CN: March 2, 2022

March 2, 2022

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Around Town

COMMUNITY VOICES

By Rick L. Stevens. Pg. 2 Grant’s Farm raises hourly wage, plans job fair to hire seasonal staff. Pg. 3 A SENIOR MOMENT. Pg. 4

Business V15Able looks to bring disabled jobseekers and employers together. Pg. 6

Special Section NORTHWEST NEWS. Pg. 7

Features

Baby buntings, more widely known as “onesies,” are holiday-themed costumes for newborns in the St. Luke’s Birth Care Suites as a special gift to the family.

Photos courtesy St. Luke’s Hospital

Nurses, retired nurses and volunteers help give newborns unique, holiday-themed baby buntings during their stay at St. Luke’s Hospital

By Wendy Todd St. Luke’s Hospital, along with its commitment to quality patient care, has become affectionately known as the “Baby Bunting” hospital. Located in Chesterfield since 1886, the independent, nonprofit healthcare provider celebrates its 25th year of making baby buntings as a way to give back to the community.

Baby buntings are more widely known as “onesies.” The hospital’s version of buntings are holiday-themed costumes for newborns in the St. Luke’s Birth Care Suites as a special gift to the family. The tradition began in 1997 by Gussie Freese, a volunteer See ‘DELIVERY’ page 2

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

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who wanted to give back to the hospital.

Freese passed away several years ago, and the ritual has been carried on by St. Luke’s nurses, retired nurses and volunteers. The hospital decided to provide the buntings as a means to give extra care to families.

“At St. Luke’s, we do everything possible to provide an excellent patient experience,” says Kristin Garrett, RN, MSN, CENP and director of nursing. “We understand that the birth of a child is one of life’s most spe-

cial moments, and we want to celebrate that with our families. We also recognize that the world can always use more joy.”

The buntings are made for traditional and nontraditional holidays and events.

They were even made for the solar eclipse of 2017. “The staff provides some great ideas for the different holiday buntings that we give to our seamstresses who put them together,” says Jodi Nichols, maternity nurse navigator. “I like all of the buntings,

because so much thought goes into them.”

Parents who receive buntings really appreciate the thoughtfulness of the gesture.

Many have treasured them as a keepsake.

“Parents are so grateful that we go that extra step to celebrate their child and make them feel special,” says Garrett. “With every season, we receive comments from parents, even those whose children were born at St. Luke’s many years ago. Many comment that they still have the bunting.”

Molly Maid of St. Louis presents significant donation to ALIVE On Jan. 25, Molly Maid of St. Louis owners Megan and Charles Willingham, along with team members, presented ALIVE’s Executive Director, Maggie Menefee, with a check for over $18,000. Molly Maid of St. Louis raised this notable contribution by requesting client donations throughout October and November. ALIVE is a St. Louis domestic violence agency, providing counseling, emergency sanctuary and other critical services to adults and children impacted by domestic abuse.

“Many of our employees have experienced domestic violence firsthand,” says Megan Willingham. “I think that’s a big

reason why so many of our ladies really get into raising money for the St. Louis ALIVE programs. Over 40 staff raised the money, with four employees receiving over 20 donations each. It’s exciting to see everyone get involved in supporting ALIVE!” ALIVE thanks Megan, Charles and the entire staff of Molly Maid of St. Louis for this significant donation that will greatly benefit local survivors of domestic abuse and their children through shelter, counseling, court advocacy, a 24-hour crisis line and other supportive programs.

Molly Maid of St. Louis gives back valuable time to their clients by providing pro-

COMMUNITY VOICES:

fessional housecleaning services, and their focus on giving doesn’t end there: the team is committed to giving back to the community. The Willinghams’ team has supported ALIVE for many years, and the Ms. Molly foundation has donated over $3.5 million to domestic violence shelters and agencies nationwide. Learn more at mollymaid. com/stlouis/.

Since 1983, ALIVE has empowered area domestic violence survivors to build safe and hopeful futures. Visit alivestl.org for more information. Need help? Contact ALIVE’s crisis line at 314-993-2777.

By Rick L. Stevens

After two years of COVID, what’s ahead?

After two years of battling COVID-19, a few things are certain: vaccines really do work and wearing masks and social distancing have helped stop its spread. As the door to our new normalcy starts to crack open, let’s shed some light on what’s ahead.

Make no mistake – COVID is here to stay, but experts say that COVID will likely lose its “pandemic” status sometime this year, due largely to rising global vaccination rates and developments of antiviral COVID pills that could become more widespread later this year.

Instead, the virus will likely become “endemic,” and will eventually fade in severity and become part of the background of regular, everyday life, much like the flu. Various strains of the influenza have followed a similar pattern over the past century or more, from the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 to the swine flu pandemic of 2009.

COVID will remain dangerous once the pandemic ends – just like the flu, which kills on average more than 53,000 people each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). More than 900,000 people in the United States have died from COVID to date. In Missouri, on average 51 people have died from COVID each day over the past two years.

The good news is that once endemic, COVID won’t dictate daily life and decision-making as much. Endemic illnesses are always circulating throughout parts of the world but tend to cause milder illness because more people have immunity from past infection and vaccination. You might get a cough or runny nose, but if you’re upto-date on your vaccinations, you’ll be protected enough to prevent severe illness or hospitalization.

Much like other respiratory viruses, there will be times of year when COVID infections peak – most likely the colder fall and winter months, meaning COVID and flu seasons could regularly coincide moving forward.

There’s also a chance we all might need to get regular COVID boosters going forward, with some experts saying that COVID vaccines could become an annual occurrence, similar to the flu shot. And that might be a good thing – if new COVID variants keep popping up, each year’s boost can be specifically designed to fight whichever variant is dominant at the time.

But convincing people to follow through remains the challenge. It’s hard enough to convince people to get their annual flu shots. During the last flu season before

COVID, only 48% of American adults got a flu vaccine according to the CDC. Currently only 65% of Americans have received full dosage of the COVID vaccine, and only 55% of Missourians are fully vaccinated against the virus.

With all this in mind, as we look forward to spring, it’s important to continue practicing prevention measures that science has proven work – vaccinating, wearing a mask in public indoor settings, staying home when you’re sick and washing your hands frequently.

My hope is that everyone takes a little bit more personal responsibility to continue to do these things that we know work – the lives of family, friends, neighbors and the community at large are all depending on it.

Until next time, best wishes for your good health!

Rick L. Stevens, FACHE, is Christian Hospital President.

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

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

Grant’s Farm raises hourly wage, plans job fair to hire seasonal staff

Submitted photo Grant’s Farm, the beloved St. Louis attraction featuring more than 100 different animal species, entertaining animal shows and fun opportunities to interact with goats and other farm animals, has announced it is hiring for approximately 225 seasonal jobs.

Grant’s Farm, the beloved St. Louis attraction featuring more than 100 different animal species, entertaining animal shows and fun opportunities to interact with goats and other farm animals, has announced it is hiring for approximately 225 seasonal jobs.

Starting pay varies by position but is at least $12 per hour and is higher for food service positions. Open positions include feeding and caring for animals, leading tours, guest relations, merchandise, bartending, and food service. Team members get discounts on food and merchandise, and can request particular shifts and days off.

Grant’s Farm is holding a job fair and interviews on-site on Saturday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Job seekers will have the opportunity to interview with a hiring manager and possibly be hired on-the-spot.

Rob Boyd, human resources manager at Grant’s Farm, said that while previous experience isn’t necessary for every position, they’re definitely interested in candidates with a particular mindset.

“Grant’s Farm is a mainstay in the St. Louis community, with a distinct tradition of providing excellent care to our guests as well as our animals.

We’re looking for people that will take pride in providing that level of service and in helping to sustain a tradition that has been in place for more than 67 years,” Boyd said.

Boyd added that the park is also committed to a diverse workforce that represents the community, and has broadened its recruiting efforts to achieve this. He and his team have been collaborating with the Missouri Job Center, St. Louis County Workforce Development, and local school districts to reach out to potential candidates.

Job descriptions are posted online at www.GrantsFarmJobs.com. Job seekers are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, whether or not they are able to attend the job fair.

The 2022 season opens on April 30, and Grant’s Farm looks to be fully staffed by April 11. The Farm will be open weekends only until the summer season starts on May 27, when the park will be open daily. The Farm will also be open for special tours as part of its “Spring Break Sneak Peek” in March.

Located in St. Louis County, 281acre Grant’s Farm is an engaging leisure-and-learning destination for guests of all ages. The site includes the Busch family’s ancestral estate and the preserved Hardscrabble cabin built by former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant.

It is also home to more than 100 species of animals, including some of the world-famous Clydesdales. For more information about this special place where everyone is encouraged to immerse themselves with nature, animals and history, visit GrantsFarm.com.

Around Town

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A run for everyone - 13 years of Ferguson Twilight Run For 13 years, Ferguson Twilight Run has welcomed runners and walkers, family and friends, neighbors, visitors and so many more to enjoy a run for everyone. The annual event is, May 14.

To celebrate the milestone year, FTR 13.1 offers p ar t i c ip ant s a half-marathon distance by pairing the 5K (3.1 miles) with the 10-mile. Runners will do the 5K route first, then set off on the 10mile route.

Ferguson Twilight Run will limit in-person participation to 700 runners and walkers. All distances are offered virtually with unlimited participation.

FTR will follow the health and safety guidelines recommended by public health and local government. Details will be posted online.

Ferguson Twilight Run will start and finish at Plaza at 501, at the intersection of Florissant Road and Suburban Av-

enue.

The one-mile distance starts at 4 p.m.; the 5K and FTR 13.1 distances start at 4:45 p.m. The 10K and 10-mile distances start at 5:15 p.m.

Routes are U S AT F- c e rtified by Big River Running Company.

All distances are offered virtually with unlimited participation; virtual races can be completed on your own schedule during race week, May 9-15.

In 2021, Hoka One One Northern Arizona Elite, a professional sports team, joined Ferguson Twilight Run as ambassadors. The partnership continues in 2022 with the NAZ athletes promoting the local race to running fans around the globe, and are actively involved in planning the event.

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Around Town

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

Still In This Together:

A slice of birthday pie

I’m writing this on what would have been my dad’s 97th birthday. There’s a pumpkin pie in the oven in his honor, and a full can of whipped cream in the refrigerator that I’d love to be sharing with him. He was a pie guy, and while he was not at all opposed to cake, he loved when we put birthday candles on a pie for him.

It’s a cold, sunny day today, one he would have declared was “perfect,” which he said pretty much no matter the weather, and he would have been happy spending it messing with the car engine or barbecuing. Didn’t matter that it was the end of January; he did his best barbecuing in the winter. Took us years to figure out that he probably worked on the cars and barbecued just to get out of the house filled with girls…wife, three daughters, and a female dachshund named Duchess. He loved it when we started dating, just to have a guy around once in a while.

And he was so happy when his first grandchild was a boy! He would have been thrilled that there were three more boys to follow, out of the nine grandkids he and my mom would eventually be blessed with.

But he only had six months with Christopher, and he spent much of that time in the hospital. He died at forty-nine, on my husband John’s twenty-fourth birthday, of kidney cancer. Back in the early 70’s there wasn’t a lot to be done with that diagnosis, no matter how strong he was or how much he wanted to live for all of us.

But he never really left us. I can almost hear his

booming voice telling me I should have put both oven mitts on as I was trying to take the pie out of the oven, and the pumpkin filling was sliding because I couldn’t hold the weight of it with just one hand. I’m smiling with tears in my eyes, the way we’ve all spent a lot of the nearly forty-eight years he’s been gone. It seems crazy to imagine he’s been gone nearly as long as he lived.

Dad was a fireman for much of his adult life, a Navy veteran of WWII, a big, fun-loving, boisterous guy who cared deeply for his family. He liked to pretend he was a force to be reckoned with, but fell apart when John asked for my hand in marriage, and had tears in his eyes as he walked out of church on the day we were married. I was the only daughter he walked down the aisle…and it’s a shame because he was so very good at it.

He had a full head of dark hair and not a single cavity in his mouth when he died. It’s so hard to imagine what he would have looked like with gray hair, or bald, as my grandpa was, and so difficult to imagine his face through all the ages he never made it to. The year I turned forty-nine, I realized for myself just how young he was when he died, and what a rich life he and all of us were deprived of. He never saw a cordless phone, or a computer, never had any inkling of the video games his grandkids would play or that movies would be available in your own home on huge -screened tv’s hung right on the wall, at any time of the day or night. Or that kidney can-

By Vicki Bahr cer would be survivable.

The grandkids and great-grandkids would have loved his antics, and he would have had so much fun with all of them, exploding marshmallow peeps in the microwave on Easter and teaching them how to fish, reminding them when math problems or life problems became too overwhelming to just step away from them for a while before returning and trying to solve them.

Somehow, though, especially on days like this, Dad seems so near, and it’s possible to believe that he’s been here for everything, laughing and crying right along with his girls, watching his grandkids learn to walk and read, cheering them on as they graduated from college and walked down the aisle on their wedding days, marveling at the years gone by and bolstering us when we needed him most.

Tonight, there’s an extra squirt of whipped cream just for you, Dad. Happy birthday, and give Mom a hug for me.

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.

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

THIS WEEK’S PICK

St. Louis Theater Circle to present special lifetime achievement awards

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pecial lifetime achievement awards to Michael Hamilton and Jack Lane, co-founders of Stages St. Louis, will be given by the St. Louis Theater Circle at its March 28 virtual event, which will be streamed by HEC Media. Ken and Nancy Kranzberg, who received a special award from the Theater Circle at the 2020 virtual streaming ceremony, will make an acceptance speech for that award, as will Lane for this year’s special award, for the 2022 ceremony.

After a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the St. Louis Theater Circle Awards are returning in 2022 in a ‘virtual’ ceremony. That event will be streamed at 7 p.m. on March 28 on HEC Media’s Facebook page, YouTube channel, and web site (www.hecmedia.org).

Nominees in more than 30 categories will vie for honors covering comedies, dramas, musicals and operas produced by local professional theater and opera companies in the combined calendar years of 2020 and 2021.

Hamilton, who served as artistic director for Stages since its founding in 1987, retired at the end of the company’s 2021 season. He directed both of Stages’ productions in 2021, “Always…

Patsy Cline” and “Jersey Boys.” Hamilton has been

nominated for both productions for Outstanding Director of a Musical. Stages St. Louis has been nominated for a total of 16 awards, 11 for “Jersey Boys” and five for “Always…Patsy Cline.”

Lane, who serves as executive producer of Stages and co-founded the company with Hamilton in 1987, was instrumental in the development and eventual opening of the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, which held its first productions by local companies in 2021.

Because the pandemic brought about the cancellation of so many productions by virtually all local professional theater companies, approximately 75 productions have been considered for nominations for the combined years of 2020 and 2021.

This compares to roughly 110 to 120 productions normally considered in one year alone.

The eighth annual award ceremony, which was to have been held ‘live’ at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the campus of Webster University, was cancelled in February 2020 due to the escalating number of cases of COVID-19. Instead, that event was held virtually in a highly polished presentation produced by HEC Media and streamed on HEC’s Faceook page, YouTube channel and web site. There was no ceremony of any type by the

Theater Circle in 2021.

HEC’s 2020 production of the St. Louis Theater Circle Awards was one of the first major productions of any awards ceremony in the United States after the coronavirus pandemic shut down nearly all theatrical activities in mid-March 2020. The ceremony had one of the largest viewership figures for any virtual streaming event of HEC at that time.

For this ninth annual ceremony, members of the St. Louis Theater Circle considered nominees from shows produced in the first three months of 2020 and the last eight months of 2021 combined. In addition, a few shows produced between April 2020 and May 2021 were included. The total number of shows considered from the years 2020 and 2021 combined amounted to about 75 shows.

The mission of the St. Louis Theater Circle is simple: To honor outstanding achievement in St. Louis professional theater. Other cities around the country, such as Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., pay tribute to their own local theatrical productions with similar awards programs.

For more information, contact stltheatercircle@ sbcglobal.net.

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

Around Town

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Sculpture by nationally renowned artist coming to new DOORWAYS campus “everyman.”

Wiley’s “Rumors of War,” Campbell notes, represents a major departure from all three of these pieces in a number of ways. One, of course, is the sculpture itself, which places a young Black man in the position of triumph and power normally accorded only to white males. In fact, “Wiley’s young African American male rider holds his own when juxtaposed with Apotheosis of St. Louis,” Campbell writes. Another is the placement of the sculpture in North St. Louis, which until now has been “historically ignored and not considered ‘worthy’ of this kind of power and importance.”

The site is also significant for its proximity to another landmark of Black American culture, the Scott Joplin House, at 2658 Delmar. It’s also within a few blocks of three schools – Carr Lane Visual and Performing Arts Middle School, La Salle Public Charter Middle School, and Gateway Science, Technology, Engineering and Math High School – whose students can be heartened and inspired by the new work.

Wiley cast two editions of “Rumors of War” in different sizes. The first large-scale version was unveiled in 2019 in New York’s Times Square. Later that year it traveled to Richmond, where it was temporarily sited right on Monument Avenue among the Confederate monuments. In a New York Times story about the unveiling, Wiley recalled how he had conceived the sculpture after seeing the statues of Stuart and other Confederate generals in Richmond and feeling “a sense of dread and fear.” The Times quoted Wiley as saying, “Today we say yes to something that looks like us. We say yes to inclusivity. We say yes to broader notions of what it means to be an American.”

As it turned out, Richmond removed the statues of Confederate generals from Monument Avenue after the protests against the death of George Floyd in 2020.

Wiley’s sculpture, however, remains nearby on the grounds of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Wiley is a native of Los Angeles who earned a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts degree from the San Francisco Art Institute and a Master’s in Fine Arts from the School of Art at Yale University.

He is also already wellSubmitted photo

A major sculptural commission by Kehinde Wiley, one of the nation’s leading artists, will be permanently sited on the DOORWAYS organization's new campus.

The monumental work, titled “Rumors of War,” will make the organization's new campus on the North Side of St. Louis a landmark in public art and social consciousness. The work is a generous long-term loan to DOORWAYS from the St. Louis-based Gateway Foundation.

Wiley has been well recognized for his largescale portrait paintings, which feature African American men and women wearing contemporary dress in poses based on well-known images of historical Western artworks — most often royals and generals. He garnered even more renown for painting the official Presidential portrait of President Barack Obama, which now hangs in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. “Rumors of War reimagines” traditional heroic equestrian monuments.

It features a man on a horse, with pose and posture modeled after the statue of Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart that until recently stood on Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. There are however, several significant differences: The man on this horse is Black, wears a hoodie, jeans and high-top sneakers, and has his hair in dreadlocks. Wiley’s work is meant as a direct response to Confederate monuments by reimagining a new hero and protagonist.

“Rumors of War” will be sited at the entrance plaza just outside the new headquarters building, at 1101 North Jefferson Avenue, northwest of its intersection with Dr. Martin Luther King Drive.

The bronze sculpture, which will be placed on a stone pedestal, measures 53 inches high by 64 inches wide by 24 inches deep. It is one of nine smaller versions, or “editions,” of a larger sculpture that Wiley made for placement in Richmond. The new piece is scheduled to be installed in the summer of 2022, when work at the new campus is completed.

DOORWAYS is immensely grateful to the Gateway Foundation for this fascinating and stirring artwork.

It will immediately establish the campus as a landmark for contemporary art, not only in North St. Louis but in the entire St. Louis region and beyond.

Currently, St. Louis features three equestrian monuments—the majestic Apotheosis of St. Louis on Art Hill in Forest Park; a sculpture of the Union General Franz Siegel, also in Forest Park; and Man on Horse,

by Fernando Botero, on Wydown Boulevard near Hanley Road in Clayton.

As Tarrell R. Campbell, Ph.D., assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Washington University, observes in his essay, “Rumors of War: A More Inclusive Northside,” the first two equestrian monuments represent white, male figures in powerful, triumphant poses, whereas Botero’s rider reflects an

known to St. Louisans. In 2017, three years after the death of Michael Brown and the protests in Ferguson, he visited North St. Louis and invited residents he met in Ferguson and Florissant to pose for him. The result was an exhibition from late 2018 to early 2019 at the Saint Louis Art Museum in which Wiley presented 11 large-scale oil paintings of contemporary African American St. Louis models in poses reminiscent of the grand traditions of European and American portraiture found in the Museum’s collection. These works, the Art Museum noted, “address the politics of race and power in art, drawing attention to the pervasive lack of representation of people of color in the art world.” And Dereck Conrad Murray, an arts professor at the University of California Santa Cruz, commented: The paintings, like Rumors of War, “envision … blackness beyond abjection and racial trauma.” They suggest “welcoming entry-points into the worlds of prestige, clout, power, wealth, and influence” that are usually unavailable.

The mission of the Gateway Foundation is to enrich life and culture in St. Louis by supporting efforts to acquire, create and improve tangible and durable art and urban design. The foundation is best known for its City Garden in downtown St. Louis, but it has also placed more than 30 other sculptures in public locations in St. Louis and St. Louis County. In addition, the foundation has been responsible for the outdoor lighting of the Gateway Arch, Civil Courts Building, City Hall, and many other iconic St. Louis structures.

Gateway purchased “Rumors of War” specifically for the DOORWAYS site. The foundation will also finance the cost of the design and construction of the sculpture entry plaza, as well as the costs associated with the installation and lighting of the new piece of artwork. As they seek to complete the fundraising for their $35 million new campus, they hope the generosity Gateway has shown will inspire other donors to join in support.

www.essehealth.com

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Business

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

North County Inc. sets date and seeks nominations for annual leadership celebration North County Inc. (NCI) will host its 45th Annual Leadership Breakfast, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., May 6th at the Marriott St. Louis Airport and seeks nominations for exemplary business, civic and community leadership for those who work in North County. Nominations are due Feb. 25 and honorees will be recognized at the celebratory event. To nominate a worthy candidate(s) for an award go to www.NorthStLouisCounty.com.

The Leadership Breakfast will also showcase current initiatives under way that are helping to enhance the

region’s growth and quality of life.

“Our Annual Leadership Breakfast is an opportunity for NCI to recognize the many professionals, businesses and others who are making a powerful impact in North County,” said NCI President and CEO Rebecca Zoll. “There are very positive developments and work happening in the community, bringing our leadership together to celebrate this growth is always fun.”

Awards include: • Elmer Belsha Leadership Award is presented to an individual who has a positive impact on the North County community.

• Business Development Awards are presented to those whose efforts have positively affected the

economic development and business climate of the North County area.

• Community Development Awards are presented to those whose efforts positively benefit youth, residents, civic organizations or others through selfless acts.

• Public Service Awards are presented to individuals, elected, appointed or employed by a public body whose long-time service has had a positive impact on the community and/or public body they serve.

• Diversity and Inclusion Awards recognizes individuals or organization showcasing exemplary dedication to diversity and equity initiatives while promoting a culture of inclusion.

V15Able looks to bring disabled jobseekers and employers together

www.InvinciCorp.com

Approximately 60% of all disabled people in the platform. In 2020 V15able partnered with St. Louis United States of working age are unemployed, and startup studio Sigla to build the first iteration of its yet every year there are seven million job openings platform, which made its debut in March 2021. that go unfilled. V15Able (proMost recently, Wexstten and nounced Visible), a new employV15Able were accepted into the ment platform designed to bring Pipeline Pathfinder program – candidates and employers togeththeir first ever class of an elite er, aims to solve both problems. network for often overlooked and V15Able is the brainchild of underserved entrepreneurs. Pipefounder and CEO Letisha Wexline is an entrepreneurial support stten. Wexstten was born without network founded in 2006 to serve arms and at an early age had to the Midwest’s budding serial enlearn how to do everything with trepreneurs leading scalable comher feet. She began her journey panies, but who have not yet made to inspire and assist the disabled the leap to full-time. community in 2012 when she “We wanted this to be a no-fuss debuted her YouTube channel, process for people with disabilSubmitted photo ities,” Wexstten said. “Think of it “Tisha UnArmed,” where she creates and posts informational and V15Able is the brainchild of founder and CEO Letisha like LinkedIn – it’s free to create a humorous videos of her daily life Wexstten. profile but if you want additional with a disability. Currently the features you will be able to pay for channel has more than 170,000 followers, and its suca subscription fee.” cess made Wexstten think about what else she could Currently the V15Able website offers disabled cando to help the disabled community. Having struggled didates the ability to create their own free, customherself in the job market, she set out to create a platizable profile that best describes and showcases their form to help disabled candidates connect with emcapabilities in the workplace. Candidates may then ployers. share their profile with prospective employers with a “When I saw how much of a difference the YouTube personal link. Once fully funded, V15Able.com will channel was making I knew that I wanted to help othbe a fully-functioning employment platform where er people like me gain the confidence they needed candidates will be able to share their profiles, search in order to take back their independence,” Wexstten other candidates and communicate with employexplains. “I am really excited to see what the future ers. Employers and recruiters will be able to search holds for V15Able. We think that this platform is gothe platform for a fee and filter candidates based on ing to change the world.” their employment needs. Investors, business leaders, V15Able (15 represents the 15% of the global popand disability advocates interested in helping bring ulation with disabilities) was developed at the UniV15Able to the next stage can contact Letisha Wexstversity of Missouri – St. Louis in 2019 through the ten at tisha@v15able.com.

University’s first Entrepreneurial Quest Accelerator “My plan for V15Able is to change the way busi(EQ) program, a six-week course in entrepreneurship nesses hire people with disabilities, allowing disabled that culminated in a competition for a $15,000 grant. candidates to advocate for themselves proving that V15Able took home the win and Wexstten used the anything is possible,” Wexstten said. “My goal for grant to create a business plan and research the conthe future of the company is to break down barriers cept further. Later in 2019, V15Able won a $50,000 St. for people with disabilities and employers, creating a Louis Arch Grant to put towards building the online more inclusive work environment.”

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

Northwest Views:

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By Jessica Denham

Submitted photo

Fighting screen fatigue Photo courtesy Bigstock

Celebrating a special birthday

Northwest News

nications experience, Jessica is currently Public Relations Manager for WGU Missouri. In this role, Jessica promotes the university and its 50+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs to the media, employers, educators, prospective students and the community at-large.

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.

On Feb. 22 (2/22/22), St. Luke’s hospital celebrated the babies born on the numerically unique day.

At 2 p.m., the care team from the maternity division gathered the palindrome birthday boys and girls for a photo to commemorate one of the coolest dates of the decade. As a special memory for all of the families that grew by two “feet” on this special day, St. Luke’s nurses made special frames that included the date and prints of those two, tiny feet.

Vantage supports Cardinals Care and Ranken Jordan Vantage Credit Union proudly supports the community year-round, and the 2021 holidays proved another generous giving season. Through donations from members and employees, over $5,000 was collected along with a generous number of unwrapped toys. In total, 13 complete Thanksgiving dinners were purchased and donated to local charities and food pantries, 175 presents were given to Cardinals Care, five bags of presents were given to Ranken Jordan, three bags of presents were given to Toys for Tots, one bag of presents was given to prison ministries and one bag of presents was given to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

“I’m proud of the generosity our members and employees have shown year over year,” said Debbie Meyer, Central Operations Director and Holiday Giving Committee Chairperson, Vantage Credit Union. “Giving back to local and children’s charities is one of the many, and in my opinion one of the most heart-warming, ways we serve those in the communities where we live and work.”

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.

Several recent studies show Americans spend at least four hours a day on mobile devices. Combine this startling statistic with the fact that many of us also spend countless hours in front of computer screens for work or school – it’s no wonder screen fatigue is now a thing. Looking at digital screens for extended periods of time causes eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes and neck and shoulder pain. The good news, however, is there’s an array of simple steps to help actively combat the physical implications of screen fatigue.

Here are a few tips to try: Pay attention to lighting. For the sake of your eyes, the brilliance of your gadget should imitate your surroundings, so make sure your computer screen backlight is turned down to a lower setting.

You should also aim to keep your screen between 20 and 30 inches away from your face. Additionally, working in a brightly lit room can decrease the contrast between your screen and your surroundings, putting less strain on your eyes.

Follow the 20-20-20 rule. To avoid technological burnout and eye strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule.

Every 20 minutes spent looking at a screen, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Use appropriate eyewear. Electronic screens emit blue light that could demand more work from your eyes. Special glasses can be bought to protect your eyes. If your eyes still feel strained, schedule an eye exam to see if the issue can be solved with prescription glasses/contact lenses.

Maintain proper posture and address “Tech Neck.” When looking down at screens, neck muscles have to work harder to keep the head up resulting in sore and tired necks. Consider doing chin tucks and other neck stretches and exercises (there are a number or products in-store and online to assist).

Also, be sure to refrain from hunching over, recline chairs by 25 to 30 degrees and raise screens or use a standing desk.

Take a break. One of the root causes of screen fatigue is staring at a screen for an extended period. Be sure to take frequent breaks to rest your mind and eyes.

Screen fatigue is often solved with simple altercations to everyday life. Still, if symptoms such as double vision, headaches, back pain, or uncontrolled itching occur, it may be in your best interest to seek professional medical assistance.

With more than 18 years of public relations and commu-

What’s Happening

8

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

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

Take notice . . .

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

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Featured Events . . .

CREDO Forum and Q & A titled “Solutions for a Catholic World in Crisis” takes place at DoubleTree by Hilton St. Louis at Westport. Doors open at 1 p.m. Come learn from the unwavering Franciscan priest and messenger of the saints, Father Isaac Mary Relyea. See CREDOStLouis.org for details and tickets.

EVENTS

p.m. The meetings are open to the public.

The virtual lecture “World Refugee Situation and Welcoming Refugees to St. Louis” by speaker Ariel Burgess, V-P of Client Services, International Institute of St. Louis will take place at 10:45 a.m on ZOOM, 384-422-5785. This is part of the International Relations Lecture Series sponsored by the AAUW and Tuesday Women’s Association of the Ethical Society of St. Louis for more than 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-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.

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Mondays: Choral Group meetings

Arts

Choral Arts Group practices every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Connection Christian Church at 1332 Feise Rd. in O’Fallon. Auditions not required. Ages high school and older are invited to join. There will be spring and fall public concerts. For more information call Marty at 636-5799227, or email concertartsa@ gmail.com.

Mondays: City council meetings Managed IT services for small and medium sized businesses.

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Tuesdays: singers

March 19: Forum and Q&A

March 8: Virtual lecture

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cing followed.

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

Mondays: singers

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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 314-921-2132. 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 distan-

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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 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, 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 Cen-

ter 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 314298-7444 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.

What’s Happening

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

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 314-6053949.

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 314-

al:

344-7220 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 Renew-

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.

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

9

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.

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

10

Sports

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

Sports you see with Gary B...

Lindenwood University jumps from Division II to I Recently, Lindenwood University officially accept-

www.treesbywood.net

ed an invitation to join the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) starting in the fall of 2022.

Lindenwood, which sponsors 18 of the OVC’s championship sports, will become official members on July 1. They mark only the 24th full-time member in the 74-year history of the Ohio Valley Conference.

The Ohio Valley Conference is adding Lindenwood as the 10th full-time member for the 202223 school year. Lindenwood will join University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Eastern Illinois University, Morehead State University, Southeast Missouri State University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, University of Southern Indiana, Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University and the University of Tennessee at Martin as OVC full member institutions.

“We are delighted to add Lindenwood University as the 10th member of the OVC for the 2022-23 academic year,” said OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche. “President Porter’s vision for the future of the institution, along with Lindenwood’s commitment to success, its geographic alignment with the OVC and its sports offerings, including football, and our shared philosophy and values make them a great fit for the conference. We are excited to welcome Lindenwood to our OVC community.”

Lindenwood is set to begin its reclassification process to the NCAA Division I level during the 202223 academic year. The Lions will be included in OVC regular season schedules and be eligible to compete in OVC Championships. Eligibility for Lindenwood to earn automatic bids to NCAA Championships begins in 2026-27, its first full season of full Division I membership.

“Lindenwood is thrilled to join the Ohio Valley Conference as we apply to transition to NCAA Division I. This opportunity will elevate our entire university and provide championship-level experiences our student athletes deserve,” Lindenwood President Dr. John Porter said. “A move to NCAA Division I athletics and membership in the OVC enhances our Lindenwood University community in many ways and aligns with our strategic plan– it will drive enrollment, enhance university visibility, and generate

revenue. We are eager to begin competition at this next level and look forward to welcoming OVC member schools to our campus beginning this fall.”

The university became a full NCAA Division II member during the 2013-14 school year. As one of the largest Division II athletic departments in the country, Lindenwood supports 29 sports at the NCAA level. With a student-athlete population exceeding 1,400 at Lindenwood, more than 700 compete in an NCAA sport. Lindenwood has an overall enrollment of just north of 7,000 students from all across the world.

Since joining the NCAA, Lindenwood has won four National Championships, with the most recent being the 2021 Women’s Lacrosse team. In 2017, Lindenwood ranked sixth in the NCAA Directors’ Cup, which included five team conference titles. In the NCAA era, Lindenwood has claimed three regional championships, 31 conference titles, and eight conference tournament championships. Lindenwood has garnered 13 individual national champions at the NCAA level. In addition to the individual achievement, six student-athlete have earned the NCAA Elite 90 Award for academic and athletic success throughout the season. Lindenwood’s NCAA sport programs have combined for a 3.0 GPA or higher since the start of the 2013-14 school year. * Great opportunities

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 • March 2, 2022

Recipe: Have a healthier happy hour

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dd a healthy twist to happy hour at home with a nutritious snack that goes perfectly with your favorite beverages. When gathering family and friends for a weekend toast or just winding down after work, these Prune, Mozzarella and Basil Skewers make for a nutritious and delicious addition to the party.

Rich and smooth with an ability to enhance various flavors, California Prunes are a versatile ingredient that allows you to expand your menu. In this recipe, prunes help form a palate-pleasing snack that delightfully combines sweet, salty and savory flavors.

In addition to their versatility, prunes provide important nutrients for your bones, including vitamin K and copper. When they are served with mozzarella – a good source of calcium – you get a perfect power pairing that supports your bone health and satisfies your snack cravings.

Feature

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– SUDOKU –

Prune, Mozzarella and Basil Skewers

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

Prep time: 5 minutes | Servings: 5

Ingredients:

Directions:

5 pieces prosciutto, halved lengthwise (optional)

If using prosciutto, fold each half in half lengthwise so width of prune is wider than width of prosciutto. Starting at one end of prosciutto, wrap one prune; repeat with remaining prosciutto. Set aside.

10 California Prunes 10 basil leaves 10 cherry-size mozzarella balls

Wrap one basil leaf around each mozzarella ball then thread onto skewer. Thread one prune or prosciutto-wrapped prune onto each skewer.

Visit CaliforniaPrunes.org to find more recipe ideas from morning to night.

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9

‘Uncharted’ leaps to the big screen

W

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.

hile portraying Peter “Uncharted” photo courtesy Columbia Pictures Parker/Spider-Man in multiple Marvel Cinematic Universe appearances, actor Tom Holland’s superhero character relied on his superpowers to help him in battles and avoid injury. In the cinematic adaptation of the videogame franchise “Uncharted,” Holland played Nathan Drake, a bartender and pickpocket searching for his longlost brother who sought a legendary treasure. Unlike Spider-Man; however, Nathan relied on his wits and guts to get out of trouble.

“Uncharted” was a fun video game adapta- Their software developers came up with Sonic: tion, especially with Mark Wahlberg along for a blue, sneaker-wearing hedgehog who ran at the ride, but it was not the first movie based on incredible speeds. The Sega Genesis console a videogame. In 1993, Bob Hoskins and John was packaged with a copy of the game and it Leguizamo played the leads in the live-action became quite popular. Sonic also appeared in adaptation of “Super Mario Bros.” The game’s cartoons and, in 2020, became the star of his special effects were translated for the screen own live-action film. The multi-talented Jim with limited success, but the jumping boots Carrey played Dr. Robotnik, Sonic’s archenewere pretty cool. A new “Mario Bros.” film my, in the first film and he will return for the was announced recently with Chris Pratt and 2022 sequel.

Charlie Day scheduled to be the voices of leg1995’s “Jumanji” was based on Chris Van Allendary plumbers Mario and Luigi. sburg’s picture book about a board game that In the 1990’s, Nintendo enjoyed great success became way too real. The late Robin Williams with their games, but they had competition. gave a stand-out performance as the adult Alan Sega, a competing video game manufacturer, Parrish. Alan was a troubled boy who found wanted a character to serve as their mascot. the “Jumanji” board game and played it with

his friend Sarah Whittle (Bonnie Hunt). One bad roll landed Alan in the jungles of Jumanji for 25 years before returning home. A new series of “Jumanji” movies starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have arrived in theaters. The sequels offered more insight into the game and honored the memory of Robin Williams.

Before computer animation really took off, 1982’s “Tron” broke new cinematic ground. Jeff Bridges starred as Kevin Flynn, a software developer who was fired from a tech firm called ENCOM. Kevin, along with Alan (Bruce Boxleitner) and Lora (Cindy Morgan), broke into the company to find evidence that he was unjustly fired. The sentient Master Control Program (MCP) transported him into the computer and made him play lethal video games. 2010’s “Tron: Legacy” picked up the story almost 30 years later and showed what happened to Flynn.

Ever since the days of Mario and Luigi’s live-action adventures, video games and movies have complemented each other. 1986’s “Top Gun” movie has been, for instance, adapted for video game consoles multiple times. Unfortunately, a video game version of “Jackass” has also been around for several years. Play that one at your own risk.

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COLLECTIBLES

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

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Feature

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

Yeggs

John Hanna

Crossword: The 1940s

‘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 Product downsizing is on the rise…or should I say, on the “shrink.” Yes, as the prices of things go up the size of the package stays the same all while the product inside is drastically reduced. It’s called, shrinkflation.

Back when I was a youngster, we could buy a box of cereal that came in a gigantic container and it would last a month. When the box was finally empty, we’d use it to build a fort and play inside. But then something happened. The prices went up, but rather than decrease the size of the box the marketers pulled a fast one on us and shriveled up the innards.

It wasn’t until the next morning that we’d open the box to find a measly cup of cereal trickling out.

We’d been duped! The marketers figured we were all dim bulbs who wouldn’t notice the sneak they pulled.

Just whose bright idea was this anyhow? Not ours because apparently, we’re all dim bulbs.

I imagine the marketing meeting went something like this: Director of Marketing: “Okay people, I need your attention. We’ve got this bag of potato chips here and we’re going to have to raise the price freakishly high, but we can’t let the consumer find out or else the complaint line will be ringing off the hook. I need ideas, fast! You there, Ralph from packaging, what have you got?”

Ralph: “First, we take out most of the chips.

Next, I’ve got this air pump and we fill the bag

with a blast of air so the package looks just as full as always.”

Director: “Tricky and deceptive. I like it, but what’s going to happen when the customer gets home and finds out there are only three chips in the bag?”

“No worries; we’ll change the complaint number on the back of the bag to the phone number of the White House.”

“Hmm. The air pump idea is genius, but won’t the White House be fuming about getting calls from angry people with problems?”

“Not a chance. The White House gets angry people calling all day and they never fix anyone’s problems.”

Ralph promptly received a raise along with a bag of chips. Later that year he was elected to the Senate.

When the chips are down

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. Decree 6. *U.S./U.S.S.R.’s cold one 9. Harry Potter’s mark 13. Syrup flavor 14. ____ Khan 15. Bird of prey’s nest 16. Lieu 17. H+, e.g.

18. Bashful or Happy 19. *”1984” author George 21. *Best-selling pop artist Bing 23. Writer ____ Monk Kidd 24. Genghis or Kubla 25. Cranberry habitat 28. Not nice 30. Saddle holders 35. *Boris Karloff’s movie “The ____,” pl.

37. Actress Barrymore 39. Asian goat antelope 40. Supernatural life force 41. Seethes 43. South African antelope 44. Cook from above 46. Rotisserie part 47. Not odd 48. Italy in Italian 50. What snob puts on 52. .0000001 joule 53. Sound of a dropped tome

55. Beer acronym 57. *____ Doctrine, U.S. foreign policy 60. *”How Green Was My ____” 63. Another word for nutria 64. Ciao in the U.S. 66. Trip guide 68. Surveyor’s maps 69. Afflict 70. Will alternative 71. Additionally 72. Nucleic acid 73. Term of endearment

22. Old towel, e.g.

24. Rollerskater’s protector (2 words) 25. *Disney’s 1942 orphan 26. Abstractionism using optical illusion 27. Kind of salami 29. Crafts’ companion 31. Network of nerves 32. Treasure collection 33. Dreamer?

34. *Popular music style 36. Ship canvas 38. *1939-1945 42. Parallel grooves 45. Acid turns it red DOWN 49. “Bingo!”

1. Emergency acronym 51. Daryl Hannah’s 1984 2. *1949 international org. movie 3. Copycat 54. Open up 4. Chicken feet 56. In spite of the fact, arch.

5. Christian hymn (2 words) 57. Church sound 6. Graveside sound 58. Swedish shag rugs 7. Gone by 59. Plotting 8. TV’s Yellowstone, e.g.

60. Velum, pl.

9. Uses a Singer 61. Zeal 10. Underwater hermit 62. New Haven University 11. Ethereal 63. IRS employee?

12. Gridiron official, for 65. Yang’s opposite short 67. Canny 15. Apollo Creed’s son 20. City in northern England SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9