CN: January 13, 2021

January 13, 2021

Farm fresh

Around Town

Flex Farms, capable of producing leafy vegetables and herbs cheaply and quickly, have been donated to Operation Food Search

COMMUNITY VOICES

By Dr. Rance Thomas. Pg. 2 Centennial Christian Church and Central West End Church to Host 2021 MLK holiday observance. Pg. 5

By Charlotte Beard Sustainability has become more of a challenge for food supply over the past pandemic-year. No doubt, farmers would say that the year 2019 had already proven to present challenges of its own due to weather conditions. However, innovations such as the Flex Farm, a fully self-contained hydroponic growing system, helps make it possible to overcome the barriers of high cost and weather conditions, and Operation Food Search (OFS) has been gifted two of these $5,000 indoor farms.

The Flex Farms, capable of producing leafy vegetables and herbs, have been donated to OFS by UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Missouri and the creator – Fork Farms, an agriculture technology social enterprise based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Alex Tyink, Fork Farms’ president states that OFS is the first St. Louis organization to receive Flex Farms.

“We’re really driven by helping communities and doing social good,” stated Tyink.

“We really feel (that) getting people involved in farming is important and the more people can produce their own fresh food the more likely they are to eat it. We’ve been able to prove that through some research this (past) year.”

According to Tyink, Fork Farms was already partnered with United Healthcare for initiatives in Wisconsin.

Jamie Bruce, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Missouri states, “We love how vertical farming creates a sustainable year-round supply of fresh vegetables for our community. If we can reduce food insecurity and improve overall nutrition for Missourians, everyone wins.”

Trina Ragain, Director of Policy & Inno-

Special Section Senior Living. Pg. 6

School START VOTING! for Best of North County. Pg. 7

Features (FLIP)

Jade Umberger, Fresh Rx Food Systems Associate at OFS works with a Flex Farm.

vation for OFS stated that OFS had been in discussions with UnitedHealthcare about partnering with its Fresh Rx and Healthy Starts programs in referring pregnant women who are part of the healthcare’s Medicaid plan and who screen positive for food insecurity.

“They asked us if we’d be interested in trying out a couple of these Flex Farm units,” stated Ragain. “We are super excited about it.

We have been told they are very low maintenance units. We have a staff member who is very excited to be doing (the maintenance).”

According to Ragain, Jade Umberger, OFS’ Fresh Rx Food Systems Associate, has been trained by Fork Farms to oversee the two Flex Farm units. Umberger shared the maintenance that is required within the

Submitted photo

minimal of two hours of monthly care.

“Weekly maintenance includes two quick tests: one for pH and one for nutrient levels,” stated Umberger. “Depending on the outcome, we add pH alterations to the tank, as well as nutrients, a diluted cleaning solution, and a top off water every week. Depending on the plant, harvest can happen anywhere from 18-34 days. A monthly harvest includes prepping seeds to replace the harvested plants a few days in advance, sanitizing the area we’ll be harvesting in, removing and storing veggies, removing and composting the rockwool, a quick clean of the system, and replanting prepped seeds to (restart the process).”

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Around Town

January 13, 2021 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

‘FARM’ from cover Though Ragain shared that Fork Farms states any seed you desire for leafy food can be used with the units, they do offer seed packages they know have grown particularly well in the units. Umberger added that Fork Farms recommends pelleted seeds, which have a clay coating that makes the seeds easier to handle and prevents them from drying out during sprouting.

“Without being covered by soil, it is easy for the seeds to dry out,” stated Umberger.

“However, with some special care and attention (daily spritzing and a plastic cover) most seeds can be used in the Fork Farms’ hydroponic unit.”

Ragain shared that OFS will start with one of the lettuce varieties that Fork Farms recommends. She states that every harvest yields approximately 25 pounds of food.

“That will go into those Fresh Rx family meals that we deliver to participants’ homes every week,” stated Ragain. “(The produce) will be used in some of our culinary training classes/skills based classes that we do. If there is anything left over it will go out to some of our pantries.”

Fork Farms’ Flex Farms, which are stated to be suitable for cafeterias, classrooms, commercial farms, corporate lobbies, and homes, uses 140 kilowatt hours per month according to Tyink. OFS shares that the Flex Farms operate with a standard electrical outlet, occupy less than 10 square feet of space, and utilize zero pesticides and

herbicides. OFS also states that each farm can serve up to 1,900 families per year with a harvest of nearly 3,400 plants.

“You can produce anywhere from 20 to 30 pounds of food a month, sometimes even more,” stated Tyink. “If you are using this in a high capacity environment like (OFS), they’re likely going to be paying less than a dollar per pound of food. We’ve had folks use it in a commercial setting, like a microenterprise, and they’re able to grow food sometimes for roughly $0.67 a pound.”

Tyink went on to share that he personally operates a Flex Farm in his dining room while others use one of these vertical farms in their basements.

Sources state the first Flex Farm Submitted photo prototype was built out of wood in Jade Umberger, Fresh Rx Food Systems Associate at OFS works with a Flex 2014 in a garage before it gradu- Farm..

– we are still a start-up in many ways. We ated to a Generation 4 model in 2020. The farm moved from wood to recy- have learned that the appetite for this is just so much larger than we originally thought; clable plastic in 2017.

Besides the benefit of teaching kids about the feedback that we are getting from the gardening indoors, Tyink highlighted the community in St. Louis and a lot of places benefit of exploring science and hydropon- around the country has demonstrated to us that we have got a lot of work to do. So, I ics.

“Our goal is to try to bring this to as think this is just the beginning.”

For more information about the Flex many people as would find value in it,” stated Tyink. “We are still a young company Farms visit https://forkfarms.com.

COMMUNITY VOICES

By Dr. Rance Thomas

Better understanding criminal behavior Criminologists and those who specialize in criminal justice have known for years that the crime rate historically declines in the fall and winter months. This was recently stated by criminologist Dr. Richard Rosenfeld, a professor of Criminology at University of Missouri in St. Louis. His comments were made in response to the claim that the federal program “Operation Legend” implemented in seven or eight cities by U.S Attorney William Barr was responsible for the decline in the crime rate in St. Louis.

The decline during these months throughout the country is due primarily to the cool down of the weather and fewer people are out and participating in many of the summer activities. This is even true for criminals who tend to stay indoors as well when the weather turns cold. During the summer more individuals congregate and offer more opportunities for criminal behavior. This not only includes outdoor opportunities, but as more individuals are away from their homes this offers criminals more opportunities to take advantage of burglarizing or committing other criminal acts at their homes.

The most effective way to reduce crime is to have more police officers on the street or

at least more police cars in neighborhoods.

In other word, the focus needs to be on prevention as well as solving crimes.

Since the Michael Brown shooting in 2014 and other shootings of African-Americans subsequently, there has been fewer police officers and police cars in sight. It appears that the police are not patrolling neighborhoods as previously. Instead, it appears that they tend to patrol a lot less and respond primarily to 911 calls. This seems to be the case throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan area including the Metro East area as well.

This is also true for traffic stops. Prior to the police shootings, the demonstrations, and criticism of the police, there were a number of police cars patrolling various neighborhoods and making traffic stops. This was true for state highway patrol officers as well, but this has been reduced dramatically also.

It appears that the police are reluctant to stop motorists and individuals as they have done previously. This is probably due to the criticism the police have experienced during the demonstrations recently and the call to defund or reduce police departments budgets. This could also be partially due to the call to hold them more responsible for their

behavior.

Because of the reluctance of the police to be more visible and involved more with the public, this has led to more crime and illegal behavior. This could account for the dramatic shootings and killings throughout the metropolitan area. Individuals are increasingly shooting into cars and homes with impunity in many cases. That is, only about one third of these crimes reported to the police are ever solved. In fact, according to the statistical reports on crime only approximately 46 percent of violent crimes are reported to the police and a little less than half of them solved.

Dr. Rance Thomas is Professor Emeritus of Sociology/Criminal Justice and co-founder and President of North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice.

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.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • January 13, 2021

Around Town

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Bi-State Development employees’ NCCU’s Summons of Joy Program enjoys another food drive benefits local charities successful holiday season

Submitted photo

Bi-State Development employees donated canned goods and nonperishable food items to help fight hunger over the holidays in their local communities. The food items were delivered to several charitable organizations and food pantries on both sides of the Mississippi River, including Saint Luke Memorial Baptist Church Food Pantry and Project Augustine in North St. Louis, WebsterRock Hill Ministries, Chariti Home in Belleville and Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House in East St. Louis. Pictured above, Carlton from St. Luke Memorial Baptist Church Food Pantry picked up food drive donations at the Metro Transit Central Facility in St. Louis.

Cinema St. Louis presents Best of Fest: Award-Winning Films from the 2020 SLIFF The 29th Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) wrapped on Nov. 22, 2020, but Cinema St. Louis is providing cinephiles another opportunity to view the event’s award winners in the Best of Fest, which is available virtually from Jan. 22-31, 2021.

A few of SLIFF’s honorees are already or imminently out in the world — “Transhood” is available on HBO Max, and “9to5: The Story of a Movement” premieres on PBS’s “Independent Lens” on Feb. 1 — but Best of Fest reprises the other 19 winners of the festival’s juried and audience-choice awards.

Like 2020’s SLIFF, the Best of Fest is an online-only event and is again presented with our virtual-festival partner, Eventive. Nine features and a program of 10 shorts will be available to stream during all 10 days of the event, and several of the films will once more include recorded Q&As with filmmakers and documentary subjects. Geographic restrictions will apply to some films. All programs will be available in Missouri and Illinois, but some will be accessible throughout the U.S. or world. This information is noted on each listing.

Individual tickets are $15 ($12 for Cinema St. Louis members).

A 5-film pass is $65 ($55 for Cinema St. Louis members).

Information on films, purchase of tickets/passes, and details on the virtual fest is available on the Cinema St. Louis website: cinemastlouis.org.

North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice (NCCU), which consists of 27 churches of various denominations, in cooperation with the Florissant Police Department kicked off its sixth year of its Summons of Joy Program on Dec. 14, 2020.

Despite the pandemic crisis this year, NCCU still received enough funding from some of its churches and members of various churches to launch another program this year. Because of these donations it was able to buy 40 $100 gift cards and give them to the Florissant Police Department to pass out to those they stop for minor violations. Instead of giving people tickets, they give them warnings and gift cards during the Christmas season. During the last six years NCCU has donated $34,000 to the Florissant Police Department in an effort to improve its relations with the community, especially with AfricanAmericans.

NCCU President Rance Thomas said, “This year was unique because due to the restriction

on attendance of members in our churches, this resulted in fewer donations to these churches.

However, some churches still donated but not as much as usual, but a number of individuals from our churches stepped up and donated to ensure that we would have a successful program once again this year. In fact, one individual from one of our churches donated $1,000, which was a first for our program.”

Those churches who donated in spite of the conditions we are experiencing this year consisted of John Knox Presbyterian Church, Florissant Presbyterian Church, Church of the Master UCC, St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, Lutheran Church of the Atonement, and even a church in Ferguson, First Presbyterian Church of Ferguson, all made a donation.

This program was implemented following the Michael Brown killing and the riots in city of Ferguson in 2014. It was created as a means of improving the relations between the police and the community.

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Aound Town

January 13, 2021 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

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Creve Coeur announces local restaurant recognition program The city of Creve Coeur is announcing a new program to promote its local restaurants that have been operating within the COVID-19 environment over the last year.

“We recognize that our local restaurateurs have had to invent and then reinvent themselves to keep their doors open,” says Mark Manlin, Chair of the Creve Coeur Economic Development Committee. “We love our local restaurants and want to give them one more push as we turn the corner into the new year.”

To help restaurants promote their menus, hours and any other specials, the Creve Coeur Economic Development Committee is partnering with the Creve Coeur-Olivette Chamber of Commerce to offer Creve Coeur restaurants a forum to submit 20-second videos to be posted on the city’s social media and website.

The program, called “Local Love,” gives restaurant operators an opportunity to promote their business through video, sharing details about their hours of operation, options for curbside pickup or patio dining, menus, safety protocols, promotions and other details.

The videos will be posted on the city’s social media and website at www.crevecoeurmo.gov/ locallove. The city’s website also lists over 60 restaurants located in Creve Coeur that are offering takeout, delivery or curbside pickup.

Creve Coeur restaurant owners who wish to participate may send their videos to Melissa Orscheln, Public Information Officer and Management Analyst, at pio@crevecoeurmo.gov.

Submission guidelines are available on the city’s website at www.crevecoeurmo.gov/locallove.

$500,000 endowment gift to support Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Mariner program

www.treesbywoody.net

Girl Scouts provides a wide array of opportunities for girls to engage in high adventure. For more than 100 years girls have explored and strengthened their leadership skills and commitment to environmental stewardship by engaging in opportunities at Girl Scout Camp. To ensure all girls can discover the joy of outdoor exploration and develop 21st century skills, Keri Westland, Girl Scout volunteer, lifelong Mariner and Gold Award Girl Scout made a generous $500,000 gift to support Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Mariner Program in perpetuity.

The Mariner Program has been a part of Girl Scouts’ bold history since 1934. Developed as a special interest program for Girl Scouts in seventh through 12th grade, the Mariner Program offers adventures on, in and near the water. Girls are part of “ships” that come together during the year for skill-building, fun, and exploration. The capstone event is Summer GAM (Gathering of all Mariners), which is a week-long Resident Camp program. Summer GAM offers girls a wide variety of personal development and leadership opportunities, focusing on water activities and competitions, including canoeing, swimming, and sailing. While on the water, Mariners gain a unique perspective that encourages them to think critically about the world around them and consider how they can best address significant problems they are passionate about solving.

Ultimately, Mariners take the helm and sail full speed ahead while actualizing their potential as

Image courtesy Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri

leaders.

Westland says, “The Mariner Program made an outstanding impact on my life and holds a very special place in my heart. Through this program, I have gained so much, including lifelong friends, canoeing skills, leadership skills, teamwork and more. I am grateful for the many volunteers who have given countless hours to provide this quality leadership development experience. It is for our girls, our volunteers, and our Girl Scout staff, past, present and future that I make this gift, ensuring that many more girls will have the opportunity to participate in the Mariner Program, and learn and grow.”

Bonnie Barczykowski, Girl Scouts CEO, says the organization is deeply honored. “Keri’s generosity will make an impact on the lives of girls today and for generations to come. With support from community members – like Keri – Girl Scouting continues to evolve to meet girls’ changing needs and develop their full leadership potential.”

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • January 13, 2021

Around Town

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Centennial Christian Church and Central West End Church to Host 2021 MLK holiday observance Centennial Christian Church, a historic Black church immediately north of Delmar Blvd. in the Fountain Park neighborhood, and Central West End Church, immediately south of Delmar Blvd. in the Central West End neighborhood, are hosting the 2021 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance (the “MLK Observance”).

The MLK Observance will include a number of virtual and in-person events over the course of four days. Two key outdoor community events will take place on Jan. 16: 1) the commencement program at 10 a.m.; and 2) the peace march at 10:45 a.m. Both events will take place in the Fountain Park neighborhood, home to the only statue of Dr. King in the state of Missouri. The recently refurbished statue stands in Fountain Park, directly across the street from Centennial Christian Church, located at 4950 Fountain Avenue in St. Louis.

The theme for 2021 will center on King’s famous 1966 quote, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.”

With the history of the broadly recognized Delmar

racial divide, health disparities and racial inequalities are wide between blacks and whites. And with the COVID-19 pandemic, these disparities and inequalities have widened among education access and outcomes, mental stress, racial trauma, food insecurity, and housing cost burdens – just to name a few.

Centennial Christian Church and Central West End Church are partnering with Fountain Park Lewis Place neighbors, Washington Montessori School and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated to host the MLK Observance. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity is the nation’s oldest inter-collegiate Black-Greek lettered organization and a member of the Divine 9. King was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. The fraternity played an active role during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement and led the effort to build the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The historic election of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, another

Northwest Views:

Only two of 34 Missouri transit agencies to receive funds; state assistance needed

By Kimberly Cella The most recent Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act provides $14 billion in public transit support. Most of the money will go to the top 138 urbanized areas across the country, meaning only two of the 34 transit providers in Missouri will receive these much-needed funds.

A total of $99.4 million has been earmarked for Missouri. Kansas City and St. Louis will receive $31.1 million and $68.3 million, respectively, according to the Federal Transit Administration. And while the relief funding does include $648 million in operating assistance for rural areas, due to funding specifics, none of the small and rural transit providers in Missouri qualify.

Missouri transit agencies have been experiencing massive deficits due to dropping farebox recovery, increased expenses from new cleaning protocols and significant driver absenteeism. Further compounding the problem is decreased ridership as many continue working from home and/or limit the number of non-essential trips. The pandemic has taken a toll on transit, and financial relief is crucial.

Missouri must make investing in public transit a priority. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has a budget request calling for $6.7 million from General Revenue to bring state funding for transit operations up to $8.4 million. If fulfilled, it would restore transit funding levels to what they were in 2002.

Transit is critical to Missouri, and this funding is critical to sustaining transit operations across the state.

State investment must be made to keep Missouri moving forward.

Kimberly Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit and the Missouri Public Transit Association.

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.

Divine 9 organization, will be timely and relevant for 2021’s local MLK observance in particular with the inauguration just a few days later.

Two other events for the 2021 Observance in Fountain Park will include: 1. “Mind, Body, and Soul Virtual Panel Discussion” hosted by Central West End Church on Jan. 16 at 12:30 p.m.

2. “Day of Service” spearheaded from Centennial Christian Church with fellow community partners on Jan. 18 at 1 p.m.

Centennial Christian Church, Central West End Church, and fellow community partners are requesting donated personal protection equipment (PPE) from individuals, companies and other organizations. Care packages with masks, gloves and hand sanitizers will be produced. Along with donated PPE, lunches will be delivered to senior area housing facilities (Hylton Point I, Hylton Point II, and Centennial Plaza).

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Senior Living

January 13, 2021 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Bethesda begins its COVID-19 vaccine clinics

106-year-old Bethesda resident Jessie O’Bryant receives her vaccine.

Submitted photo

The first of the COVID-19 vaccine clinics for Bethesda Health Group staff, residents and patients have been administered. Per CDC direction, the first clinics took place at Bethesda’s skilled nursing communities. Bethesda is partnering with CVS Health, who will be coordinating and administering the vaccine clinics throughout the organization.

Christian Hospital Foundation to host free virtual MLK celebration with service awards and scholarships This year, due to the pandemic, the Christian Hospital Foundation will host a free, virtual celebration that exemplifies Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s teachings on Friday, Jan. 15, from 12-1 p.m. During this celebration, the foundation will recognize four unsung local heroes and several student scholars in our communities. Guests will enjoy great music from local singer-songwriter Brian Owens and a courageous conversation related to rising above the challenges of race, injustice, and exclusion, including commentary from Bryant McBride and Willie O’Ree. Bryant McBride is the first African American class president at the famed United States Military Academy at West Point. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University. Bryant worked as an analyst before becoming the highest-ranking African American executive in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is the producer of ‘WILLIE,’ a sports documentary film on the life and achievements of the pioneering hockey player

Willie O’Ree. To provide a bit of background on achievements of Willie Eldon O’Ree presented in McBride’s documentary it is important to note that Willie O’Ree is the first Black hockey player to play in an NHL game. He debuted with the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens at the Montreal Forum on January 18, 1958. O’Ree stopped skating in 1979 after a lengthy stint in the Western Hockey League, playing with teams in Los Angeles and San Diego. From 1998 to the present, he serves as the director of youth development for the NHL/ USA Hockey Diversity Task Force. In 2018, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

At the event Christian Hospital Foundation will recognize and celebrate the 2021 Drum Major Awardees. This award is the highest honor Christian Hospital Foundation bestows upon unsung heroes from our community who have given their time, talents, treasures, and service in the name of justice, equity, and equality. The 2021 awardees are:

www.TheSarahCommunity.com www.DeSmetRetirement.org

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Adrian Bracy – President, CEO YWCA

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Chris Krehmeyer – President/CEO, Beyond Housing

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Elizabeth Perkins – Campus President, St. Louis Community College, Florissant Valley

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Keith Williamson – President, Centene Charitable Foundation at Centene Corporation

Twelve Scholarships will be awarded to local high school and community college students in the following schools and school districts: Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory, FergusonFlorissant, Hazelwood, Normandy High School, Jennings, Riverview Gardens High School, Incarnate Word Academy, Lutheran North High School, Ritenour High School, Trinity Catholic High School, and St. Louis Community College.

To register and for sponsorship information, please visit www.

ChristianHospital.org/MLKCelebration, call 314-653-5162 or email chfoundation@bjc.org.

Christian Hospital Foundation raises and allocates funds to support efforts such as patient care, advancing medicine and technology, community benefit programs, community health access, staff education and new hospital facilities and equipment.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • January 13, 2021

School

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University of Missouri–St. Louis honors more than 2,700 students in virtual commencement ceremonies The University of Missouri–St. Louis celebrated more than 2,700 graduates on Dec. 19 in virtual commencement ceremonies recognizing all students who earned degrees in May, August and December of 2020.

The university is conferring more than 1,000 degrees to students this semester while honoring 1,231 who earned degrees in May and 495 who did so in August.

Spring commencement ceremonies were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“All of these graduates deserve praise for their resilience as they have faced the challenges of this unprecedented time and continued to thrive while earning their degrees,” UMSL Chancellor Kristin Sobolik said.

“Though we are not able to gather in person as originally

planned, we are no less excited to celebrate them and all they have achieved while expanding their knowledge and unlocking opportunities for the future. We congratulate them and are eager to watch their success in the years ahead.”

The Dec. 19 celebration included virtual ceremonies for each college with streaming broadcasts featuring speeches, the conferral of degrees and the presentation of UMSL’s 2020 graduates. Each participating graduate was given individual, on-screen recognition, including an information slide with a photo as their name was announced.

Ferguson Mayor Ella Jones recorded a commencement keynote address to be incorporated into each cer-

emony. Jones made history in June when she became the first woman and the first black resident to be elected mayor in the St. Louis County municipality.

Before Jones entered the political arena, she enjoyed a long career as a chemist with a degree she earned at UMSL in 1986. The 2014 shooting of Michael Brown and the civil unrest in its aftermath helped motivate her to seek elected office, first as a member of the city council before this year’s mayoral run.

Along the way, she returned to UMSL for training in municipal leadership at the Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life. Since taking office, she’s been looking to empower her constituents and working with the Urban League on a housing initiative in Ferguson.

VOTE BEST OF NORTH COUNTY 2021 BEST OF NORTH COUNTY

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Vote for your favorite business in these North County zip codes 63031, 63033, 63034, 63042, 63134, 63135, 63136, 63137, 63138 Weekly voting begins January 8, and ends February 28, 2021.

Winners will be listed in a special section in the Community News on March 31 along with Thank You ads from the winners.

Awards will be presented at the Chamber luncheon on March 18.

You can vote online at www.mycnews.com or you can clip this and mail to: Community News, 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr., O’Fallon, MO 63366 You can only submit one ballot per week.

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What’s Happening

January 13, 2021 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Send your event to editor@mycnews.com and we'll print it!

Take notice . . .

The events listed in this section are the latest updates as of press time, please check with individual sites for the most up to date cancellations and reschedule info.

EVENTS RECURRING EVENTS 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-to-four 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 314-513-1674 or cbanaskavich@jfcs-stl.org.

Weekdays: Tax filing program volunteers

Seeking greeters, appointment schedulers, and tax preparers to assist older adults in the St. Louis County Tax Filing Program. Training and mileage reimbursement is provided. For more information and to start the volunteer application process, contact the County Older Resident Programs and ask for Mike Nickel at 314-615-4021.

Mondays: TOPS meeting

Come, join and take off those extra pounds. T.O.P.S.=Take Off Pounds Sensibly has meetings on Monday nights at 7 p.m. (weigh in begins at 6:35 p.m.) 9135 Shelley Avenue, Overland, MO 63114. (Entrance is in the back on East Milton). TOPS is a very inexpensive way to lose weight.

You may visit a meeting for free. Any questions please call Dan Agee at 314540-5223.

Mondays: Choral Arts Singers practice

Choral Arts Singers resume practice on Mondays, at 7 p.m. at Transfiguration Episcopal Church, 1860 Lake St. Louis Blvd. in Lake St. Louis. New singers are welcome. Auditions are not required. See www.concertarts.org.

Mondays: City council meetings

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

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 come right on in or for more information call Al at 314-9936134.

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 314-9212132. For a limited period the Chapter will pay for one (1) year membership for new members.

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: 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 Charlie at 314-954-1121.

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

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.

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

Mondays: A cappella singers

Tuesdays: Choir rehearsals

Mondays: Workshop meetings

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 Road

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: Vietnam Veterans Association meeting

Chapter 794 Vietnam Veterans Association meets on the third Tuesday of each month at VFW Post 4105 at 410 St. Francois in Florissant. Meetings start at 7 p.m. For more information contact Walter Kaiser at 314-9212132. Chapter will pay for one (1) year membership for new members.

Tuesdays: TOPS pounds sensibly)

(Take

off

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: Showme 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 needlepoint, embroidery, cross stitch, and more.

Every 4th Tuesday of the month: Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335 meeting

Every Wednesday: Bingo Morning at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316 Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant.

Doors at 7:30 a.m., games begin at 9:30 a.m. For more information, call 314-921-2316.

Bridgeton Trails Library Branch Programs:

3455 McKelvey Rd., St. Louis, 314994-3300. Story Time: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. 9 months to 2 yrs. Room 1 (Lap Time); Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.

Ages 3–5. Room 2; Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Ages 3–5. Room 1.

Florissant Senior Citizens’ Bingo Clubs: 314-839-7604.

Every 1st Wednesday of the Month: Stroke Support Group

3-4 p.m., Center for Senior Renewal, Detrick Building 1st floor, 11133 Dunn Rd. For more information, contact Jamie Stevens at 314-6535331.

Thursdays: Bingo

Community Bingo at the Bridge At Florissant, at 1101 Garden Plaza Drive (intersection of Parker and Arlington) takes place on the third Thursday of each month starts at 2 p.m. There will be snacks and prizes.

For more information call 314-8310988.

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.

Thursdays: Quilting guild

Every Tuesday: Bingo Evening at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316

Thursdays: checks

Doors at 4:30 p.m., games begin at 6pm, Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant. For more information, call 314921-2316.

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.

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 314-298-7444 with the month you will attend and number of people attending.

Wednesdays: TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrews United Methodist Church at 3975 N. Hwy 67 in Florissant. For more information contact Norma at 314-306-4731.

Every third Thursday of the month the Flower Valley Quilting Guild meets at 7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church at 123 Carson Road in Ferguson.

Blood

pressure

Free blood pressure checks monthly at Life Care Center of Florissant at 1201 Garden Plaza Dr. (off Parker Rd.) in Florissant every third Thursday of the month. Call 831-3752 for more information.

Thursdays: meeting

Women’s

chorus

Every Thursday City Voices Chorus, a women’s chorus singing four-part a cappella harmony, meets at Church of the Good Shepherd at 1166 S. Mason Rd. in St. Louis. Members come from the entire bi-state region. Call Marcia at 636-274-0723 for more information or visit www.cityvoiceschorus.org.

Fridays: Fish fry

A fish fry takes place every Friday at American Legion Post 338 at 9655 Midland Blvd. in Overland from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information contact Chairman Ed Hilleman at 314-660-1813.

Every Friday: Our Lady of Fatima #4429 Knights of Columbus Bingo 6:45 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 1216 Teson Rd. in Hazelwood. For more information call 314-731-9330.

Every 3rd Friday of the month: Bingo 2 p.m., Life Care Center of Florissant, 1201 Garden Plaza Dr. For more information, call 314-831-3752.

Saturdays: Yoga

Yoga returns to Calvary UCC at 2501 Hartland Avenue, on Saturdays from 10:30-11:30. Masks and social distancing are required in the building and participants should bring hand sanitizer with them. For further information call Angela at 314-801-8594.

Saturdays: Toastmasters meeting

Everyone is welcome to attend Toastmasters Saturdays 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Normandy United Methodist Church at 8001 Natural Bridge Road (across from UMSL). For more info call 314402-7025.

Saturdays: Free walk-in clinic

Salam Clinic at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ at 1425 Stein Road at West Florissant in Ferguson is a free walk-in clinic open Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The clinic is jointly sponsored by the Muslim Community of St. Louis (MCSL) and St. Peter’s United Church of Christ to provide basic adult medical screening, treatment and referrals free of charge for the uninsured. For more information or if you would be interested in volunteering, please call 314-521-5694 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday or visit www.stpeterschurch.org

Saturdays: Clothing sale

On the second Saturday of each month Bethany-Peace UCC at 11952 Bellefontaine Rd. in St. Louis County hosts a clothing sale from 9 - 11 a.m.

For sale are used clothing and shoes, some household items, books and toys. Fill your bag for $1.

Saturdays: Grief support

On the fourth Saturday of each month, grief support meeting “A Way With Words Ministry” meets at 12:30 p.m. at Community Christ Fellowship, rear, at 121 Williams Blvd. in Hazelwood, 1/4 mile south of Hwy 270 off Florissant Rd. There are a variety of topics monthly. You are not alone. Come help your heart heal with others. For more information call 314-605-3949.

Every Fourth Saturday’s Writer’s Workshop 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Baden Library, at 8448 Church Rd. For more information call 314-388-2400.

Sundays: Meat shoot

Come and enjoy the meat shoots at American Legion Post 4445 located on 17090 Old Jamestown Rd. between Sinks Rd. and Lindbergh starting noon Sept. 15 thru Nov. 17; and in the spring, Feb. 2 thru March 8 rain or shine. Great meat prizes awarded.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • January 13, 2021 Sundays: AMVETS meat shoot

Sundays in September through April, AMVETS Post 55, located on 8842 Natural Bridge Rd. in Bel-Ridge will be hosting meat shoots with practice beginning at 11 a.m. and rounds starting at noon. Shooters must be 18 or older and will shoot #9’s with no bull barrels or scopes and 675 minimum chokes. The shooting area is indoors and food and drink are available in the club room. For more information, contact 314-630-2671 or 314-330-7269.

Sundays: meeting

Jennings

Do-Dads

The Jennings Do-Dads hold meetings every third Sunday of the month (except June which is the second Sunday and no meeting in December) at 1 p.m. at Classics Bar & Grill at 11601 West Florissant Avenue. Those interested in membership are invited to attend. For more information visit www.jenningsdodads.org.

CHURCH Tuesdays & Thursdays: Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church GriefShare Support Group Tuesdays from 2 - 4pm and Thursday from 6:30 - 8:30pm, 11645 Benham Rd., 314-741-3737

HEALTH Every Mon. & Tues.: Healthy Meal Replacement (HMR) Program Orientation

Mondays: 6–7pm Tuesdays: Noon– 1pm SSM DePaul Wellness Center.

Attend a free orientation to learn: the Five Success Variables needed to lose weight, different diet options available and how important physical activity really is. Please call to register at 1-877-477-6954.

1st Tuesday of Every Month: Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group Meeting

Meeting to be held at Sarah Care of Bridgeton Adult Day Center 11977 St. Charles Rock Road, Suite 121-124, Bridgeton, MO 63044. Join our Support Group for Mutual, Emotional Support and Education. You are not alone. For information, contact Deborah Mabrie at 314-291-5210 or Ferd Fetsch at 314-291-3021 Email: dbland@sarahcare.com ferdfetsch@ sbcglobal.net.

Every third Tuesday of every month: Grief Support Group sponsored by DePaul Hospital

11:30am-1pm, Maryland Hgts. Comm.

Ctr., 2300 McKelvey Rd. For more information, call 314-344-6873.

Wednesdays: ACES Schizophrenia Support Group 6:30 - 7:30pm, 314-839-3171.

to enroll.

Crisis Nursery:

Committed to preventing child abuse and neglect, the Crisis Nursery provides short-term, safe havens to children, birth through age 12, whose families are faced with an emergency or crisis. Care is available year-round and serves families throughout the greater St. Charles region. 24-hour helpline: 314-768-3201. Or 636-947-0600, www. crisisnurserykids.org

Center for Senior Renewal:

Day treatment programs for older adults dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, loss and early signs of dementia, 314653-5123.

Nutrition Education:

SSM DePaul registered dieticians can help you make sure your diet is right for you, 314-344-6157.

Christian Center:

Hospital

Recovery

Outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment for adults, 314953-8100.

Volunteers Needed at Christian Hospital: Call 314-653-5032 Nicotine Anonymous

Nicotine Anonymous is a 12 Step Program, free and available to all seeking recovery from nicotine addiction based on principals of AA. Only requirement is a desire to stop using nicotine. Voluntary contributions are accepted. For further info call 314-822-2066 or visit www.

Nicotine-Anonymous.org.

Look Good…Feel Better

SSM Cancer Care at DePaul Health Center, 12303 DePaul Drive. Radiation OncologyBridgeton. Attend a great makeup session sponsored by the American Cancer Society. A licensed cosmetologist teaches a session of scarf tying, shows a parade of hats, and provides each participant with a makeup kit.

Light refreshments are served. Info: 314-344-6090.

SilverSneakers Senior Wellness Program at the Maryland Heights Centre

A fun, energizing program that helps older adults take greater control of their health by encouraging physical activity and offering social events. A Silver Sneakers membership includes access to the city’s Fitness Centre with stateof-the-art fitness equipment and circuit training. Membership is available at little or no cost through your health plan. To find out if you are eligible, visit www.silversneakers.com or call 314738-2599.

Smoking Cessation Classes:

Free ongoing 8-week sessions, 866-SSMDOCS to register or for more information.

Sundays: Alcoholics Anonymous Group 109

SSM DePaul Wellness Center:

11th floor conference room at Christian Hospital, 10am, 11133 Dunn Road.

Classes available on strength training, nutrition and smoking cessation, 314344-6177

Diabetes Basics:

Free Mammogram Screenings:

314-344-7024 for info or 314-344-7220

SSM Health Care free mammogram

screenings to women who have no health insurance. Appointments at 300 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles and SSM St. Joseph Hospital West, 100 Medical Plaza in Lake Saint Louis, 636-947-5617

What’s Happening

At Delmar Gardens North, 4401 Parker Rd., Florissant, 9 a.m., 314.355.1516, SUDOKU answers from page F-1

Helpline 800-272-3900

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

Speaker’s Bureau:

SSM speakers available for organizations, clubs, community and church groups for up to one hour free of charge, 636-949+7159

ONGOING SUPPORT GROUPS Sundays: Support Group for Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

6:30 - 8pm, 7401 Delmar Ave. in University City, 314-993-5421.

First and Third Tuesdays: Support Group for Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

12:30 - 2 p.m., 320 Forsyth Blvd., Clayton, 314-968-3477.

Third Saturdays: Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group

9

www.JewishStCharles.org

10

Sports

January 13, 2021 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Sports you see with Gary B...

High school players of the week St. Charles County had several individuals that have excelled in their sport last week.

Here they are: Jaliyah Green-Holt basketball, Isabelle Delarue-Francis Howell North Basketball, KJ Lee-Fort Zumwalt North basketball, Sam Thompson, Francis Howell basketball.

WHERE CAN YOU GET Pick up a at all 35 Dierbergs & Schnucks stores in St. Charles County and North and Northwest St. Louis County

* Leaders for their team Ambush pick up first win of season The St. Louis Ambush play their home games at the Family Arena in St. Charles in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL).

Last week they defeated the Dallas Sidekicks 6-5 Allen Event Center in Allen, Texas. The win improved the Ambush to 1-2 on the 2021 season, while Dallas dropped to 0-2.

Scores by: defender Magui Souza, a Dallas own-goal credited to defender Axel Duarte, Duduca Carvalho, Vadim Cojocov, Stefan Mijatovic and Lucas Almeida.

Ambush forward Max Ferdinand also stood out for his performance, assisting on four of the six St. Louis tallies and goalkeeper Paulo stopped 20 shots on 25 chances in earning his first win of the season. ?

The St. Louis team close out the month of January with four consecutive home games. The home opener is slated for Saturday, Jan. 16, when the cross-state rival Kansas City Comets come to town for a 7:05 p.m. affair at the Family Arena. The balance of the month sees visits from the Tacoma Stars on Jan. 24 and the Florida Tropics on Jan. 29 and 31. * First of many

OR READ US ONLINE AT MYCNEWS.COM

Last chance to tryout for cheerleading The St. Louis Bandits (www.STLouisBanditsFootball.com) will be a part of the American Arena Football league (www.

AmericanArenaLeague.com) when they play at the Family Arena this spring.

Tryout applications need to be submitted

by Jan. 15 on line and will be held at the Performing Arts studio in O’Fallon.

Go to www.StLouisFootballBandits.com for more details. * The Banshees will lead the crowd UMSL sets season-high feat The University of Missouri-St. Louis men’s basketball team made a season-high 11 three-pointers recently on the way to a 77-56 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) victory over visiting Indianapolis.

UMSL took a 36-23 lead into halftime after jumping out to a 9-0 advantage to open the game.

The Tritons shot 48.3 percent, which included 51.6 percent in the second half and also owned a 35-30 rebounding advantage.

Redshirt junior Kellen King and redshirt freshman Lawrence Brazil III both came off the bench to combine for 28 points on 8-of-16 shooting from long range. Each player finished with 14 points and was 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.

The 56 points by the Greyhounds from Indiana, were the fewest allowed by the Tritons this season. UMSL held its guests to 40.4 percent shooting, including just 5-of-23 from three-point distance.

The Triton improved to five victories in eight attempts.

Key contributors: • Senior Jose Grubbs finished with 14 points to go with eight rebounds and four assists.

• Redshirt junior Marquis Collins contributed 11 points.

• Senior Shane Wissink dished out six assists and scored eight points. * On a roll

Gary Baute, a St. Louis native, may be educated in business but he lives and breathes sports. As a fan or an athlete, Gary is all sports all the time. He hosted a radio sports program on KFNS, emceed the River City Rascals’ inaugural season, among many other activities. I am currently hosting a Health show on 97.1 FM, ‘Prime Time Health’ www.

PrimeTimeSTL.com. It broadcasts Saturday nights at 8 and Sunday mornings at 9.

www.mycnews.com • Community News • January 13, 2021

Recipe:

Feature

F-1

– SUDOKU –

Filling family comfort food Parmesan Stuffed Peppers with Rice

Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column and 3-by-3 box includes all the digits 1 through 9.

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes | Servings: 6 When cooler weather calls for hearty meals to give your family a warming boost, you can turn to simple shortcuts for comforting flavor without skipping on quality.

Parmesan Stuffed Peppers with Rice is the perfect recipe if you are looking for a tasty dish that’s a little outside the box. It’s an Italian spin on a classic dish using a variety of cheeses packed into colorful bell peppers. You can preheat the oven while completing the minimal preparation then bake to a bubbling, golden perfection.

Ingredients: 2 bags brown rice 2 cups (or 1 can, 15 ounces) tomato sauce, divided 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided 1/4 cup basil pesto 3 large bell peppers in assorted

colors, halved lengthwise 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

Directions: Preheat oven to 425 F. Prepare rice according to package directions.

Add 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce to greased 13-by-9-inch baking dish. In bowl, toss rice with remaining tomato sauce, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and pesto.

Divide rice mixture evenly among peppers. Place stuffed peppers in prepared baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and remaining Parmesan cheese over peppers.

Cover with foil; bake 18-20 minutes, or until peppers are tender, filling is heated through and cheese is melted. Remove foil. Broil 3-5 minutes, or until cheese is golden brown. Garnish with fresh basil.

Substitutions: Use fontina or provolone for mozzarella cheese and olive tapenade for basil pesto.

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9

Visit SuccessRice.com for more comfort food recipes.

Highly anticipated movies slated to arrive in 2021, 2022.

Movie:

By Steve Bryan

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.

Of all the industries affected by the pandemic, film production, distribution and exhibition took a harder hit than most. 2019 was a banner year for seeing movies in theaters, and the future looked just as bright going into 2020. With many venues forced to close for health and safety reasons, however, the business model shifted to more on-demand and streaming platforms. That’s why “Wonder Woman 1984” debuted simultaneously on AT&T’s HBO Max as well in theaters that are currently open.

Other highly anticipated movies are still waiting to make their debut, though. “Top Gun: Maverick,” the sequel to the iconic 1986 airborne adventure, was scheduled to arrive on July 12, 2020, but its release date shifted to July 2, 2021. Tom Cruise returns as Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a flight instructor and pilot who, according to the trailer, is as cocky as he was more than three decades ago. Maverick must deal with his former rival, Admiral Tom “Iceman” Kazansky (Val Kilmer) and the son of his deceased RIO (Radar Intercept Officer) Goose in the sequel.

“Ghostbusters: Afterlife” has been delayed so many times it almost gave up the cinemat-

called Pandora as part of the Avatar Program. Though he is supposed to spy on the native people, Jake falls in love with a local named Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) and chooses to stay inside his Avatar body. After 13 years together, though, enemies from the past return to Pandora to settle old scores with Jake and his family.

“Avatar 3” already is in the works and more sequels are scheduled.

Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) is an accomplished “Avatar 2” photo courtesy 20th Century Studios assassin and Avenger, but even she is helpless against shifting reic ghost, but it’s currently slated for a June 11, lease schedules. Slated for a May 2021 release, 2021 release. The 2016 reboot of the franchise “Black Widow” gives Romanoff a solo film that with a female-centric cast failed due to poor delves more deeply into her past than she herwriting and direction and had little in com- self has revealed thus far. In the Marvel Cinemon with the previous films. In contrast, “Af- matic Universe (MCU), the action takes place terlife” focuses on a family with ties to one of after the events in “Captain America: Civil the original Ghostbusters. The trailer which War” and shows Romanoff dealing with issues played in theaters shows the iconic “Ectomo- from her past.

The release dates mentioned above are, of bile” and Paul Rudd as a helpful teacher and course, subject to change. It has become more fan of the original Ghostbusters crew.

Further out is “Avatar 2,” the sequel to James common for studios to look to streaming platCameron’s ground-breaking and visually stun- forms and other outlets to reach a wider auning 2009 film. Slated for a December 2022 dience. I am hopeful that as 2021 progresses, release, the story focuses on Jake Sully (Sam movie fans can see at least some of these films Worthington), a human who travels to a planet in an actual theater.

F-2

Feature

ACTIVE BUYER

January 13, 2021 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

HELP WANTED

NOVENA

SINGERS WANTED

PRAYER TO ST. JUDE May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world, now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pray for us. St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, Pray for us. St. Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, Pray for us.

www.dawcstl.com

COLLECTIBLES

Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days, then publish. Your prayers will be answered.

It has never been known to fail.

Thank you, St. Jude. R.H.

SERVICES

Call Brooke at

PET CEMETERY

over 4,000 pet burials; over 6 acres; over 60 yrs old. 314-576-3030 www.memoryparkpetcemetery.info www.memoryparkpetcemetery.info

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Feature

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F-3

F-4

Feature

January 13, 2021 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Yeggs

John Hanna

CROSSWORD: FAMOUS DUOS

‘Yeggs’ is a comic series about Robert and Bill, two rabbits who have opened their own egg franchise in the Midwest (St. Louis area). We follow their day to day lives, watching as they go about the hectic task of preparing for their one big day every year. Along the way they have adventures filled with fun, comic doings and pathos.

By Cindy Moore

Moore On Life It’s a new year.

The decorations have been packed away and the Christmas tree has been kicked to the curb, much like 2020. Good riddance! It’s been a chaotic whirlwind…much like our living room on Christmas day.

We joined together with family and grandkids and in no time the front room looked like the Grinch had regurgitated. The tissue and bags and ribbon and tags were piled high enough for a massive bonfire. The new Lego sets had been torn apart and their tiny pieces were lying in wait like fiendish landmines underneath the scattered wrapping paper. Many bah humbugs were shouted when bare feet discovered them.

The boring presents: socks and underwear were tossed upon the limbs of the tree and the cookies were smashed into the carpet.

At least the animals were happy little elves. The dog was gnawing on grandma’s fruitcake along with the unsupervised toys. The cat tangled itself up in ribbons or batted decorations off from the tree then jumped inside each empty box to see which size fit best.

Boredom struck hard at around noon. The gifts that required batteries lay dormant. Dad picked up the wrong size. The kids were not happy that they would have to wait until the next day to exchange them.

We woke up too early and were feeling the effects of not enough sleep combined with too many sweets. And now there was nothing to do. A lull had come over the party. We needed some kind

of diversion or we’d fall into a deep unresponsive sugar coma.

“Clean up time!”

I yelled.

The kids groaned in agony. They slowly started to gather items up when one of them tried to retrieve some paper from behind the couch.

The couch was moved; the wrapping picked up. When what to our wondering eyes should appear, but a French fry covered in mold and at least eight months old.

The kids were aghast; their mother embarrassed; the dog leapt towards the putrefied snack. The cat yawned and continued napping on my new robe.

The finder of the fry picked it up and tossed it at the youngest. The youngest screeched then grabbed it and chased the middle child around the house with the others in hot pursuit. The giggling and laughing and screaming went on for the next hour. *Note to self: Skip the Legos. Buy a bag of fries in April. Wrap and save till December.

The gift that kept giving

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.

ACROSS 1. *Timothy Q. Mouse’s friend, in Disney classic 6. River in Germany 9. Bridle parts 13. Whatsoever 14. Like tuna tartare 15. Forearm bones 16. Plural of #3 Down 17. Hardware store 18. “Gladiator” setting 19. *Ferb Fletcher’s stepbrother 21. *Mr. White’s unfortunate student 23. Welcome spot for weary traveler 24. It shall, for short 25. Cul de ____ 28. Young herring 30. Dieter’s cuisine, for short 35. Gator’s cousin 37. French “place” 39. Chunk of iceberg 40. St. Louis monument 41. Like new TV set 43. Front of ship 44. Singular of loci 46. Additional 47. Reality TV’s Spelling 48. *Assistant to regional manager Michael Scott 50. Missing a limb 52. More, in Madrid

53. Like acne-prone skin 55. Pimple fluid 57. *Shirley’s roommate and fellow bottle-capper 61. *Rory Gilmore’s mom 65. Make an effort 66. Legal org.

68. Long stories 69. Scottish valleys 70. Doctor Dolittle, e.g.

71. *One of The Carpenters duo 72. Bone-dry 73. Opposite of WSW 74. Red or orange announcement DOWN 1. Slightly wet 2. *Malone and Stockton of the ____ Jazz 3. Skirt length 4. Shrovetide dish 5. *Mary-Kate and Ashley 6. Geologists’ studies 7. *____ and cheese 8. Moved under the rug 9. “All ____, no bite” 10. Footnote word 11. *Amy Poehler’s comedic partner 12. Welsh alternative to Siobhán 15. Was almost out of gas, e.g.

20. Source of indigo dye, pl.

22. “____ Be Home For Christmas” 24. In the best possible way 25. Coffee burn, e.g.

26. *Bow and ____ 27. Spherical bacteria 29. *Corona’s main squeeze?

31. What willow did 32. Read-only chip 33. Greek bazaar 34. *Clark’s fellow traveler 36. College party chant 38. Celestial bear 42. Dancer’s beat 45. Daisy dukes, e.g.

49. “Wizard of Oz” man 51. Archimedes’ exclamation 54. Furlough 56. Flower part 57. Frog delicacy 58. Wheel shaft 59. Swerve 60. European sea eagle 61. *David and Paul on the “____ Show” 62. Italian currency, pl.

63. Maple genus 64. Negative contraction 67. *Jerry’s fellow treatmaker SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9