CN: February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

Trucking right along

Around Town

COMMUNITY VOICES

By Travis Wilson. Pg. 2 START VOTING NOW! for Best of North County. Let your favorite businesses know. Pg. 5

Special Section NORTHWEST NEWS Mason Ridge Elementary team achieved highest honors in national vocabulary competition. Pg. 7

Features

Submitted photo

Demolition and reconstruction of the Washington/Elizabeth Bridge is one of several recently completed projects that is part of The I-270 North Project.

The $278 million I-270 North Project continues to reshape North St. Louis County with completion expected in 2023

By Wendy Todd According to the Annual Highway Report by the Reason Foundation released in November of last year, the Missouri state-controlled highway system is the sixth largest in the country. The report also states that, “Missouri needs to reduce its urban fatality rate and reduce its percentage of structurally deficient bridges.”

The I-270 North Project is working to ameliorate those challenges and more.

The overall goals of the MoDot project are to make structural, safety and navigational improvements along I-270, specifically the 8.6 miles from James S. McDonnell Boule-

vard to Bellefontaine Road. According to the I-270 North Corridor Study, conducted by the Missouri Department of Transportation over a decade ago, there were multiple challenges along the interstate. They included: limited capacity, closely-spaced interchanges, poor access for metro transit users, bicyclists and pedestrians, confusing two-way cross-over slip ramps to Dunn Road and an aging infrastructure. After the study recommendations were made on best practices to address the issues.

The project is slated to be completed in 2023, with construction, redesign and repairs taking place in phases.

“This $278 million infrastructure in-

vestment in North County is the largest single one by MoDOT in 10 years,” says Nina Thompson, communication coordinator of the I-270 North Project.

So far, since 2020, five bridges (Pershall Road over Coldwater Creek, Pershall Road over I-270, West Florissant Bridge, Washington/Elizabeth Bridge, Old Halls Ferry Bridge), and two roads (Bellefontaine Roundabout and Southbound I-70) have been repaired.

As the project continues a road closure will take place on New Florissant Road under the I-270 bridge beginning Feb. 11 See ‘TRUCKING’ page 2

Serving North & Northwest St. Louis County | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 101 No. 5 | 636-379-1775

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Around Town

Get your event or good news published in Community News: email your information in calendar and article formats to editor@mycnews.com

February 2, 2022 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

‘TRUCKING’ from cover at 9 p.m. and continuing through Feb. 13 at 5 a.m.

Current closures and work areas include: • Dunn Road between Washington and Hanley converted to one-way • Pershall Road between Washington Street/ Elizabeth Avenue and West Florissant Avenue converted to one-way • Northbound 67 to westbound I-270 ramp closed until June 8 • Westbound I-270 exit ramp to New Halls Ferry closed permanently • Dunn Road closure between Old Halls and New Halls converted to one-way The I-270 North Project wants to engage and inform the community regarding progress and impact by inviting residents of the I-270 Corridor and the public to attend open meetings to learn and provide feedback on how the project impacts the surrounding community. The organization also welcomes participation in their “Slow Down” social marketing campaign to encourage safe driving. Support from the community and project partners has been critical to its success.

“Our entire team, including our partners on the Millstone Weber team,” says Thompson, “are working diligently to make this project a success for those who live, work and visit the I-270 North Corridor. Again, we cannot thank the public enough for their patience and support of this work. We believe the end result will be something that they can be proud of and that will have a positive impact locally, regionally and nationally for many years to come.”

Additional information and a meeting schedule can be found on the I-270 North Project at www.I270north.org.

Submitted photos Demolition and reconstruction of the Old Halls Ferry Bridge is one of several recently completed projects that is part of The I-270 North Project.

COMMUNITY VOICES:

By Travis Wilson

A new year, a new Florissant Happy New Year!

Hopefully this article finds readers doing well and enjoying the prospect of prosperity in 2022!

Here in Florissant, the year is off to a great start. The comprehensive plan process for the city is winding down and there is great optimism that the end product will guide the city’s decisions for the next decade of growth and revitalization in North County. It’s been said that those who fail to plan are planning to fail. In an effort to avoid that, the city has contracted with H3 Studio, a local planning firm with ties to Horner & Shifrin and Robert Lewis Consulting. This plan will entail strategic objectives for the entire city with a special focus on Old Town and include comprehensive goals for the city to aim toward regarding future development.

And speaking of development, there is quite a lot underway in Florissant! The city

has over $30 million worth of prospects in the commercial project pipeline. Some notable projects that were recently completed include Club Car Wash, Chase Bank, ROSS Dress for Less at Cross Keys, and AutoZone at Flower Valley Shopping Center. Additionally, the city is in talks with developers to construct new buildings on over 50 acres at various sites throughout the city!

In other terms of retail success, in our 17 largest retail centers there is over 1.1 million square feet of thriving store space that is currently occupied and serving the public. This correlates to an annual gross retail revenue of over $750 million for the five year period from 2016 to 2020!

However, what is most important for Florissant in the new year is about our residents.

The people of Florissant answered the call when it came to completing the 2020 census.

With the help of everyone from the school

districts to the chamber of commerce, the total population reported was 52,533! This outstanding figure is above what even the census website had estimated by more than 1,600.

Not only does Florissant remain the largest municipality in all of Saint Louis County but, it also has a current population not seen since the mid 1980’s! It really is a great time to GROW in FLO! Best wishes to you and yours as we work together to make 2022 a great year!

Travis Wilson is Economic Development Director for the city of Florissant.

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.

Around Town

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • February 2, 2022

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Missouri American Water invests $4.3 million to replace aging pipes in Florissant and Hazelwood Florissant Mayor Tim Lowery along with officials from Hazelwood and MO American Water met on Jan. 20 to discuss the $4.3 million main replacement project that will be starting this month.

Nearly 6,000 feet along N. Lindbergh Boulevard between Elm Grove Avenue to Charbonier Road in Hazelwood and Florissant will be improved. Missouri American Water is working in conjunction with MoDOT. Work will occur from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Monday to Saturday to reduce traffic impact. The

purpose of the project is to provide upgrades and improvements to the area’s aging water system. The entire project is projected to be completed between four to eight months.

Lowery adds, “Missouri American Water Company is committed in continuing to invest dollars in Florissant and in North St. Louis County. We have always had and continue to have a great working relationship with Missouri American Water and I appreciate their continuous commitment to our

community.”

Motorists should use caution when driving in the construction areas and obey traffic signs, detour routes, and flaggers. Missouri American Water continues to conduct its work in coordination and compliance with all federal, state, and local agencies and directives. As construction begins, Missouri American Water asks customers to continue following social distancing recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention by keeping at least six feet (two meters) between employees and customers.

Missouri American Water will provide continuous updates as work occurs. Customers may receive updates via door hangers and/or the company’s notification system that contacts customers via phone, text or email based on customer preferences. Visit www. amwater.com/moaw for emergency alerts and create or update a MyWater account to sign up for notifications.

Missouri Confluence Waterkeeper announces multi-year grant to fund clean water initiative in St. Louis

Florissant will hold a public hearing for CAPER and CDBG Program for Fiscal Year 2021

On Jan. 25, Missouri Confluence Waterkeeper has announced that it received a $584,000 Opportunity Fund grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health. The 36-month grant will support a community-led research project to sample and test water quality throughout St. Louis City and County and understand the prevalence of emerging contaminants.

The grant will be further applied to a strategic communications campaign targeted to Missouri lawmakers and policy decision-makers to promote environmental justice and achieve health equity in St. Louis.

Missouri Confluence Waterkeeper has outlined four key phases for this new project:

The city of Florissant will conduct a public hearing beginning at 4 p.m. on Feb. 10, at Florissant Government Building at 1055 rue St. Francois in Florissant, concerning the Fiscal Year 2021 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the Florissant Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. For more information, contact Community Development Director, Carol O’Mara at 314-839-7680, or

• Phase 1: Collect and analyze tap water samples from randomly selected households identified through grassroots outreach.

• Phase 2: Test for inequities in water systems by collecting samples of targeted source water near water treatment plants throughout the North St. Louis region, and collect samples of surface water near the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers and certain tributaries.

• Phase 3: Produce a report including university-led analysis of collected samples.

• Phase 4: Amplify research findings via strategic communications campaign targeting local, state and federal policymakers.

As both state and federal policy lags in protecting people from emerging contaminants, research findings throughout the country reveal a catastrophic, pervasive picture of emerging contaminants in our envi-

ronment and our bodies. While the Toxic Substances Control Act Chemical Substance Inventory lists over 85,000 chemicals and microbiological contaminants, only 91 are currently regulated and regularly tested in local drinking water.

Early testing conducted by Missouri Confluence Waterkeeper confirms the presence of emerging contaminants in tap water and Missouri’s waterways – the source of most local drinking water. Missouri Confluence Waterkeeper will advocate for equitable investments in clean water infrastructure, shift power dynamics and lay the foundation for lasting community change.

Missouri Foundation for Health’s Opportunity Fund offers the chance for organizations to share game-changing ideas with the hope of making them a reality. By working in collaboration, the foundation helps nonprofits test projects that have the potential to reduce health inequities and build communities where everyone can thrive. The Foundation granted Missouri Confluence Waterkeeper a total of $584,000 to support its three-year phased approach.

“Water is essential to life. And clean water is vital for healthy people and communities,” says Rachel Bartels, Director of Missouri Confluence Waterkeeper. “We are excited for the opportunity to collaborate with the Missouri Foundation for Health as changemakers to advance environmental justice and equitable investments in clean water infrastructure. This funding will serve as a catalyst for our organization’s mission to protect fishable, swimmable, drinkable water for all Missourians.”

comara@florissantmo.com.

A draft of the CAPER will be available for review. Interested persons may review this report by contacting the Community Development Office at 314-839-7680 or TDD 314- 8395142. Written comments concerning this report may be submitted to the Community Development Office at the above referenced address. All comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Feb. 25.

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Around Town

February 2, 2022 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Still In This Together:

By Vicki Bahr

These are the days that try our souls These are the days, the long, cold, dreary days of late January and the entire short (but, oh, so long!) month of February, that we have to rely on our holiday memories to get us through.

They’re the reason we baked every kind of cookie that we could remember from our childhoods and squeezed red and green dough into a cookie press, dying our fingers in the process, and covered every cookie with sprinkles and jimmies and icings and melted Hershey kisses galore.

They’re the reason we searched for ribbon candy for our family members who love it and made homemade chocolate fudge and peanut brittle for the neighbors, stocked up on red and green tissue paper after Christmas last year and added presents every chance we had to the holiday closet, or the attic hideaway or the under the bed secret hidey-holes we keep them stashed in all year.

They’re the reason we stayed up way too late and cherished every memory we could make with our kids and grandkids, playing noisy dice games and ridiculous card games, laughing till we cried, popped popcorn at 2 a.m. and blared the twenty-four-hour Christmas music station on the car radio, hosted Amazon, Fed Ex and UPS delivery trucks several times a week, and festooned every nook and cranny with lights, and garland, and old cherished family decorations.

Nothing was too noisy, no request was too impossible, no bed time was

www.InvinciCorp.com

too ridiculous, no sweater too ugly, no food too obnoxious, no trip home too far. Because these are the memories we will cherish when winter has us homebound and the world is cold and dreary and colorless, when news seems monotonous or tragic, when nights are too long and eyes are too heavy.

We need the memories of family togetherness and cinnamon roll breakfasts, of too many presents and so many choices, of late-night movies and shared conversations, of rides through neighborhoods to search out Christmas lights, and competitions to see who can find the most light-up snowmen or front-yard reindeer. There are pictures of family, whether captured on phones and cameras, or simply in our memories, promises to recreate the photo of squirming babies and laughing kids in ten years, laughter remembered and meals shared on decorated Christmas plates and green plaid tablecloths.

We need those memories in these winter days as proof of the fact that spring is coming as promised and days will not always be cold. We had fun, we had family, we had warmth, and those remain in our minds.

And if I just happen to leave an ornament in a spot that I will come across it in February, how wonderful! If a bit of wrapping paper peeks out from under the couch as I vacuum, it will bring a smile to my face. If a leftover Christmas napkin flutters to the pantry floor, it will be a wonderful reminder of our holiday joy. And a well-placed bag of after-Christmas-priced candy tucked into the back of the kitchen cabinet is an extra bonus.

February will have a hard time bringing us down with memories stored away…

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

Ameren Missouri expanding clean energy through partnership with Delmar DivINe

This artistic rendering shows solar panels installed at Delmar DivINe’s Delmar campus in St. Louis.

Ameren Missouri is joining forces with Delmar DivINe to install solar panels at the nonprofit’s Delmar campus in St. Louis. Energy generated by this project will benefit the surrounding community. The collaboration is part of Ameren Missouri’s Neighborhood Solar program, which takes advantage of underutilized land for solar energy generation – at no cost to the organization.

“Our mission is to be a catalyst for the transformation of the communities north of Delmar Boulevard, and we are always looking for ways to give neighborhoods the up-to-date resources they rightly deserve to build a brighter tomorrow,” said Jorge Riopedre, executive director at Delmar DivINe. “Partnering with Ameren Missouri will help ensure the community we serve has access to a more reliable and efficient energy grid.”

The solar panels will be installed above Delmar DivINe’s parking lot on Belt Avenue, creating a solar canopy. The more than 200 nonprofit employees located at Delmar DivINe will benefit from shade and weather protection when parked beneath the panels. In addition, Ameren Missouri will provide efficient LED lighting in the parking lot.

Delmar DivINe opened its doors in late 2021 to serve as a hub for social, economic and community development, especially in north St. Louis City. In addition to the 18,000 sq. ft. of conference and meeting space for the nonprofit agencies on the campus, it will include a minority business incubator, a podcast studio, transit-accessible housing, and a multipurpose room that will host a number of community-oriented programs, including activities for older adult and students.

Now, with Ameren Missouri’s $1.5 million investment, it will also bring more renewable energy to an under-

Submitted image

served portion of St. Louis City.

The solar panels are expected to be in service in 2023 and generating enough energy to power more than 30 homes for a year.

In addition to generating more clean energy for local customers, the project will create more than 20 local construction jobs and provide valuable training opportunities for both the initial installation and ongoing maintenance. The company also plans to provide renewable energy education and outreach to the West End neighborhood. Ameren Corporation is also supporting Delmar DivINe with $300,000 in funding earmarked for their overall mission.

“Ameren Missouri has been intentional about investing in north St. Louis communities, so we’re pleased that Delmar DivINe was open to partnering on this project,” said Patrick Smith, vice president of economic, community and business development at Ameren Missouri. “Not only will this installation add jobs and increase awareness of solar energy at the local level, it will also bring tangible benefits to nearby customers. Having renewable energy generation closer to neighborhoods reduces system costs while increasing energy grid reliability and efficiency for everyone.”

Ameren Missouri continues to pursue opportunities to expand its solar generation. In addition to Neighborhood Solar projects, the company is building its largest solar facility ever, located in Montgomery County, Missouri. The facility, visible from I-70 at mile marker 175, is expected to be complete and in service by this summer.

The Neighborhood Solar Program is part of Ameren Missouri’s larger Smart Energy Plan, which launched in 2019 and aims to create cleaner and more reliable energy for its 1.2 million electric customers statewide.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • February 2, 2022

Around Town

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Cinema St. Louis announces $100,000 gift Cinema St. Louis (CSL) – the presenter of the Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) and other annual film fests and events – received a $100,000 gift from the Jane M. & Bruce P. Robert Charitable Foundation.

Half of the gift will support the annual Robert Classic French Film Festival and SLIFF’s Robert French and French-Language Focus. The other $50,000 will support SLIFF’s overall programming.

Cliff Froehlich, CSL’s executive director, said, “Jane and Bruce Robert have been generous supporters of Cinema St. Louis for a decade. This new gift is among

the largest the organization has ever received, and it will help ensure our continued success and viability in the future.”

A $50,000 gift from the Robert Foundation in 2014 supported Cinema St. Louis’ French programming through 2024, and this new gift extends that support through 2034 and expands its scope to include SLIFF’s other programming through 2031.

Jane Robert, a former French teacher, is a longtime board member of Cinema St. Louis. She has served as president or board member for many Francophile organizations, including the Federation of Alliances

Françaises – USA. She was a founding board member for the American Friends of the Musée d’Orsay and for St. Louis Language Immersion Schools. The French government has honored her as an Officer of the Order of Academic Palms and a Knight in the French Legion of Honor.

Bruce Robert, an attorney, has been both a strong supporter of the Saint Louis University School of Law and active in Francophile projects, including the Alliance Française, Sister Cities, American Friends of the Musée d’Orsay, Opera Lafayette, French Heritage Society, and American Friends of Blérancourt.

Presented by

BEST OF NORTH COUNTY

Vote for your favorite business in these North County zip codes 63031, 63033, 63034, 63042, 63134, 63135, 63136, 63137, 63138, 63140 (Only businesses operating in the zip codes listed above are eligible to win)

Weekly voting begins January 5, and ends February 25, 2022.

-2022-

Winners will be listed along with congratulatory ads in a special section of the paper on March 30. Winners will also receive a certificate and window decal.

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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February 2, 2022 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

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4 Hens Creole Kitchen opens at The Food Hall at City Foundry STL 4 Hens Creole Kitchen is now open at The Food Hall at City Foundry STL. The four women owners, a nod to the name of 4 Hens, are two dynamic couples: Brandi (executive chef) and Brittany Artis alongside Brittani Gardner-Evans (business manager) and Ebony Evans. As the 15th kitchen inside the food hall, 4 Hens Creole Kitchen plans to be open for both lunch and dinner service serving hearty, Creole-inspired dishes.

“I make it a point to inject love into every dish I create, and I’m ready to share my food and our story.

It is surreal to see everything coming together because of how this idea came to be,” says Brandi Artis. “My wife and I lived in Chicago, and our friends, Brittani and Ebony, lived on the other side of the country. We all ended up deciding to move back to St. Louis in the same year and realized that we all had a collective dream — opening up a restaurant.

City Foundry STL seemed like an excellent opportunity for us to be a part of an exciting project in the heart of the city that celebrates the diversity and creativity of St. Louis’ culinary scene. We’re excited to introduced a Black-and-queer-owned restaurant to our community with 4 Hens.”

The launch menu is divided into three main categories: starters, mains, and “Little Chicks Meals,” featuring dishes made for children. The starters options include Creole-inspired dishes like the Slapp’n

Shrimp, shrimp sauteed in Creole spices and drizzled with 4 Hens’ remoulade sauce. For the mains, guests can savor the Shrimp n’ Grits made with creamy smoked Gouda cheese grits bathed in Creole cream sauce and topped with sauteed shrimp, or the Swamp Thang, which is a succotash soup with crawfish tails and sauteed shrimp. A selection of Po’ Boys will be available with your choice of shrimp, chicken, andouille sausage, or fried green tomatoes with the option to have it dressed or plain, served with fries. Top off your meal with N’awlins Bread Pudding with an in-house sweet cream sauce, caramel drizzle, and pralines. The menu also includes side dishes of french fries, grits, and a house salad and a selection of drinks from the sister company, Little Chicks Lemonade, run by the duo-pair’s children.

“These four talented women have created some incredible dishes, including options for kids, which allows them to start exploring new foods and different cuisines at a young age,” says Susie Bonwich, director of operations. “This is one of the most remarkable ways The Food Hall at City Foundry STL has developed by becoming an easy and convenient way for people to try food from a multitude of countries and cultures.”

4 Hens Creole Kitchen is open lunch and dinner (Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday and Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Tuesday closed).

North County Inc. names board chair for 2022 The board of directors of North County Incorpothis year.” rated (NCI), a regional development association, As a resident of North County, Green supports elected Ernest Green as board several local events from food chair for 2022. Green is the Acdrives, charity walks, donacounting Customer Services tions, and volunteering whenManager for Enterprise Holdever possible. Most recently, ings. He has served on the NCI Ernie and his wife, Jennifer, board since 2019 and on the are playing a huge role in The executive board since 2020. He Green Garden project in Oversucceeds Dr. Scott Spurgeon, land as lead volunteers for the the retired Superintendent of project. The goal of this projRiverview Gardens School Disect is to create a vegetable and trict. herb garden and 100% of the “I am excited to be the new produce will go directly to Richairperson of NCI and to furtenour CoCare Food Pantry ther our mission of developing customers. This would provide programs to expand knowledge fresh produce to those famiabout the economic, infrastruclies with food insecurity. They ture, education, and community completed the installation of assets in North County,” said the garden in November with Green. “I look forward to colthe help and support of Seed Submitted photo laborating with our commu- The board of directors of North County Incorporated elect- STL, the Enterprise Holdings nity leaders on our overall mis- ed Ernest Green as board chair for 2022.

Foundation, the Rotary Club, sion and newer initiatives that and the many volunteers from we are developing. One is to expand on our work around the community that helped with the instalto help educate both the community and businesses lation of the garden. on ways to adopt equitable practices. Another is our NCI also welcomes all its new board members, inTrue North County marketing campaign which procluding Chief Jason Hoevelmann of Florissant Valmotes North County as a welcoming place for new ley Fire Protection District, Dr. Tina Plummer, Asbusinesses to locate and families to call home. The sistant Superintendent of Pattonville School District, True North County website encourages commuDarrell Scott, Vice President of Business Finance at nity members to share their stories about the peoSt. Louis Economic Development Partnership, and ple, places and progress North County has to offer.

Vickie Wade, Vice President of Betty Jean Kerr PeoI can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together ples’ Health Center.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • February 2, 2022

Parkway West High teacher named ‘Distinguished Adviser of the Year’ Parkway West High’s journalism teacher, Debra fore the product, which is one of the reasons she has Klevens was selected as the “Distinguished Adviser of had such success with student publications. Never the Year” by the Journalism Education was this more important than in the Association (JEA). Klevens will be midst of a virtual school year. recognized at the JEA conference in “I first met Mrs. Klevens at the the spring. beginning of my sophomore year in In an era when yearbook advisors a virtual classroom. It was an odd are required to innovate, comfort, and school year,” yearbook editor Amelia inspire, Klevens embodies all of those Burgess said. “I found forming relatraits and more. Her forward-thinking tionships with my online teachers difnature helps her lead a group of stuficult and awkward, Mrs. Klevens with dents with a constant desire to innothe exception, as her uplifting support vate and achieve. helped me find comfort in an unfamil“Having worked in education in five iar area.” buildings for nearly 30 years,” princiThe Journalism Education Assopal Jeremy Mitchell said, “it is easy to Photo courtesy Parkway School District ciation supports free and responsible declare Debra Klevens as - by far - the scholastic journalism by providing most progressive, forward-thinking, student-centered resources and educational opportunities, by promotyearbook advisor whom I’ve had the privilege to work ing professionalism, by encouraging and rewarding with.” student excellence and teacher achievement, and by While gifted at advising her students to create exfostering an atmosphere which encompasses diversity ceptional publications, Klevens puts her students beyet builds unity.

Northwest News

Career day at Parkway’s Bellerive Elementary

Photo courtesy Parkway School District (From left) Paris Prince, first grade, stands next to Officer Michael Vaclavik, Creve Coeur Police Department and Rebecca Rice, first grade.

Students at Bellerive Elementary, in the Parkway School District, participated in virtual career day last week. Students dressed up and watched videos from parents and community members with various careers.

Mason Ridge Elementary team achieved highest honors in national vocabulary competition

Photo courtesy Parkway School District

A team representing Parkway’s Mason Ridge Elementary achieved highest honors in the recent WordMasters Challenge – a national vocabulary competition involving nearly 125,000 students annually. The fifthgrade team scored an impressive 188 points out of a possible 200 in the first of three meets this year, placing second in the nation.

Competing in the very difficult Gold Division of the WordMasters Challenge, third-grader Sarah Adams, fourth-grader Ellie Zhao, and fifth graders Minha Arshad, Kate Reuter and Rosalind Zhu each earned a perfect score of 20 on the challenge. Nationally, only 13 third graders, nine fourth graders, and nine fifth-graders achieved this result. Other students from Mason Ridge Elementary who achieved outstanding results in the meet include fifth-graders Maci Cozad, Harrison Steiner and Sam Swiezynski. The students were coached in preparation for the WordMasters Challenge

by Abby Webb.

The WordMasters Challenge is an exercise in critical

thinking that first encourages students to become familiar with a set of interesting new words (considerably harder than grade level), and then challenges them to use those words to complete analogies expressing various kinds of logical relationships.

Working to solve the analogies helps students learn to think both analytically and metaphorically. Although most vocabulary enrichment and analogy-solving programs are designed for use by high school students, WordMasters Challenge materials have been specifically created for younger students in grades three through eight. They are particularly well suited for children who are motivated by the challenge of learning new words and enjoy the logical puzzles posed by analogies.

The WordMasters Challenge program is administered by a company based in New Jersey which is dedicated to inspiring high achievement in American schools. Further information is available at the company’s website: http://www.wordmasterschallenge.com.

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What’s Happening

February 2, 2022 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

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

513-1674 or cbanaskavich@ jfcs-stl.org.

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

Feb. 8: Lecture series

International Relations Lecture Series, sponsored by the AAUW and Tuesday Women’s Association of the Ethical Society of St. Louis, will discuss the subject of Climate Change with Dr. Carl Bender, Physics, Washington University at 10:45 a.m. on ZOOM number 384-422-5785. This is part of a four-part series each spring for 50 years.

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-tofour hour shifts are available, Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.3:45 p.m. To learn more or to join this fun group, contact Chelsey Banaskavich at 314-

Mondays: Choral Arts Group meetings Choral Arts Group practices every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Connection Christian Church at 1332 Feise Rd. in O’Fallon. Auditions not required. Ages high school and older are invited to join. There will be spring and fall public concerts. For more information call Marty at 636579-9227, or email concertartsa@gmail.com.

Mondays: City council meetings

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

Mondays: meetings

Workshop

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.

Mondays: singers

www.treesbywood.net

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cappella

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 314-993-6134.

Mondays: Korean War Veterans Association meeting

If you had military service in Korea between Sept. 3, 1945 and the present you are cordially invited to a meeting of Chapter 4, North County Korean War Veterans Association. Meetings take place at the VFW Post 4105 at 410 St. Francois in Florissant on the second Monday of the month, starting at 7 p.m. For more information contact Walter Kaiser at 314-9212132. 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: Bingo

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

Tuesdays: singers

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cappella

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

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.

Tuesdays: Choir rehearsals

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

Tuesdays: TOPS (Take off pounds sensibly) 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, 314831-5476.

2nd Tuesday Sept.-June: Show-me Stitchers:

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

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

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

Wednesdays: Bingo

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

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 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 314921-2316.

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.

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 314-653-5331.

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 314-831-0988.

Thursdays: Quilting guild 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.

Thursdays: Blood pressure checks

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 8313752 for more information.

Thursdays: Women’s chorus meeting

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 bistate 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.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • February 2, 2022 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 314-402-7025.

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.

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 314630-2671 or 314-330-7269.

Sundays: Jennings DoDads meeting

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., 314-7413737.

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 314291-5210 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: Schizophrenia Group

ACES Support

6:30 - 7:30pm, 314-839-3171.

Sundays: Alcoholics Anonymous Group 109

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

Diabetes Basics:

314-344-7024 for info or 314344-7220 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 636-9470600, 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, 314344-6157.

Christian Hospital Recovery Center:

Outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment for adults, 314-953-8100.

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 activ-

What’s Happening ity and offering social events.

A Silver Sneakers membership includes access to the city’s Fitness Centre with state-ofthe-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 314-738-2599.

Smoking Classes:

Cessation

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

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

SSM DePaul Center:

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Wellness

Classes available on strength training, nutrition and smoking cessation, 314-344-6177.

Free Mammogram Screenings:

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.

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

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Sports

February 2, 2022 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

WWW.MYCNEWS.COM

Sports you see with Gary B...

Ambush at halfway point in season The St. Louis Ambush play professional indoor soccer in the MASL with their home games at the Family Arena in St. Charles.

The league is playing an abbreviated season hitting the field only 24 times for the 20212022 campaign.

Thus far the team finds themselves with five wins to go with seven defeats landing them in second place in the Central Division.

Statistics for the team:

compete in the Principia Relays recently in Elsah, Illinois.

The Lions came away with three first place finishes including a career best in the weight throw from Ashley Shoemake. Her weight throw of 15.64 meters (51.3 feet) was good enough to win the competition and moved her up to fifth place in the school record books.

On the men’s side, Jameel Walkes-Miller won the 60-meter race (65.6168 yards) in a time of 6.88 seconds, which tied him for the ninth fastest time in school history, while Logan Kulinski continued his impressive season with another NCAA provisional mark while winning the weight throw.

Other notables included:

• Mohamed Ndiaye is leading the team with eight goals and 15 assists with 23 points playing in 11 games.

• Shot put – Alea Farmer 11.30 meters (12.3 yards) good enough for fourth place

• JT Thomas has found the back of the net 12 times with five assists with 17 points in nine games.

• Vadim Cojocov has registered 10 goals with three assists picking up 13 points on the field in 10 games.

• William Eskay has 10 goals and two assists with 12 points in 12 games.

• Ado Jahic has seven goals and four assists with 11 points playing in 11 games.

• Eduardo “Pollo” Cortes playing as a goalie, has been between the pipes in four games starting three of them and has racked up three wins-he has had 84 shots-to-the-goal at him and with only 20 getting by him.

Interim head coach Jeff Locker and his team plenty to work on as they embark on the second half of the season.

The Ambush returns to The Family Arena to host The Savage on Feb. 11.

Visit www.STLAmbush.com for more details. * Find the magic streak Lindenwood sets 19 records and win three events at replays Lindenwood University’s track and field teams took small contingents on a short trip across the river to

• Pole vault – Gage Rowland (3.95m) placing third * Excellent results from a lot of practice UMSL pick up a few accolades at the relays The University of Missouri-St. Louis track and field team also participated in the Principia Relays in Elsah, Illinois as well.

A major member of the track team was Benjamin Vandenbrink who took first place in the mile run with a time of 4:25.55.

The men’s distance relay team placed second with a time of 10:41.79 and Haeley Johnson placed 13th in the 60m.

On the women’s side, Lily Wagemann placed eighth in the mile run with her time of 5:57.52. * A lot of action on the track and field 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 • February 2, 2022

Recipe: Take a bite of a better-for-you energy booster

W

hether you’re a runner, a workout warrior or simply looking for a quick pick-me-up before heading to the office, graband-go foods can supply the energy you need for an active day.

Skipping salty snacks and opting for nutritious options can put you ahead of the game. Due to their high carbohydrate content, sweetpotatoes provide a sustaining option both before and after exercise sessions. Plus, with antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and aid in the muscle repair process, they help both your endurance and recovery.

No-Bake Sweetpotato Coconut Ginger Energy Bites

Feature

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– 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.

Recipe courtesy of Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN, on behalf of the North Carolina SweetPotato Commission

Total time: 45 minutes | Yield: 14 bites (1 bite per serving)

Ingredients: 1

cup cooked sweetpotato

3/4 cup rolled oats 1/2 cup peanut butter (or desired nut butter) 3

tablespoons honey

stir until well combined.

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Refrigerate bowl about 20 minutes to firm.

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

Directions: In large bowl, combine sweetpotato, oats, peanut butter, honey, ginger and cinnamon;

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Remove dough and portion into snack-sized bites. Gently roll bites in shredded coconut and refrigerate 15-20 minutes or freeze 10 minutes.

Remove from refrigerator or freezer and serve.

Nutritional information per serving: 115 calories; 7 g fat (11% daily value); 3 g saturated fat (19% daily value); 1 g polysaturated fat; 2 g monosaturated fat; 49 mg sodium (2% daily value); 129 mg potassium (4% daily value); 11 g carbohydrates (4% daily value); 2 g fiber (8% daily value); 5 g sugar (6% daily value); 3 g protein (6% daily value); 1,348 IU vitamin A (27% daily value); 1 mg vitamin C (1% daily value); 11 mg calcium (1% daily value); 1 mg iron (6% daily value); 9 g net carbohydrates.

Find more nutritious recipe ideas at ncsweetpotatoes.com.

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9

The pressures of child stardom

D

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.

uring the Christmas season, families have looked forward to watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” a beloved holiday special that debuted on CBS in 1965. Reportedly, the creative minds behind the animated classic were convinced that it would flop on national TV, but the combination of animation and wonderful music made it a huge hit.

Ownership of the holiday special changed hands over the years and now Apple TV+ holds the rights.

However, Apple agreed to let PBS show “A Charlie Brown Christmas” every year during the holidays.

During production of the special, child actor Peter Robbins became the first person to give Charlie Brown a voice. Sadly, Mr. Robbins, who reportedly had a history of mental illness, committed suicide this month. In addition to the Christmas special, Robbins also voiced the famous character in “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and the wonderful 1969 feature film “A Boy Named Charlie Brown.” Over the years, Robbins appeared at various comic book and pop culture conventions and met with his fans.

Reading about Robbins’ struggles brought

children who moved in with their Uncle Bill (Brian Keith) after their parents were killed. The popular series ran for five seasons and Jones’ Buffy character was a hit with children watching the show.

As a teenager, she auditioned for other projects, including the lead role in 1973’s “The Exorcist,” but she became frustrated and felt typecast as Buffy. In 1976, Jones sadly died of a drug overdose.

Some retro TV channels broadcast “Dennis the Menace,” a sitcom Submitted photo: Peter Robbins based on Hank Ketcham’s popular comic strip character. Jay North played the title role, a mischieto mind Paul Petersen, the actor who played Jeff Stone on the 1950’s sitcom “The Donna vous, curious boy who inadvertently caused Reed Show.” Petersen began his career as a trouble for his long-suffering neighbor, Mr. Mouseketeer on the TV series “The Mick- Wilson. However, North’s happy onscreen ey Mouse Club” and had recorded some hit grin masked physical and verbal abuse delivsongs. After former child star Russell Craig ered by his aunt and uncle, who were his on“Rusty” Hamer from “The Danny Thomas set guardians. In one video interview, North Show” committed suicide in 1990, Petersen said his relatives kept him sequestered in his founded “A Minor Consideration,” a non- dressing room between scenes. He said he felt profit organization that reached out to former like he was in prison and, ironically, he later child stars who had difficulty transitioning to took a job in a prison.

Acting is a tough business, especially for adult roles and other careers. child actors. It’s good to know that Paul PeDecades before that organization was founded, Anissa Jones starred on the sitcom tersen’s “A Minor Consideration” is around to “Family Affair.” She played Buffy, one of three help.

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COLLECTIBLES

February 2, 2022 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

HELP WANTED

NOVENA 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, have mercy on us. St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, Pray for us. St. Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, Pray for us.

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.

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Feature

February 2, 2022 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Yeggs

John Hanna

CROSSWORD: Super Bowl

‘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 People beware.

Technology is overtaking our lives.

Between email and text notifications and app and social media alerts, we’re becoming consumed with noise and notices.

Sounds like other people’s problem. I know I can handle it.

The other day I got an incoming ding-ding from an app which lets me receive videos from the grandkids. My grandson’s tooth fell out and he needed to show me his toothy grin.

Soon after, a ring-ring sounded. It was a FaceTime alert. Yup, my grandson again. He wasn’t sure the video gave his tooth the justice it deserved. He wanted me to see a live close-up of the bloody socket from where the tooth detached, but mainly it was to remind me that I promised him five bucks when it fell out.

Next, I got a chirpy-chirp from Pinterest. What?!

Someone had just pinned something that I repinned from someone who had re-pinned from someone who…whatever, I still had to check it out. After all, it was so validating. I think it means I’ve arrived. I don’t know where to, but it’s somewhere and I just might be there.

Then I got a ping-a-ping from my Facebook account. Oh joy! Someone liked a post I shared.

Really?! It was a picture of my cat in his New Year’s Eve hat and glasses. But that was weeks ago. Still, I checked because someone liked me; they really, really liked me and you know…validation!

While I checked the number of likes my cat post received, I got a ting-a-ling. A friend request!

Someone wanted to be added to my group. More

validation.

Hmm, I was a little suspicious. It came from someone in Ooglazistan.

Where the heck’s Ooglazistan? Probably a little island off the coast of Nebraska, but my spidey-senses were sending out signals to beware.

Not so fast! I am so-o aware of these lame scams. After all, I have a very close online contact.

I pay him big bucks to filter out just such con jobs.

Money well spent. I shouldn’t brag, but I might add that he’s a Nigerian Prince and we’re pretty tight business partners.

So, this alert overload hubbub is a non-issue for me.

Well, gotta go. I’ve got a chirp-pop to answer. It’s my new friend from Ooglazistan – an upstanding young man, according to the Prince. He needs a loan to invest in a cat farm. Sounds totally legit to me.

Going ding batty

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.

ACROSS 1. Shout from a ship?

5. Shout from the bleachers 8. ____ and don’ts 11. Infamous Henry’s number 12. One with COVID, e.g.

13. Fighter jet button 15. Resting stops 16. Not guilty, e.g.

17. One of Singapore’s official languages 18. *Home of last year’s Super Bowl winners 20. Armor chest plate 21. *Given name of 2011 Super Bowl MVP 22. African grazer 23. Greek woodland deities 26. Ramones’ hit “I Wanna Be ____” 30. Big fuss 31. Like certain Chili Peppers (2 words) 34. Cattle call goal 35. Scatterbrained 37. Bonehead 38. In a different direction 39. Jeté in ballet 40. More so than eggy 42. Conducted 43. Christmas firewood (2 words) 45. Annotator and

commentator 47. Soda-pop container 48. Unpleasant and offensive 50. SWAT attack, e.g.

52. *Super Bowl I and II winning coach 55. Pertaining to a pope 56. Cain’s unfortunate brother 57. Gives a hand 59. Anoint 60. Bébé’s mother 61. Season to be jolly 62. *Most Super Bowl wins by one team 63. Snoop 64. Carhop’s load DOWN 1. *Roman number of this year’s Super Bowl 2. “___ Misbehavin’” 3. Santa Maria’s traveling partner 4. Despair in the face of obstacles 5. “The Hobbit” hobbit 6. “Caribbean Queen” singer 7. Colloquial approval 8. Cold cuts counter 9. South American tubers 10. Pig’s digs 12. Not dense 13. Make corrections

14. *Florida team with no Super Bowl appearances 19. Return punch 22. Come and ____ it 23. Lamentably 24. Bye, to Edith Piaf 25. Bottom line 26. *2022 Super Bowl stadium 27. Upholstery choice 28. *Archie to Super Bowl MVPs Peyton and Eli 29. Exploits 32. *Super Bowl Halftime show Snoops’s “last name” 33. Hardly a beauty 36. *Like some teams 38. Oenophile’s concern 40. Many, many moons 41. Empower 44. Big Dipper’s visible shape 46. Oppressive ruler 48. On the wagon 49. Nail salon board 50. Feminine of raja 51. Mt. Everest to Earth 52. Aladdin’s light 53. Christian of fashion 54. Result of a brainstorm 55. Rudolf Nureyev’s step 58. Stallone’s nickname SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9