O’Fallon Ranked as one of America’s “100 Best Places to Live”The City of O’Fallon has been named one of

the country’s “Best Places to Live,” according

to Money magazine’s list of America’s 100

best cities. O’Fallon ranked 39th on the 2012

list of cities with a population of 50,000–

300,000. O’Fallon was once again the top-

ranked city in the State of Missouri.

O’Fallon’s inclusion continues the

stream of national accolades that have been

bestowed on the City. In addition to Money’s

previous rankings in 2006, 2008 and 2010,

O’Fallon was named to Relocate-America.

com’s listings of America’s Best Cities in 2007,

2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, and O’Fallon

currently is ranked as the “Second-Safest City

in America” by CQ Press. See page 2 for more

on why Money considered O’Fallon to be the

top place to live in Missouri.

Forty years ago, my parents moved to Missouri. I was in high school at the time, and little did I know that I would

eventually get married to my wife Debbie and raise three kids in this wonderful City.

Debbie and I chose to make our home in O’Fallon because we knew there was no better place to raise our family. And, I can’t tell you how humbling it is to see prestigious national publications continue to recognize

O’Fallon – our hometown – as a great place to live and raise a family. Of course, part of what makes O’Fallon such a special place to live, work and play is

all of the wonderful activities going on throughout the City, and this fall is no different.O’Fallon’s parks will be the place to be on those gorgeous fall weekends. Fort

Zumwalt Park will be glowing with a remarkable array of fall colors. Soccer season is well underway at O’Fallon Sports Park. Meanwhile, the sounds of pads hitting and crowds cheering are signaling that football season has kicked off at Dames Park. Take a look at this issue’s Parks & Rec Guide to see everything going on in the 400+ acres of parks here in O’Fallon.

The highlight of the fall will once again be our annual Fall Fest and Street Dance. The party begins on Friday, October 12 when the band Contagious will rock Downtown O’Fallon. Then, Saturday’s festivities open with the Fall Fest 5K at City Hall, followed by a full day of activities just down the block at Civic Park. This year’s event promises to be better than ever, so please check out pages 3 and 4 for details.

In closing, I would like to thank all of you! Any honors we receive are a testament to our residents, our businesses, civic organizations, schools, churches, community volunteers and our elected officials and City staff. On behalf of the City Council, my family and the thousands of families who have made the choice to call O’Fallon home, thank you for making O’Fallon the best city in Missouri!

Bill Hennessy, Mayor

Fall festivities come to O’Fallon

O’Fallon UpdateAutumn 2012 • www.ofallon.mo.us

See reverse for Autumn Parks & Rec Guide

The Official Quarterly Publication of the City of O’Fallon, Missouri

O’Fallon’s websites are getting a makeover For the most up-to-date information on O’Fallon, www.ofallon.mo.us is the place to go. And, coming this fall and winter, finding information will be even easier. The City will soon launch a new website with easy-to-navigate menus, the latest news and better mobile capabilities. Stay tuned to the electronic version of O’Fallon Update for launch dates and more details!

In this issue3 Fall Fest

5 Project O’Fallon

6 Upcoming Events

8 Police Bulletins

9 Roscoe’s Den

10 Senior Corner

11 Focus on O’Fallon

12 City Calendar

Ele

cted

Offi

cial

s Mayor Bill Hennessy636-379-5500bhennessy@ofallon.mo.us

Ward 1 CouncilmembersBill Gardner636-379-5581bgardner@ofallon.mo.us

Rick Lucas636-379-5582rlucas@ofallon.mo.us

Ward 2 CouncilmembersRose Mack636-379-5591rmack@ofallon.mo.us

Jim Pepper636-379-5583jpepper@ofallon.mo.us

Ward 3 CouncilmembersRichard “Rick” Battelle636-379-5586rbattelle@ofallon.mo.us

John Haman, Jr.636-379-5585jhaman@ofallon.mo.us

Ward 4 CouncilmembersBob Howell636-379-5587bhowell@ofallon.mo.us

Jeff Schwentker636-379-5580jschwentker@ofallon.mo.us

Ward 5 CouncilmembersMike Pheney636-379-5584mpheney@ofallon.mo.us

Michael Snowden636-379-5588msnowden@ofallon.mo.us

Citizens First Center636-379-5553

City Hall636-240-2000

Police (Non-emergency)636-240-3200

O’Fallon Senior Center 636-272-4180

Trash and Recycling 636-272-0477

O’Fallon Water & Sewer636-281-2858

Hel

pful

Num

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Money Magazine ranks O’Fallon as the Best Place to Live in Missouri

What does it mean to be one of America’s 100 Best Places to Live?

One of the benefits of rankings like the recent Money magazine listing is that these publications make impartial comparisons of cities across the country. This year, Money looked at more than 700 cities with populations ranging from 50,000 to 300,000. The publication compared national statistics on a variety of topics, such as finances (income, taxes, insurance rates, etc.), housing prices, job growth, transportation, public safety, education, leisure and cultural activities, weather, health and demographics for 2012. What made O’Fallon one of America’s best and the top city in the State of Missouri? According to Money:

Job seekers with families would do well to consider O’Fallon, a super-safe St. Louis suburb that has one of the highest projected rates of increases in employment in the state, top schools, and affordable homes that average just $170,000 for a three-bedroom. While the city is criss-crossed by a mass of highways, the roads help O’Fallon residents get where they need to go, from fine restaurants in St. Louis to the River City Rascals baseball stadium and acres of parks closer to home.

O’Fallon stood out in several ways:

• O’Fallon’s job growth rate of 55.63% from 2000–2011 was higher than nine of the “Top 10” communities on the list and one of the highest rates in the country.

• O’Fallon families have a higher purchasing power than the average of the 100 “best places” listed by Money.

• The average home price in O’Fallon is more than 30% lower than the average of the “best places” list.

• O’Fallon’s air quality index of 79.3% is better than the Top 100 average.

• O’Fallon is served by three quality public school districts, and test scores for O’Fallon students in both math and reading are more than twice as high as the Top 100 average.

• The City is within 30 miles of 17 colleges, universities and professional schools.

• O’Fallon residents are 50% less likely to suffer a personal crime compared to the average for the “Top 100 Best Places.” O’Fallon’s rates of one personal crime per 1,000 residents and 16 property crimes per 1,000 residents were significantly lower than the average of the other 100 best cities.

O’Fallon also stood out for the number of businesses that have either headquartered or made a significant investment in O’Fallon, the City’s extensive park system, and the overall sense of community that extends throughout the City.

Emergency HVAC funding available for qualified O’Fallon residents

Don’t be left in the cold! Apply today for O’Fallon’s Home Improvement Loan Program to find out if you are among the qualified homeowners who can get a zero-interest, forgivable loan for HVAC repairs or replacements and essential home repairs before the cold of winter hits. Eligible homeowners may receive a loan of up to $5,000 to address energy needs, home maintenance and repair, and housing code violations (such as an unsafe stairway).

In general, applicants must reside in O’Fallon City limits, and also:

• Have owned and lived in the house to be improved for at least one year

• Be U.S. citizens or legal aliens (but not newly-legalized)

• Have a low-to-moderate income, with the total gross income of all household members age 18 and older not exceeding HUD limits

• Be current on mortgage payments and real estate taxes, and have no pending bankruptcies or outstanding federal, state or city tax liens

More information is available at www.ofallon.mo.us/Grants. Or, contact Jessica Hawkins at 636-379-5411, or jhawkins@ofallon.mo.us.

www.ofallon.mo.usAutumn 2012 3

Dance all night and shop all day at O’Fallon’s annual Fall Fest & Street Dance

G et away from it all and enjoy the best that fall has to offer, free, right here in O’Fallon at the 28th annual Fall Fest &

Street Dance, October 12–13.The weekend opens with a Street Dance on Civic Park Drive

from 5 – 10 p.m. Sunset Amusement and Contagious provide the music, and festival food and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the evening.

On Saturday, October 13, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., relax to the sounds of great music, enjoy festival food, watch family-style entertainment and shop at vendor’s booths for indie craftwork, shabby chic-style furnishings, original art and photography, house and garden specialties, fall and holiday decorations, jewelry, unique fashion accessories, and pumpkins and flowers. Tours of the O’Fallon Historical Society’s Log Cabin Museum will be available, free (donations are welcome). Aaron Burlbaw will entertain with acoustic guitar music just outside the door.

The Fall Fest offers great new entertainment every year. Here’s this year’s lineup:

• Hillbilly Authority (below, left) will play all kinds of country music and southern rock.

• The Ramblers (above, right), an acoustic band, will perform bluegrass, country and Americana music.

• Casey the Entertainer will perform a one-person variety show and also stroll through the festival showing off his circus skills. Casey is a ventriloquist, puppeteer and mime who juggles, performs magic tricks, and rides a unicycle and a miniature bicycle.

Fall Fest & Street Dancewww.ofallon.mo.us/FallFest

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Get involved in the fun!

Be a part of the festival as a volunteer! Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer@ofallon.mo.us or 636-379-5507.

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• Author Angie Wyatt will sign and sell copies of her book, Timmy the Tractor: His Hay Day, and a life-sized character of Timmy the Tractor will visit with kids.

• The Home Depot Kids’ Workshop will provide free, build-and-take craft projects from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Visit www.ofallon.mo.us/FallFest for updates and links to artists’ websites. Or call 636-379-5614.

Civic Park • Free admission and parking

10th Annual Fall Fest 5KSaturday, October 137:30 a.m., O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall)

Put on your running shoes and meet outside O’Fallon City

Hall for the 10th Annual O’Fallon Fall Fest 5K on Saturday,

October 13. The 3.1 mile race will begin at 7:30 a.m. Following

the race, complimentary snacks and beverages will be served

to participants, with an awards ceremony beginning at

approximately 8:30 a.m.

Don’t forget to wear your fall costume! All participants are

eligible for the Fall Costume Contest, with first, second and

third-place prizes. Costumes must stay in place during the race

and be suitable for a family-friendly event.

O’Fallon’s Fall Fest 5K has age divisions (10-and-under,

11–14, 15–19, 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60+, the Baby Stroller

Division (male and female), Athena (for females weighing 150

lbs. or more), and Clydesdale (for males weighing 205 lbs. or

more). Visit www.ofallon.mo.us/FallFest5K for a course map

and FAQs.

• Register online at www.fleetfeetstl.com through October

10; the cost is $18 per person.

• Or, register in person at O’Fallon’s Parks and Recreation

Administrative Office, 400 Civic Park Drive; hours are 8:30

a.m. – 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Call 636-379-5606. The cost is

$18 per person through October 12.

• Race Day registration is $20 per person; registration will be

held on site from 6 – 7:15 a.m.

O’Fallon’s 10th Annual Fall Fest 5K is held by the City of

O’Fallon with the assistance of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory

Council, and the sponsorship of local businesses.

Volunteers are needed to help with the Fall Fest 5K race.

Contact Volunteer Services at 636-379-5507 or volunteer@ofallon.mo.us. For more information about volunteering, visit

www.ofallon.mo.us/volunteer.

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O'Fallon Historical Society Log Cabin Museum

10 a.m., 1 p.m. Aaron BurlbawAcoustic guitar

Strolling Entertainment

All day Casey the EntertainerMagic, juggling and more!

Main Stage Music • Civic Park Bandstand

11 a.m. Hillbilly AuthorityCountry music and southern rock

2:30 p.m. The RamblersAcoustic bluegrass and country music

Free Fall Fest activities for Saturday, October 13

Gazebo • Upper playground

11:30 a.m.1, 2 and 4 p.m.

Timmy the TractorBook signing and visit with Timmy

Saturday, October 1310 – 5 p.m.

Booths, entertainment, kids’ activities

O’Fallon UpdateCity of O’Fallon Newsletter

Friday, October 12 • “Street Dance”Food and beverages available.

5 – 7 p.m. Sunset Amusement

7 – 10 p.m. Contagious

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Crews continue work on more than $2 million in road and street repairsEven as the winter approaches, City crews and contractors are out in neighborhoods completing the City’s annual road maintenance programs. This year, the City will spend more than $2 million for asphalt resurfacing, concrete replacement and crack sealing.

Each year, City staff uses an impartial evaluation method to rate every street in O’Fallon. City staff already is setting priorities for 2013 and beyond. If you should ever have concerns about a street in your neighborhood, report it to our Citizens First Center at www.ofallon.mo.us.

Please report burnt-out street lights in your yard and neighborhoodPlease take note of any burnt-out street lights and the property address where the light is located. With that information in hand, residents may directly report the problem to the utility company:

• If the light belongs to AmerenMissouri, please call 314-342-1000. Ameren UE customers also should provide the pole number, which begins with “OF” and ends with four digits.

• Cuivre River Electric customers should call 636-695-4700 and report the property address.

Or, report the problem online via the Citizens First Center. Select “Make a Request,” then select “Report street light outage.”

Please note: The City of O’Fallon does not own or maintain street lights. But with the address of the street light needing repair, City staff will report lights in need of maintenance to the utilities.

Project O’Fallon

www.ofallon.mo.usAutumn 2012

O’Fallon begins work on first CLIP projectCrews have begun work on the first project in O’Fallon’s Citywide Landscape Identity Plan (CLIP) campaign. The project involves the grading, landscaping and installation of an entrance sign at the intersection of Highway K and westbound I-64.

This first project is the foundation of a long-term plan to build the City’s identity through the installation of landscaping and informational signage. Future projects may include additional entrance signs along major thoroughfares, directional signage along O’Fallon’s primary roads, informational signs and monuments marking the entrances to parks and City facilities.

As these projects are completed in future years, O’Fallon’s borders will be better indentified, and locating businesses and City amenities will become easier. The design of this first project will set the standard for future projects. The City Council will determine future CLIP projects each year as part of the annual budget process.

Stay up-to-date on Missouri River bridge construction/repairs, lane closures, and Highway 364 upgradesO’Fallon residents will be greatly impacted by several major Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) projects coming to St. Charles County during the next two years. These projects will improve traffic flow and provide easier accessibility to all of St. Charles County, but closures and construction work may temporarily impact residents. To speed you on your way, the MoDOT website www.MoDOT.org maintains information to keep drivers in the loop regarding these projects:

• I-70 Blanchette Bridge renovations – Beginning in November 2012, westbound I-70 bridge traffic will be detoured to eastbound I-70 lanes while the westbound lanes of the bridge are repaired.

• I-64/Highway 40 Daniel Boone Bridge construction – Construction will begin in 2013 on a new bridge over the Missouri River. All lanes of the current bridge (east and westbound) will remain open during peak hours, with some closures on weekends.

• Highway 364 upgrade – Phase III of the Highway 364 extension will bring 364 (Page Avenue) from Mid-Rivers Mall Drive through O’Fallon, crossing both Highway K and Bryan Road. Construction will begin in 2013.

www.ofallon.mo.us/Projects

5

City Infrastructure Updates

The City of O’Fallon is on Twitter!

@CityofOFallon

Upcoming Events

Patriotic CeremoniesPOW/MIA Remembrance Day Ceremony Friday, September 217 p.m., O’Fallon Veterans Memorial Walk

Join in a candlelight ceremony honoring and remembering the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who remain missing in action or imprisoned on foreign soil.

Veterans Day CeremonySunday, November 1111 a.m., O’Fallon Veterans Memorial Walk

Everyone is invited to honor and thank our community’s veterans at O’Fallon’s Veterans Memorial Walk.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance CeremonySunday, December 21 p.m., O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall)

All are welcome to attend a ceremony marking the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, which President Franklin Roosevelt called “a date which will live in infamy.” Thousands of American sailors lost their lives and the U.S. lost half its Pacific fleet, ushering our nation into World War II.

RSC Family Fun Fair & Art ExpoSaturday, September 2910 a.m., Renaud Spirit Center

Free! All ages are invited to come dressed for exercise, swimming, kids’ activities and art, too, at O’Fallon’s recreation complex. See page 23 inside the Parks & Rec Guide for details.

Pumpkin Carving ExhibitSunday, October 211–4 p.m., Historic Heald Home, Fort Zumwalt Park

Watch artist Marion Nichols carve an intricate pumpkin masterpiece, and enjoy a display of her carved pumpkins throughout the historic Heald Home. Nichols is also known as the Snowflake Lady at the St. Louis City Museum downtown. The cost is $2 at the door, which includes a tour of the house. For more information, call 636-379-5605, or email jhoisington@ofallon.mo.us.

Holiday Entertaining Open HouseSunday, November 111–4 p.m., Historic Heald Home, Fort Zumwalt Park

Start your holiday shopping here! Vendors offering unique gifts, decorations, products for entertaining and gourmet foods for the upcoming holiday season will be on hand, and gift baskets will be available for purchase. Historic house tours cost $2. For more information, call 636-379-5605, or email jhoisington@ofallon.mo.us.

Holiday TeaSunday, December 162:30–4:30 p.m., Historic Heald Home, Fort Zumwalt ParkRegistration required: Call 636-379-5606 by November 29.

Enjoy a relaxing, elegant afternoon tea. Aggie of Aggie’s Closet and Tea Room will share interesting information about tea and tea etiquette. Tea will be served with an assortment of finger sandwiches and desserts. The cost is $15 per resident or $18 per non-resident, and includes a tour of the house. Registration ends Thursday, November 29. For more information, call 636-379-5605, or email jhoisington@ofallon.mo.us.

O’Fallon UpdateCity of O’Fallon Newsletter

www.ofallon.mo.us/Events

indicates opportunities for volunteers. Contact Volunteer Services at 636-379-5507 or

volunteer@ofallon.mo.us.

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O’Fallon’s Annual Fall Fest & Street Dance, and 10th Annual Fall Fest 5K See pages 3–4 in the newsletter.

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O’FallonTheatreWorks presents Steel MagnoliasFriday – Sunday, November 30 – December 2, and December 7–98 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. SundaysO’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall)

Tickets purchased in advance are $10 for general admission and $8 for students (ages 6–17) and seniors (ages 65+). There is a $2 up-charge for tickets purchased at the door. Tickets go on sale Monday, October 29. Purchase tickets by phone (credit cards, only; call 636-474-2732) or in person at the Renaud Spirit Center or the Parks and Recreation Administration Office. For more details, see page 21 in the Parks & Rec Guide.

Seasonal EventsFort Zumwalt Park temporarily closing to trafficMonday, October 15 – January 31In preparation for the Celebration of Lights, Fort Zumwalt Park will close to vehicles. Pedestrians are welcome to use the walking path along the drive during daylight hours, and all are invited to see the Celebration of Lights display, which opens the day after Thanksgiving at 6 p.m., Friday, November 23.

Cornucopia of Care Food DriveMonday, November 5 – Saturday, December 15

Drop off canned and boxed food and personal care items for local food pantries. For more information, contact Volunteer Services at 636-379-5507 or volunteer@ofallon.mo.us.

• O’Fallon Municipal Centre, 100 North Main Street

• Renaud Spirit Center, 2650 Tri Sports Circle

• Lindell Bank O’Fallon, 4521 Highway K

• Fox’s Pizza Den, 1120 Technology Drive, Ste. 119

• New Frontier Bank, 5000 WingHaven Boulevard

13th Annual Tree Lighting CeremonyWednesday, November 146 – 8 p.m., O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall)

Free! Ring in the official start of the holiday season at this family-oriented event. Join the Mayor in counting down to the illumination of a huge tree in the City Hall Rotunda, hear live choral music, visit with Santa (be sure to bring your camera and capture the moment), play holiday games, make holiday crafts, ride the City Train (weather permitting), and more. Vendors will have holiday-themed decorations and hand-made gifts for sale. Admission and family activities are free, and concessions will be available for purchase.

Please bring canned or boxed goods and personal care items to donate to local food pantries. A limited number of commemorative City of O’Fallon ornaments will be given to families who donate.

21st Annual Celebration of LightsNovember 23 – December 30 (Closed December 25)Nightly, Fort Zumwalt Park, 1000 Jessup Drive

Treat your friends and loved ones to a magical tour through O’Fallon’s Celebration of Lights in Fort Zumwalt Park. Visitors will find the park magically transformed by millions of twinkling lights and holiday scenes into a winter wonderland offering surprises around every corner. The Celebration of Lights will be open nightly through December 30, except for Christmas, December 25.

Book a train ride or sleigh hayride at least two weeks in advance. Or, cruise through the park in your vehicle. (No vehicles allowed on Mondays or during the Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll on December 14.)

Drive-through (no reservations needed):6 – 9 p.m., Sunday, Tuesday – Thursday (except Tuesday, December 11)6 – 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday.Admission: $9 cars, $15 commercial vans, $1 per person in tour buses ($25 minimum)Tuesday night special: $7 for all non-commercial vehicles.

Train rides – Mondays only; call 636-379-5502

Sleigh-hayrides – Tuesdays (except Dec. 11), Wednesdays, and Thursdays; call 636-379-5614

The Celebration of Lights is sponsored by the City of O’Fallon with participation by local businesses and civic organizations. A portion of the admission money goes to charity. For more information visit www.ofallon.mo.us/COL.

Old-Fashioned Holiday StrollTuesday, December 116 – 9 p.m., Fort Zumwalt Park, Admission is $2 for ages 3 and older; younger children are free. Free parking with admission.

Stroll through the Celebration of Lights display with your family and enjoy fireworks (7:25 p.m.), holiday caroling, a visit with Santa and shopping at vendors’ booths for holiday crafts, unique gifts, and festival food and beverages. Watch for signs to parking and complimentary shuttle service. No vehicles or carriage rides will be allowed in the park on this special night.

For more information, contact Tourism and Festivals at 636-379-5614 or visit www.ofallon.mo.us/COL.

www.ofallon.mo.usSummer 2012 7

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“Like” O'Fallon events on Facebook.

www.facebook.com/VisitOFallon

Police Bulletinswww.ofallon.mo.us/PD

O’Fallon police dog earns ‘Top Dog’ title in regional competitionThe City of O’Fallon’s K-9 team, Police Officer Thomas Thompson and canine Ares, earned the title “Top Dog” at the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) dog trial and certification for Region 16.

The event, which was held in O’Fallon, Illinois, tested the dog’s agility and ability to obey commands, to find a suspect, detect evidence, and apprehend and guard a suspect. All aspects of the trial were conducted without a leash.

In October, Officer Thompson and Ares will be competing in the USPCA National Patrol Dog Trials.

Drug Take-Back Drop Box available at City HallThe O’Fallon Police Department has a Prescription Drug Take-Back Drop Box for all residents. The drop box provides a safe and free way to discard old or unused medications and keep them out of the hands of those who could abuse them.

All residents need to do is drop unused or expired prescription medications into the drop box inside the O’Fallon Police Department lobby, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The drop box is designed to handle small, residential quantities of old prescriptions and cannot handle sharp or hazardous materials.

Keep your family safe with free gun locks O’Fallon residents who own guns are invited to take advantage of the O’Fallon Police Department’s free gun lock program. The gun locks are available from the O’Fallon Police Department’s Records Division, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free locks also are available on Municipal Court nights. Call 636-379-5678.

Sign up now for O’Fallon’s free disaster preparedness trainingAnyone who lives or works in O’Fallon is encouraged to learn basic disaster response skills through the O’Fallon Police Department’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. The free course is taught over a weekend:

• 6–10 p.m., Friday, September 21

• 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, September 22

• 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday, September 23

When the course is over, attendees will have been trained in:

• Basic medical treatment for injuries

• Home preparation for emergencies and disasters

• Extinguishing small fires

• Conducting light search and rescue

• Communicating effectively to public safety organizations during a disaster

• Triage

• Working as a team to help victims and survivors

Those who complete the course will be eligible to participate in monthly follow-up drills and training. Visit the City’s website at www.ofallon.mo.us and select “Police” on the homepage, or go directly to www.ofallon.mo.us/PD/CERT. For questions, contact Officer Stowers at 636-379-3816, or astowers@ofallon.mo.us.

O'Fallon Police Department Briefs

8 O’Fallon UpdateCity of O’Fallon Newsletter

Rescue trees from droughtHow are the trees in your yard doing? Lawns seem to have weathered the extreme drought conditions, greening up with occasional rain. But trees and shrubs, which have suffered from a dry winter and spring as well as summer, need extra care to survive the stress of drought. Trees that die are costly to remove, and the valuable shade they provide is lost.

Symptoms of drought-induced stress and dehydration include:

• Wilted leaves or many leaves with browned edges

• Evergreens with brown needles or many fallen needles

To handle extended dry conditions, most urban trees and shrubs need at least one inch of water applied every week to 10 days. Transplanted trees must be monitored and watered more frequently to keep their roots from drying.

When watering, use soaker hoses or drip irrigation from trunk to drip line, where the leaves overhang the lawn. One slow, deep soaking is better than several light waterings.

Avoid using chemical fertilizer during dry periods, or the roots may burn. But trees and shrubs will benefit from mulch, as long as it’s not against the trunk, and homemade compost.

For more information, visit the Missouri Botanical Garden’s website, www.mobot.org.

Weekly yard waste collection changes to monthly in DecemberWeekly yard waste collection for the year ends Friday, December 14. Weekly service will resume on the second Monday in March 2013.

However, once-a-month yard waste collection will be available on the 4th Wednesday of the month in December, January and February. It is free by request to residents currently enrolled in O’Fallon’s optional yard waste program. Just be sure to call 636-272-0477 in advance each month to have your address listed on the collection route. Visit www.ofallon.mo.us/ES or call 636-272-0477.

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Roscoe’s Den

www.ofallon.mo.usAutumn 2012

Thanksgiving refuse collectionDue to the holiday, Thanksgiving Day trash, recycling and yard waste collection will move forward to Friday, November 23, and Friday’s collection will move to Saturday, November 24.

Free one-day Bulk Waste drop-off in NovemberO’Fallon residents are invited to bring acceptable items that are too large to fit into their trash containers, such as carpeting or furniture, to the City’s waste transfer station at 1572 Progress West Lane between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 17.

The service is free to O’Fallon residents. Loads are limited to one 10-foot trailer per address, and residents are responsible for unloading their own items. Visit www.ofallon.mo.us/ES for a list of acceptable and unacceptable items. Or, contact staff at ofallonrecycles@ofallon.mo.us or call 636-272-0477.

Roscoe’s Tip – Reap free fertilizer from your treesDid you know that the leaves from a large shade tree have an estimated value of $50 in terms of fertilizer and plant humus? So don’t burn, bag or dump your fall leaves. Instead:

• During fall, mow your lawn frequently to shred newly-fallen leaves and condition your lawn.

• Use the leaves as a protective mulch around trees, shrubs and perennials.

• Turn the leaves into top-notch, soil-enriching compost by mixing them with grass clippings and plant-based kitchen waste (fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds). For fastest results, shred the leaves before composting. Next spring, apply the compost and watch your shrubs and perennials bloom!

www.ofallon.mo.us/GreenTrash and Recycling Announcements

O’Fallon UpdateCity of O’Fallon Newsletter10

Senior Corner 4th Annual St. Charles County Senior FairSaturday, October 6

9 a.m. – noon, O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall)

Free! Seniors and family members are invited to hear speakers

on specialty services and seniors’ issues, talk to vendors

offering health services and take advantage of blood pressure

and bone density screenings. Topics include home health

care, veterans’ benefits, navigating the aging process, non-

emergency medical transportation, elder law, and more. The

fair includes refreshments, raffles and prizes. Flu shots will

be available for $25; bring your health insurance, Medicare or

Medicaid card.

O’Fallon seeks residents to fill Senior Resident Advisory Committee vacancies

The City of O’Fallon’s Senior Resident Advisory Committee

is seeking to fill vacant seats on the committee, which meets

regularly at 5 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in

Council Chambers at the O’Fallon Municipal Centre.

To be eligible, applicants must be residents of the City

of O’Fallon and 55 years of age or older. Applications for

the committee may be obtained from the City Clerk at City

Hall or the City’s website at www.ofallon.mo.us. Completed

applications should be filed with City Clerk Pam Clement.

Questions regarding the Senior Resident Advisory

Committee can be emailed to senioradvisory@ofallon.mo.us.

Or, contact the City Clerk at 636-379-5555 or pclement@

ofallon.mo.us.

Media CenterCity of O’Fallon Communications staff wins IABC “Award of Excellence”

O’Fallon’s Communications Department took top honors at the 2012 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Bronze Quill Awards. The department won the “Award of Excellence” in the Government, Community and Customer Relations category for its “Smoke-Free O’Fallon,” campaign.

The City’s in-house communications team used a variety of public relations, graphic arts, video and Internet resources to encourage compliance with the City’s new smoke-free ordinance. The campaign focused on helping residents, businesses and visitors make a smooth transition under the new smoke-free ordinance.

The annual IABC Bronze Quill Awards honor excellence in communications by recognizing the best communications efforts in the region, drawing top professional public relations, marketing, design teams and government agencies to compete for the awards.

O’FallonTV now available to U-verse subscribers

O’FallonTV – O’Fallon’s government access channel – is now available to AT&T U-verse subscribers on Channel 99. AT&T U-verse is available in some areas of O’Fallon, particularly in southern O’Fallon, along the I-64 corridor.

O’FallonTV programming continues to be available to O’Fallon-area residents and businesses via:

• Charter Channel 991

• O’Fallon’s website, www.ofallon.mo.us (live, and on-demand)

• YouTube, www.youtube.com/OFallonTV

Communications Director • Tom Drabelle • tdrabelle@ofallon.mo.usStaff Writer • Peggy Whetzel • pwhetzel@ofallon.mo.usWeb and Design Administrator • Bryan Wieczorek • bwieczorek@ofallon.mo.us

Have a concern or question for the City? Visit the Citizens First Center at www.

ofallon.mo.us/CFC or call 636-379-5553.

V+

Left to right, twins Janet Lister and

Mary Sisk.

Communications Director • Tom Drabelle • tdrabelle@ofallon.mo.usStaff Writer • Peggy Whetzel • pwhetzel@ofallon.mo.usWeb and Design Administrator • Bryan Wieczorek • bwieczorek@ofallon.mo.us

E very year since the race got off the starting blocks in

2002, Mary Sisk, 48, Jason Lind, 44, Mike Ebers, 51, and

Chris Matsuno, 64, have participated in O’Fallon’s Alligator’s

Creek Triathlon.

The four competed each year against 200–300 people,

swimming 300 yards, riding a bike for 18.6 miles, and

running 3.1 miles – all before lunch. This year, the triathletes

were awarded plaques from the City of O’Fallon for a decade

of athleticism.

These triathletes don’t enter the race specifically to win.

Instead, they train to meet or beat their previous record and

to have fun racing.

“Participating in races gives me the incentive to train and

stay in shape,” said Chris Matsuno, who volunteered at this

year’s triathlon after recent surgery. Chris has competed in

triathlons for 26 years and paddling events for 40 years. He

hopes to enter O’Fallon’s 2013 triathlon.

“The triathlon helps me stay focused and working out,”

said Mike Ebers, who played college football.

Besides staying in shape, Mary Sisk had a little extra

incentive to train for the annual triathlon: beating her twin

sister, Janet Lister. One year, she lost to Janet, who bought

a tiara to celebrate. That set the tone for “The Sisk-Lister

Grudge Match” the following year.

“At the start of the 5K, I focused on running the next 10

feet as fast as I could,” said Mary. “Usually, I concentrate on

my breathing. This time I said, ‘Lungs, you’re on your own.

I’m going to focus on keeping my legs moving.’ I let my lungs

decide when to inhale and when to exhale. My lungs made

noise: ‘Uhhh,’ on the inhale. ‘Ahhh,’ on the exhale. It was

working. I don’t run fast enough to pass many people, but

the ones that I did probably thought Darth Vader was gaining

on them.”

That day, Mary took six minutes off her fastest time,

beating her twin. And then she purchased her own tiara.

Jason Lind, who typically finishes in the top 10, finds

triathlon training “addictive.” Jason wrestled in college, and

in 2006 ran the Boston Marathon. “Triathlon is more of a

lifestyle that you practice all year long,” he said. “Wrestling

challenges you, not only physically but mentally. Triathlon

is very similar, as it requires a lot of physical and mental

toughness.”

Over 10 years of racing, the participants faced various

challenges on the course, including flat tires or a broken

bicycle chain.

“Hitting a car is probably the craziest thing that ever

happened,” said Jason. “I slid into the side of a big Cadillac at

30 mph and ripped my tire right off the rim. I just kept going

and finished the race. Quitting is never an option!”

11

Focus on O'Fallon • O'Fallon Update Special Feature

Four Alligator’s Creek triathletes celebrate 10 years of personal triumph By Peggy Whetzel, Staff Writer

Left to right: Recreation Manager Jeremy Wolfmeyer with triathletes Jason Lind, Mike Ebers, Mary Sisk,

Chris Matsuno.

www.ofallon.mo.usAutumn 2012

Photo courtesy of Studio314 Photography

Visit the City of O’Fallon’s website, www.ofallon.mo.us, for the latest news and meeting agendas. Most meetings are broadcast live and on demand at www.ofallon.mo.us/OFallonTV .

22-25 Make Your Mark Week

24 Municipal Court, 9 a.m.

O’Fallon Convention & Visitors Bureau, 5 p.m.

25 City Council, 7:30 p.m., workshop 5:30 p.m.

27 Make A Difference Day, 9 a.m.

29 Municipal Court, 6 p.m.

November1 Planning and Zoning Commission, 7 p.m.

5 Cornucopia of Care Food Drive through December 15

7 Municipal Court, 9 a.m.

Advisory Green Council, 5 p.m.

8 City Council, 7:30 p.m.; workshop 5:30 p.m.

11 Veterans Day Ceremony, 11 a.m. Veterans Memorial Walk

Holiday Entertaining Open House, 1-4 p.m. Historic Heald Home tours, $2

12 Veterans Day observed; CITY HALL CLOSED

13 Parks Board, 7 p.m.

14 Board of Adjustment, 5:30 p.m.

Tree Lighting Ceremony, 6 – 8 p.m. City Hall, free

17 Bulk-waste drop-off, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. O’Fallon transfer station, free to residents

National Family Volunteer Day

19 Municipal Court, 6 p.m.

Veterans Commission, 7 p.m.

20 Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, 5:30 p.m.

21 Senior Advisory Committee, 2:30 p.m.

21 Public Works Commission, 7 p.m.

21 City Council, 7:30 p.m.; workshop 5:30 p.m.

22-23 Thanksgiving, City Hall CLOSED

23-30 Celebration of Lights, Fort Zumwalt Park

28 Municipal Court, 9 a.m.

30 Steel Magnolias opens, 8 p.m. O’Fallon City Hall

December1-30 Celebration of Lights Fort Zumwalt Park (closed Dec. 25 for Christmas)

September13 City Council, 7:30 p.m., workshop, 5:30 p.m.

15 Historic Heald Home tours, Fort Zumwalt Park, $2

17 Veterans Commission, 7 p.m.

18 Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, 5:30 p.m.

19 Municipal Court, 9 a.m.

Senior Advisory Committee, 2:30 p.m.

Public Works Commission, 7 p.m.

21 POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony, 7 p.m. Veterans Memorial Walk

21-23 CERT disaster response training, free

23 Historical Society Log Cabin Museum tours, noon – 3 p.m.

24 Municipal Court, 6 p.m.

26 O’Fallon Convention & Visitors Bureau, 5 p.m.

27 City Council, 7:30 p.m., workshop, 5:30 p.m.

29 RSC Family Fun Fair, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Art Expo, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Renaud Spirit Center, free

October3 Municipal Court, 9 a.m.

Advisory Green Council, 5 p.m.

4 Planning and Zoning Commission, 7 p.m.

6 St. Charles County Senior Fair, 9 a.m. – noon City Hall, free

9 Parks Board, 7 p.m.

10 Board of Adjustment, 5:30 p.m.

11 City Council, 7:30 p.m., workshop 5:30 p.m.

12 Fall Fest Street Dance, 5 – 10 p.m. Civic Park Drive, free

13 Fall Fest 5K run, City Hall, 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

Fall Fest, Civic Park, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

15 Municipal Court, 6 p.m.

Veterans Commission, 7 p.m.

16 Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, 5:30 p.m.

17 Senior Advisory Committee, 2:30 p.m.

Public Works Commission, 7 p.m.

19 Haunted Park Hunt, 7–10 p.m.

21 Pumpkin Carving Exhibit, 1-4 p.m.

Historic Heald Home tours, $2

12

Calendar All public meetings and Municipal Court proceedings are held at O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall), 100 North Main Street, unless otherwise noted.

www.ofallon.mo.us/Events