West Newsmagazine 10-17-18

More documents

Recommendations

Info

October 17, 2018 16 I SCHOOLS I WEST NEWSMAGAZINE Student uses summer trip to investigate cultural misconceptions By RAJ JALADI Parkway West Middle student It’s Karthik Venkatnarasimharaju’s birthday. For the only time in the whole school year, he gets to wear a different outfit. This is one of his favorite gifts. India’s school uniforms are enforced strictly to reduce economic barriers between students and to eliminate the stress of picking out an outfit every morning. This is just the beginning of how Indian and American cultures diverge. When American kids were asked their opinion of India, a wide range of answers were given, such as “poor, no jobs, no food, animals everywhere, small cars” and more. Similarly, kids in India answered that life in America could be described as “clean, tall buildings everywhere, schools give no homework, no punishment, a lot of freedom, even little kids can take a phone to school, and they get to play all day.” There are 250 school days per year in India. The students are required to attend school six days a week with only Sunday off. In the United States, most states require 180 school days; in Missouri it’s 174. According to the Indian students, some of their teachers continue to use physical disciplining techniques. However, on a recent trip to India, I witnessed students who were very disciplined and followed the rules. Similar to the U.S., India has both government [public] schools and private schools with different policies at each. Connor, a seventh-grader from Parkway, said Indian students “don’t play sports.” Although that is a common belief, students in Indian schools actually play soccer, basketball, hockey, volleyball, badminton and their most popular sport – cricket. Another notable difference occurs at the end of the school day. While exiting the building, high school kids leave in a line, which is very surprising. However, while departing school is orderly, entering the heavily congested street – filled with pedestrians and vehicles – is chaotic. Even though highways in India’s most developed cities, such as New Delhi and Mumbai, are clean and traffic is organized, most of India’s streets are a medley of pedestrians, street vendors, parked vehicles, stray animals and vehicles moving at different speeds. Did you know that cows and goats run across streets like squirrels in America? For an American visiting India, driving a car is a nightmare, but crossing a street is even worse – a horror maze. It is surprising how people still seem to make it to school, work or any destination on time. The congested streets could be a reflection of India’s population, which is 1.3 billion, second only to China. The world’s seventh largest country by area, India’s population density is 248 persons per square mile compared to 92 in the United States. Scorching heat and excess sweating come to mind when people talk about the weather in India. Despite the extremely hot weather in many places in India, 70 percent of households don’t have air conditioning. India’s Northern Himalayan region has areas of frost-covered mountains and regions that get heavy monsoons. In fact, Dras, a city in the state of Jammu Kashmir, has an average temperature of -22 degrees Celsius [-7.6 degrees Fahrenheit] and is the coldest place in India. It is dubbed the second coldest inhabited place on Earth. Language also is more varied in India. A 2001 census recorded 30 major languages spoken in India, with Hindi being the most prominent. However, there is not one language called the Indian language. So the @WESTNEWSMAG WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM next time you ask someone, “Do you speak Indian?” think about what you would say if they asked you, “Do you speak American?” American students also thought India is a poor country. Let’s look at that. In 2012, 22 percent of India’s population was under the poverty line, while in America, that number was 16 percent. The majority of the Indian population are actually considered economically middle class. Did you know that the most expensive house in the world is in India? The home, named Antilia, has a value of $1 billion to $2 billion and is in downtown Mumbai. While there are many differences between the two countries, clearing the misconceptions around those differences creates a great learning experience, whether talking to friends or visiting the country. It is their differences that makes both India and America, or for that matter any country, unique. Sweets and Treats in West St. Louis County Enjoy seasonal favorites and year round delicious sweet treats pumpkin gooey butter cake - cannolis - gelato cassata cake - red velvet cake and more an 8” or 10” Bundt Cake St. Louis - Chesterfield 159 Lamp and Lantern Village Chesterfield, MO 63017 (636) 220-6087 18-JN-0142-0810-1 Trim: 4.916” by 2.72” Bleed: N/A NothingBundtCakes.com Expires 11/30/18. Limit one (1) coupon per guest. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Valid only at the bakery(ies) listed. No cash value. Valid only on baked goods; not valid on retail items. Coupon may not be reproduced, transferred or sold. Internet distribution strictly prohibited. Must be claimed in bakery during normal business hours. Not valid for online orders. Not valid with any other offer. Bakery #: 142 Desserts Available Chesterfield All day - Every print Day From the Hill 15525 Olive Blvd. Chesterfield (636) 536-2199 On the Hill 5226 Shaw Ave St. Louis (314) 772-8898 At Hollywood Casino 777 Casino Center Dr. Maryland Heights (314) 770-7663 3 BAY BBQ NOW OPEN SATURDAYS! 11am-3pm or when SOLD OUT! 14195 Clayton Rd, Town & Country, MO 63017 636.227.1208 • www.3baybbq.com (Inside W. County Phillips 66 @ Clayton & Woodsmill Rd) Tues - Sat 10:30am-2:00pm 13877 Manchester Road Town & Country, MO 63011 celebratinglifecakes.com 636-458-7727 Free cupcake decorating for kids! Ocrtober 25, 3-6pm
FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM October 17, 2018 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE I WOMEN IN BUSINESS I 17 Cathy Shaw- Connely Home Sales Manager Cathy Shaw-Connely has over 39 years of experience in the real estate business, with millions of dollars in sales each year. As one of the top producing agents in the St. Louis area and eight-time winner of the St. Louis Magazine Five Star Real Estate Agent award, Cathy prides herself on superior service, followup, and being available to her clients. She has worked extensively over the years in all areas of the real estate market including St. Louis,Chesterfield, Wildwood, St. Charles, Franklin, and Jefferson counties. Whether its a home, acreage, horse property, new construction, or a farm you are looking to sell or purchase, call Cathy and look no further. (636) 346-4960 17813 Edison Avenue, Suite 200 Chesterfield www.shawrealtors.com Women entrepreneurs have come a long way By ELLEN LAMPE The 2017 State Of Women-Owned Businesses Report shows that women entrepreneurship has been on the rise in the United States for the past two decades. From 1997 to 2017, the number of women-owned businesses grew 114 percent, compared to the overall national growth rate of 44 percent for all businesses. [Women-owned businesses are defined as businesses that are at least 51-percent owned, operated and controlled by one or more females.] As of January 2017, there are an estimated 11.6 million women-owned businesses in the United States that employ nearly 9 million people and generate more than $1.6 trillion in revenues. Though trends are rising in favor of women, the report shows that womenowned businesses still account for just 39 percent of all U.S. firms, employ just 8 percent of the total private sector workforce and contribute 4.2 percent of total business revenues. The report does note, however, that the combination of womenowned businesses and firms equally owned by men and women account for nearly half [47 percent] of all businesses – a slightly more positive statistic. The report concludes, “Since 1997, whether it’s numbers of firms, employment or revenue, the rate of growth of women-owned businesses has been phenomenal. Women entrepreneurs have come a long way over the course of the last 20 years but there are miles to go.” In a study published this year from the Scandinavian bank Nordea, a blunt conclusion was reached: investing in female leaders makes sense. Nordea found that companies with gender-balanced leadership are more likely to have more stable returns, higher earnings and margins, and higher-quality decision-making. Studies by Goldman Sachs and PricewaterhouseCoopers have independently reached the same conclusion as Nordea – with their studies concluding that closing the gap between male and female employment rates would significantly boost GDP levels and drive macroeconomic growth. Bottom line: studies show the economy does better when women thrive in business leadership roles and, likewise, businesses can benefit greatly from a greater female representation. Kathy Beaven Owner At Beaven Insurance, owner Kathy Beaven and her team help clients understand the insurance marketplace and work hard to identify their clients’ top priorities for insurance coverage. They understand that every client is an individual with specific insurance needs. As a local independent insurance agency, Beaven Insurance offers plans from all major carriers in Missouri. Their objective is to find the best policy for you – period. They focus on Medicare planning, employee benefits, private health plans, life, dental, vision, shortterm plans and much more. (636) 549-3800 myinsurance@kathybeaven.com www.kathybeaven.com Julie Baum, ASID, CAPS Owner, Principal Designer Julie Baum, ASID, CAPS is the owner and principal designer of BaumHouse design, a kitchen and bath design business celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2018. Julie is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers, certified with the National Council of Interior Design Qualification, and a Certified Aging in Place Specialist with the National Association of Home Builders. BaumHouse design began in 2008 and the studio and showroom opened in 2009. Located slightly off the main path and smaller than most kitchen and bath showrooms, BaumHouse provides an intimate, comfortable space for customers. “We have a lovely boutique showroom with cabinetry and wood samples in almost every species, stain and color. Our display shelves are full of beautiful tile for flooring and backsplashes,” Julie said. “If we don’t have it, we will find it for you.” Julie’s creativity and background in accounting provide the perfect set of skills for designing a dream kitchen or bath. It is her responsibility to make sure everything balances, comes in on budget, and is consistent with the customer’s vision. BaumHouse’s designers provide a design solution specific to the customer’s budget, lifestyle and aesthetic desires – and each project is managed in an honest, controlled and efficient manner. Stop by the studio and showroom, visit their website, or call to meet with Julie. BaumHouse design Kitchens | Baths | Interiors 11 Vance Road • Valley Park (636) 225-9000 • BaumHouseDesign.com Lori Kelling, president of the West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce, loves connecting with members and providing them with the tools and resources needed to grow and expand their businesses and to share their passions with others in the community. During her 10 years as president, the Chamber has grown to 450 members and earned the well-deserved reputation as a professional, friendly and energetic organization. West County Chamber members include small business owners, medium and large corporations, nonprofits, churches, professionals and more. Lori and her staff take care to get to know members personally so they can cater to their specific needs. Lori enjoys organizing networking and educational events and providing marketing tools and advocacy initiatives designed to spark business growth for members and improve the quality of life for the West County community. “We sponsor a variety of monthly events with something for everyone, all intended to provide opportunities for marketing and building relationships,” added Lori. “We encourage 20 minutes of table talk at our membership meetings because we are mindful that our members need time to meet one another in order to develop new relationships and deepen existing ones.” Lori and her enthusiastic staff at the West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce are what set it apart from other business networking resources. Call and join today. Lori A. Kelling President 15965 Manchester Road · Ellisville (636) 230-9900 • www.westcountychamber.com
Page 1 and 2: Vol. 23 No. 28 • October 17, 2018
Page 3 and 4: FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE WESTN
Page 5 and 6: Consistent Conservative Leaders Ded
Page 7 and 8: Well Capitalized — High Performan
Page 15: Zick’s Great Outdoors Serving the
Page 19 and 20: Coldwell Banker Gundaker - Town Cou
Page 21 and 22: Celebrating Women Nora Amato - Exec
Page 23 and 24: CELEBRATING WOMEN inWildwood Leslie
Page 33 and 34: #1 #1 Real Estate Brokerage in West
Page 39: FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE WESTN

West Newsmagazine 10-17-18

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?