CN: January 11, 2023

With a new year often comes declarations of new beginnings. This rings true for The Core Collective at St. Vincent, formerly known as Saint Vincent Home for Children, an organization in Normandy that has been assisting youth and providing a host of mental health, housing and transitional services since 1850.

The nonprofit, which serves over 500 people per year, has undergone a rebranding and has expanded services to accommodate more youth and community members by improving healthcare for families, advancing socioeconomic equity and activating conscious leaders. The name, Core Collective, represents collaboration with the community. The new vision for the organization is focused on fostering healing and well-being, including helping community members secure housing.

Latosha Fowlkes, CEO of the organization stated that the refreshed mission was created to meet the evolving needs of the St. Louis community.

“We decided that our new vision must honor the unique qualities of our founding years in that it must be holistic, service-enriched, intergenerational and transformational, so that our collective impact influences multiple generations.

“We’ve all experienced some form of trauma that has pushed us to our breaking point. Transforming into a healing hub will create a safe place that offers security and instills the concept of community healing.”

While changes are still occurring, some expanded services include increasing the age of service for its transitional living and street outreach programs to 26.

“Previously, our cutoff was age 19,” Fowlkes said. “We will no longer place a hardship on our youth to be independent by the time they are 19. This expansion addresses the need for accessible housing for youth who are aging out of the foster care system and need additional services and opportunities to reach their full potential.”

The nonprofit will also utilize its land to build more affordable and intergenerational and mixed income housing including youth, their families and additional members of the community. Also, community partnerships

Latosha Fowlkes is CEO of The Core Collective at St. Vincent, formerly known

Saint Vincent Home for Children, an organization in Normandy that has been assisting youth and providing a host of mental health, housing and transitional services since

MDC seeks recycled Christmas trees to benefit fish and anglers in area lakes

What better Christmas present could there be than a new home? Of course, some anglers might say an improved chance to catch fish would be at the top of their list.

Christmas trees can check both boxes off the list by creating a place for fish to live and giving an advantage to anglers.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is accepting used natural Christmas trees to create fish habitat at 14 lakes in the St. Louis area through Jan. 12.

So how does recycling a used Christmas tree give fish something to celebrate? Turns out, a bunch of them can create the aquatic equivalent of an underwater condominium.

According to Schulte, the trees provide woody cover that makes excellent habitat for invertebrates. These are an ideal food source for smaller fish, which draws them in like a magnet. This in turn brings in bigger fish and

creates a situation that gives a boost to the lake’s entire food chain.

The trees benefit some of the most popular fish that anglers like to pursue, including largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and crappie.

Since these fish typically spawn in shallow water, the trees are tied to cement blocks and submerged at depths of four-to-seven feet to give emerging fish easy access to their cover.

The underwater brush piles concentrate fish, so the submerged trees can be a boon for anglers as well. By noting the location of the trees, astute anglers can focus their efforts in these areas to improve their odds. Schulte said the treetops are usually visible for fiveto-six weeks after being put into the lake before they become waterlogged and sink completely. This gives anglers until about mid-March to locate these potential fishing jackpots. Resourceful anglers often mark the sites for future reference on maps they make themselves or by using a GPS.

Schulte said it’s best to drop off the entire tree, without cutting it up or removing any branches. Tree do-

nors should remove all decorations, including lights, garland, and ornaments before drop off.

St. Louis area lakes where MDC is accepting Christmas tree donations for fish habitat work include:

St. Louis City:

• Carondelet Park (Boathouse and Horseshoe Lakes)

• O’Fallon Park Lake

• Forest Park (Drop off site at lower Muny parking lot, 1 Theatre Dr, St. Louis)

St. Louis County Parks:

• Spanish Lake Park (12500 Spanish Pond Rd. - Main parking lot by the lake)

• Creve Coeur Lake Park (13777 Marine Ave., - Sailboat Cove parking lot)

• Queeny Park (550 Weidman Rd., - Corporate parking lot off Weidman Road)

• Bee Tree Park (2701 Finestown Rd., - Lake parking lot)

Ferguson:

• Forestwood Park (806 Ferguson Ave. Ferguson)

For more ideas on recycling Christmas trees, go to https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4Nm.

nonprofit’s 100,00 square foot space into a holistic “healing hub.”

In implementing a holistic approach to well-being and healing, there will also be community access to the nonprofit’s chapel, pottery room, music studio, chef’s kitchen, gymnasium and a green space which includes a soccer and football field and walking track.

There is also a drop-in service that lets youth utilize laundry facilities, a “teaching kitchen”, game room, gym

and other amenities. Youth who attend drop-in also receive a hot meal.

Core Collective at Saint Vincent’s updated mission strives to provide more than a bed and a meal. It endeavors to address the whole person in the hopes to assist youth and families in their journey to achieve personal wellness and socioeconomic stability.

“We aspire to adapt and progress alongside our community,” Fowlkes said, “to meet their evolving needs.”

Northwest Views: Breast cancer risk factors and Susan G. Komen’s local impact

By Dawna Currigan

Rates of breast cancer vary among different groups of people. Rates vary between women and men, yes, men get breast cancer too, and among people of different ethnicities and ages. They vary across the U.S. and around the world.

Your breast health journey starts with knowledge. Whether you’re concerned about your risk of breast cancer, have a history of breast cancer or other cancers in your family or are curious about genetic testing, the first step is learning more about risk.

Everyone is at risk of breast cancer, and some of us are at a higher risk than others. Learning about your breast cancer risk can empower you to make important breast care decisions to take charge of your health.

Factors linked to an increased risk include being born female is the most common risk factor for breast cancer. Although men can get breast cancer, it’s about 100 times more common in women. Age is another common risk factor. As you get older, you are more likely to get breast cancer.

Factors linked to a decreased risk include breastfeeding and avoiding menopausal hormones. Being physically active, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol may also decrease your risk. Also, eating fruits and vegetables and not smoking are not only good for your overall health, but may also lower your risk of breast cancer.

It’s important to talk to your doctor about what your risk factors are and what screening options are best for you. Schedule an appointment today to start this important discussion.

2023 marks Komen’s 25th Year of Impact on the St. Louis Region. Locally we have funded over $30 million in patient support services, screenings and patient navigation. St. Louis research scientist have received at least $20 million in grants which are helping to discover break throughs towards the cure of breast cancer. Since 2018 we have brought together thousands of breast cancer survivors, metastatic thrivers and their supporters at the Race for the Cure and MORE THAN PINK Walk events.

We hope you will join us for trivia night

in January, the MORE THAN PINK Walk in June and in our Facebook group to stay connected to the breast cancer community in the St. Louis area. You can find information on all of the ways to interact with Komen locally at www.komen.org/missouri.

Together we impact ending breast cancer when we come together as one to fund research, increase access to care, support our community, and commit to action.

A 20-plus year volunteer for Susan G. Komen, Dawna Currigan now serves as the Development Director for Missouri and Kansas. She is passionate about finding a cure since losing her mother at a young age and supporting her stepmom through her journey in recent years. “Day in and day out I work to do my little part to saves lives and find the cures.”

The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News

This gymnasium is one of the amenities offered to the young people at The Core Collective at St. Vincent.

Submitted photo

STLCC-Florissant Valley and NCCU to host 2023 Dr. MLK Jr. Celebration

St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley and North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice will host their annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Tuesday, Jan. 17.

The celebration’s reception is from 5-6 p.m. in the Terry M. Fischer Theatre, located at 3400 Pershall Road. The program follows from 6-7:30 p.m. Masks are welcome and strongly recommended for those who are unvaccinated.

Wesley Bell, prosecuting attorney for St. Louis County, will speak on the celebration’s theme, “It Starts With Me: Cultivating the Beloved Community.”

The first African American to serve in this position for St. Louis County, Bell was elected in a 2018 landslide and ran a vigorous grassroots campaign to unseat 28-year incumbent Robert McCulloch by a 14-point margin. He was reelected to a second term in November 2022.

Bell has served with distinction across the spectrum of the legal profession as a public defender, defense attorney, judge, professor and prosecutor.

He is an advocate for ending mass incarceration, eliminating “debtors’ prison practices” and rebuilding trust between communities and the prosecutor’s office.

Keeping with tradition, north St. Louis County students will lead and participate in the celebration. The celebration’s student emcee is Tylan Mitchell, a sophomore at STLCC-Florissant Valley majoring in general transfer studies. Student speakers include Tekisha Blue, a sophomore at STLCC-Forest Park majoring in culinary arts, and Rachel Sokale, a sophomore at STLCC-Florissant Valley majoring in general transfer studies.

Participants will enjoy a musical performance of James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by vocalist Alayna Epps, former student, accompanied by Paul Higdon, DMA, professor of music and pianist, and hear winning speeches from NCCU’s Oratorical Contest.

Guests will also learn more about why the Ferguson-Florissant School District is being honored with the 2023 Dr. Rance Thomas Excellence in Community Partnership Award.

“I am impressed with the Ferguson-Florissant School District, and it goes without saying that Dr. King would be proud of their efforts to provide ‘Equity and Access for All,’” said Jeff L. Pittman, Ph.D., chancellor of St. Louis Community College. “They are doing so many things right for their students.”

Last week, 75 Ferguson-Florissant seniors visited the Florissant Valley campus for the Early Graduate

STLCC professor honored with the Missouri Community College Association’s Excellence in Teaching Award

LaRhonda L. Wilson, associate professor of sociology at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, is one of two recipients honored with an Excellence in Teaching Award.

The veteran educator – who also serves as the College’s Center for Teaching and Learning coordinator – and Lisa Ebert of Jefferson College were tapped winners from a pool of 12 finalists recognized at the awards dinner Nov. 30 at the Missouri Community College Association’s 58th Annual Convention and Tradeshow Awards.

The Excellence in Teaching Award is presented annually to outstanding instructors for work done during the previous year. The winners set the standard of excellence not only within higher education, their institutions but across the state.

Janice Nesser-Chu, dean of liberal arts at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, is smiling.

“LaRhonda embodies what it means to be a compassionate and engaging educator. Her commitment to her students, campus and the North County community is unparalleled,” Nesser-Chu said. “We are so privileged to have her as part of the STLCC and Florissant Valley campus family. This award is so well deserved."

During her more than 20 years as a teacher, Wilson has enhanced students’ learning experiences by

connecting them to court watch programs, voter engagement and environmental activities, reentry populations, services for children and families, communities of poverty, city government, political campaigns, and more.

It’s not surprising that she thanked MCCA, College leadership, colleagues and placed a special emphasis on students.

“This couldn’t be possible without our outstanding, dynamic, resilient and incredible students,” Wilson said.

She has earned the following awards for her work both on and off campus: Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc.’s Apple for the Teacher Award, League of Innovation’s John & Suanne Roueche Excellence Award, North County Incorporated’s 30 Leaders in their Thirties Award, the Organization for Black Struggle’s Unsung Shero Award, St. Louis American’s Salute to Excellence in Education Award, and St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley’s 46th David L. Underwood Memorial Lecture Award.

Wilson is a member of the American Sociological Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., the Lincoln University Alumni Association and the Missouri Sociological Association. She is also the proud mother of Serenity Wilson-Mitchell.

Symposium and learned what the college offers as they make decisions about how to further their education or enter the workforce.

“This is just one example of how the district is being intentional about realizing its vision for all learners to graduate believing that anything is possible and prepared to realize those possibilities,” Pittman added.

“The Ferguson-Florissant School District is a valuable partner to STLCC, the Florissant Valley campus and the community. I am pleased to have them as a partner.”

Following Dr. King’s commitment to service, guests are asked to donate to the Archers’ Market, a campus food pantry where STLCC students receive food and hygiene items free of charge.

The Archers’ Market needs shelf-stable snacks/meals (chicken or tuna salad kits, chili, chips, granola bars, gum, juice, ramen cup noodle soup, etc.) and personal care items (antiperspirant/deodorant for men and women, gloves, hand lotion, lip balm, socks, toothbrushes, etc.).

The contingency date for the celebration, should the college close due to inclement weather, is Jan. 19, on the same time schedule.

Wesley Bell, prosecuting attorney for St. Louis County. Submitted photo

Submitted photo

The J to host biannual Used Book Sale

The St. Louis Jewish Community Center’s biannual Used Book Sale returns after an extremely successful summer sale, from Jan. 29 – Feb. 2 with offerings in every genre, including mysteries, general fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, and much more.

“The Used Book Sale at the J is a great place to find amazing bargains and valuable collectibles,” said Lynn Wittels, President and CEO of the J. “The sale is well recognized by book dealers and the literature community as being among the best in the St. Louis region.”

Preview day is Jan. 29 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. with a $10 admission and free admission begins on Monday. Hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and on Thursday customers can fill a bag for $5 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

For updated and complete information visit https://jccstl.com/programs/used-book-sale/.

St. Luke’s celebrates Christmas with Santa babies

St. Luke’s stockings are filled to the brim with the sweetest treats to be found anywhere. St. Luke’s is known as the “baby bunting hospital” because they have been providing themed baby buntings on holi-

Still In This Together:

days and special occasions since 1997. Made by nurses and volunteers, the adorable offerings are a sample of the ways St. Luke’s Hospital provides a warm and caring environment for families.

By Vicki Bahr

Preparing the New Year’s calendar

Last week, I alluded to a favorite New Year’s tradition of mine…filling in the blanks on a brand- new calendar.

The Charles Wysocki Americana calendar (which I found again this year thanks to Amazon, after searching unsuccessfully last year and having to use a substitute), hangs in a wooden frame on the family room wall, and is exempt from any writing. But the family calendar is usually one that comes to us from one group or another that we’ve donated to over the year, a calendar that seems to need increasingly larger daily squares to write in so we can more easily read the various eye doctor and knee doctor, dermatologist and primary care doctor, dentist and other responsibilities that arise.

It’s long been a habit of mine to paper clip the little cardboard appointment reminders for the following year to the last page of the current year’s calendar, but either the cardboard is getting heavier or we’re amassing more of the little reminders, because it was barely October when the calendar began to repeatedly fall off the cabinet door when I opened it to get to the dishes. I actually used that as an excuse to use paper plates for a while, but it became a little too messy with some dinner options.

Part of the problem is that the place on the inside of the cabinet door where I hang the calendar has a hole pretty deeply gouged out by the push pin I’ve used over the years, but from the evidence of the many other holes in the door, I’ve done a fair job of moving the placement of the calendars.

Long and short of it, I picked a 2023 calendar with twelve beautiful nature pictures, one for each month, unclipped those of next year’s appointment cards we had already accumulated, and sat down at the kitchen table on a cold rainy evening in early November with a cup of hot cocoa on my left and my old, bulging, wellloved, torn address book on my right.

First, I transferred the dutiful appointments, praying

that the inevitable blood draws and painful upcoming dates with dental destiny would indeed remain as far out into the year as they seemed now, and then I turned to the fun part…notating birthdays and anniversaries, and penciling in the things I know will be coming in certain months, but don’t know exact dates for just yet.

It’s an eye-opening and an eye-glistening pursuit, to be sure, as great-nieces and nephews born just last year are added to the calendar, and I realize that our own children and grandchildren are attaining birthdays that seem impossible, and everyone’s wedding anniversaries seem to be flying by.

Before I knew it, I was in that wonderful state of mind that brings back memories of trips down wedding aisles, first birthday celebrations, and preschool graduations that have suddenly, unbelievably, become high-school graduations. And the hours have flown by.

John had been watching a movie that had ended, and came to the kitchen table to watch me fill in next December’s squares, before unplugging the Christmas garland over the television set that I accidentally on purpose left up last year because it lends a pretty glow to the family room.

The cocoa mug was sitting in the kitchen sink as he led me through the hall to the bedroom for a night of wonderful dreams. I knew that for sure, because I had also jumped the gun a bit on another New Year’s tradition and there were two new, plump, unslept-on-before-tonight pillows just waiting for us.

Vicki Bahr is an inveterate word lover and story sharer, a published author in magazine, newspaper and blog forms. As a mom of four, grandma of nine, and wife of one for 50 years, she finds that inspiration and wonder are everywhere.

The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News

Submitted photo

EVENTS

Feb. 18: Black light bingo Soroptimist of Greater St. Louis will host their Annual Black Light Bingo at JFK Center in Florissant. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at www.soroptimiststlouis. com.

RECURRING EVENTS

Marre Ave. in Pine Lawn on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.

Mondays: Workshop meetings

City of Pine Lawn holds regular workshop meetings at city hall at 6250 Steve Marre Ave. in Pine Lawn on the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.

come right on in or for more information call Al at 314993-6134.

Mondays: Korean War Veterans Association meeting

If you had military service in Korea between Sept. 3, 1945 and the present you are cordially invited to a meeting of Chapter 4, North County Korean War Veterans Association. Meetings take place at the VFW Post 4105 at 410 St. Francois in Florissant on the second Monday of the month, starting at 7 p.m. For more information contact Walter Kaiser at 314-921-2132. For a limited period the Chapter will pay for one (1) year membership for new members.

place at 16400 New Halls Ferry every Tuesday. Doors open at 4 p.m., bingo starts at 6 p.m. No outside food or drinks allowed per St. Louis County. Food and drinks available for purchase. Maximum 150 players. Must wear mask to enter. Social distancing followed.

Tuesdays: A cappella singers

The Gentlemen of Sound are looking for men who like to sing or want to learn. They practice Tuesdays at Lady of the Pillar school at 401 S. Lindbergh from 7 – 9 p.m. They try to do public events monthly. Always looking for new members. Come by or call Kirk at 314-954-7920 .

ery or call (men) Steve D. at 636-634-6582 or (women) Denise W. at 530-417-6151.

Tuesdays: Choir rehearsals

The St. Louis Chordinals, a women’s a cappella chorus, rehearse every Tuesday evening from 7 - 9:30 p.m. at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church at 12397 Natural Bridge Rd. in Bridgeton (next to the Bridgeton Government Center). For more information call Linda at 314-839-3495 or visit stlouischordinals.org.

Tuesdays: TOPS (Take off pounds sensibly)

point, embroidery, cross stitch, and more.

Every 4th Tuesday of the month: Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335 meeting 6:30pm, Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335, at the Bellefontaine Neighbors Community Center at 9669 Bellefontaine Rd. Those interested in membership are invited to attend.

Wednesdays: Bingo Bingo takes place every Wednesday at American Legion Post 338 at 9655 Midland Blvd. in Overland. Doors open at 5 p.m. For more information contact Chairman Ed Hilleman at 314-660-1813.

Weekdays:

Food pantry volunteers needed

The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry is in need of ongoing adult volunteers to sort food, stock shelves and shop with clients. Two-tofour hour shifts are available, Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.3:45 p.m. To learn more or to join this fun group, contact Chelsey Banaskavich at 314513-1674 or cbanaskavich@ jfcs-stl.org.

Mondays: Choral Arts Group meetings

Choral Arts Group practices every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Connection Christian Church at 1332 Feise Rd. in O’Fallon. Auditions not required. Ages high school and older are invited to join. There will be spring and fall public concerts. For more information call Marty at 636-579-9227, or email concertartsa@gmail.com.

Mondays: City council meetings

City of Pine Lawn holds regular city council meetings at city hall at 6250 Steve

Mondays: A cappella singers

All men who like to sing are invited to come sing with us, The Men of Harmony. We practice every Monday night at 7 p.m. at 5500 Parker Raoad which is the first house on Uthe Lane. We sing four-part harmony a capella (without accompaniment). We sing some traditional songs, as well as show tunes and more contemporary music. We do perform for the public at various functions. Persons interested can

Mondays-Thursdays: Volunteers needed

Community Action Agency of St. Louis County is in need of volunteers to stock shelves, sort food shipments and pack bags for Food Pantry Clients Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Two to four hour shifts are available. If you are interested, please contact Cheryl Piece at 314-446-4440 or cpiece@ caastlc.org for additional information.

Tuesdays: Bingo Florissant Elks Bingo takes

Tuesdays: Chair Zumba

Chair Zumba every Tuesday from 2:15 – 3 p.m. at The Bridge At Florissant at 1101 Garden Plaza Dr. (Parker @ Arlington). For more information call 314-831-0988.

Tuesdays: Celebrate Recovery

Celebrate Recovery Tuesday meetings take place at 6 p.m. with a Saturday Bible Study at 9 a.m. at LifePoint Church at 424 Graham Rd. in Florissant. For more information visit www.lifepointministries.church/celebrate-recov-

From 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. located at John F. Kennedy Center/Henry Koch Ctr., Howdershell Rd. at Charbonier Rd., Florissant. For more info contact Paul McConnell, 314-831-5476.

2nd Tuesday Sept.-June: Show-me Stitchers: Show-me Stitchers is the local chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America. We meet on the second Tuesday, Sept.-June at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 14088 Clayton Road, Chesterfield, MO. Learn needle-

Wednesdays: Bingo Life Care Center of Bridgeton, at 12145 Bridgeton Square in Bridgeton, welcome all to Community Bingo every last Wednesday of the month at 2:30 p.m. Light refreshment will be served. Please RVSP at 314298-7444 with the month you will attend and number of people attending.

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

Recipe: Cooler weather means cozy family food

Ingredients:

Nonstick cooking spray

1 1/2 pounds plant-based ground burger, thawed

1 1/2 cups cooked wild rice, chilled

1 cup diced onion

1 cup diced red bell pepper

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon granulated garlic

1 teaspoon rubbed sage

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

2/3 cup barbecue sauce bread

Plant-Based Meatloaf Sandwiches

A fond look back at

‘The Man’ Lee

Movie:

By Steve Bryan

When it comes to comics and superheroes, Stan Lee will always be “The Man.” Lee, who passed away on Nov. 12, 2018, broke new ground in the comic book industry thanks to “Amazing Fantasy #15,” which contained the first appearance of Spider-Man. Peter Parker, a brilliant science student, gained arachnid powers from the bite of a radioactive spider. Lee wrote the story, artist Steve Ditko did the drawing and Jack Kirby created the cover art.

Born and raised in South St. Louis, Steve Bryan is now based in Anaheim, California, and has been allowed access to movie and television sets to see actors and directors at work. Though his writing has taken him far from St. Louis, Steve is, at heart, still the same wide-eyed kid who spent countless hours watching classic movies at neighborhood theaters.

“Amazing Fantasy” was scheduled for cancellation and, with nothing to lose, the publisher allowed Lee to introduce his web-slinging character in what was the final issue. The sales of “Amazing Fantasy #15” were better than anticipated; however, and a green light was given for a “Spider-Man” comic book. Peter Parker learned the drawbacks of being a superhero after a burglar killed his beloved Uncle Ben. A grief-stricken Spider-Man then sought out the killer and discovered that he had allowed the same criminal to escape earlier in the day. Spider-Man’s origin story contained a powerful lesson: “With great power comes great responsibility.”

In 1961, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created “The Fantastic Four,” an unconventional su-

perhero team who argued and disagreed with each other before bonding as a family. Each member joined scientist Reed Richards on a journey into space, where they were exposed to cosmic rays that gave them superhuman abilities. Two years later, Lee and Kirby created “The Avengers,” a superhero team that brought together Iron Man, Ant-Man, the Wasp, Hulk and Thor. Those were the original founding members, but membership did change over the years.

In the 1960’s, Hulk, Iron Man and other Marvel heroes intrigued readers so much that they sent in letters to the editors. Stan Lee wanted the company to respond to fans, which led to letter pages where Marvel’s staff responded to their readers. In 1964, a fan club called the “Merry Marvel Marching

Society” was created. For a single dollar, devoted readers would get a membership card, welcoming letter and other Marvel goodies. According to interviews with Marvel insiders, bags and bags of mail arrived filled with letters that contained dollar bills. FOOM (Friends of Ol’ Marvel), another fan club, was active between 1973 and 1976.

With their stable of popular characters, the Marvel Cinematic Universe came into being with 2008’s “Iron Man” movie. Robert Downey, Jr. did an outstanding job portraying Tony Stark, an egotistical defense contractor who, after his father passed away, took charge of Stark Industries. Unlike previous attempts at superhero movies, the storyline here remained true to the journey undertaken by the comic book version of Tony Stark. Over the course of several movies, Tony refined his armor and learned to become the hero he was meant to be.

Stan Lee remains a beloved comic book creator and his MCU cameos were always great. The stories created by Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko and those that followed are still compelling years after their publication. Mr. Lee will always be known as “The Man” to Marvel’s readers.

Stan

“Barbie”

photo courtesy Warner Bros.

Photo courtesy Bigstock

Moore on Life: Lyin’ eyes

Here it is the start of another new year which means the start of another New Year’s resolution which, of course, means the start of another fad diet.

This year’s hottest diet is called the Lion Diet. So ready, set, go! Let’s do this thang!

First thing to know – it absolutely works! The proof is in the Serengeti. How many big fat kitty cats have you seen prowling around in the African wilds? If you answered none, you would be a genius and halfway towards your goal of losing weight or appearing on “Jeopardy,” whichever of the two floats your boat.

Here’s how to start the diet:

First, patiently prepare to lie in wait and stalk your prey. Begin by hunkering down behind some tall desert grass for the next three days. When it is apparent that no cookies ’n’ cream milkshake is going to pass by for your consumption, you must move on to the next objective: meat.

Lions are carnivores because they are lactose intolerant. Actually, it’s because by the time the ice cream truck drives around all those African termite hills the frozen treats have melted away.

Therefore, the next best thing is raw flesh. Ugh, a poor substitute, but this is the only choice the king of the beasts can make under the circumstances.

Along with the chunks of protein, water and salt is allowed. Consider these as side dishes and feel fortunate that the diet didn’t include the bones and fur of your kill.

Updating the flooring can help infuse new life into tired, outdated bathrooms. For an upscale, polished look that doesn’t have to break the bank, consider installing tile flooring.

Before you get started, you’ll want to make some decisions about the look and feel of your flooring:

Ceramic or stone? Weigh factors such as porosity, how slippery the surface may be when wet and how well it retains heat or cold. Ultimately, your decision hinges on the needs and uses of your family.

Complement or contrast? Define the overall style you want as well as the colors and tones that will help best achieve your vision.

Big or small? Generally, the larger the tile, the fewer grout lines, and too many grout lines in a smaller space can create the illusion of clutter. However, smaller tiles can eliminate the need to make multiple awkward cuts, and small tiles are perfect for creating accent patterns or introducing a splash of color.

When you’ve got your overall look and materials selected, keep these steps in mind as you begin laying the flooring:

1. Prepare your subfloor. Use a level to check for uneven spots; you need an even surface to prevent cracks in the tile or grout as well as rough spots that could pose tripping hazards. Use patching and leveling material to create a consistent surface. Apply a thin layer of mortar then attach your cement backer board with screws. Cover joints with cement board tape, apply another thin layer of mortar, smooth and allow to dry.

2. To ensure square placement, draw reference lines on the subfloor using a level and carpen-

By Cindy Moore CROSSWORD:

Now that you have your fuel, the next requirement is vigorous exercise to trim off those pounds.

Start each morning with a brisk lion jog at 50 miles per hour. After mile marker one, tackle a 600-pound wildebeest. Continue to mile marker two and pick up the pace by wrestling a cantankerous river croc. From there, move on to mile three and finish up by putting a charging hippo into a head lock. Afterwards, trot to the nearby watering hole and refresh yourself with buckets of water.

Now just look at yourself. You should be trimmed down to your high school weight with abs as hard as those biscuits I once made without baking powder.

Of course, it’s all a bunch of deep-fried hooey! If they were honest, the name of the plan would be the “Lying Diet.”

Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder.

The opinions expressed in this column are Cindy Moore’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.

ter square. Tile should start in the middle of the room and move out toward the walls, so make your initial reference lines as close to the center as possible. Mark additional reference lines as space allows, such as 2-foot-by-2-foot squares.

3. Do a test run with your chosen tile by laying it out on the floor. There are color variations in most tile patterns, so you’ll want to verify each tile blends well with the next.

4. Mix tile mortar and use the thin side of a trowel to apply mortar at a 45-degree angle. Use the combed side to spread evenly and return excess mortar to the bucket. Remember to apply mortar in small areas, working as you go, so it doesn’t dry before you’re ready to lay the tile.

5. When laying tile, use your reference lines as guides. Press and wiggle tile slightly for the best adherence.

6. Use spacers to create even lines between one tile and the next, removing excess mortar with a damp sponge or rag.

7. As you complete a section of tile, use a level and mallet to verify the tiles are sitting evenly.

8. Let mortar dry 24 hours before grouting.

9. Remove spacers then apply grout to joints, removing excess as you go.

10. Allow grout to dry per the manufacturer’s instructions then go back over tile with a damp sponge to set grout lines and clean grout residue.

11. Once grout has cured – usually at least a couple weeks – apply sealer to protect it.

Find more ideas and tips for updating your bathroom at eLivingtoday.com.