CN: February 22, 2023

February 22, 2023

No more tears

Around Town

Gateway Arch National Park will host the No Tears Project St. Louis, a free community experience featuring civil rights and arts education events

By Wendy Todd

Gateway Arch National Park, The Oxford American (a nonprofit arts organization and national magazine) and Jazz St. Louis have teamed up to present the No Tears Project St. Louis, a free community experience featuring civil rights and arts education events. The project, hosted by Gateway Arch National Park, begins April 2 and wraps up with four free concerts held the weekend of April, 28 at Jazz St. Louis’s Ferring Jazz Bistro.

The programs are the first in a series of events offered by Gateway Arch National Park over the next few years while the Old Courthouse undergoes restoration. The event is geared to bring communities together for learning, discussion and celebration.

Tarona Armstrong, deputy superintendent of Gateway Arch National Park, believes the organization was an ideal choice to host the series.

“Gateway Arch National Park was established to commemorate Thomas Jefferson’s

vision of building a unified continental nation and interpret key individuals and cultural groups involved in exploring, exploiting and inhabiting the lands from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean,” she said. “In addition, the park preserves the architecturally significant Old Courthouse as the site of the Dred Scott case.

The No Tears events directly tie to these nationally significant stories and provide opportunities for civic engagement with

See ‘TEARS’ page 2

COMMUNITY VOICES

Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1

CLA SSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3

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Photo courtesy Brian Chilson

Pianist and composer, Christopher Parker leads the “No Tears Project” ensemble. He and his wife and vocalist, Kelley Hurt, have collaborated with the Oxford American on this project since 2016.

By Morgan R. Teague. Pg. 2

See Ozark music duo Shortleaf perform live at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center invites you to discover nature through music. The nature center will present a special concert by the band Shortleaf, featuring Mike and Tenley Fraser on March 3 at 7 p.m. The performance promises an enjoyable mix of entertainment and education suitable for the whole family. Fraser, an accomplished Ozark fiddler, and wife, Tenley, specialize in performing traditional music of the Ozarks. Honoring a long-time heritage of music and storytelling, the duo uses tales of Ozark history and Scots-Irish culture to create an engaging blend of songs and spoken word. The Scots-Irish people settled in the hardscrabble Ozarks after migrating west from the Appalachian country, and gave the region much of its unique character.

The Frasers began working together as members of the Shortleaf band in 2006. Fraser plays fiddle, guitar, mandolin, mouthbow, harmonica, and autoharp.

Tenley performs on keyboard, guitar, fiddle, spoons, bodhran, and vocals.

The concert is free and open to the public. However, space is limited, and advanced registration is required at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4Ym.

Fraser’s fiddle playing has been featured on two albums produced by MDC, including “Voices of the Hills, a Journey to Shannon County” and “Fiddles and Forests.” The duo will be selling and signing CDs on the evening of the performance.

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center is located at 11715 Cragwold Road in Kirkwood, near the intersection of I-270 and I-44.

COMMUNITY VOICES:

Is bankruptcy right for me?

By Morgan R. Teague

Is bankruptcy right for me? The short answer is, it depends. The first step is to determine what chapter of bankruptcy you would be eligible for based on income and household size as well as other factors. We can do this for you during a consultation. If we determine that you are eligible, there are still many other factors to consider.

1.What kinds of debt can be included in a bankruptcy?

The most common types of debt discharged in a bankruptcy include credit cards, medical bills, payday loans, repossessions and much more.

2. Will I ever be able to buy a house?

Yes! In fact, you can purchase a home in as little as two years after your bankruptcy is discharged. We offer a Bankruptcy to Homeownership program for clients in this exact situation.

3. Will I lose everything?

While this is different for each person, typically the answer is no. There are exemptions that allow you to keep certain items even after filing bankruptcy but this should to be evaluated on a case-bycase basis to ensure your assets remain protected.

In most cases, people are able to keep cars and houses and the loans tied to

them, while still wiping out unsecured debt such as credit cards, etc.

4. Will bankruptcy stop a garnishment?

Yes. Not only does bankruptcy stop garnishments, but it also can prevent repossessions, foreclosures and can even often help get your licenses reinstated if you were in an accident with no insurance.

Bankruptcy and whether it is right for you needs to be evaluated on a case-bycase basis. This article is for information purposes only and is not legal advice.

Morgan R. Teague has been practicing in and specializing in bankruptcy law for 13 years. She also is a real estate broker so that she can help bankruptcy clients rebuild their credit and ultimately purchase a home. She is a mother of two boys who keep her busy with sports and more. She also is on the Board of Directors for the North County Chamber of Commerce.

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.

diverse audiences and youth.”

In addition to cultural and artistic offerings, the series will also feature panel discussions examining varied topics including social change and civil rights leaders and their contributions to socioeconomic transformation throughout St. Louis and the nation.

One of the showcased artists is pianist and composer, Christopher Parker, who leads the No Tears Project ensemble. He and his wife and vocalist, Kelley Hurt, have collaborated with the Oxford American on this project since 2016. He feels strongly that this is a necessary event to commemorate agents of change and look at our country and region’s history in order to move forward.

“This project is necessary because our society must celebrate its soldiers in the struggle to improve itself,” he said. “And we must face our history and find the strength to choose positive change.”

The No Tears Project was originally inspired by a musical composition by Parker and Hurt to honor the Little Rock Nine and has evolved into an outreach program that tours the country using dialogue and music to educate and engage communities about civil rights.

For more information about the No Tears Project St. Louis visit: www.nps.gov/jeff/planyourvisit/notears-project.htm.

For more information on the Gateway Arch National Park visit: www.nps.gov/jeff/index.htm.

Submitted photo

The No Tears Project was originally inspired by a musical composition by pianist and composer Christopher Parker and his wife and vocalist Kelley Hurt, to honor the Little Rock Nine and has evolved into an outreach program that tours the country using dialogue and music to educate and engage communities about civil rights.

Photos courtesy Brian Chilson

MDC reminds anglers catch and keep urban trout season is now open

Have you been yearning for trout with bowtie pasta and spring vegetables? Or perhaps crispy golden trout stuffed with crabmeat and finished with oregano? Maybe you just want the plain smoked variety.

The good news is you can now bring rainbow trout to your table in any form you like. Catch and keep urban trout season started Feb. 1.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds St. Louis area anglers that the start of February begins catch and keep trout fishing season at MDC Urban Winter Trout Fishing Lakes. It’s an ideal opportunity to acquire delicious, fresh and locally-sourced fish for the dinner table.

MDC normally stocks almost 40,000 rainbow trout each November through January in 12 St. Louis City and County Lakes and Union City Lake in Franklin County, along with five lakes in the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in St. Charles. MDC also adds several brood stock lunker trout – some as large as 10 lbs. – into the mix at its winter trout lakes.

Between Nov. 1 and Jan. 31, some lakes are catchand-release only, and some are catch-and-keep. However, beginning Feb. 1, trout may be taken from all winter trout lakes. Rainbow trout are not native to the area

but in winter the water is cold enough to support them. MDC’s winter trout program provides anglers a chance to enjoy a hard-fighting fish close to home. Trout anglers can feel free to use natural or prepared baits as well when keeping the fish.

Anglers should consult the St. Louis Area Winter Trout Program brochure for details, possession limits and bait restrictions, which is available at https://short. mdc.mo.gov/Zd5, or check regulations posted at the lakes. All trout anglers between age 16 and 64 must have a valid Missouri fishing permit to participate. Anglers wishing to catch and keep trout must also possess a trout permit.

Area lakes stocked with winter trout include:

• Carondelet Park Boathouse Lake in St. Louis

• Gendron Lake in St. Ann

• January-Wabash Lake in Ferguson

• Jefferson Lake in Forest Park

• Koeneman Park Lake in Jennings

• O’Fallon Park Lake in St. Louis

• Suson Park’s Island Lake and Carp Lake

MDC to host workshop for landowners at Powder Valley Nature Center

Landowner goals and conservation can be one in the same as many improvements to the value of your property can also help improve wildlife and native habitat.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is sponsoring a workshop for landowners and property managers wanting to learn more about how to benefit their land and make it better for wildlife on Friday, March 24 from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center in Kirkwood.

The workshop is free, open to all Missouri landowners, and a lunch will be provided. Presentations will be conducted in concurrent sessions throughout the day covering a variety of fish, forest, and wildlife management topics to help landowners achieve their land use goals in ways that enhance Missouri's natural resources.

Workshop sessions will be taught by natural resource experts from MDC, Quail Forever, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Presentations will demonstrate how sound land management can improve hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities, attract valuable pollinators, and enhance timber value. The workshop will make helpful publications and educational materials available for participants to take home free of charge.

Subjects covered during the workshop will include:

• Pond management

• Forest management

• Managing habitat for small game

• Property rights and the Wildlife Code

• Turkey biology and management

• Native forbs and plantings for pollinators

• Invasive plant control

• Tree insect and disease issues

• Creating and maintaining healthy soil

Advanced online registration for the workshop is required at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4Y3. The deadline to register is March 19.

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center is located at 11715 Cragwold Road, near the intersection of I-270 and I-44.

• Tilles Park Lake in St. Louis County

• Union City Lake in Union, Franklin County

• Walker Lake in Kirkwood

• Wild Acres Park Lake in Overland

• Vlasis Park Lake in Ballwin

• August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area lakes 3, 7, 21, 22, and 23

For information about fishing, go online at https:// huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing.

Submitted photo

The Landowner Workshop is part of MDC’s commitment to work with landowners and property managers to both meet their needs and enhance our state’s fish, forest and wildlife. To discover more resources for landowners online, go to https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4ZR.

MDC presents a Landowner Workshop Friday, March 24 from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center in Kirkwood to help property owners achieve their goals and enhance conservation.

Submitted photo

Vantage impacts St. Louis Community with holiday giving

Vantage Credit Union supports the community on a year-round basis, with a special emphasis on making an impact during the holiday season. Through the generosity of employees and members, $7,000 was raised to purchase nearly 600 presents for Cardinals Care, RankenJordan and Toys for Tots as well as 14 Thanksgiving dinners for local charities and food pantries.

“Giving back is truly a team effort with involvement from both our employees and members,” said Debbie Meyer, Central Operations Director and Holiday Giv-

Still In This Together:

ing Committee Chairperson, Vantage Credit Union. “Vantage employees purchased 50/50 tickets, baked and bought items at our bake sale and donated money for dress down days, while our members pitched in by donating spare change, canned goods and children’s gifts to make the holidays brighter for those in need.” Additionally, Vantage employees were each given a $50 Mastercard gift card to personally give to someone in the community – a neighbor, first responder, healthcare worker, teacher, stranger in the store – to show gratitude and spread holiday cheer.

What a coincidence!

Wewere taking my brother-in-law, Tony, to a dentist appointment that morning, and it went uncharacteristically quickly. Tony didn’t have any other stops he needed to make because he had been to the bank and the grocery store earlier in the week. He was actually looking forward to a nap, since he’d been up late the night before watching a Blues game from the west coast.

After we dropped Tony off at his apartment, John turned the corner and was in the lane to go south on Highway 270 instead of north and he said, “Do you want to go look at that house you saw online the other day?”

I really didn’t want to be disappointed again, and just shook my head no.

“Well, I’m in the wrong lane to go home now,” John said. “Let’s just go take a drive past it.”

There was no one in the sales office trailer, but we walked around a little and I wrote down the phone

number from the flyer on the trailer door and we went to the McDonalds we had seen just off the highway.

I really didn’t think I had enough charge on my phone to make a call, but just by coincidence, as we were waiting for our burgers, John said, “Why don’t you give that number a quick try? You can tell them we’re grabbing lunch and your phone’s almost dead. Just get a quick rundown on the house and the specs, when the construction is expected to be done, and why the price is so reasonable here for the same house we’ve seen in other places for more money.”

I just looked at him and wondered who had stolen my husband and how long I had before he came back. This was really unlike him. What a coincidence that I felt the same little bubble of possibility as I had walked around the new subdivision and seen the owl in the tree on the farm behind the property and the little pocket playground that had been built before the homes were ever started.

No one answered the phone, and I just figured we wouldn’t hear back. But what a coincidence! As we were finishing the last few fries, my phone rang and the same assistant we had seen at a different community a month before happened to work at this subdivision, too. Elizabeth remembered us, because John had told her that even though the one-bedroom house was nice, he felt like the walls were closing in on him because it was so small.

And she laughed. “You’re going to want something a little bigger for when all those grandkids we’ve been talking about come to visit.”

And she was right.

What a coincidence that the three-bedroom home we’d walked around that was already under construction was less expensive than the two-bedroom because all the details had already been chosen. And what a coincidence that I had no problem with that. I’ve never thought I’d be particularly comfortable picking out cabinet heights or shingle colors or carpet grades or front door styles and then having no one to blame when I ended up not liking something.

A week later, we were new homeowners. What a coincidence that our friend the real estate agent hadn’t retired yet and would love to help us through the process we had tried and failed to achieve several times over the years.

Then came the reality of working through 45 years of accumulated memories. Boxes that have been stored under the basement steps, “left behinds” of the kids that have just stayed in the downstairs bedrooms because there wasn’t any need to move them, photo albums and old bicycles, CDs and albums that haven’t seen the light

“It felt great to do something nice for somebody by sharing a gift card and expecting nothing in return,” said Lisa Smith, Accounting Manager, Vantage Credit Union. “Generosity can be contagious, so I hope it sparked a chain reaction of spreading joy!”

Vantage supports the community throughout the year, from clothing and food drives, teacher appreciation events, school supply drives, holiday toy drives, secure document shredding events, a college scholarship program and more.

By Vicki Bahr

of day let alone been listened to in years, tools and extra pieces of siding, bits and pieces of wood saved over the years from home projects, carpet samples and easily-parted-with detritus. (Great word…look it up!)

What a coincidence we have a son with a pick-up truck, several family sources for boxes, bubble wrap and moving supplies, and a recycling site not far from our house. And that we’re retired, it’s the middle of winter, and the house wouldn’t be ready for another two months or so.

And what a coincidence that there would be grandboys coming into town with their parents the week after Christmas who would happily carry bins filled with any number of things upstairs from the basement for the sheer pleasure of outlifting each other, making their grandparents happy, and a trip to the wall of slushees and the promise of a dozen flavors of popcorn at the new Wally’s “Home of the Great American Road Trip” in Fenton.

Oh, the things we’ve uncovered together in the basement…old fishing poles and rabbit foot keychains, chalk-written memories inside closets and a lonely birthday sombrero, seashells from years of beach vacations, and, “what a coincidence,” a scrapbook I’d forgotten I made from the early days of John and me as a couple in senior year of high school.

There was a record of our first dates and what we did, the friends we double-dated with and a 55-year-old card from John that I’d saved: “Since we met, nothing has changed in my life…except for the fact that my feet no longer touch the ground.”

And his added words…

And that’s exactly the way I want it to stay.

Our daughters cried when I showed it to them, our sons couldn’t believe I’d saved the card, and what a coincidence, the date on the card is the same as the date of the closing on our new and final home together.

Oh, John and I have been so very blessed in every adventure together over the past 50-plus years. And just in case you were wondering, I firmly believe there is no such thing as coincidence.

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

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

Updates on area public transit projects provided during ‘Talking Transit’ event

Details about several public transit projects currently underway in the bi-state region were discussed today during Citizens for Modern Transit’s (CMT) “Talking Transit” event, hosted via Zoom. Over 120 members, elected officials, stakeholders, transit riders and others attended the virtual forum to learn the latest about light rail expansion to MidAmerica Airport, the Northside-Southside Corridor Plan with St. Louis City and St. Louis County, the Secure Platform Plan, and Metro Transit operations.

The panel discussion featured Patrick Judge, Principal of Gonzalez Companies and project manager for the Illinois Light Rail Expansion project to MidAmerica Airport; Taulby Roach, President and CEO of Bi-State Development; Kevin Scott, General Manager of Security for Bi-State-Development and lead on the Secure Platform Plan; and Charles Stewart, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Metro Transit, who provided an operations update. It was moderated by Kimberly Cella, Executive Director of Citizens for Modern Transit.

Judge kicked off the conversation by talking about MetroLink expansion in Illinois and detailing the significant movement seen over the last six months on the 5.2-mile extension of the MetroLink Light Rail System from the existing Shiloh-Scott Transit Center to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport.

From there, Roach provided an update on the Northside-Southside Corridor Plan with St. Louis City and St. Louis County. This included an updated overview of the Jefferson Alignment and the North St. Louis County Community Connector.

“Right now, we are in alternatives analysis in the

city of St. Louis,” noted Roach. “We are looking at this alignment and making it as competitive as possible to compete for federal dollars and to fulfill the obligations we have to the public in both St. Louis City and St. Louis County to successfully develop light rail.”

Roach added that a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Project Management Consultant for the project will be on the street shortly. He indicated St. Louis County should be releasing four possible alternative routes within the county portion of the alignment over the next several months. AECOM is leading the study for both the city of St. Louis and the St. Louis County.

The event also featured an update on the $52 million Secure Platform Plan. According to Scott, the plan is moving ahead with a phased approach on what will be 39 different projects – which represents each current MetroLink station as well as the new station at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport – as part of five packages. This will allow for the plan to move forward expeditiously, while offering smaller construction packages, more contractor opportunities and the ability to take advantage of key learnings as each phase unfolds. He also noted the most visible accomplishment to date on the Secure Platform Plan has been the opening of the Real Time Camera Center, which is in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It has transformed the Closed-Circuit Television system from reactive to proactive.

“This phasal approach will provide a cascading effect,” added Scott. “This means that as the first package moves to bid construction, package number two will enter the final design process, then when package two moves to bid construction, package number three

Pattonville alumnus receives Congressional Space Medal of Honor

Retired astronaut Robert (Bob) Behnken received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor from vice president Kamala Harris on Jan. 31. Behnken received the honor along with former astronaut Douglas Hurley. Behnken and Hurley are the first honorees since 2006 to receive this honor. Behnken is a 1988 graduate of Pattonville High School.

Behnken and Hurley received the award for bravery in NASA’s SpaceX Demonstration Mission-2 (Demo-2) to the International Space Station in 2020. On May 30, 2020, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft launched to the space station, marking the first mission to launch with astronauts as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. As a space station crew member for 62 days, Behnken performed four spacewalks with former NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and contributed more than 100 hours to the orbiting laboratory’s scientific investigations.

Behnken was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2000 and completed two space shuttle flights, logging 93 days in space. Behnken flew STS-123 in March 2008 and STS-130 in February 2010, and he performed three spacewalks during each mission. He retired from NASA in November 2022. Before retiring from active military service in February 2022, Behnken had achieved the rank of colonel and flown more than 2,000 flight hours in more than 25 different types of aircraft. A St. Ann

native, he earned bachelor’s degrees in physics and mechanical engineering from Washington University and a master’s and doctorate in mechanical engineering from California Institute of Technology. Before joining NASA, Behnken was a flight test engineer with the U.S. Air Force on the F–22.

The Congressional Space Medal of Honor was created by the United States Congress in 1969 to recognize exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the nation and mankind. It’s awarded by the president of the United States in Congress’s name on recommendations from the administrator of (NASA).

will enter the final design process and so on. We are convinced that this will afford us the ability to take the fastest pathway to putting in gates, fencing and cameras, while remaining in consistent coordination with the overall fare collection integration.”

Stewart closed out the conversation by highlighting an uptick in transit ridership, with MetroBus experiencing a 5.2% increase and MetroLink a 7% increase over last year. He noted operator shortages – including a need for more than 200 bus operators, 18 MetroLink operators and 79 Metro Call-A-Ride operators as well as mechanics and electricians – is still impacting service. Stewart says another service adjustment will be made in March to improve service timing. Stewart outlined the new benefits package which will help to incentivize individuals to consider joining the team.

“This was a really quality conversation,” commented Cella. “We appreciate the updates and full transparency provided on the various projects and the status of ridership. We encourage the community to visit Citizens for Modern Transit’s website so they can hear this discussion in its entirety.”

CMT hosts quarterly “Talking Transit” events to keep members, elected officials, stakeholders, transit riders and others in the loop on issues and efforts influencing the local transit system. To learn more about these events and how CMT is working to further transit access in the St. Louis region, visit www.cmt-stl.org.

Submitted photo

What’s Happening

EVENTS

March 7: Estate planning seminar

“Estate Planning 101: Avoid the Common Mistakes,” presented by Dawn Christoffersen, Counselor at Law, takes place at 10 a.m. at Steve Robbins’ Conference Center at 325 Rue St. Francois in Florissant. The event is free but registration is required.

To RSVP call Joan at 314-8394600, email: Joan@SteveRobbinsOnline.com or register online at www.SteveRobbinsOnline.com.

March 28: Long-term care planning seminar

Long-Term Care Planning event, presented by Ellen M. Lutzow, Attorney at Law, takes place at 10 a.m. at Steve Robbins’ Conference Center at 325 Rue St. Francois in Florissant. The event is free but registration is required.

To RSVP call Joan at 314-8394600, email: Joan@SteveRobbinsOnline.com or register online at www.SteveRobbinsOnline.com.

April 27: Shred event

Shred Day! Drive, Drop and Donate takes place from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at Steve Robbins’ Office Parking Lot at 325 Rue St. Francois in Florissant. Help us support T.E.A.M. Food Pantry while cleaning out your old documents. If you are able, please bring a minimum of one canned food item for each bag or box you would like to shred. If you are unable to make it during this time, you are welcome to drop off your documents and canned items throughout that morning.

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.

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: Workshop meetings

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

Mondays: A cappella singers

All men who like to sing are invited to come sing with us, The Men of Harmony. We practice every Monday night at 7 p.m. at 5500 Parker Raoad which is the first house

on Uthe Lane. We sing fourpart 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-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: A cappella sing-

ers

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

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 636634-6582 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, 314-831-5476.

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

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

Recipe: Create family memories with a grape-infused meal

Ingredients:

Nonstick cooking spray (optional)

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 1/4 teaspoons turmeric

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

2 large garlic cloves, minced

4 bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed and visible fat trimmed

2 medium onions, sliced 1/3-inch thick

3 carrots, peeled and cut in 2-by-1/2inch sticks

2 medium parsnips, peeled and cut in 2-by-1/2-

freshly ground pepper, to taste

1 1/4 cups red grapes

Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner with Grapes, Carrots and Parsnips Servings: 4

Heat oven to 400 F with rack in center. Line shallow baking sheet (10-by-15 inches or 11-by-17 inches) with parchment paper or foil. If using foil, spray with nonstick cooking spray.

In large bowl, stir oil, cumin, turmeric, salt and garlic. Add chicken, turning to coat, then transfer smooth side up to baking sheet. Add onions, carrots and parsnips to bowl and toss in remaining spiced oil then distribute around chicken on baking sheet. Season with freshly ground pepper, to taste.

Roast chicken and vegetables 25 minutes. Sprinkle grapes over vegetables and roast about 5 minutes until juices run clear when chicken is pierced with tip of small, sharp knife.

Note: For softer roasted grapes, add to pan earlier.

Nutritional information per serving: 410 calories; 31 g protein; 34 g carbohydrates; 17 g fat (37% calories from fat); 3.5 g saturated fat (8% calories from saturated fat); 155 mg cholesterol; 470 mg sodium; 6 g fiber.

VisitGrapesfromCalifornia.comtofindmoresweetrecipesfitforfamilygatherings.

Want your 15 minutes of fame? You could be on a court show

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.

My proudest grade school moment was presenting my science fair project on KSD Channel 5 (now KSDK). I think my younger self would be suitably impressed, however, to learn I auditioned to become a litigant on “We the People with Judge Lauren Lake.” Allen Media Group founder Byron Allen, who had been part of the reality TV series “Real People,” revived the court show with Lake in mind. Gloria Allred was the original “We the People” star, but only one season made it on the air.

“We the People” falls into the category of “Dramatized Court Shows” where real people play the roles of plaintiff or defendant. Landing a role on this show for me was a fluke: I saw an online popup ad from the “Standing Room Only Audience & Casting Company” that encouraged regular people to audition. I filled out an online form with basic information (Name, Phone Number, Age, etc.) and received an invitation to speak to producers on a Zoom call.

Within one week, the producers scheduled me for a taping. My character was Andy Butler, an older man, grandfather and tutor. He was a tenant in the home owned by Rachel Pierce and her husband. Andy was a good renter until he downloaded a

virus that infected all the computers in the house. He obviously was not computer literate and waited until the following morning to tell his landlords what happened. In the court case, Ms. Pierce was suing Andy for $540 because the malware cost her two days of work.

If you are planning an extended trip to the greater Los Angeles area, you may want to try out for a show. Before the Zoom call audition, I remembered some jobhunting advice and dressed “like I was going to Sunday dinner at Grandma’s house.”

When speaking to producers, it’s best to be yourself and let your personality shine through. I tried to be friendly, cordial and even cracked a few jokes while on the call.

I didn’t get confirmation for the taping until a week later. On the phone, the producers offered wardrobe tips and asked me to bring a second set of clothing.

When it comes to filming TV shows, there’s a lot of sitting and waiting. After I left the makeup chair, the woman playing landlord Rachel sat next to me. When she and I went to our green room, we created backstories for our characters and did improvisations before we went into the studio. We even worked our real-life families into the storyline. I mentioned my nieces, Abigail and Gracie, while standing before Judge Lake. The green rooms weren’t glamorous, but they helped refine our improv.

Overall, I spent five hours preparing for my 15 minutes of fame. A few weeks later, I received a check for five hours of work at $20 per hour minus taxes. If you ever wanted to be a star – or at least a courtroom star – and will be in Los Angeles for more than two weeks, give it a try. The producers are always looking for litigants and audience members for reaction shots. The Standing Room Only production company website can be reached at (https://www. standingroomonly.tv)

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.

Photo courtesy Bigstock

Moore on Life: Egg-spensive date

Showingyour sweetheart how much you love them is a little different this year. February used to be the month for flowers and a fancy dinner to express how much you cared, but times have changed.

My husband announced his Valentine’s plan for the evening. He said it in a deeply passionate way:

“Hey, let’s get out of here. I’m so hungry I could eat your mother’s burnt meat loaf without even plastering it in ketchup.”

“You know that means we’ll miss out on leftovers and watching an episode of Dateline,” I said.

“Exactly, we’ll save the leftovers for tomorrow night, but make sure you record Dateline because I wouldn’t want to miss out on any new ways to commit homicide.”

That certainly put the old romantic spark back into our love life. I guess I wouldn’t have to worry about hiding the anti-freeze and meat cleaver for tonight; he definitely was not in the murdering mood.

I then donned my fanciest sweats – the ones without the mustard stain in front – and piled into the car.

I was all a-jitter.

“This will be fun. Where are we going?”

“Now just don’t you worry your sweet little head. I’ve got it all figured out and spared no expense. Money is no object when it comes to my Valentine.”

Soon we arrived at the restaurant. I was a little hesitant because it looked like a basic breakfast bar to me.

We were seated on some cheap vinyl seats in a booth. A waitress smacked her gum as she tossed us some

By Cindy Moore CROSSWORD: US PRESIDENTS

plastic-coated menus that were covered more in fingerprints than menu items.

“Umm, is this a joke?” I asked.

“No joke, only the best for my honeybunch.” He pointed to the scrambled egg delight entitled, Valentine’s Special: $29.99 and told the waitress, “Two please.”

I stared at him slack-jawed.

“Pretty impressed, aren’t ya?”

After finishing our expensive meal, he said, “And that’s not all.”

“Oh nice. He at least remembered a dozen roses,” I thought as he pulled something out from under the table.

They were white instead of red and a dozen all right, but they came in a carton.

The man truly spared no expense.

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.

LIFESTYLE: How to help children build a growth mindset

Anew year is a perfect time to consider the habits you want to keep and the ones you’d like to develop. One resolution to consider is helping your children develop a growth mindset this year.

“We know one of the greatest boosts to parents’ confidence over the past year came from knowing their children’s whole selves are being nurtured, and we want to see that trend continue,” said Carter Peters from KinderCare Learning Center’s education team. “A growth mindset helps children try new things despite fear of failure. It’s the kind of thinking that allows inventors and creative thinkers to get excited about trying something new and ensures they have the cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills to work through hurdles.”

Adults can often easily spot when children are engaged in creative thinking and prideful of their work, but that confidence may be lost as failures turn into insecurities. By nurturing a growth mindset and showing children they can learn and develop new skills in any area, it better sets them up for long-term success.

Consider these three tips to help children build a growth mindset:

Praise effort: It’s easy to fall into the habit of praising successes. However, praising effort encourages children to try new things without the fear of failing. It also teaches children personal growth and achievement are possible, even if their overall effort wasn’t a success.

“Young children often get excited to try something new,” Peters said. “By praising effort and showing children they’ll still be loved and valued despite the out-

come, you can reframe how they approach challenges and teach them that difficult doesn’t mean impossible.”

Encourage the process: People often withhold praise until there’s a result, which leads children to hurriedly scribble a picture to hold up for a “good job” instead of taking time to focus on their efforts. When children know adults will encourage them during the process, instead of only upon the achievement, they’re more likely to try new things or master a new skill. For example, try providing encouragement such as, “I can see you’re focused on drawing that tree. It looks so lifelike because you’re putting so much thought into what you’re doing.” Once their project is finished, continue the encouragement by hanging up their artwork or school projects in a prominent place.

Model a growth mindset: You can model a growth mindset for children by narrating your actions when you are facing a challenge: “I am having a difficult time putting this shelf together, but it’s OK. I’ll take a break then read the instructions again.” Remove negative words from your vocabulary, such as “I can’t” or “I’m stupid.” Even when you are joking, children may not be able to tell the difference. You can also ask your children to join you in problem-solving. Take time to hear their ideas and try them even if you think they won’t work. This not only supports the development of their growth mindset, but the quality time and encouragement reinforces their sense of self-worth and builds confidence.

For more tips to help children develop a growth mindset, visit kindercare.com.

ACROSS

1. Biased perspective

6. Male sibs

10. Monday Night Football audience

14. Tapiridae representative

15. Rock opera version of “La Bohème”

16. Object of worship

17. Opposite of alpha

18. ____ Spumante

19. Novice

20. *Unanimously elected President

22. Gusto

23. Eggy drink

24. Jig music, pl.

26. Stashed in a hold

30. Penniless

32. Wood turning device

33. Toll payment, e.g.

34. Not slouching

38. Like nay-sayers

39. Of many years

40. Malaria symptom

41. Instagram post

43. River, in Spanish

44. Bell-bottoms bottom

45. Dodge

47. Unexpected

48. The Cat in the Hat’s headgear (2 words)

51. Campbell’s container

52. International Civil Aviation Organization

53. *President Hayes’ first name

60. “Through” in a text?

61. Pelvic bones

62. Plural of #54 Down

63. Andrew Sean Greer’s 2018 Pulitzer Prize winner

64. Reverse action

65. Mother-of-pearl

66. *Lake off Ohio, the state known as “the Mother of Presidents”

67. Baseball’s “The Say Hey Kid”

68. Navigate

DOWN

1. *Present tense of #26 Across

2. Tibetan priest

3. “Singes” in “La Planète des singes”

4. Nearly

5. Apprentice

6. Name on apple cider vinegar bottle

7. R in R&R

8. Cognizant of

9. “Sophie’s Choice” protagonist

10. *F in JFK

11. Bye, to Emmanuel Macron

12. Relating to Scandinavia

13. Casino bandits

21. Sign of assent

25. *Civil Rights Act of 1957 signer

26. Dueler’s blow

27. Hyperbolic tangent

28. Football great Graham

29. *Executive Mansion, colloquially (2 words)

30. Misrepresent

31. Make over

33. *One of four presidents to have never been elected

35. “Goodness gracious!”

36. “Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me” band, The ____

37. High school student, usually

42. Spermatozoa counterparts

44. Not marathons, pl. (2 words)

46. Central court in domus

47. Certain frat house letters 48. Ownership document 49. Autumn color

50. Zoroaster follower

51. Pandemonium

54. Elbow-wrist connection

55. Not a slob

56. Like certain Stanley 57. A third of thrice

58. Steak choice

59. Whitetail, e.g.