CN: February 1, 2017

February 1, 2017

Improving station to station

Around Town City of Hazelwood appoints new fire chief to take the helm. P.3 Check out the Best of North County Ballot and vote for your favorite North County area business. P.7

Community Voices

By Dr. Joseph S. Davis. P.2

Business

This artistic rendering shows what the Forest Park/Debaliviere MetroLink station would look like after proposed changes are made.

Submitted images

Boeing employees partner with Junior Achievement to help Hazelwood students plan for the future. P.9

Learn & Play

Citizens for Modern Transit and AARP partner to spruce up MetoLink stations throughout the region

By Nicholas Elmes Have you ever been in a MetroLink station that seemed dark, deserted or somewhat barren and wondered what that space could be with the right investment and planning?

That is a question that the Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) and AARP of St. Louis are partnering together to try and answer and solve.

“We are looking to transform stations from stations that are really just pass-throughs for passengers,” said CMT Executive Director Kim Cella. “Some stations, there is literally nothing around the station. We have many stations like that in St. Louis. We would like to transform our transit stations into active, engaging corridors that connect the individuals to the neighborhoods by offering access to products or services or green spaces or entertainment right there in the area around the station.”

So CMT and AARP of St. Louis teamed up to find out what passengers, residents and business owners would like to see happen in the existing stations.

“Last fall we partnered on what we call ‘placemaking’ audits of three stations (North Hanley, Forrest Park, and Delmar),” said Cella. “We did some on-the-ground research to look at the implications of making changes at these stations. Once we did that we compiled

Eat your way to better health.

P.11

Movie

Gibson, Garfield go for Oscar gold with ‘Hacksaw Ridge’.

P.16

Weather

This is what the current Forest Park/Debaliviere MetroLink station looks like.

a report that included some survey data and gave a presentation the community on the ideas we had gathered.

The full report, which can be found at, http://cmt-stl.org/placemaking-at-transitcan-be-as-simple-as-turning-the-lights-on, included both short-term and long-term recommendations.

Short-term recommendations included improved maintenance and addressing signs of neglect, improving landscaping maintenance at stations, installing art to enhance areas, installing elements like seating, inter-

active ‘games,’ or wayfinding, art and turning on lights at the stations to improve visibility and safety.

Cella said the two organizations have already achieved some of those short-term goals thanks to a variety of community partners.

In early January, lights were turned on at the historic Wabash Station and overgrown vegetation has already been removed from around the Delmar station.

See ‘STATION TO STATION’ page 2

Serving North & Northwest St. Louis County | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 96 No. 4 | 636-379-1775

FRIDAY Partly Sunny 36/22 SATURDAY Chance of Rain/ Snow 38/27 SUNDAY Chance of Rain/ Snow 40/27 FirstWarn Weather

prepared by meteorologist Nick Palisch. For the latest updates visit www.facebook.com/nickswx.

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Around Town

February 1, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

COMMUNITY VOICES The civil rights issue of the day

By Dr. Joseph S. Davis When you consider civil rights what issues come to mind? If I gave you a few moments to answer, I’m certain you could make a fairly extensive list, but if you’re reading this article there may be one right that you take for granted. What is that you ask? I believe that reading is the civil rights issue of the day. For families struggling to provide the basic necessities for their children, reading may not even be on their radar. For children of parents who are not readers the struggle is greater still. I am convinced that the only road out of poverty is to become a strong reader. Becoming a strong reader creates opportunities like nothing else.

When you hear cities like Berkeley, California, Cambridge, Massachusetts, or Chapel Hill, North Carolina, you probably associate those places with academics and scholarly communities. I want Ferguson and the communities the Ferguson-Florissant School District serves to have that same reputation.

I want our community to be known as a place where reading is important and everyone reads well. I

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want all of our high school graduates to be reading at a level that assures they will experience success in a college or university. They may not choose to attend college, but they will be prepared for success in whatever they choose.

It is not rocket science to get our students to that level, but it will take hard work. We have great teachers who are working to ensure that all of our students are reading on grade level or above by the end of third grade, but we cannot do this alone. We need our community to come together and commit to creating an environment where reading is valued.

We need our community to come together and support students as they develop as readers.

We have been blessed by volunteers who supplement the efforts of our amazing teachers by committing to read regularly with our students. And, we need to keep reading in the conversation on a regular basis. A positive message about reading should be everywhere our students go in the community.

Students need to encounter adults who value read-

ing – role models who demonstrate a love of reading. How can you promote the positive message about reading?

Dr. Joseph S. Davis began serving the Ferguson-Florissant School District as Superintendent on July 1, 2015. Prior to that he served as Superintendent of Washington County schools in North Carolina and Deputy Chief of Schools for Chicago Public Schools. Dr. Davis has over 24 years of experience in education starting as a bus driver before teaching middle and high school mathematics and serving as Assistant Principal and Principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Dr. Davis and his family live in Ferguson and also serves as an adjunct professor at Washington University in St. Louis.

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.

‘STATION TO STATION’ from cover “Something as simple as turning on the lights goes a long way to building community support to further activate these station areas and create places,” said Cella, noting that those achievements are just the beginning of improvements that riders can expect to see in future. “We are working on getting an active plan in place right now for more improvements. In the interim, we are working on all of the short-term action items with other stakeholders and through our partners to continue to create buzz around these ideas.”

One of those action items is to hold a pop-up event at the Forest Park station on May 4 to show stakeholders, riders and the general public what is possible.

“On that day we are going to create a pop-up placemaking event where you will have dining, you will have retail, you will have entertainment and you will have physical activities all occurring at that station as a way for community members and the general public to see Submitted images that these opportunities do exist This is a current photo and artistic rendering of what the Delmar MetroLink station would look like after proposed changes are made. with a little bit of investment.”

Long-term action items include development or redevelopment of areas around the stations, adding parking lots at some stations, creating “kiss and ride” areas, adding restrooms, developing a bike share facility at the Forrest Park station, developing programming at the sta- Millennials want. This is a region that is trying to maintain and tions in conjunction with surrounding stakeholders and cultural grow its Millennial population so if we can achieve some of these institutions and improving the pedestrian infrastructure around goals then we will hit a market that is much larger than just one the stations. segment of the population.”

Cella said that all of those changes would require funding, but Cella said that if people want to get involved they can find more noted that they are working on a variety of grant applications, ask- information on the CMT website, or they can contact the organiing local corporations to contribute and developing investments zation directly at 314-231-7272. from additional stakeholders.

“We are a regional advocacy organization with a large member“Funding does not materialize overnight,” she said, noting that ship base,” she said. “There are opportunities for people to get inthe partnership with AARP expanded their outreach efforts and volved. This is a project we will be working on for a long time, but helped to focus improvements on issues which could be a benefit we are hitting the ground running. We have 37 stations in the St. for multiple generations. “All of the research says that everything Louis region and we have a huge opportunity to utilize those stathat Baby Boomers want in a community is the same things that tions to improve livability.”

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • February 1, 2017

City of Florissant Parks and Recreation hosts hockey tournament at ice facility The city of Florissant hosted a large youth hockey tournament over the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. Aside from some adverse weather conditions, the tournament was a huge success and all of the participants enjoyed themselves. The Big Bear “Arctic Blast” event was held at five different ice rink facilities around the St. Louis area.

There were a total of 77 teams from eight different states including Missouri, Illinois, Georgia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Florida, Wisconsin and Indiana.

This type of event creates a significant economic impact on the city of Florissant, as well as showing the community in a positive light, for which

Around Town Check out our

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Photo courtesy city of Florissant

the parks and recreation department looks forward to host more similar events in the future.

City of Hazelwood appoints new fire chief to take the helm

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The city of Hazelwood has appointed David R. Herman as the new Fire Chief for the Hazelwood Fire Department.

The city of Hazelwood has appointed David R. Herman as the new Fire Chief for the Hazelwood Fire Department. He is replacing Hazelwood’s outgoing Fire Chief Dave Radel who recently announced his retirement and chose Jan. 31 as his last day. Herman will be taking the helm of a department with 31 full-time firefighter/paramedics and a budget of more than $4.6 million dollars.

Herman’s 37-year career in the fire and EMS profession began in December 1979. He started with Glendale Fire Department for approximately four years and then moved his way up to West County EMS and Fire for 20 years. In addition, he’s been a firefighter/paramedic with the Maryland Heights Fire District for 13 years.

His inspiration to become a firefighter/paramedic came from a family tradition of public service.

“I was inspired by my father and great uncle who both served as firefighters. After growing up in a family that honored and respected the fire/ EMS service, it just seemed like the natural thing to do. I’ve never considered doing anything else,” Herman said.

Herman’s impressive credentials include a B.A. degree in applied behavioral science/human resource management with 53 credits earned towards an associate’s degree in fire service at St. Louis Community College, including the completion of all fire courses. He became a haz-mat technician in 1993 and is a past member of the St. Louis County Haz-Mat Team. In addition, Herman is a certified instructor/trainer for PHTLS, EMT, ACLS, PALS, CPR and EOA/PCPD. He

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Photo courtesy city of Hazelwood

also acquired advanced high-angle and confinedspace rescue training through the St. Louis Fire Academy.

“You could say that I’ve worked my way up from the bottom. I was a battalion chief, EMS chief and assistant chief with the West County EMS and Fire Protection District. And, I later served as the Fire Chief for the Maryland Heights Fire Protection District,” he added.

He has been impressed with the skills and professionalism of Hazelwood’s firefighter/paramedics. According to Herman, “I have found that not only are Hazelwood’s firefighter/paramedics highly skilled in what they do, but they are a very tight knit family and supportive of each other and their community. I also feel the City of Hazelwood, as a whole, is a very warm and inviting place to be.”

Herman looks forward to his new role as Hazelwood’s Fire Chief. “I plan to begin by meeting with the staff crews with the purpose of developing long and short-term goals and objectives as a team. Finding our strengths and weaknesses would afford us the foundation from which we can make any changes or improvements, if necessary. Of course, safety and efficiency are paramount, and will always be considered in any decision regarding our goals and objectives,” he said.

Herman has been married to his wife, Ronnie, for 26 years and they currently live in Manchester. His family includes six children ranging in age from 18 to 37 with six grandchildren. Several of his grown kids have followed in his footsteps by starting a career in the fire/EMS/medical service.

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February 1, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

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Long-time Florissant Civic Center Theater Manager to be honored with Missouri Arts Award Gary R. Gaydos, who retired in 2016 after 38 years as manager of the Florissant Civic Center Theater at the James J. Eagan Community Center, has been named one of six honorees for the 2017 Missouri Arts Awards. The awards will be presented on Feb. 8 in the Capitol Rotunda in Jefferson City.

Gaydos will be presented with the Leadership in the Arts award. The Missouri Arts Council, which has honored the state’s “arts heroes” and the people who make art happen since 1983, will give awards in six categories at the Feb. 8 event.

For more information, visit www.missouriartscouncil.org.

The council will recognize Gaydos for his “four decades as a leader in both his profession and his volunteer activities,” saying that “Gary R. Gaydos has enriched the lives of countless people in his home town of Florissant, North St. Louis County, the St. Louis region and beyond.”

During his career, Gaydos was the driving force in arts programming for the Florissant Civic Center Theatre as well as its long-range planning and day-to-day operations. In 2016, more than 120,000 people attended performances at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre by Alpha Players and Hawthorne Players community theater organizations as well as other theater companies, concert bands, dance studios and schools as well as national touring groups.

Nationally known performers often brought their acts to Florissant, such as actor Edward Asner of Mary Tyler Moore Show fame, who staged his one-man show about former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt at the Florissant Civic

Center Theatre a few years ago.

“We are proud of the many accomplishments made by Gary in his tireless service to Florissant and the arts community, not only in our city but also for the entire St. Louis area and the state of Missouri,” said Florissant Mayor Thomas P. Schneider. “In his honor our theater was recently re-named the Gary R. Gaydos Civic Center Theatre in Florissant. We are deeply appreciative of his decades of service to the residents and families in our community and beyond.”

Gaydos also was a board advisor for more than 30 years to the Florissant Fine Arts Council, and for 28 years directed the Junior League’s St. Louis Family Series for area schools. He was the leader of the Children’s Celebration of Performing Arts at the city of Florissant’s annual Valley of Flowers Festival, which annually is the St. Louis area’s first major festival.

He served four terms on the board of the Missouri Association of Community Arts Agencies, including three years as its president. Gaydos also has been a long-time volunteer for the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Touhill Performing Arts Center of the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Webster University and the Missouri Arts Council.

“Gary is a visionary,” said Larry Marsh, president of the Hawthorne Players and director of the Northwinds Concert Band as well as a retired, long-time teacher at McCluer North High School in Florissant. “He has sought to bring the very best to his beloved city, seeing the need to embrace and encourage both diversity and excellence.”

Weather from Nick’s Window

by Nick Palisch

Morning java can predict your weather

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In the morning when you pour your first cup of coffee you may or may not pay attention to the formation of the bubbles on the surface of your freshly brewed, hot and black coffee. You will start today observing the bubbles of your cup of java.

Your cup of coffee serves as a natural barometer that tells all about the pressure of the atmosphere. The pressure essentially tells us what conditions will prevail over the next several hours.

So grab your cup of coffee and before you fill it with sugar, creamer or shots of expresso and watch the bubbles. Where do they go? Did they move slowly or quickly to the side of the cup or move to the center?

Each of these movements of the bubbles can tell you what the weather will be within the next 12 hours.

Looking at your cup of coffee if you see the bubbles moving quickly to the edge of the cup – you can expect high pressure which brings sunshine. If those bubbles want to hang around in the center of the cup – weather is changing and rain storms, or even snow is on the way (low pressure is on the way). Slower moving bubbles that are heading toward the edge of the cup is a sign that your current weather is changing – it could be storming or cloudy now, but change is on the way.

So why does this happen? Here is a bit of physics.

Bubbles are filled with air and are light.

Since they are light they will mitigate towards the highest point on the surface of

the coffee. When low pressure (precipitation is often part of low pressure systems) is near the surface of the coffee would experience a slight upwards pull. This creates the pull to the center for the bubbles.

When we have a high pressure system over us the weather is typically sunny and dry. Looking at your coffee cup, the highest points would be the edge of the cup and so the bubbles would mitigate to the highest point.

Of course this is science and thus never 100 percent accurate, but fun nonetheless. Next time you pour your hot cup of morning brew take a gander and see what the bubbles do, then watch the weather outside your window over the next 12 hours and see what happens.

If you don’t drink coffee don’t worry, you can also use hot tea or hot chocolate to test the barometric pressure.

Until next time, enjoy the weather outside your window.

Nick Palisch is a meteorologist and Missouri native who understands the weather here in our area. He currently resides in Lake Saint Louis and can be reached at nick-wx@ sbcglobal.net and you can always get the most up-to-date forecast from the FirstWarn Weather page at www.facebook.com/nickswx 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 • February 1, 2017

Moore On Life

By Cindy Moore

Moving the goal line Well it’s come and gone. Yes, New Year’s, and double yes – my resolutions. Let’s be clear on something. Instead of labeling them resolutions, they should be called by a more accurate term – big fat lies. In this way there is no confusion and we succeed with our goals! My original pledges disappeared faster than the pound of bacon I devoured after resolving to only eat kale crackers for the remainder of 2017.

So instead of facing more failure this year, I resolve to succeed by lying like a boneless chicken on the kitchen counter. I will do it in a big fat way, which will coincidentally be the appearance of my thighs after devouring all that bacon.

For ethical purposes I will not identify it as “lying,” but rather “truth manipulation.” After all, I’ve been paying close attention to politics lo these past months.

Thus I intend to: Drink healthier. In a somewhat loud and obnoxious voice I will request a diet drink at the food court then fill up with regular Dr. Sugarblast soda at the self-serve fountain.

Surround myself with better people. I better surround myself with old, fleshy, corpulent-type people so I can instantly appear younger and skinnier.

Think more positively. I think I’ll order the

stack of butter-fluff, chocolate chip pancakes instead of the egg white and parsley plate, and I positively want a chocolate milkshake instead of an avocado smoothie.

Go after my dreams. This sounds like an invitation for more sleep. So to pursue my dreams, I resolve to sleep in, take frequent naps in between, go to bed earlier and squeeze in supplemental snoozes as needed.

Get in better shape. I will go from a circle to a figure eight, which is a much better shape. To achieve this I will get a belt three sizes smaller than my waist. Oh sure, I may pass out, but then there’s another opportunity to dream. Win win!

Yes, 2017 is shaping up to be quite successful in terms of achievement. And to celebrate, I believe I’ll have another tasty bowl of kale crackers. I can hear them sizzling in the pan right now!

Around Town

Call for artists/venues in St. Louis area to get involved with Celebrating Art for Senior Engagement festival Be involved in the largest art project for seniors across St. Louis. Celebrating Art for Senior Engagement festival is planning to bring art to every nook and cranny of St. Louis April 20-30. Presented by Maturity and Its Muse, the local nonprofit that’s dedicated to improving the life of seniors through the arts, Celebrating Art for Senior Engagement, or CASEfest, is working with dozens of venues and artists across the St. Louis region to bring events and shows highlighting the power and importance that art has in improving the aging experience. If you’re an artist or have a venue and want to learn more, contact Lynn at Maturity and Its Muse at lynn@maturityanditsmuse.org.

In the spring of 2016, more than 60 venues and 80 art programs spread throughout the region took place. Dozens of venues have already teamed up to take part in 2017.

“The great thing is, there’s no cost to the venue or artists to take part in the event,” said Maturity and Its Muse Founder Lynn Friedman Hamilton. “We believe art should be accessible to everyone and want to bring it to as many people, especially seniors, as we can. The more venues and artists we have participating will only serve to highlight all the wonderful creativity we have in St. Louis.”

Hamilton continued, “Art is universal and imperative to keeping a vibrant lifestyle, especially as we age.”

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.

Local Author Spotlight: Jean Walters Jean Walters is an internationally-known teacher, transformational coach and Akashic Record reader (psychic) who designs and presents classes and workshops in empowerment, meditation, building communication skills, universal laws, dreams interpretation, strengthening intuition, and creating spiritual connection for many organizations including colleges, universities, spiritual groups and businesses.

She writes for numerous major newspapers and publications and hosts a nationally syndicated radio show called “Positive Moments.” She is a favorite featured guest on other radio and television programs. Her books include “Be Outrageous: Do the Impossible, Set Yourself Free: Live the life YOU were meant to Live” and “Dreams and the Symbology of Life.” Jean lives in St. Louis.

“Be Outrageous: Do the Impossible” is a book about believing in yourself. It contains instructions and exercises all geared toward helping you find and listen to your inner voice of truth and passion that will guide you to a life of magnificence. Everyone has a voice like this; it’s time to discover or turn up the volume on yours. “Be Outrageous” contains numerous stories of real-life people who have conquered their fears and followed their dreams.

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Around Town

February 1, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

North County Incorporated seeking nominations to honor community leaders making a difference

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As part of the organization’s 40th Annual Leadership Breakfast celebration, North County Incorporated (NCI) will recognize area leaders for making a significant positive impact in North St. Louis County. The event will be held on May 19 from 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. at the Marriott St. Louis Airport at 10700 Pear Tree Lane in St. Louis County.

More than 600 business, civic and community leaders will gather to honor this year’s award recipients.

North County Inc. is seeking nominations for the 2017 awards in four categories. The nomination form can be found at NorthStLouisCounty. com. Nominations can be submitted through the website, emailed to nci@northcountyinc.com, or mailed directly to the office. The nomination deadline is March 24.

Awards will be presented in four categories: Business Development: An individual, organization, or business whose efforts positively impacted the economic development and business climate of the North St. Louis County area.

Community Development: An individual, organization, or business whose efforts positively benefited youth, residents, civic organizations, or others through selfless acts. Their contribution needs to be beyond the individual’s employment responsibilities, or a business/organization’s mission and scope of work.

Public Service Award: An outstanding individual elected, appointed, or employed by a public body whose long time service has had a positive impact on the community and/or public body they serve.

Elmer Belsha Leadership Award: An individual whose long-term commitment to North County Incorporated and the North St. Louis County area has had a positive impact.

The individual nominated must reside, own, or work for a business, organization, or institution located within the North St. Louis County region.

Entries must be at least 18 years of age, and nominations must be submitted no later than March 24.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

State auditor begins audit of Kinloch Fire Protection District Board in St. Louis County

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Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway has directed her staff to begin an immediate review of the Kinloch Fire Protection District, located in St. Louis County. The audit was initiated after the district failed to comply with a state law that sets requirements for when fire protection districts must obtain an audit.

“I applaud the brave men and women of the allvolunteer Kinloch Fire Protection District who risk their lives to protect their neighbors,” Galloway said. “We owe it to them and to the people of the city of Kinloch to ensure public dollars flowing into district accounts are spent fairly, appropriately and in accordance with the law.”

The Kinloch Fire Protection District is made up of about 30 volunteer fire firefighters. The city is located in St. Louis County just east of Lambert Airport and the NorthPark development project, which includes office and commercial retail space.

Financial records show the fire district received $22,000 in property tax revenue in 2014.

The following year, the district began offering

fee-based new building inspections to developers at the NorthPark development site. As a result, the district’s annual revenue grew 650 percent to $165,000. State law requires fire protection districts with annual revenue above $50,000 in certain counties to obtain an audit.

“Any public body that uses public dollars must also meet basic standards of transparency and openness so citizens can see how their money is being spent,” Auditor Galloway said.

The city of Kinloch covers less than one square mile and has a population of about 300 people.

In 2013 the previous fire chief pleaded guilty to felony theft charges for stealing $140,000 in district funds.

Individuals who would like to provide information for consideration during the course of the audit may contact the State Auditor’s Whistleblower Hotline at 800-347-8597. You can also submit your concerns anonymously online at auditor.mo.gov/hotline or by emailing moaudit@ auditor.mo.gov.

The Breakfast Club Inc. receives $35,000 grant for breast cancer screening and awareness program The Avon Breast Health Outreach Program has awarded a $35,000 one-year grant to The Breakfast Club Inc. to increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of early detection of breast cancer and mammography screening among underserved women in the St. Louis Community. It is the ninth year that the program has received funding from the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade to support its work on this important health issue and in recognition of the program’s excellence.

The breast health program, EARS (Education, Awareness, Resources and Support) at The Breakfast Club Inc. will educate St. Louis area women and refer them to low-cost or free mammograms and clinical breast exams in their own communities. This vital program will also provide health navigation and support to those women in the community with abnormal screening results.

This service is very important to the St. Louis community since many women still neglect to get regular mammography screening and present with late stage breast cancer when diagnosed.

Since January 2009 the EARS Program at The Breakfast Club Inc. has reached more 16,000 women with information about the importance of early detection of breast cancer and has re-

ferred almost 3,700 women for mammograms and clinical breast exams.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, 4610 new cases of breast cancer will be detected in Missouri this year and 910 lives will be lost. While advances have been made in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure, early detection still affords the best opportunity for successful treatment. Programs such as the EARS Program help ensure that all women have access to early detection information and options, even poor and medically underserved women.

“We are proud that the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade shares our mission and has chosen to support our program. With these funds we will be able to provide breast health education to over 2,000 women and mammography screening to over 350 underserved, low-income, uninsured and underinsured women at their local churches and other community venues. These funds allow us to overcome the barriers of distance, lack of transportation and lack of familiarity with the large screening centers” said Sherrill Jackson, President of The Breakfast Club Inc.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • February 1, 2017

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School

February 1, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Hazelwood elementary teachers encourage girls to excel in STEM Girls Excelling in Math and Science (GEMS) is an after school club for fourth and fifth grade girls at Twillman Elementary, in Hazelwood School District.

The goal of GEMS is to expose elementary girls to the STEM fields through, science, engineering, and mathematics experiments each week.

“The experiments are designed to challenge the girls, and they learn to persist through those challenges,” said Erica Larsen, fourth grade teacher at Twillman. “We encourage our girls to try, fail, and then try again.”

GEMS use fun, delightful, household items to conduct experiments. In one experiment the girls built structures with tooth picks, held together with marshmallows in a jelly-mold foundation. Then, they simulated an earthquake by shaking the mold, to measure the structures ability to withstand an earthquake.

Teachers who work with GEMS are also incorporating literature into engineering activities. At a recent club meeting, GEMS read “The Snow Day,” by children’s author Ezra Jack Keats.

“We thought it would be a great idea to solve some of the problems of the central character in the book,

Photo courtesy Hazelwood School District Students in the Girls Excelling in Math and Science (GEMS) at Twillman Elementary, in Hazelwood School District. GEMS in an after school program designed to expose elementary school girls to the STEM field through weekly experiments.

such as sinking in the snow, wet socks and melting snowballs,” explained Larsen. “So we had the girls design a pair of boots that wouldn’t sink in the snow, and investigate ways to keep snowballs from melting.”

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As a community service, the GEMS have adopted a bus stop that they are responsible for keeping clean.

They are also working on creating a garden this spring where they will grow flowers and vegetables.

Hazelwood School District’s STEM Extravaganza attracts more than 700 attendees

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Photo courtesy Hazelwood School District The Hazelwood School District STEM Extravaganza showcased a variety of educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The extravaganza was held on Jan. 21 at Hazelwood Central High School.

www.bridgeatflorissant.com

More than 700 students, staff, families and members of the Hazelwood School District community spent a Saturday in January talking to university representatives and community partners, building items on 3D printers, trying their hand at flight simulators and learning about robotics.

These were just a few of the activities and opportunities available at the STEM Extravaganza.

This event showcased a variety of educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The extravaganza was held on Jan. 21 at Hazelwood Central High School.

“The STEM Extravaganza provided an opportunity for community members to learn more about the STEM opportunities offered by the district and how these opportunities position our students for careers in these advanced fields,” said Matt McClellan, Hazelwood School District curriculum coordinator for special areas. “Businesses are in need of candidates with strong skills in the STEM areas. The extravaganza was an excellent opportunity for our students and families to speak with representatives and learn what it takes to be successful in these areas.”

During the STEM Extravaganza, attendees par-

ticipated in demonstrations, hands-on activities, and robotics. Multiple exhibitors, universities, speakers, and community partners were in attendance. Exhibitors included: St. Louis Zoo, Boeing, Washington University, University of MissouriKansas City, St. Louis Science Center, St. Louis University, Project Lead the Way, HSD Math and Science classes, the University of Missouri-St. Louis and more.

“As a school district we are always striving to increase student achievement and to strengthen relationships with our HSD families and the community,” said Dr. Nettie Collins-Hart, HSD superintendent. “As we continue to build coalition and capacity in our schools, STEM Extravaganza provided a wonderful platform for our students and staff to reach out to organizations, businesses and other stakeholders in our community to ensure our community continues to move forward. On behalf of our students and entire school district, we are grateful for all who participated.”

The STEM Extravaganza exemplifies two of the district’s goals; increasing student achievement and increasing parent and community engagement.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • February 1, 2017

Bridgetown Trucking moves to Union Seventy Center Business Park

Bridgetown Trucking, a logistics company headquartered in Portland, Oregon, recently moved its St. Louis warehouse to 3901 Union Blvd. in the Union Seventy Center Business Park. The 22,000-squarefoot leased space will serve as a warehouse and dispatch center for the company, which is moving from its 4,000-square-foot location at 620 Spirit of St. Louis Blvd. in Chesterfield.

Founded in 1999, Bridgetown Trucking focuses on air freight, flat bed and full truck loads, warehouse storage with pick and pack services, and order fulfillment. Their trucks cover more than 4,000 miles per day, and the company more than 100 employees with 12 located in St. Louis. According to Bridgetown Trucking president Dave Chalmers, the company wanted a warehouse closer to downtown and the airport to facilitate easier distribution. He added that, with the move and expanded facility, Bridgetown Trucking will be hiring more drivers.

The Union Seventy Center Business Park totals approximately 161 acres, and the main plant building has approximately 2.70 million square feet of finished space. The business park is located between downtown St. Louis and Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

Photo courtesy Hazelwood School District Members of the Boeing Leadership and Talent team coach Hazelwood North Middle School students on the importance of building a personal brand for future success.

The Junior Achievement (JA) program, “It’s My Future,” is a career and life planning program, geared toward middle school students.

Members of the Boeing Company Talent and Leadership Team partnered with Junior Achievement to offer seventh grade students at Hazelwood North Middle School suggestions about the best courses of action to achieving career and life goals.

“We engage volunteers from the community to present our programs to students, because we see them as role models,” said Katie Pagano, program manager at Junior Achievement. “Volunteers, such as those from the leadership team at the Boeing Company, help our students make the connections between what they are learning in school and how it will work for them in the outside world.

During sessions, students learned how to develop a personal brand, how to navigate career clus-

ters and what paths to take to achieve career goals.

“What I like about the program is that it is preparing me to think about owning my own business someday,” said Jada, A seventh-grader at North Middle.

The JA ‘It’s My Future’ program offers practical information about preparing for the working world.

“The fact that the information was presented by professionals gave the students an opportunity to find out more about an area that they may not have initially had any direct contact,” said Nicole Burnett, guidance counselor at North Middle.

The JA ‘It’s My Future’ program gives students the opportunity to explore potential careers, discover factors to consider in choosing a career, and recognize basic job-hunting tools.

Edward Jones and its associates contribute more than $976,000 to Arts and Education Council in 2016 In 2016, financial-services Edward Jones and its associates contributed more than $976,000 to the Arts and Education Council’s annual campaign, which benefits nearly 70 grantee organizations with financial support, professional development opportunities and incubation services through A&E’s Centene Center for the Arts.

Campaign partner chair Mike Fross and associate co-chairs Mary Pat Thompson and Irasa Downing led the home office campaign, which kicked off in May and raised more than $609,000 from 2,700 associates and partners. More than 200 associates volunteered on Edward Jones’s A&E Campaign Committee to create fun and engaging ways for associates to learn about A&E, its grantees and to contribute to the arts in the St. Louis community.

“The United States is by far the most charitable country in the world,” said Cynthia A. Prost, A&E President and CEO. “Contributions to charity comprise nearly two percent of America’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and total over $316 billion.

“There are few other private partnerships that embody America’s exceptional generosity better than Edward Jones,” Prost continues.

“The firm’s associates and partners not only generously contribute financial resources to the arts, but they also contribute their most precious asset of time to ensure that arts and culture remain critical assets to our region’s vitality and livability.”

In recognition of its strong commitment to creating a more vibrant community in St. Louis, Edward Jones matched its associates’ contributions with a corporate gift of $325,000, increasing the financial firm’s total commitment to A&E to more than $976,000.

Edward Jones has supported the Arts and Education Council for 38 years, during which time the firm and its associates have provided A&E with outstanding leadership and invested more than $9 million in arts and arts education throughout the 16-county, bi-state region.

“A foundation of our Edward Jones culture is giving back to our local communities because we believe everyone benefits when we create better places to live,” Managing Partner Jim Weddle says. “I’m proud that nearly three-quarters of our associates participated in our record-setting campaign to support the arts.”

9

Boeing employees partner with Junior Achievement to help Hazelwood students plan for the future

Submitted photo Bridgetown Trucking, a logistics company headquartered in Portland, Oregon, recently moved its St. Louis warehouse to 3901 Union Blvd. in the Union Seventy Center Business Park.

Business

www.cedarhurstliving.com

10

Sports

February 1, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Sports you see with Gary B...

I will be broadcasting the “STL Health and Wellness LIVE” show every Saturday from 9-11 am on 590 The Fan and 590TheFan.com

Top score of season by women gymnasts at Lindenwood The Lindenwood gymnastics team had a season-best score on Saturday afternoon in Hyland Arena, and the Lady Lions earned two victories over Wisconsin-La Crosse and Winona State.

Lindenwood finished with the team’s highest score of the season. The Lady Lions also had their best team scores of 2017 on the bars and floor.

The Lady Lions swept all the individual titles in the four events. Katey Oswalt won two titles on the vault and on the floor. Katie Bailey won on the bars and Andavea Alexander and Breanna Franklin tied for first on the beam.

Aubree Horn was runner-up in both the vault and bars. Ryan Henry matched Horn’s mark on the bars and on the floor, Alexander placed second overall.

Lindenwood moves to 4-4 on the season with the two victories.

For more information, go to www.LindenwoodLions.com * Thanks to Andrew P. Morris of Lindenwood Sports Information for the information Run for the Helmet in Cottleville The ninth annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade activities start with a 7K (4.3 miles) competitive run with a two mile Fun Run following it up.

Run Director Tom Smoot suggests to register early for discounts and you can register online.

Go to www.StPatParade.org for all the details. * Start stretching

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UMSL swimmers close out season on a high note Freshman Mike Trefler recorded a pair of first place finishes recently as the University of Missouri-St. Louis men’s swimming team ended the regular season in a tri-meet at NCAA DI Saint Louis University.

Trefler won the 100-yard breaststroke and swam the second leg on the winning 200-yard freestyle relay with seniors Mladen Senicar and Fernando Robledo and freshman Gabriel Jimenez.

UMSL returns to the pool February 9-11 for

the GLVC Championships in Crawfordsville, Indiana. * Nice thought in the pool Rascal’s offer Senior Slugger Program for 2017 The River City baseball team is offering fans over 50-years old the opportunity to get into the stadium to watch the “boys of the summer” with a special promotion.

The membership gives you a ticket for each Tuesday home game and a soda or water at that game.

You also get 10 percent off at the Rascal’s team store.

Tell them Gary B sent you.

Go to www.RiverCityRascals.com for all the details. * What a great deal Ambush search for the winning way The St. Louis Ambush play professional soccer with their home games on the turf at the Family Arena in St. Charles.

The season has been pretty rough for head coach Tony Glavin during his first 14 games with only one win.

He will try to change the direction of the team this Friday as the Cedar Rapids Rampage comes to town.

Go to www.STLAmbush.com for more details. * Get the crowd into it Frontier League looking for baseball players The River City Rascals play professional baseball in the independent Frontier League in O’Fallon at CarShield Field.

The annual Frontier League tryout camp and draft will be held on April 24 and April 25 at GCS Ballpark in Sauget, Illinois, home of the cross-town rivals Gateway Grizzlies.

To get more details go to www.FrontierLeague.com * Start practicing Gary Baute, a St. Louis native, has hosted many radio shows from Health to Sports to Baby Boomer news. He was the EMCEE of the River City Rascals and St. Louis Swarm basketball team inaugural seasons and broadcasting for the indoor football teams over a decade. Has been writing sports since 1999 for the paper.

www.VillaAtRiverwood.com

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • February 1, 2017

SUDOKU: 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.

See solution on page 13

Learn & Play

11

Recipe: Eat your way to better health It seems like every week there is a new product of milk, cheese and yogurt every day by pledging claiming to promise nutrition and improve your Dairy 3 for Me. You may be surprised how easy it health. However, there are some foods you likely is to create a healthier menu all day long. Try these already have on hand that can improve your diet ideas to get started: quality and support clean-eating efforts.

• Make milk your mealtime beverage. White, Skip the total diet overhaul or the latest fad, and chocolate, strawberry; no matter the flavor, all keep it simple by focusing on small but powerful milk provides the same nine nutrients.

• Build a breakfast parfait with your favorite changes to help you clean up your diet. Dairy products have always been cost-effective and yogurt, fruit and whole grain cereal, or mix things nutrient-packed. These three tips can help you up with milk or yogurt by blending a smoothie.

• Sneak in healthier eating by pairing cheese make the most of dairy’s health benefits.

Inspect the ingredient label. With just three with fresh fruit or vegetables. Research shows ingredients, milk is the original clean and clear when cheese is coupled with these foods, it helps food, unlike trendy milk alternatives, which may kids eat more of all of them. contain up to 10 ingredients.

• After a workout, recover with a tall glass of Examine the benefits beyond bone health. chocolate milk, which studies have proven to be It’s widely known that dairy products provide effective in aiding tired muscles.

• Boost nutrition and flavor by adding shredded calcium to build strong bones, but milk, cheese and yogurt actually provide a unique package of cheese to casseroles, soups and pasta dishes, or nine nutrients, including high-quality protein to sprinkle on top of tacos and chili.

To find more delicious recipes to support your support muscle health.

Explore its versatility. Dairy can be easily nutrition goals and to pledge Dairy 3 for Me, visit incorporated into meals and snacks to help make MidwestDairy.com. healthy and clean eating simple.

Getting the recommended three servings of dairy every Raspberry-Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie day is a cinch once you discover Recipe courtesy of Midwest Dairy Association | Prep time: 5 minutes | Servings: 4 the possibilities.

Resolve to get three servings

Crossword Puzzle – Theme: The Grammys ACROSS 1. Bars on guitars 6. Olden-day aerosol can propellant 9. Invitation request 13. Chinese fruit 14. “Say what?”

15. Kind of space 16. *8-time Grammy winner and “Climax” (2012) performer 17. Victorian time, e.g.

18. Mickey Mouse’s pet 19. *2017 Grammy host 21. *Beyoncé’s nominated rap song 23. Listening device 24. British comedy’s Mr. ____ 25. Baryshnikov’s step 28. Red gemstone 30. Good guy 35. Amy Winehouse’s voice, e.g.

37. Same as pleaded 39. Chinese silk plant 40. Film ____ 41. Rode in a tube 43. Insolence 44. Dished out 46. Observer 47. Seed cover 48. Like flotsam 50. Red-encased cheese 52. Chinese “way” 53. *Prince’s 1986 Grammy winner 55. Spanish sea 57. *Justin Bieber’s Grammy nominated album 61. *Best Rap Song nominee (2017) 64. Apathetic 65. Ante up 67. Reflective thinker 69. Ringworm 70. Rub the wrong way 71. Open-mouthed 72. Perching place 73. *1995 Grammy nominee, ____ of Base 74. ____ and rights DOWN 1. Work stopper?

2. Reduced Instruction Set Computer 3. Amazon’s smart speaker 4. Not here 5. India VIP 6. ____ Zhen, played by Bruce Lee and Jet Li 7. Hudson’s Bay Company’s original ware

Ingredients: 1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt 1 cup unsweetened frozen raspberries 1 cup unsweetened frozen strawberries 3/4 cup low-fat milk 1 cup ice (about 12 cubes)

Directions: Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth.

Serve immediately.

Pulled Pork Soft Tacos Recipe courtesy of Midwest Dairy Association | Prep time: 8 hours, 35 minutes | Servings: 6

8. Irritate by rubbing 9. *4-time Grammy nominated Ja ____ 10. Part of house frame 11. U.S. President’s special power 12. “Pretty in Pink” formal 15. “Once upon a time...,” e.g.

20. Do like a volcano 22. Popular pickup 24. Sayonaras 25. *Desiigner’s nominated hit 26. Cool & distant 27. Motionless 29. *”____ Aint Your Color” 31. Hindu serpent deity 32. Like TV with browsing capabilities 33. Locomotive hair 34. *Adele’s multi-nominated hit 36. Dunking treat

38. Ownership document 42. Golden Globes’ category 45. One of Fanning sisters 49. “____ the season ...”

51. Hairy vertebrate 54. Photo tint 56. Moulin ____, Paris 57. Bread pocket 58. Inch, e.g.

59. Late Attorney General Janet 60. A secondary school 61. Type of fish net 62. Sky defender 63. Autumn mo.

66. Parabola, e.g.

68. Hi-____ See answers on page 13

I ngredients: For pork: 2 pounds boneless pork loin roast 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon ground ginger 2 garlic cloves, smashed 1 small white onion, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup orange juice 2 limes, cut in half For tacos: 1/2 cup nonfat sour cream 1 teaspoon cumin 2 scallions, trimmed and chopped 12 soft corn tortillas (6 inches each) 1 1/2 cups shredded reduced-fat Colby Jack 1 bag (8 ounces) shredded red cabbage 3/4 cup fresh salsa

Directions: Trim excess fat off roast. In small bowl, combine brown sugar and ginger; rub generously over roast. Place in slow cooker with garlic, onion and orange juice; cook on low heat 8 hours (or high 4-6 hours.)

Transfer pork to large bowl and shred with forks.

Strain pork liquid from slow cooker and pour over pulled pork to moisten. Squeeze lime juice on top and mix well. Divide into 12 servings.

In small bowl, mix together sour cream, cumin and scallions.

Cover each corn tortilla with 2 tablespoons cheese; microwave 20 seconds. Top with pulled pork, 2 teaspoons sour cream mix, 1 1/2 tablespoons shredded cabbage and 1 tablespoon salsa. Fold and serve immediately.

12

What’s Happening

February 1, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

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

EVENTS Feb. 1: Karaoke

Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information contact 314-831-6121.

Feb. 2: Open house

North County Christian School, located at 845 Dunn Rd. in Florissant, invites you to attend an open house for prospective students and their families at 7 p.m. The open house will provide an opportunity to meet and interact with teachers, administrators and students, as well as tour campus. NCCS is currently enrolling students from preschool age three through 12th grades for the 2017-2018 school year. To enroll or obtain more information about NCCS, please attend the open house or contact Wayne Moss at 314-972-6227 Ext. 105, w.moss@nccsmo.org.

Feb. 3: Steak fry

Steak fry at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information contact 314-831-6121.

Feb. 3-5: Theater performances

The city of Florissant and the St. Louis Family Theatre Series will bring to life on stage “A Year with Frog and Toad” from Casa Manana Theatre,

Texas. Based on the well-loved books, this whimsical musical follows two great friends – the cheerful, popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad – through the year. Performances are in the Gary R. Gaydos Auditorium at the Florissant Civic Center, Parker Road and Waterford Drive, on Friday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4 and Sunday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. Admission is $8 to all. Call 314-921-5678 to make reservations or for more information www. florissantmo.com.

Feb. 4: Trivia night

Boy Scout Troop 884 trivia night takes place at Trinity Church of the Nazarene at 3515 Shackleford Rd. Doors open at 6 p.m., trivia starts promptly at 7 p.m. Cost is $120 a table for eight people or $15 per person. Snacks and drinks provided, no alcohol permitted. Bring extra cash for special games, mulligans, silent auction gift baskets and attendance prizes. Contact Tina Thomas to reserve your table today at 314-740-7607.

Feb. 8: Karaoke

Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information contact 314-831-6121.

Feb. 9: Fundraising event

Saint Louis Crisis Nursery invites you

www.seniorshelpingseniors.com/stlouiscentral

to Eat. Shop. Love. from 5 to 7 p.m. at Plaza Frontenac’s North Court outside of Saks Fifth Avenue. Kicking off the event will be Honorary Chair, Y98’s Sherry Farmer. The event is free and benefits Crisis Nursery mothers.

Guests are invited to donate new or gently used handbags, and guests are asked to fill them with lotions, sanitizers, toiletries, gas cards and other items our mothers may not be able to afford.

New this year, they will be collecting jewelry and accessories… necklaces, bracelets, sunglasses and scarves. Last year over 300 purses were collected, all of which were shared throughout the year with moms who are working so hard to create long-term stability for their children. As a bonus, each purse donated enters you to win a new Kate Spade bag (valued at over $200). You must be present to win raffle items.

There will be discounts at several stores that evening and raffle drawings every 30 minutes and complimentary appetizers by BRIO. For more information and to RSVP, please visit www. crisisnurserykids.org.

Feb. 10: Chicken fried steak or meatloaf dinner

Chicken fried steak or meatloaf dinner at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information contact 314-831-6121.

Feb 10: Senior citizen Valentine dinner/dance

A Senior citizen Valentine dinner/ dance will take place from 5 – 9 p.m. at the James J. Eagan Center in Florissant.

Start with a dinner of roasted sliced pork with rosemary gravy, baby buttered potatoes, country green beans with bacon, garden salad with creamy peppercorn dressing, rolls and butter and cherry pie. Dance the night away or sit and listen to all your favorite tunes performed by Rocky & Michelle.

Ticket sales are open to residents and non-residents and are available in the Senior Office in Florissant City Hall through Feb. 7. Tickets for Florissant residents are $12 and non-residents are $15 which include admission, dinner and light snacks. Beer, wine and soda will be available for purchase.

There will be no ticket sales at the door. Call the senior office at 314-8397605 for more information.

Feb. 11: Flea market

Flea market at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. To reserve a

Business Spotlight A place to find out a little more about your local businesses!

table or info contact the post at 314831-6121.

Feb. 11: Breakfast

Breakfast at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 8 to 10 a.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information contact 314-831-6121.

Feb. 13: Bake sale

Bridgeton seniors are having a bake sale from 9 a.m. till sold out at 4201 Fee Fee Rd. For more information call 314-739-5572.

Feb. 15: Karaoke

Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information contact 314-831-6121.

Feb. 16: Blood pressure check

Free blood pressure check at Life Care Center of Florissant at 1201 Garden Plaza Dr.(off Parker Rd.) in Florissant.

Call 831-3752 for more information.

Feb. 17: Pork steak dinner

Pork steak dinner at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information contact 314-8316121.

Feb. 17: Bingo

Bingo will take place from 2 – 3 p.m. at Life Care Center of Florissant at 1201 Garden Plaza Dr. (off Parker Rd.) in Florissant. Call 831-3752 for more information.

Feb. 20: Film screening

The media presentation “One AAUW – Changing the Climate” will be shown at the February meeting of the Ferguson-Florissant (North County) AAUW meeting. The video reviews the current and upcoming initiatives and programs of AAUW, including work on STEM activities for women, pay equity initiatives and AAUW’s extensive grant and fellowship programs. The American Association of University Women meeting will be at 10 a.m. in the Educational Building of Immanuel UCC Church at 211 Church Street in Ferguson. The program is free and open to the public. For more information call 314-522-0413, 314831-5359 or 314-831-6884.

Feb. 20: Free skate session

The city of Florissant is hosting a free skate session for its residents from

2 – 4 p.m. If you have always wanted to skate or if you are a regular, this is the perfect opportunity to get out on the ice. Come with your friends or family. Non-residents are welcome to participate by paying the non-resident rate. Remember to bring your current Florissant resident card to get in for free. There will be free popcorn and soda for all in attendance.

Feb. 22: Karaoke

Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information contact 314-831-6121.

Feb. 24: Chicken dinner

Chicken dinner at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information contact 314-8316121.

March 4: Bunco tournament

Soroptimist International of Greater St. Louis will hold its annual “Ladies Night Out” Bunco Tournament at Florissant JFK Center at 315 Howdershell in Florissant. Table sponsorships are available for $50. The price per player is $25. Wine, beer, soda and water will be provided. Players are welcome to bring their own food and beverages. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and Bunco starts at 7 p.m.

There will be a 50/50 raffle and cash prizes for the winners. Proceeds from the Bunco Tournament benefit local women and children’s charities. Additional information is available at http://www.soroptimiststlouis.com/.

Questions can be sent to info@soroptimiststlouis.com.

April 1: Fundraising banquet

Ferguson Youth Initiative’s “All Hands In” Banquet will be hosted at the Norwood Hills Country Club (at 1 Norwood Hills Country Club Dr. in St. Louis County). The cost to attend is $50 per adult, or $30 per teen and college student. Each annual banquet creates and opportunity to showcase youth’s involvement, and to share their ideas with the broader community. Businesses and organizations interested in sponsoring this event can www.fyifergyouth.org for an information packet and registration. Anyone needing more information can contact FYI’s executive director, Aaron M. Harris, at 314.749.5379, or e-mail him at aaron@ fyifergyouth.org.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • February 1, 2017 April 14: Fish Fry

American Legion Post 444 in Florissant Valley will host a fish fry every Friday from Jan. 27 until April 14.

April 15: Meat shoots

The Florissant Eagles Meat Shoots take place every Saturday from Feb. 11 through April 15. It will run from noon until dusk. They are located at 15245 New Halls Ferry Rd in Florissant.

No bull barrels. For more information call the Florissant Eagles at 314838-3470.

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: Volunteer drivers The St. Louis County Older Resident Programs need volunteer drivers who live in St. Louis County to give a few hours during the day to provide transportation to and from doctor’s appointments for our senior residents of St. Louis County that lives near you! No weekends and mileage reimbursement is available. Call today at 314-615-4516.

Mondays: A cappella singers

is open to anyone affected by lung cancer and meets at Christian Hospital at 11133 Dunn Rd. every second Tuesday of the month from 6 - 7:30 p.m. in Room 2100. No RSVP required. Christian Hospital has partnered with the Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis to provide this group meeting. Drop-in to the monthly meetings to discuss, ask questions and learn how others manager side effects, symptoms and the day-to-day of cancer. Connect with other care partners who are learning about cancer and how it impacts their friends and family members. Share and hear stories from others who “get it.” Discover the power of group support when you meet with a licensed facilitator, other people (family, friends, patients) affected by a cancer diagnosis.

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 or Connie McConnell, 314-831-5476.

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

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.

3-4pm, Center for Senior Renewal, Detrick Building 1st floor, 11133 Dunn Rd. For more information, contact Jamie Stevens at 314.653.5331.

Thursdays: checks

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.

Every Friday: Our Lady of Fatima #4429 Knights of Columbus Bingo

2pm, Life Care Center of Florissant, 1201 Garden Plaza Dr. For more information, call 314.831.3752.

Tuesdays: Choir rehearsals

Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant.

Doors at 7:30am, games begin at 9:30am. For more information, call 314.921.2316.

The Lung Cancer Networking Group

Every 1st Wednesday of the Month: Stroke Support Group

Every Tuesday: Bingo Evening at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316

Wednesdays: Are you interested in losing weight?

Tuesdays: Lung cancer support group

in the fall - rain or shine. Great meat prizes awarded.

6:45pm, Knights of Columbus Hall, 1216 Teson Rd. in Hazelwood. For more information call 314.731.9330

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 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.

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.

Florissant Senior Citizens’ Bingo Clubs: 314.839.7604.

6:30pm, Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335, 800 Chambers Road in Bellefontaine Neighbors. Those interested in membership are invited to attend.

Doors at 4:30pm, games begin at 6pm, Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant. For more information, call 314.921.2316.

Check out TOPS #361 Florissant group of supportive ladies. Meetings are on Wednesday mornings beginning at 9:15 am at Florissant Church of Christ, 16460 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant. If interested, please contact Shirley at 314-895-3528 for more information.

Every Wednesday: Bingo Morning at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316

Bridgeton Trails Library Branch Programs:

3455 McKelvey Rd., St. Louis, 314.994.3300. 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.

What’s Happening

Every 3rd Friday of the month: Bingo

Fridays: Celebrate Recovery

For 25 years Celebrate Recovery has been helping everyday folks find freedom from whatever difficulty you are experiencing in your life. This Christ-centered, 12-step program is based on the Beatitudes. We meet every Friday at 6:15 p.m. for dinner ($5); 7 p.m. large group meeting; 8 p.m. Small groups sharing; 9 p.m. dessert at First Christian Church of Florissant at 2890 Patterson Rd. in Florissant. For more information call 314-837-2269 or visit http://www.fccf. org/ or Facebook page Celebrate Recovery-FCCF.

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 444 located on 17090 Old Jamestown Road between Sinks Rd and Lindbergh starting at noon until dusk every Sunday in February and March in the spring and every Sunday in October through the second-to-last week in November

Every Sunday: Tours at Old St. Ferdinand Shrine

#1 Rue St. Francois St., Florissant, 1 – 4pm, through October. Donations accepted. Docents needed.

314.921.7582, vicray01@aol.com

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 SUDOKU answers from page 11

13

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.

Every Monday-Friday: Evening Front Desk Volunteers Needed

4-7pm, Christian Hospital, 1225 Graham Rd. in Florissant. For more information, please contact Lee Shields at 314.653.5032.

CROSSWORD answers from page 11

February 1, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

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www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • February 1, 2017

NOVENA

15

SERVICES

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.

PET CEMETERY

over 2,500 pet burials; over 6 acres; over 40 yrs old. 314-576-3030 www.memoryparkpetcemetery.info www.memoryparkpetcemetery.info

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

It has never been known to fail.

www.everyonebenefits.com/GaryB

facebook.com/mycnews

P.S. Thank you St. Jude, R.H.

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February 1, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Movie

“Hacksaw Ridge”

By Steve Bryan

Gibson, Garfield go for Oscar gold with ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ Immediately after the Oscar nominations were announced on Jan. 24, controversy and debate erupted over the nominees and obvious snubs. “La La Land” earned an impressive 14 nominations while the worthwhile “Sully” received only a single nod for sound editing. Those pushing for more diversity seemed somewhat pleased, but pointed out that Hollywood still has to become more inclusive.

Mel Gibson’s “Hacksaw Ridge” deservedly landed six nominations, with Gibson getting a Best Director nod and star Andrew Garfield now in the running for Best Actor. Yet, some writers and pundits cannot forgive the controversial Gibson for his remarks and behavior in years past. One writer for the Refinery29 website, for instance, called his nomination “appalling.”

Putting all the personal issues, multi-colored ribbons and political agendas aside, “Hacksaw Ridge,” taken on its own merits, is an incredible film about a truly extraordinary human being. During World War II, Desmond T. Doss, a conscientious objector, wanted to fight for his country, but refused to carry a weapon of any kind into battle.

Branded a coward and a danger to other soldiers, he was intimidated, beaten and threatened with court martial. Once overseas; however, Doss showed everyone how dedicated he was by saving their lives. As a medic, he put himself in the line of fire countless times, pulling and carrying wounded soldiers to safety.

Arguably, Mel Gibson is the best person to bring Doss’ amazing story to the big screen. Behind the camera, Gibson pulls absolutely no punches. The combat scenes are brutally realistic, almost cringe-worthy. The camera shows bullets ripping through bodies, grenades turning soldiers into piles of severed body parts. This film is not for the faint of heart.

“Hacksaw Ridge” also serves as a showcase for Andrew Garfield’s talents. In 2010, the actor played Eduardo Saverin in “The Social Network,” a film documenting the rise of Facebook. Garfield was a great addition to the cast and subsequently played the title role in the reboot of “The Amazing Spider-Man” franchise.

As Desmond Doss; however, Garfield gives the character and the audience his absolute best. The real-life medic was a complex human being, unwilling to carry

a gun but ready to stand with his fellow soldiers. Garfield captures this complexity and humanity, showing the bravery and courage that were essential parts of the real Desmond Doss.

As of this writing, it looks like “La La Land” might just sweep the major awards, with Casey Affleck of “Manchester By The Sea” fighting Ryan Gosling for the Best Actor honors. Still, Andrew Garfield, like Doss himself, cannot be ignored.

“Hacksaw Ridge” is being rereleased by some theater chains in the weeks leading up to the Oscars and it definitely is worth the price of admission.

“Hacksaw Ridge” photos courtesy of Cross Creek Pictures 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.

www.dschuster.com