Saturday, May 19, 2012
A local physician provides advice about what to expect when expecting a baby, along with allergies and asthma. May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.
Each year, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America representatives declare May to be "National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month." If you have asthma or allergies and are having a baby, talk with your allergist. An allergist can help make sure you treat your condition in the safest and healthiest way for you and your baby. Asthma and allergies are among the most common potentially serious medical conditions that can complicate pregnancy. In fact, asthma affects approximately 8 percent of women in their childbearing years. Allergists have the training and expertise to help you control your allergies and asthma at all stages of your life, including pregnancy. Here are a few of the most common questions about asthma and allergies during …
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Local farmers’ market vendors say that the fruits and veggies they grow are superior to grocery store produce for many reasons.
Do you buy the freshest produce possible? According to many area farmers, the fruits and vegetables you buy at the grocery store may not be as fresh as you think. With farmers' markets open now (or about to open) around the St. Louis area, including Wentzville, Lake Saint Louis, Webster Groves, Kirkwood, Clayton, Ellisville, Wildwood, Arnold and elsewhere, we wanted to talk a little about what "fresh" means to you. Tim Hess, owner of Silent Oaks farm and a vendor at several area farmers’ markets, told Patch that most of the produce sold in local grocery stores comes from Calfornia or Florida, areas where many farms are staffed by migrant workers. “It’s a long trail and at the end of the trail you’ll find that migrant Mexican workers do …
Friday, May 11, 2012
TAKE POLL: Summer is truly here, as evidenced by the migration of turtles in local spots. Do you try to help these ancient-looking reptiles?
Why did the turtle cross the road? As it turns out, turtles go where they do because of internal urges that drive them. In early summer, their senses encourage them to seek out nesting sites to lay their eggs. Because turtles are reptiles, and therefore cold-blooded, they must wait until warm temperatures allow them the mobility they need to nest. Female turtles are particular about where they lay and bury their eggs, and may travel long distances over land to find a suitable location. Most turtles select well drained, sandy or loose soil to deposit their eggs, and some sources indicate the site usually faces south or southeast—which takes them certain directions—which sometimes involves roads. A turtle trying to cross the road may not be …
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Sendak has died at age 83. Tell us your memories of reading his books—especially "Where the Wild Things Are."
My two children are well above the age when they'd sit still for their mother and father reading a book to them. It won't be that many years before they have their own children. They'll be doing the reading. And I have no doubt that Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are" will be among the books they crack open and recite. On Tuesday, we learned that the author of perhaps one of the most famous children's books of all time had died at the age of 83. The New York Times' report said the author had died from complications after a recent stroke. Writers have lauded Sendak's worth, but in particular his ability to craft children's stories out of what might have been considered "untraditional" — monsters "roaring their terrible roars" and "…
Monday, May 7, 2012
Locales know those two names associated with the lives of Eureka residents lost to the dangers of Highway FF. But near the intersection of Highways FF and W Saturday, there was an aura noticed by many at the dedication of a new safety billboard.
When the blue plastic cover rippled down off the new, large safety billboard Saturday near the intersection of Highways FF and W at Kirkwood Material Supply and revealed the beaming smile of Kaela Archambault, I admittedly teared up even though I was focused on taking photos of the unveiling and the crowds' reactions. It was a split second of both joy and pain. Seeing Kaela's face, I was immediately transported back to that November day when she lost her life not that many miles down the road, and I was on the scene of the accident. Missouri Highway patrol officers would not let media near the scene, but I was there when a SUV from the accident was hauled away. As a photojournalist, I snapped a shot, and was one of the few—if not the only …
Friday, May 4, 2012
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: One Rockwood School District parent shares how Superintendent Bruce Borchers responded to her suggestion about Autism Month.
If you aren't aware, April is Autism Awareness Month. I have a son, Ben Hoppe, who is on the Autism Spectrum. He has high-functioning autism/Asperger's Syndrome. I was looking at the Rockwood School District website and was hoping to see something about it. When I didn't, I sent an email to Dr. (Bruce) Borchers, Superintendent. I mentioned that April was Autism Awareness Month and that it would be nice if they could post something. Well, not only did they post something—it was a completely amazing and heartfelt tribute/celebration! They included a video of a little boy who had autism dancing to the song "I Hope You Dance." In addition, there is a group of children on the Autism Spectrum at Uthoff Valley in Fenton. It showed the group …
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
PHOTOS AND VIDEO: A different sort of local interview with David Freese just went viral, and this Eureka-Wildwood Patch editor wondered at the time what the giggling hoopla was about. Now I know, thanks to the Internet!
An interesting development occurred to David Freese, and apparently I witnessed it Thursday without realizing it at the time. LOOK CLOSELY at the featured photo that accompanies this article: Doesn't Freese look like he's saying to me, the photographer of the photo: "Get help, plezzzz!" as he peered into my Nikon camera? Now, I see. To be honest, I sensed something different was happening between him and KSDK-TV reporter Julie Tristan as I took photos of her interviewing him at Six Flags St. Louis Thursday for the launch of the renovated roller coaster ride "Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast." But Tristan does the Show Me St. Louis Show, which is upbeat in general, so I shrugged and thought she must have interviewed him before and that they knew…
Friday, April 27, 2012
Monarch Fire Protection District Tom Vineyard talks new attitude, transparency in everything after four months in the job. [Monarch's House No. 2, at 18424 Wildhorse Creek Rd., services Wildwood residents.]
Dear Citizens: I would like to start my first message to you, the community, with a note of gratitude for allowing me to serve you as Chief of the Monarch Fire Protection District. I officially took over the helm on Jan. 2, and am very excited about providing a new direction for the future. I have more than 23 years of experience in fire and EMS operations. I have the experience, qualifications and expertise to lead this fire protection district as it begins a new era in delivering fire protection and emergency medical services to all of our citizens. I can assure you that my primary responsibility is to ensure that you, the citizens of the Monarch Fire Protection District, receive the highest level of fire and emergency response service …
Friday, April 13, 2012
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: "Almost every other voter voted against Proposition R related to the Rockwood School District. Only sound fiscal policy will truly help the Rockwood School District in the long run."
The defeat of Rockwood School District’s Proposition R bond issue by the largest percent of no votes in recent years should be a clear signal to Superintendent Bruce Borchers and the Board of Education that taxpayers want the district to exercise greater financial responsibility than they have in the past. Greater financial responsibility from the district would include, but is certainly not limited to: While the district is quick to point out that a “majority” of voters supported the measure, and this is technically true, 46 percent of those voting did not. This is a significant increase from past bond issue “no” votes: 36.01 percent against Proposition 5 in 2010, 38.02 percent against Proposition 3 in 2008, and 32.70 percent against …
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
The St. Louis Cardinals look to begin their title-defense today when they kickoff the regular season against the Miami Marlins.
Today's Major League Baseball's official Opening Day, considered by thousands of St. Louisans as an unofficial holiday. And while the St. Louis Cardinals' home opener is really where it's at, that's not stopping us from getting into the baseball mood! There's no shortage of story lines for the 2012 Cardinals as they look to defend last season's World Series Championship when the season kicks off today against the Miami Marlins. Related: Update your Facebook Timeline cover photo with an image that captures your loyalty for the Redbirds. The team is missing perhaps three of its biggest names of the past decade in manager Tony La Russa, pitching coach Dave Duncan—both of whom retired—and, of course, Albert Pujols, who signed with the Los …
Ed Norman
1:28 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The two greatest deterrents to lo locally grown produce and fruits are... 1. Convenience - everyone wants to have their needs met close to home, easily accessible and inexpensive 2. Instant Gratification - "I want it NOW, even though it is not in season I want it and should be able to have it!" Gone are the days of waiting for the peaches and tomatoes to ripen in the backyard! I personally would … more ›