzville Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce

some outstanding news on economic growth within our great community. Over the last month, the Wentzville Chamber of Commerce has welcomed seven new businesses or organizations into the Wentzville Chamber. Wentzville businesses are prosper-ing and the chamber is proud to support and endorse these great businesses. “I am so excited to welcome these great businesses into the

Wentzville Chamber,” said Tony Mathews, president/CEO of the Wentzville Chamber of Commerce. “The Wentzville business com-munity is growing, and the chamber is very excited to be a part of such a vibrant city!” The seven businesses and organizations are:1) Liberty Mutual, 4607 Highway K, O’Fallon, MO 63368.

636.300.9364. Contact: Chris Hansel.2) Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance, 104 E. Pearce Blvd., Wentzville,

MO 63385. 636.332.6594. Contact: Brian Gleize.3) Mercy, 300 Winding Woods Dr., O’Fallon, MO 63366.

CROSSROADS MARCH 201212Chick-fil-A

314.251.1933. Contact: Carla Klaskin.4) Maggie Malones, 990 Wentzville Pkwy., Wentzville, MO 63385.

636.332.1176. Contact: Annie Klostermann.5) Premier Entertainment, 818 Indian Rock, Wentzville, MO

63385. 636.734.2083. Contact: Robyn Mertens.6) Chill Yogurt Café (Opening Spring 2012 in Wentzville), 1894

Wentzville Pkwy., Wentzville, MO 63385. Contact: Lisa Gibson. 7) Lombardo Homes, 2299 Technology Dr., O’Fallon, MO 63368.

636.265.2710. Contact: Melissa Cervin. To discover all of the 400 local businesses and organizations that

are members of the Wentzville Chamber of Commerce please visit www.wentzvillechamber.com. Become a friend of the Wentzville Chamber on Facebook. As a friend of the Wentzville Chamber of Commerce you can stay up to date with new businesses coming into the area. If you have any questions please call the Wentzville Chamber of

Commerce at 636.327.6914.

The Wentzville Chamber of Commerce will host a Candidates’ Night for all mayoral and aldermanic candidates listed on the April 3 ballot. The event will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27 at Wentzville Holt High School Auditorium, 600 Campus Drive, Wentzville, MO 63385. All candidates have been invited to attend the event. The chamber would like to invite all Wentzville residents and local

business owners to attend the event and hear from those seeking election. Those in attendance may submit issue related questions at event on form handed out by the chamber. Questions will be

Wentzville Chamber to Host Candidate’s Night

The Wentzville Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on February 2 for Chick-fil-A, 1918 Wentzville Parkway, Wentzville, MO 63385. The new Wentzville Chick-fil-A features a 4,519-square-foot inte-

rior that seats 100 with additional outdoor seating. The restaurant has warm colors and wood accents and a convenient, award-win-ning drive-thru. Children will enjoy an indoor play area featuring an interactive section for toddlers. The new restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, serving a full breakfast menu until 10:30 a.m. For more information please call, 636.639.2357.Representatives of Chick-fil-A, the Wentzville Chamber of Com-

merce and the City of Wentzville helped cut the ceremonial rib-bon. For more information please contact the Wentzville Chamber of Commerce at 636.327.6914 or visit us online at www.wentzvil-lechamber.com.

Wentzville Chamber Welcomes Chick-fil-A

asked by our moderator. All candidates will have an opportunity for opening and closing remarks. The Wentzville Chamber of Commerce hosts this event each year

to provide our local residents and business owners an opportunity to gain knowledge about each of candidates. No campaign materi-als will be allowed inside or outside the event. For more information please contact the Wentzville Chamber of

Commerce at 636.327.6914 or visit us online at www.wentzville-chamber.com.


Photo OpPHOTOS BY RAY ROCKWELL

Father/Daughter Sweetheart DancePhotographer Ray Rockwell was on hand for thespecial night, February 10 in Lake Saint Louis

LIFESTYLES


Being a true cynic at times, I often have to hide a grin when someone brags about a big win at the track or on a gambling boat. One of my late father’s vices was betting on the horses at Fairmont Park. He often took me along and I found it fascinating to some de-gree. One of the most fascinating parts was when he spoke of winning

after he got home and talked to my mother. Be-fore that, on the way home, he said he was hap-py if he broke even, which was probably seldom. He never spoke of how much he lost but, being a $2 better, it probably wasn’t all that much.A friend of mine was an inveterate gambler. He

would bet on anything from the next football play on TV to how many bugs hit his windshield in one mile of highway such-and-such. He once won $20,000 on a gambling boat. He was ecstat-ic. However, me being me, I had to ask him how much he lost. He said he wasn’t sure but he explained that if he combined his big win with his next two paychecks, he could pay off all his credit cards.For my own part when it comes to gambling, if I’m down $5,

I’m already nervous. If it hits $20, I’m out of there…wherever ‘there’ is. I’m limited to an occasional lottery ticket of which the odds are too astronomical to comprehend. Betting on when an asteroid will destroy Washington DC has better odds…and perhaps a more positive effect.There’s a question asked by many of why anyone believes the

huge, extravagant, gambling boats that aren’t boats can afford to build and maintain them if so many people keep winning their money. But then, people believe what they want to be-lieve. Bobby Riggs thought he could beat Billie Jean King if he gob-

Addiction Isn’t Funny...Is it?BY JOE MORICE

www.MeadowlandsEstates.com

bled enough vitamin pills. Being a confessed cynic, I have to watch myself when I hear

excuses for various addictions. Laughing might not be appreci-ated. I knew a man that was well known for his gambling addic-tion and was blocked from the local gambling boat. His credit cards were maxed and his attempts to sneak in were halted by the guards.

He said, “I tried to tell them I work undercover for the owners to watch for cheaters.”“Is that so?” I asked while trying to hide a grin. He said, “Now look at ya’. You’re gonna’ laugh

at me too. Nobody believes me and I lost my job because of it. The owners didn’t want anybody to know they hired me so they fired me when I told the guards.”“Wow,” I said. “Maybe you should sue them.” I

scratched my nose to hide my grin. He gave me a suspicious look and said, “Maybe I

should but these are casino owners. They might have me knocked off.”I said, “Gee. I never thought of that.” He raved on, “But the trouble is, I need a job but new employ-

ers won’t believe me when I tell them I worked undercover in a casino. Even you don’t really believe me. I can see you laughing under your breath. You’re just like everybody else.” He looked down and shook his head and sniffled. He finally said, “I don’t know what to do.”I said, “I have a suggestion.” He looked up hopefully and said,

“What?”I said. “Don’t tell anybody.” He looked confused. Then he coughed and looked around.

He said, “But….er…um…I’m not sure….um…er…can I borrow 20 bucks?“No.”


AROUND TOWN

Discover Nature Through MDC 75th Anniversary Photo Contest

The Missouri De-partment of Con-servation (MDC) in-vites photographers around the state to enter its 75th Anni-versary Photo Con-test. The contest is an effort to help Missourians discov-er nature by captur-

ing and sharing photos that celebrate the natural wonders of Missouri. Winners will be featured in the October issue of the Missouri Conservationist, as well as on the MDC website and in other media. The photo contest has seven categories: mammals, plants,

reptiles and amphibians, insects and spiders, birds, outdoor recreation, and habitats and landscapes. Entries will be ac-cepted through May 15. Photographers must tag their photos with the exact name of the category they are entering. A panel of photography and nature experts will select the

best entry in each category. Category winners will then be posted on the MDC website starting July 1 for the public can vote for their favorite photo from category winners. The pho-to with the most votes will be named “Best of Show.” All seven winners will be displayed in the October magazine and other MDC media. More information and examples of category photos are fea-

www.rhf.org

tured in the February issue of the Missouri C o n s e r v a t i o n i s t or online at mdc.mo.gov/conmag. A full list of rules and guidelines can be found on the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov/node/16689. Entries will only be accepted via Flickr, an Internet photo shar-ing service. To join Flickr, visit flickr.com/groups/mdc75thanniversary/.

FOOD


The Irish in America Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day

This recipe is adapted from “Forgotten Skills of Cooking.” Recipe introductions are from Darina Allen.

Cottage Pie with Garlic Butter“The cheese in this crust and the lump of garlic butter that melts

into the center make this into something very special.”Serves 63 tablespoons olive oil2 garlic cloves, mashed1 small onion, chopped1 pound beef, freshly ground1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves1/2 cup dry white or red wine1 cup beef stock1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce1 tablespoon tomato paste Roux (recipe follows) Salt and freshly ground pepperFor the Topping3 pounds baking potatoes, unpeeled1 cup whole milk, boiling Salt and freshly ground pepper2 tablespoons Kerrygold Irish butter1 tablespoon chopped chives (optional)1/4 cup grated Dubliner cheese1/4 cup grated Kerrygold Aged Cheddar To Serve Garlic Butter (recipe follows) Green saladHeat the oil in a saucepan. Add garlic and onion and fry until soft

and slightly brown. Increase heat, add ground beef and thyme and fry until beef changes color. Add wine, half the stock, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, boil the unpeeled potatoes, then peel them. Add boil-ing milk and mash potatoes while they are still hot. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper, and add butter and chives, if using.Preheat the oven to 350°F.Bring the rest of the stock to a boil and thicken it well with roux.

Stir it into beef — it should be thick but still juicy. Taste and correct seasoning.Put meat mixture into one large or six individual pie dishes. Pipe

or spread mashed potato mixture over the top. Sprinkle with grated cheeses. Bake for 30 minutes, until top is golden and slightly crispy. Serve with garlic butter and a green salad. Roux“Roux can be stored in a cool place and used as required, or it can be

made up on the spot if preferred to thicken up a sauce.” 8 tablespoons Kerrygold Irish butter Scant cup all-purpose flourMelt butter in a pan and cook flour in it for 2 minutes on low heat,

stirring occasionally. It will keep for two weeks in the refrigerator.Garlic Butter“Slather over bruschetta or toast. Also great with grilled fish, meat,

or vegetables.”8 tablespoons Kerrygold Irish butter2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley3 to 5 cloves crushed garlic A few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juiceWhip butter, then add in parsley, garlic and a few drops of lemon

juice at a time. Roll into butter pats or form into a roll and wrap in parchment paper or foil, twisting each end. Refrigerate to harden.

(Family Features) They came in the 1840s to escape the devastating potato famine. And they stayed to become part of the fabric of America. Today 36.9 million U.S. residents claim Irish ancestry, second only to those who claim German heritage, and more than eight times the popula-tion in Ireland, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2009 statistics. Enduring hardships and privations, the foods these Irish immigrants cooked in the new land would have replicated foods that reminded them

of home — dishes such as cottage pie and Irish apple cake. Below are recipes for these dishes from Darina Allen’s “Forgotten Skills of Cooking,” (Kyle Books, 2009) now available in the U.S. Allen, considered the Julia Child of Ireland, is on a mission to teach everyday home cooks the kind of cooking skills early Irish immigrants would

have practiced. “There is a real revolution going on about food — a longing, a craving to re-learn life skills like butchery, keeping chickens, grow-ing vegetables and curing meat,” Allen said. The popularity of her Forgotten Skills classes at her renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork, Ireland, inspired Allen to write the “Forgotten Skills” cookbook. Allen also has re-issued her “Irish Traditional Cooking” (Kyle Books), just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.The recipe below features Irish dairy products because dairying has been a part of Ireland for centuries, long before potatoes. “In Ireland we

can grow grass like nowhere else in the world,” said Allen with pride. “So we have fantastic butter, lovely cream and, of course, cheese. Butter is the fat of the land. Our animals are grass-fed. Grass-fed gives more flavor and more complex nutrients. This is what we are. Dairy products come from this beautiful, lush green grass.”Try the recipe below for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. It’s easy to replicate Irish flavors with butter and cheeses made in Ireland and imported

to the U.S. under the Kerrygold name. They are widely available at supermarkets and specialty stores throughout the country. And be sure to do as the Irish do: no celebration is complete without a selection of cheeses with good bread and chutney. The cheese board below features Kerrygold Aged Cheddar, Cashel Blue farmhouse cheese, Dubliner and Blarney Castle Irish cheese.For more St. Patrick’s Day recipes, visit www.kerrygoldusa.com.

16

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Spring Forward and Check Your Smoke Alarm

www.elegantsalon.comwww.elegantsalon.com

www.stcharlesconventioncenter.com

Most Americans will turn their clocks ahead on hour on Sunday, March 11, 2012. According to the National Fire Protection Association, 96 percent of all homes have at least one smoke alarm, according to a 2010 telephone survey. Overall, three-quarters of all U.S. homes have at least one working smoke alarm. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths in 2005-2009 resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batter-ies are missing, disconnected or dead. Almost one-quarter of the smoke alarm failures was due to dead batteries. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast

and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out. Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. Having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half.Safety tips• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate

sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the base-ment. Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound. • An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flam-

ing fires, and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more re-sponsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, both types of alarms or a combination alarm (photoelectric and ionization) should be installed in homes. • Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button. • Smoke rises; install smoke alarms following manufacturer’s in-

structions high on a wall or on a ceiling. Save manufacturer’s in-structions for testing and maintenance.

• Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year. If an alarm “chirps”, warning the battery is low,

replace the battery right away. • Replace all smoke alarms, including

alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are 10 year old or sooner if they do not respond properly. • Be sure the smoke alarm has the label

of a recognized testing laboratory. • Alarms that are hard-wired (and in-

clude battery backup) must be installed by a qualified electrician. • If cooking fumes or steam sets off nui-

sance alarms, replace the alarm with an alarm that has a “hush” button. A “hush”

button will reduce the alarm’s sensitivity for a short period of time. • An ionization alarm with a hush button or a photoelectric alarm

should be used if the alarm is within 20 feet of a cooking appliance. • Smoke alarms that include a recordable voice announcement in

addition to the usual alarm sound, may be helpful in wak-ing children through the use of a familiar voice. • Smoke alarms are

available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These devices use strobe lights. Vibration de-vices can be added to these alarms.

AROUND TOWN

LAKE SAINT LOUIS - DARDENNE PRAIRIE


Chamber News BY GENA BREYNE

Welcome New MembersThe Lake Saint Louis Dardenne Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to present our newest members. These new members join

the more than 250 local businesses that are proud to be known as members of the LSLDP Area Chamber. To find more information on any of our members please visit www.lsldpchamber.com.

Linda Klingerman LawLinda Klingerman2032 Hanley Road. Suite 232Dardenne Prairie, MO 63368636-980-2220

Mary Kay CosmeticsCindy MarshServing St. Charles County636-541-4377www.marykay.com/cindymarsh

N2 PublishingBryan CooperServing St. Charles County314-496-5303www.n2pub.com

Piddle n PlayTerry WatersDefiance , MO 63341636 346-7667www.piddle-n-play.com

Rodan + Fields DermatologistsJennifer Langston Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367314-409-9343 www.4uskincare.myrandf.biz

SSM Physical TherapySarah Freund2 Harbor Bend Ct., Suite 102 Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367636-695-2070 www.ssm-select.com/services/outpatient.aspx

SSM Physical TherapyChristine Rufkahr7421 Highway N, Suite B Dardenne Prairie, MO 63368636-561-2060 www.ssm-select.com/services/outpatient.aspx

St. Charles Engineering & SurveyingDave Ryan801 South Fifth St. St. Charles, Mo 63301636-947-0607 www.stcharleseng.com

Tom Shaw RealtorsMr. Tom Shaw Jr.17813 Edison Avenue Suite 200 Chesterfield, MO 63005www.shawrealtors.com

The Board of Directors and Chamber Staff would like to thank the following members for renewing their Chamber investment, by renew-ing your investment in the Lake Saint Louis Dardenne Prairie Area Chamber our Community continues to prosper as successful businesses are working hard to strengthen our economic climate; insuring that all citizens enjoy an exceptional quality of life

ACT IndustriesAllCom Global ServicesAllergy and Asthma ConsultantsAmerican Poolplayers AssociationBaue Funeral HomesBlue Sky Café & BarBotz, Deal & CompanyBuff and Coat Hardwood Floor RenewalCity of Dardenne PrairieColdwell Banker Gundaker - DavisColdwell Banker Gundaker - Matt TravagliniCommunity News / Crossroads MagazineContinental Title Co.Contractor’s Flooring Supply, Inc.CostcoCuivre River Electric Cooperative, Inc.Days InnDenny & Associates, Inc.Donatelli’s BistroEconomic Development Center of St. CharlesEdward Jones - Gary WeberF & M Bank and Trust CompanyFirestone Complete AutocareFirst Community Credit UnionFirst State Bank

Garden View Care CenterGarden Villas of O’FallonGary Elmestad & AssociatesGregory A. Luerding, D.D.S.Hawk Ridge Family ChiropracticHope Montessori Academy Lake Saint LouisJM Construction, Inc., JM Kitchen & BathJoS. A. Banks Clothiers, Inc.Kathy Kilo Peterson-State Farm InsuranceKelDon ImagingKirks Eye Center, P.C.KolbeCo Marketing Resources, LLCLake Saint Louis Fire Protection DistrictLloyd, Martin & Associates Inc.LowesMaryville University St. LouisMauricesMick’s Exterminating Service, Inc.Midwest BankCentreMissouri State SenatorMorning Star ChurchNew Frontier BankNISCNurses and CompanyO’Fallon Family YMCA

Park Place Senior Living At WingHavenPiddle n PlayPitman Funeral HomePROACTIVE Money ManagementPromotions ProntoRufkahr & Associates Tax & AccountingSealMaxx of Greater St Louis, Inc.Sebastiens Pet SalonSerenity Valley WinerySSM St. Charles Clinic Medical GroupSt. Charles City-County Library DistrictSt. Charles County Executive OfficeSTCI d/b/a Richard Shoaf PhotographySuburban JournalsThe Child CenterThe Waterways of Lake Saint LouisThomas Realty Group, LLC.UMB BankWal-MartWentzville - LSL JayceesWentzville School DistrictWest Community Credit UnionWestinn Kennels, Inc.Wharf Pharmacy

We encourage our members to invest in each other. For a complete listing of member businesses please visit us at www.lsldpchamber.com. Save the date! The Second Annual City 2 City 5K will be held September 15.

19

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Baby Kid Expo

MARCH 2012 CROSSROADS

The Sixth Annual Baby Kid Expo is the perfect event for parents, caregivers and children. This year’s event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 24 at the St. Charles Convention Center . It’s free family fun! Heather Deatz, the show’s promoter, said exhibi-tors include hospitals, daycare facilities, tutors, photographers, dance groups, sports groups, camp information, safety equip-ment and, of course, shopping!Along with vendors, the Baby

Kid Expo features entertainment and fun for all ages. Bring your children to see Dora and Diego at 9 a.m. “Moose on the Loose” is at 9:30 a.m. This cooking demo features healthy breakfast ideas for kids, and how to get kids involved in the kitchen. The Diaper Derby is always an exciting event! Sign up on the Baby Kid Expo website; the race begins at 10 a.m. The Main Stage is loaded with fun performances all day, includ-

ing: the Muny Kids, Radio Disney, My Red Thread fashion show, and more. Belleza Salon will be offer fun hair designs all day long, and there’s even a free photo booth. Face painting, mascots, in-flatables and a rock climbing wall are also at the Expo, and it’s all free.Door prizes will be awarded throughout the day and you’ll have

a chance to win a new SUV from Zeiser Kia. Raffle tickets for

more than $3000 worth of great prizes will be sold for $1, and pro-ceeds will benefit Autism Speaks. MOCHIP will be at the 2012 event,

providing free child ID badges and a personal information CD for fami-lies.Deatz said she is excited to offer

free speakers at the event. “At 10 a.m. we’ll have Dr. Thomas

from MIND,” she said. “He will share the latest information about ADD/ADHD. We’ll also have information on breastfeeding, birthing options

and an interactive story time event for the kids. For a full list of speakers, check out our website and pre-register to hold your spot.”Become a fan on Facebook for the latest news and for a chance

to win great prizes before the show, www.facebook.com/babyki-dexpoThe 2012 Baby Kid Expo is sponsored by: Barnes Jewish St. Peters

Hospital, Progress West HealthCare Center , Wal-Mart, Ameren UE, I Go Cheap, My Red Thread, Zeiser Kia, Community News, St. Louis Kids Directory, Sprout and About, The Bump, Macaroni Kid, St. Louis Kids Magazine, Charter, Women’s Journal, and Car-riage Printing.For more information, check out the full schedule at www.

babykidexpo.com or call 1.866.654.EXPO (3976). Don’t miss it!

BY SHELLY A. SCHNEIDER

Presorted Std US Postage

PAIDSt. Louis, MO Permit 28282139-A Bryan Valley Commercial Dr., O’Fallon, MO 63366

www.petlandstl.com

www.kristalcleanco.comwww.kristalcleanco.com

CrossRoads: Mar. 2012

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