CN: Mar. 6. 2013

March 6, 2013

Mathews-Dickey 53rd Anniversary

Recipes

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Brunch: French Toast

Get Outta Town

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Raise Money for a Cause

Around Town

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Library Donates

Retired educator and longtime Mathews-Dickey volunteer tutor Jeanie Wells believes that “academics and athletics can and should co-exist.”

It’s Better to Educate than Incarcerate The Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club is celebrating 53 years of service, mentorship and education by launching a year-long initiative called “It’s Better to Educate than Incarcerate.” The Club kicked off the campaign at a weekend anniversary celebration in February.

At the event, which was co-Chaired

by Federal Judge E. Richard Webber and Ferguson-Florissant School Superintendent Dr. Art McCoy, Mayor Francis Slay and County Executive Charlie Dooley signed a pledge supporting the Club’s efforts to keep young people on the right side of the law and achieving in the classroom. The pledge was offered up by 53 legal representatives and 53 who were chosen to contribute to the campaign through mentorship and volunteerism.

“This mantra sums up our mission of educating children on the front end to keep them from falling through the cracks,” said club President, CEO and Co-Founder Martin Luther Mathews.

Barbara Washington, vice president of public relations and special events, hopes the campaign will drum up some

much-needed support. “The Club is a haven for our youth—a staple in this community,” she says. “We want to address everything that is keeping them from excelling. If we get to these young people before they drop out or hurt themselves or lose hope, we keep them.

Some of them have never felt love; we want to lift them up and build their self-esteem.”

With “It’s Better to Educate than Incarcerate” as the theme, the Club will work to grow resources and develop relationships with sponsors and partners.

“From the beginning we have believed it takes everybody— the whole community, parents, churches and schools—we are the hub where they all come together,” says Washington.

Funds are needed, she says, to help the Club continue to maintain its large facilities and offer the programs and services it has for the last 53 years.

“I couldn’t begin to choose just one program to highlight. All of them are successful and effective. But we need to pay for those programs. We pay our young people who work as day camp

counselors. There are scholarships and programs to help members learn about jobs and college preparedness. There are field trips, educational activities and transportation costs, too.”

See MATHEWS-DICKEY page 2

School

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Solider Teaches

Snitch photo courtesy of Summit Entertainment

Movie

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March 6, 2013 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Vol. 92 No. 10

In This Issue...

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Around Town

your guide to good news and events like Newspapers in Education Week

Business

Getting a mortgage? Read this first!

7 School

A soldier and mother taught local students a thing or two.

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Learn & Play

Play Sudoku and read a review of the new children’s book Miss Rumphius. Also, learn ten things you need to know before letting your child play with your iPad.

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Movie

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Sports

11

Recipes

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What’s Happening

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Classifieds

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Over the Fence

MATHEWS-DICKEY from cover The Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club was founded in 1960 by Martin L. Mathews and the late Hubert “Dickey” Ballentine. Today the Club serves more than 40,000 young men and women, ages 5-18, throughout the St. Louis-metropolitan area. The Club also serves as a meeting center for various community, social and business organizations and as an outreach resource center for troubled youth.

“We must recognize that the youth of today are our future, and whether or not they make it affects the community as a whole.” says Washington. “They have value in society; our future community is only viable if they succeed.”

Located at 4245 N. Kingshighway Blvd The Club is a 501 (c)(3) United Way member agency. For more information, call Barbara Washington at 314.382.5952, ext. 234.

Bulldog spirit gives youth the tenacity to practice the “Three R’s: Respect, Restraint & Responsibility” on and off the field.

Snitch is worth the rental but not the movie ticket.

Local sport authority Gary B fills you in on the Missouri Monsters indoor football.

A simple skillet supper and a fruity brunch dish: we’ve got your weekend covered. the only events calendar you need to stay entertained all week long

Joe Morice is to Community News readers what Wilson was to Tim Taylor: enjoy a fresh perspective from our inhouse blue-collar philosopher. This week he’s writing about—what else? — the sequester.

Check out our new online at www.mycnews.com/cc

President & CEO Martin Mathews, Dr. Art McCoy and Judge Ernest Webber are flanked by 53 educators and 53 legal representatives who signed the “It’s Better to Educate Than to Incarcerate” pledge 53rd Anniversary Alumni Celebration & Awards Showcase on February 16.

www.mycnews.com • Community News • March 6, 2013

Around Town

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A Special Dedication Mass at the Sarah Community

Severe Weather Awareness Week

Residents and dignitaries gathered for a special dedication Mass for the Marian Chapel at the Sarah Community. The chapel was completed as part of a campus construction project that included a new skilled nursing facility for the Sarah Community. The Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson, Archbishop of St. Louis, celebrated Mass on Monday and provided a special blessing for the chapel. Archbishop Carlson joined members of the founding congregations for a luncheon and visited with the residents of the community. The music was provided by the St. Margaret of Scotland Church Choir, led by Peter Hesed, and was sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary. The Sarah Community is grateful for the support received from the Archbishop and the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

The new chapel is utilized by the residents and their families. Providing an inspirational chapel for prayer and worship is essential to meet the spiritual needs of the residents. The Chapel al-

The National Weather Service, the State Emergency Management Agency and Missouri’s local emergency management offices urge Missourians to use Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 4-8, as an opportunity to plan and prepare for how they will react and shelter in response to severe weather.

Missouri’s Stormaware.mo.gov website includes detailed videos showing how to take shelter in specific types of buildings— houses with and without basements, mobile homes, schools— and important information about tornado sirens and weather alert radios. The site also includes links to free severe weather texting services that can alert people across Missouri to upcoming severe weather.

The National Weather Service provides safety tips and educational information about each day of Severe Weather Awareness Week on the St. Louis Forecast Office site: www.crh.noaa.gov/ lsx/?n=severeweek (Monday, Preparedness Day; Tuesday, Tornado Safety Day; Wednesday, Flash Flood Safety Day; Thursday, Severe Thunderstorm Day; Friday, NOAA Weather Radio Day).

Remember: • Tornado watch means watch the sky. A tornado may form during a thunderstorm.

• Tornado warning means seek shelter immediately.

• An interior room without windows on the lowest floor is the safest shelter location.

• Do not seek shelter in a cafeteria, gymnasium or other large open room because the roof might collapse.

• Immediately leave a mobile home to seek shelter in a nearby building.

• Overpasses are not safe. An overpass’ under-the-girder-type construction can cause a dangerous wind tunnel effect.

• If you are driving, you should stop and take shelter in a nearby building.

• If you are driving in a rural area, seek shelter in a roadside ditch. Protect yourself from flying debris by covering your head with your arms, a coat or a blanket. Be prepared to move quickly in case the ditch fills with water • Never drive into standing water. It can take less than six inches of fast moving water to make a slow moving car float. Once floating, a vehicle can overturn and sink.

Newspapers in Education I remember my childhood Saturday mornings, rolling out bed around 8 a.m. and smelling my dad’s French toast sizzling on the griddle. There he was, tucked away at the brown table in the breakfast nook that looks out into the yard, sipping coffee from his Philadelphia Flyers’ mug.

He was busy. He was reading.

He had his favorite newspaper sprawled across the table, each section expertly unfolded, then folded when he was finished. No crinkles or crumples.

I’d cozy up to him and look over his shoulder, hoping to catch him reading the sports section. The Blues’ score always gave us something to talk about.

After sports we’d leaf through metro news and he’d explain why the parents in the pictures were so mad at my school district’s superintendent.

I’d go to school and tell Mrs. Abernathy that the PTA didn’t have enough say in matters.

“Who told you that?” she’d ask. “My dad,” I’d say. “He reads the paper.”

I still read the newspaper every morning. Piecing through the daily paper has kept me in touch with the community. It, more than any textbook, has furthered my education. It has

lows for all residents to participate in the celebration of the Mass as one family.

The Sarah Community was founded through the collaboration of five Catholic women religious congregations - Franciscan Sisters of Mary, Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, School Sisters of Notre Dame, Sisters of Loretto and Religious of the Sacred Heart. Through the legacy of these women, we provide a loving home for their retired sisters who have spent their lives in service to others.

The Sarah Community provides quality service for the long-term care and retirement needs of their members and the general public with respect, compassion and a spirit of welcoming hospitality. To learn more about The Sarah Community, please visit www.thesarahcommunity. com or call 314.209.7000. The Sarah Community is managed by St. Andrew’s Management Services. For more information, please visit www. standrews1.com or call 314.726.0111.

By Dan Burley

also landed me on a career path, and hopefully a job.

Research shows that children that read newspapers in school and at home grow up to be lifelong readers at a 78 percent greater rate than their peers who did not.

To help spread the wealth, Missouri’s newspapers, through the Newspapers In Education program, have supplied elementary and secondary students with print newspapers in the classroom for many years.

This March, the American Press Institute is promoting Newspapers in Education Week to encourage reading the newspaper in the classroom.

Reading the newspaper provides more than casual conversation for children at the drinking fountain or on the blacktop.

It establishes a societal framework for children, an objective understanding of how our community functions and the best ways to navigate it as they grow older.

Each day’s news builds on the next, readying young, malleable minds for the complexities of adulthood.

So this week, help Missouri’s newspapers celebrate Newspapers In Education Week. And don’t forget to thank the News-

papers In Education program for its work in shaping the next generation of thinkers.

With the help of the Newspapers In Education program, one day your child can surprise a teacher with a worldly comment gleaned from reading the morning print edition. Learn more at nieonline.com.

Dan Burley is a senior at the University of Missouri majoring in journalism and history.

In the past year, he’s worked as a reporter and assistant city editor at the Columbia Missourian.

www.LCCA.com

www.Welsch-heatcool.com

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Around Town

March 6, 2013 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Get Outta Town: City Mayhem Obstacle Course Challenge Looking for a fun way to stay fit and raise some money for a great cause? Lift for Life Gym is hosting its second annual City Mayhem Obstacle Course Challenge on Saturday, April 20. Set in the streets of downtown St. Louis, the four-mile course starts at Lafayette and Third, and offers at least 12 fun and unique obstacles along the route. Obstacles range from those that test stamina, to those that test accuracy, requiring participants to put on their thinking caps. This familyfriendly event includes a 5K run before the challenge, a children’s obstacle course, and a post-race celebration with live music, awards and refreshments. All proceeds will benefit programs at Lift for Life Gym, providing more than 400 St. Louis City children athletic, social, recreational and educational activities at no cost to the children or their families.

“We are thrilled to be back for second year,” said Joe Miller, Executive Director for Lift for Life Gym. “We have exciting new obstacles for 2013, a new 5K for those wanting to just get out there and run, and the very popular children’s course is back.” Added Miller, “While our turnout of 400 was amazing last year, we’ve

set our sites on having 700 participants and raising over $30,000 for 2013. Fitness should be fun and is for the whole family, and that is what this race is all about.”

The challenge kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with wave starts to prevent bottlenecks along the course. Heading north on Third from Lafayette, the course ends four miles later along the riverfront on Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard. Participants are required to complete all of the official obstacles and follow the established, marked course. Skipping or not properly executing any of the obstacles may result in a time penalty or disqualification. Some of the challenges and obstacles include a hay bale climb, street barricade, culvert crawl, traffic jam and the St. Louis City challenge.

The challenge is intended for all ages, and all levels of fitness. The Sports Medicine & Training Center has developed the Mini Mayhem Obstacle Course for children ages 5-12. Opening at 9:30 a.m., participants can expect to start at 10 a.m., and the cost is just $12 per child. The City Mayhem 5K Run starts at 8:30 a.m., also at Lafayette and Third and is $25 per person. After the races, participants of all ages are invited to stay

and enjoy the sounds of Lunar Levitation, and adult participants 21 years of age and older can toast their accomplishments with a complimentary Kraftig beer.

There will also be refreshments and for sale, and several food trucks on site.

Early registration is now open and all participants will receive a City Mayhem Obstacle Course Challenge t-shirt. Groups of four our more receive a $5 discount per person. Registration fees for the City Mayhem Obstacle Course Challenge costs are as follows: • March 1-March 31, 2013: $45 • April 1-April 18: $50 • Registration at the event: $60 • Mini Mayhem Obstacle Course: $12 • City Mayhem 5K Run: $25 Groups of four or more receive a $5 discount per person. For more information or to register, visit www. citymayhemrun.com. For more information, please visit Lift for Life Gym’s website at www.lifeforlifegym. org, call 314.588.0007, or contact Kelley Jackson at kjackson@liftforlifegym.org.

Investment in Wireless Technologies Imperative for Missouri Innovations in wireless broadband technologies play an increasingly important role in Missouri’s growth.

They not only have the ability to dissolve the space between people, they also have the ability to unleash new opportunities in healthcare, education, entertainment and economic development.

From remote health monitoring applications and digital textbooks to video streaming and entrepreneurship, innovations powered by wireless broadband have opened up a whole new way of doing business and communicating that crosses lines of culture and geography— all while spurring economic development.

Over the past 15 years, the Internet has enabled as much economic growth as the Industrial Revolution

generated in its first 50 years. Not coincidentally, this explosion occurred in an environment where policymakers and the private sector worked together to craft a modern policy framework that allowed technologies and innovations to flourish. To ensure wireless technologies continue to prosper, it is crucial that our communities support legislation that recognizes the proven success of a modern policy framework and promotes continued wireless investment and innovation.

Today, nearly one-third of Missouri households have opted to only use a wireless phone, and, as of December 2011, there were more than 5.6 million wireless subscribers in the state. Investment in telecommunications has made this rapid adoption of technology possible, but new legislation that updates old rules for today’s technology can also help keep our state competitive and connected.

As services and technologies continue to evolve, Missouri’s demand for them evolves and grows too. For examples, some Missouri schools are expanding learning opportunities outside the classroom by equipping

By Mayor James McGee, Vinita Park

buses with wireless technology and transforming the daily commute into rolling study halls. Musicians with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra are using their smartphones to tune their instruments and keep time. Even Girl Scouts are using smartphones and mobile credit card readers from Square, a company that was founded

by St. Louisans, to sell cookies in St. Louis. Wireless innovations are extraordinary, but they have also become a critical part of our ordinary, everyday lives.

Wireless technology doesn’t just enhance our lives it also better connects our communities and facilitates job creation. A recent report by Deloitte projects that every $1 billion invested in mobile wireless broadband creates 15,000 jobs. In Missouri, companies are already heavily investing in wireless and communications infrastructure.

In fact, AT&T recently announced that from 2009 to 2012 it invested nearly $2.15 billion in Missouri to expand and enhance its wireless and wireline service. Investments like AT&T’s are great for Missouri because it helps spur overall economic growth and job creation throughout the state as countless other companies use technology to build new businesses and grow existing companies.

As the Mayor of Vinita Park, I believe that lawmakers at all levels of government can have a positive impact on the economic future of our state. And, it starts with policies that encourage infrastructure investment, innovation and job creation because investments in Missouri are the foundation to a strong state and prosperous future.

www.rhf.org

www.mycnews.com • Community News • March 6, 2013

Around Town

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St. Louis County Library Donates Read St. Louis 2013 St. Louis County Library craft groups donated over 1,400 handmade afghans, hats, scarves and gloves to local charities at a ceremony on February 20, as part of the Warm Up America program.

This is SLCL’s fifth year participating in Warm Up America. Customers and staff of the library have produced thousands of handmade items for this project over the years, both at home and during needlecraft programs. The items are donated to local charity organizations, which distributes them to their clients in need. This year’s recipients include Crisis Nursery, Helping Hand Me Downs, Pathways Community Hospice, Fisher House, and Peter & Paul Community Services.

Read St. Louis is a community-wide reading initiative organized each year by the St. Charles City-County, St. Louis County and St. Louis Public Libraries to encourage people of all ages to read and discuss great books. The program features a different lineup of acclaimed authors who write thoughtful and inspiring books for children, teens and adults. The Read St. Louis program helps promote literacy by making reading a fun and exciting experience.

2013 Read St. Louis selected authors/titles are: • Distinguished Literary Achievement: Canada

by Richard Ford • Memoir: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed • Non-Fiction: Here is Where: Discovering America’s Great Forgotten History by Andrew Carroll • Fiction: The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty

• Children’s Literature – Yoo Hoo, Ladybug by Mem Fox For a detailed program guide including dates and locations for Read St. Louis author events please visit www.readstlouis.org Read St. Louis is sponsored by UPS and Clarkson Eyecare. Partners include: St. Charles City-County Library District, St. Louis County Library Foundation, St. Louis Public Library, St. Louis Public Radio and the Literacy Roundtable. Participating bookstores include Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Left Bank Books, and Main Street Books St. Charles.

The 2013 Read St. Louis Honorary Co-chairs are Steve Ehlmann, County Executive, St. Charles County; Sally Faith, Mayor, City of St. Charles; Charlie A. Dooley, County Executive St. Louis County, and Francis G. Slay, Mayor, City of St. Louis.

Polar Plunge Raises $101,361 for Special Olympics

Gerry Berviller, Peter & Paul Community Services.

The 7th Annual Polar Plunge on Feb. 23 at Creve Couer Lake was a splashing success, raising $101,361 to date. 662 brave men and women from around the area donned costumes and swimwear to take a chilly dip into Creve Couer Lake. The air temperature that day was a balmy 34 degrees with the water temperature checking in at 38 degrees.

Their Reason for Freeziwn’ was the athletes of Special Olympics Missouri. Online fundraising is still ongoing. Donations can be made at www.somo.org/plunge.

The top fundraiser for the Maryland Heights Plunge was Daniel Bridges, who raised $4,000.

Competition for the Golden

A sampling of the handmade items donated to local charities. Photos by Dave Moore

www.ssmdepaul.com

www.communicarehealth.com

Plunger was steep this year. Participants are encouraged to come in costume and compete for the chance to take home the “golden plunger.” This year’s winners are: 1st Place – “Hawaiian” (St. Louis Falcons) 2nd Place – “Squirrel Masters” 3rd Place – “Toy Story” (Clayton Police Department) School: 1st Place – Mehlville High School 2nd Place – “Ducks” (Hazelwood Central High School) 3rd Place – “Gladiator” (Sigma Tau of St. Louis University) For more information about the Polar Plunge, visit www.somo. org/plunge.

Special Olympics Missouri is

a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. More than 16,000 athletes participate in 21 Olympic-type sports throughout the state. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with their fellow athletes, their family and friends, and communities across Missouri. Visit Special Olympics at www.somo.org. Engage with us on Twitter @somissouri; fb.com/plungemo.

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Business

March 6, 2013 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Ready+Willing Seeks Mentors

Missouri Union Workers Statistics

Local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization ready+willing is recruiting mentors for its upcoming projects. ready+willing provides pro bono marketing and advertising assistance to other 501(c)(3) organizations in the St. Louis metro area.

Ideal mentors are account directors, creative directors, brand managers, CMO’s, CEO’s, CCO’s, presidents and other leaders ready to educate aspiring young advertising and marketing creatives while bettering the community. The first steps involve signing up and attending the ready+willing Mentor Match event March 6 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the new Robust downtown at the MX. The following six clients have been selected for projects including an awareness campaign, website, new location announcement materials, branding and rebranding: • Carney's Kids • Disabled Athletes Sports Association (DASA) • Magdalene St. Louis • Mission STL • St. Louis Track Club • The National Conference for Community and Justice of metropolitan • St. Louis (NCCJSTL) “We’re so excited to partner with these six deserving organizations. We’re fortunate to live in a city packed with industry professionals and we look forward to matching its leaders and talent with the best fit for these groups.” said Sarah Waters, president and co-founder, ready+willing. ready+willing Mentor Match attendees will be provided with a color-coded identification lanyard and a card to rank their preferences for the matchup.

A typical ready+willing team contains a creative director who mentors two to three creatives and an account director who mentors an account executive. The established team conceives and creates for the assigned project. Upon completion, work is presented to the client for approval and subsequent changes.

Mentors should expect to fulfill at least one night per week.

Projects maintain a flighting schedule and usually last 12 weeks.

A spread of complimentary appetizers will be served at the event. A cash bar will also be available.

For more information about ready+willing, visit www.readyandwilling.org or call 314.482.6438.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics today released Union Membership in Missouri – 2012.

In 2012, union members accounted for 8.9 percent of wage and salary workers in Missouri, compared with 10.9 percent in 2011. The union membership rate in Missouri has been below the U.S. average since 2004 and was the lowest recorded in the history of the series in 2012. At its peak in 1989, the first year for which comparable state data were available, the union membership rate for Missouri was 15.5 percent.

Nationwide, union members accounted for 11.3 percent of employed wage and salary work-

ers in 2012, down from 11.8 percent in 2011. In 1983, the first year for which comparable national union data were available, the union membership rate was 20.1 percent.

In 2012, Missouri had 224,000 union members; membership in 2011 was 275,000.

Nationally, 14.4 million wage and salary workers were union members in 2012; in 2011, 14.8 million wage and salary workers were union members.

For more information, contact the MountainPlains Information Office at BLSInfoKansasCity@bls.gov or 816.285.7000.

Getting a Mortgage This Year? Be Prepared!

Now that the recovery in real estate seems to be slowly gaining some traction, people are starting to wonder whether 2013 is a good time to try to secure a mortgage loan. But, the world of homebuying is not what it was five years ago.

First, credit for home loans isn’t as readily available as it was before. After the 2008 recession, the government instituted several major changes to shore up the mortgage approval process. Lenders also tightened their approval processes which made it more difficult to secure a mortgage. Today those approval requirements have relaxed a little, but home buyers still have to go through a much more rigorous application process than pre-2008.

Many people are finding that though they had been approved for loans years back, now they are being denied. Simply put, it’s a different world.

New Mortgage Criteria Mortgage lending criteria can vary from lender to lender, so it’s smart to compare. Certainly, every lender has to follow specific parameters for mortgage loans, especially for those that are underwritten by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. However, these parameters are general, allowing a lot of variation to occur between lenders. As a result, consumers who compare will be better served than those that just focus on one lender.

Credit Scores These days, if a mortgage loan applicant has a

credit score below 650, the chances of receiving a loan is pretty slim. To avoid this, you should review your credit score well ahead of applying for a mortgage. If your score is too low, then spend the time and effort to improve your credit history.

This exercise will be worthwhile in the long run and improve your mortgage application later on.

Lengthy Approval Process Don’t expect a quick loan approval because they just don’t happen anymore. The current screening process is far more extensive than was done in the past. Today an FHA mortgage application can take up to 60 days to approve and complete versus two or three weeks. Even regular mortgages from non-government lenders take longer as most financial institutions are requiring heavy documentation of all loan factors such as employment, assets, financial history and credit history.

Increased Down Payment The days of free mortgage loans with no upfront costs are over. Now, a 10 percent down payment is commonly required to ensure the borrower has “skin in the game.” However, the down payment for FHA loans can be less, as low as 3.5 percent of the total purchase price. Nevertheless, a down payment is still required.

As you move through this process, be sure to comparison shop. Fees can vary tremendously from lender to lender, so whether a bank, mortgage company or credit union, be sure to demand a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) so you can compare fees easily.

While more new mortgages will be approved going forward, consumers need to expect tougher criteria. But, if you are prepared and do your homework, you may just be able to get that mortgage loan approved this year!

This information is compiled courtesy of West Community Credit Union in O’Fallon, Brentwood and Kirkwood. For more information, contact us at 636.720.2400.

www.cityofbn.com

www.mycnews.com • Community News • March 6, 2013

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U.S. Soldier Teaches at Hazelwood North Middle School

Robotics Team Earns Awards at State

Redeployed from Afghanistan, U.S. Army soldier, Master Sgt. Marilyn McBride, was a guest teacher to 250 sixthgraders from Hazelwood North Middle School during a two-day program. Shortly after McBride returned from a 10-month tour of duty overseas, she was invited by Jennifer Derleth, HNMS social studies teacher, to share about her experience in Afghanistan while serving her country.

McBride used the Promethean board to reveal a detailed presentation about Afghanistan. First, she led a classroom discussion, pointing out where Afghanistan Jennifer Derleth (r) is pictured with Master Sgt. Marilyn McBride and her daughis on the map. Then she explained that Af- ter, Jade McBride, HNMS sixth-grader. ghanistan is about the size of Texas and is a very mountainous region. McBride went on to share that the climate conditions vary throughout the country. She also shared that in some parts of the country it’s extremely hot, while in others, it’s extremely cold.

She talked about the culture, the different languages, currency and her interactions with Afghan people. Following her presentation, McBride allowed the students to ask questions. The first question came from a student who was curious about how soldiers are selected to go Master Sgt. Marilyn McBride speaking to the class. overseas.

“Does the commander get to pick who student. goes to war?”

“I worked with a staff of 14, 11 of which were “First of all, let me be clear. Afghanistan is not male. My battle buddies consisted of three guys. a war; it’s considered a conflict,” replied McBride. However, gender doesn’t matter. The importance is “Yes, the commander and staff determine who in having a support network. It really doesn’t mator which unit is deployed. There is usually a five- ter whether they are male or female,” said McBride. year-cycle. However, your job specialty or skills as McBride then shared some of her most prizedan individual or the specialties of your assigned possessions and keepsakes from her time spent in unit will also impact the frequency of deployment Afghanistan, which included a coin given to her during a conflict. As you see, there are several con- by Sgt. Maj. Raymond Chandler III, who holds the siderations in determining who serves overseas,” Army’s highest rank for enlistees, and two combat McBride responded. patches that she earned.

“Where did you live when you were in AfghaniOverall, the guest teacher was a huge success. stan?” asked one student.

HNMS students were engaged and asked several “I lived in a hut on Bagram Airfield for nearly a relevant questions throughout the presentation. year,” said McBride.

During one of the closing sessions, Principal Dr. “Did you have a car in Afghanistan?” another Laurie Birkenmeier said to McBride, “Thank you student asked. for visiting HNMS and for sharing with our stuMcBride answered, “We had an eight-passenger dents, and most of all, thank you for serving our vehicle assigned to my unit.” country.”

“Did you get along with your manager?” asked Students showed their gratitude by applauding a student.

McBride at the end of the presentation.

“I may not have liked the person or agreed with McBride is co-vocational. In addition to being a them all the time, but as a soldier you have to re- soldier, she is a licensed practical nurse at the Vetspect the rank,” McBride explained. eran’s Hospital. She also wife to U.S. Army Captain Another student asked “Do you participate in Jarret McBride and the mother of three; Cierra combat training?”

Carr, a sophomore at Pattonville High School, “Yes,” said McBride. “We do Army combat train- Jade McBride, a sixth-grader at Hazelwood North ing before we ship out to war or a conflict.”

Middle, and Jarret Jr., a second-grader at Brown “Did you interact with male soldiers?” asked a Elementary School.

Two robotics teams from Pattonville High School competed at the FTC Robotics State Championship at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla on Feb. 23.

Team 2867 (the Armored Division of the Pattonville Green Army Robotics Team) won three awards: the Air Force Excellence Award, the Judge's Software Award and the Motivate Award. The team was also nominated for the Design Award. The Armored Division made it into the elimination rounds, falling in the semifinals to the alliance who would go on to win the state tournament.

The Pattonville Armored Division team members are Paige Bateman, Daniel Herzberg, Craig Lasserre, Brandon Mazzola, Ethan O’Dell, Aidan O’Donnell, Jared Pond, Mark Raymond, Doan Trieu, Khoa Trieu and Jessica Vitale. The robotics teams are sponsored by Pattonville teacher Lori Cole, with the help of several mentor experts: Jonathan Cole, Brian Bateman, Nicole Williams, Colin Shipley, Evan Dickerson-Rusan and Paul Bergland (a member of Pattonville’s technology department). For more information on the Green Army teams, visit the team’s website at greenarmyrobotics.org.

www.advancebeautywentzville.com

Spending Spring Break Helping Others Instead of partying, lying on the beach or catching up on sleep, Marquia Lewis of Florissant, a sophomore in computer science, will be one of 30 students from Missouri University of Science and Technology who will spend their spring break this year doing service work in Mississippi and New Jersey. Lewis will be on the New Jersey team working on hurricane relief.

The students are involved in Missouri S&T’s Miner Challenge, a week-long alternative spring break program that gives them a chance to help individuals and communities affected by issues like poverty, homelessness and natural disasters, while developing their own leadership skills. This is the sixth year of the program.

“We already had two groups registered to go to Biloxi, when Hurricane Sandy struck,” says Benjamin White, student program administrator for volunteerism and involvement at Missouri S&T. “People kept asking me what they could do, so we arranged for a third group to go to New Jersey to help with hurricane damage recovery.”

Half of the students heading to Biloxi, Miss., will work in early childhood education at Head Start. The other half will work on environmental restoration of the Gulf Coast.

The teams leave on Saturday, March 23, and return on Saturday, March 30.

Those interested in helping sponsor the students are encouraged to visit the Miner Challenge website at minerchallenge.wordpress. com. The students are also holding several fundraisers to help finance their trips. Additional information is available online.

www.gibsonprinting.com

8

Learn & Play

March 6, 2013 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Youngest Pick: Youngest Pick:

SUDOKU:

“Miss Rumphius”

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.

Miss Rumphius, is a much-loved picture book by Barbara Cooney about a little girl who realizes her life’s dreams. Its message is as meaningful today as when it was first published in 1982.

As a child, Alice spends quality time with her seafaring grandfather, a sailor turned artist. It’s Alice’s job to help him “put in the skies,” paint fluffy clouds on shades of pastel blue. Like her grandfather, Alice hopes to travel and then settle down, when she’s old and rickety, in a lovely spot by the sea.

While her grandfather thinks that is all well and good, he reminds her she must also “ . . . do something to make the world more beautiful.”

Alice grows into a lady known as Miss Rumphius. Life takes her to the four corners of the world, to exotic countries, and finally back to the sea. There Miss Rumphius lives out her days and succeeds in making the world a more beautiful place — as Barbara Cooney has with this lovely picture book.

Community News is proud to offer our readers “Book Buzz.” This column will feature great books for children in three categories: Youngest Pick: early childhood to the first or second grade, Middle Pick: elementary school children, and Oldest Pick: middle school children. Enjoy!

Reprinted with permission, Missourian Publishing Company. Copyright 2012.

See solution on page 13

Ten Tips Every Parent Needs to Know Before Handing Over the iPad You love your iPad, and the kids do too. However, you’re hesitant to hand over your tablet because various disaster scenarios keep popping up in your mind.

Jinny Gudmundsen, author of iPad Apps For Kids For Dummies® is the respected USA TODAY Kid-Tech columnist, has made it her mission to provide just that.

Read on for Gudmundsen’s top ten tips on how to set up your iPad so that the whole family can enjoy the latest

that technology has to offer: Set up a password for your iPad. If you want to be in charge of iPad playtime, the easiest thing to do is make your kids come to you to unlock it. That way, Gudmundsen says, you’ll always know when and where they’re using it. You can lock your iPad by turning on the Password Lock feature, which you’ll find by tapping Settings?General?Password Lock. Toggle the switch to turn the Password Lock to “On,” then create a password.

Turn off the Erase Data option. Imagine that your iPad is stolen (gasp!). The thief tries to break into it by guessing your password, but after ten failed attempts, the iPad “figures out” that something is up and a safety feature automatically erases your personal data. What a relief for you! But now picture this: Your kids get hold of your iPad, try to figure out what your password is, and the same thing happens. Suddenly, that dataerasing safety feature doesn’t look so great.

Turn on the parental controls. Apple’s version of parental controls are called “restrictions.” To browse and activate them, go to Settings?General?Restrictions, and toggle the ones you want to use to “On.” Be aware that you’ll need to create another password for these, and that the options you see will vary depending on which iPad you are using and the operating system you are running.

Set media parameters. Every parent knows the depth and breadth of the content that’s at the fingertips of anyone with Internet access…and that knowledge can be downright terrifying! There are so many

things you don’t want your children to see, hear, and read.

Turn off in-app purchases. Did you know that many free apps make money by offering players the option to spend real money on things used in the game? And did that little tidbit chill you to the bone? If so, you’re concerned for good reason: Kids have been known to run up hundreds—even thousands—of dollars of charges by playing “free” apps.

Don’t reveal your location. The iPad’s ability to pinpoint your geographical location can come in handy for the adults in your household (think searching for a great local restaurant while you’re on vacation), but it’s best not to take chances where your kids are concerned.

Protect your account. It’s amazing how much damage can be done—or at least, how many changes can be made—in just a few minutes. To protect your account from inadvertent (or mischievously purposeful) edits by your kids, select Don’t Allow Changes under Restrictions.

Restrict access to Apple’s Game Center. Game Center is an Apple app that comes pre-loaded onto your iPad. Users can play a variety of games with other people from around the world.

Buy a protective cover. This one is fairly self-explanatory! Sturdy as it is, an iPad is still a fragile device, especially in the hands of children. You should talk to your kids about the iPad’s fragility, and you may also want to set rules about where it can be used.

Be wary of “free” apps. The adage “nothing in life is free” applies here. If a publisher offers an app for free, the app is probably still making money for the publisher somehow. The most common model is to monetize a free app by placing ads inside it. Other free apps are only a “lite” version of the real thing, or require the player to buy things inside the game. Gudmundsen urges parents to evaluate any free apps they download to make sure they’re appropriate before letting kids play.

“No matter how many safety features you activate on your iPad, don’t skip talking to your kids about what is and isn’t allowed,” Gudmundsen concludes. “And make sure there are consequences in place for on-purpose iPad rule breaking.

Overall, though, if you take the time to think about settings and restrictions, using the iPad will be safe, age-appropriate, and fun for your kids…and for you!” www.byerlyrv.com

www.mycnews.com • Community News • March 6, 2013

Movie

“Snitch” Features the Rock, Missouri

A hard-working actor, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has no less than four movies arriving in theaters over the next few months. Snitch, the first of these films, contains a definite Missouri connection, but it does not deliver the goods.

Johnson plays John Matthews, a contractor Dwayne Johnson is based in Jefferson City, somewhat subdued here Missouri. Though he’s as devoted dad John pretty much a straight Matthews. Normally, the arrow, the Drug EnforceRock plays roles where ment Agency (DEA) arhe is large and in charge, rests his son Jason (Rafi his character actually is Gavron) for accepting out of his depth in this narcotics from one of story. Though the actor his friends. As it turns appears eager to start out, Jason’s buddy was busting heads, he has already in police custo use more brains than tody and working with brawn this time around. the DEA in return for a Academy Award-winreduced sentence. ning actress The agency really Susan Sarandoesn’t care about small Snitch photo courtesy of Summit Entertainment don turns in fish like Jason, but they an interestencourage him to snitch on other friends in return for ing performance as U.S. Attorney Joanne leniency. Jason refuses to set up his friends, so his dad Keeghan. More concerned with her povolunteers to go undercover to gather information about local drug dealers. If Matthews can deliver some big names to the DEA, they will set Jason free.

Though it’s nice to see Missouri references in the story, Snitch is not a satisfying outing. Inspired by a segment on the PBS series “Frontline,” the story features the controversial tactic of using small-time dealers as informants. A low-level drug runner isn’t much good to the government, but they can www.something-printed.com become a stepping stone to a high-ranking kingpin.

By Steve Bryan - Rated: PG-13 litical career than actually doing good, Keeghan doesn’t mind that John Matthews is putting his safety and the welfare of his family in jeopardy by running around with drug smugglers.

Benjamin Bratt does a nice job as Juan Carlos, a big player for a Mexican drug cartel. Barry Pepper also deserves mention for his role as Billy Cooper, a government agent who doesn’t quite approve of the risks that John Matthews takes to save his son.

The performances and scenes filmed in the ShowMe State are just not compelling enough for a recommendation, however. There are plenty of other films that paint Missouri in a much better light and tell a better story in the process.

Snitch, rated PG-13 for drug content and sequences of violence, currently is playing in theaters.

Born and raised in South St. Louis, Steve Bryan is now based in Anaheim, California, and has been allowed access to movie and television sets to see actors and directors at work. Though his writing has taken him far from St. Louis, Steve is, at heart, still the same wide-eyed kid who spent countless hours watching classic movies at neighborhood theaters.

www.stcharlesconventioncenter.com

This Weeks Shelter: Almost Home Rescue & Sanctuary Wright City • 636.203.5800 • www.almosthomesanctuary.org If you’ve adopted a new family member that you saw in Community News, send us a picture of you and your new pal. Also include a brief story about your pet’s background and how they’re doing now. We’d love to share your happy story with other readers!

Community News, 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr., O’Fallon, MO 63366 or editor@ mycnews.com.

www.bridgeatflorissant.com

9

The U.S. Humane Society estimates 6 to 8 million dogs and cats enter shelters each year, and 3 to 4 million are euthanized. Please do your part to control overpopulation and to limit the number of unwanted animals. SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS!

10

March 6, 2013 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Sports

Gary Baute Rascals’ Voice Inks A Contract The River City Rascals have hired Greg Talbott as the director of broadcasting and media relations. Last year he was the broadcaster and media assistant for the Joliet Slammers, the Rascals western division rival.

“Between Greg’s work with Joliet last season and his experience at the college level, he exceeded every qualification we had on paper. He’s going to do a great job working with our manager and players, front office staff, and the St. Louis media,” said Rascals GM Dan Dial.

He will graduate from Gonzaga University this May and will join the team.

“It’s a huge honor to join the Rascals, a team with such a successful history in a truly great baseball city.

I can’t wait to get behind the mic at T.R. Hughes Ballpark this season. Fans can expect a fun, descriptive, and professional broadcast every night on the Rascals Baseball Network,” Talbott commented. * first exhibition game at T.R. Hughes on May 10*

Tryouts for Pro Baseball Players The 21st annual Frontier League Tryout Camp and Draft will be held on Monday, April 29 and Tuesday, April 30 at GCS Ballpark in Sauget, Illinois, home of the Gateway Grizzlies.

“The Frontier League Tryout Camp and Draft is the best way for a player to showcase himself so he can begin or continue his career in professional baseball,” commented Frontier League commissioner Bill Lee. “Our clubs take the workouts very seriously, and each year multiple attendees wind up making key contributions to playoff teams.”

The Frontier League is entering its 21st season in 2013 and features 14 teams stretching from Pennsylvania to Missouri and from Kentucky to northern Michigan. The Frontier League annually advances the most players to MLB organizations of any of the independent leagues, and 23 former Frontier League players have played in the Major Leagues. (Information from the Rascals website). *Oil that glove and start working out*

Lindenwood Basketball Closes Out 2012-13 Season The Lindenwood men and women’s basketball teams closed out the 2012-13 season with a pair of games on the road at Nebraska-Kearney. The Lady Lions fell in their contest 89-74 while the men’s team picked up a 84-75 victory.

The Lions closed out the season with a four-game winning streak while endwww.TroyFlooringCenter.com ing with a 19-7 overall record and a 12-6 mark in the MIAA. Alex Bazzell led the team with 16.8 points per contest as well as 6.2 assists per game. Cody Sorenson and Richie Thompson also averaged double-digit points with 11.5 and 11.4 per game, respectively.

The Lady Lions finished the 2012-13 season with a 4-22 overall record and 1-17 mark in the MIAA. After recording three straight 20-point contests, sophomore Julie Hlinak led the team with 12.8 points per game. Senior Sarah Schnieders averaged 11.0 points per game.

The men’s team loses six seniors (Alex Bazzell, Efkan Eren, Richie Thompson, Cody Sorenson, Tyler Harris and Brett Thompson) while the women’s team loses just two (Sarah Schnieders and Sonya Milford).

Next season the Lindenwood squads

will be finished with the probation period and will have the ability to compete for post-season play. *Thanks to Jen Lawson, Sports Information-Graduate Assistant of Lindenwood* Monsters Indoor Football Starts Friday Your Missouri Monsters (www.UILFmonsters.com) will take the turf at the Family Arena in St. Charles for their first home game on Friday March 8 at the Family Arena. The Monsters play in the Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL) that comprises of seven teams with four located in the Sunshine state Florida.

Players are from the following colleges around the area: University of Missouri, University of Illinois, Lindenwood University, Florissant Valley, Missouri Southern, Washington University and Missouri Western.

One of the players is Carter Rethwisch kicker, affectionately known as ‘Cardinal Cowboy.’ (Pictured with football) Owner Andrew Haines has appointed Head Coach John Parker (pictured) with his coaching staff: Offensive Coordinator/Director of Player Personnel Johnny Johnson; Offensive Line Benny Anderson; Linebackers Greg Moore; Defensive Line Daryl Major; Running Backs JT Thompson, and Defensive Line Assistant Paul Liggett.

They will field a team of new players for their inaugural season. *A great family venue* 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, and co-hosted SportsRadioSTL.com, among many other activities.

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www.mycnews.com • Community News • March 6, 2013

Recipes:

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Host a Deliciously Fresh Brunch

Meals just taste better when you make them with fresh ingredients. So when you’re hosting a brunch, look for recipes that make the most of fresh, seasonal flavors, and ingredients that come from close to home.

Serve a Simple Skillet Supper

Getting dinner on the table fast during a busy week need not cause a panic – or a call for carryout. With this simple recipe and five key ingredients, supper is served in just 20 minutes.

Begin with a pantry staple that can be the starting point for lots of great meals—a can of READ German Potato Salad. This readyto-serve salad makes a savory side dish to accompany all kinds of entrees, but it’s so much more versatile. Think of it as a base for a hearty soup, a casserole or a skillet meal like Quick Sausage and German Potato Salad Skillet.

Thinly sliced potatoes, deliciously seasoned with a vinegarybacon dressing, make a perfect pairing with smoked sausage and a quick sauté of onion wedges and colorful bell peppers. Think of the prep time and number of ingredients saved by beginning with the potato salad. And by choosing pre-cooked sausages, which can be browned and heated in about five minutes, cooking time is greatly reduced.

Add a mixed greens salad, perhaps topped with apple or pear slices, and dinner is done. How quick, easy and appetizing is that?

For more great-tasting, simple recipes made with READ salads, visit www.READsalads.com.

Strawberry Ricotta Stuffed Whole Grain French Toast Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 8 minutes Servings: 4

Ingredients: - 1/2 cup low-fat ricotta cheese - 2 teaspoons granulated sugar - 4 large eggs, beaten - 1/2 cup milk - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided - 8 slices Roman Meal bread - 2 cups fresh, sliced strawberries, divided - Nonstick cooking spray - Powdered sugar - Maple syrup (optional)

Quick Sausage and German Potato Salad Skillet Preparation Time: 10 minutes • Cook Time: 10 minutes • Makes 4 servings

• In-season fruits and vegetables tend to be better quality, have better flavor, and be less expensive. Whether you grow them yourself or get them at a farmers market or grocery store, take advantage of vitamin-rich produce at its peak.

Use them in recipes or serve as part of a fruit and cheese plate.

• Turn fresh produce into a beautiful centerpiece. Fill a bowl with colorful whole fruits and fresh flowers; or add citrus slices and small fruits to a bowl of water with floating candles.

• Plan a variety of easy-to-make brunch dishes to satisfy guests.

Quiches with fresh vegetables, make-ahead savory casseroles, and fresh fruit medleys or leafy green salads all make great brunch choices.

This delightful brunch recipe for Strawberry Ricotta Stuffed Whole Grain French Toast pairs ripe, juicy strawberries with Roman Meal whole grain bread and a decadent creamy filling. A good source of vitamin D and fiber, and an excellent source of calcium, Roman Meal Original (Sandwich and Round Top) bread has 21 grams of whole grains per serving. And because it’s baked in regional bakeries across the United States, it’s never frozen or shipped long distances, giving you another way to add freshness to your table.

You can find more deliciously fresh brunch ideas online at www.romanmeal.com.

Directions: 1. Combine ricotta cheese, sugar and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla in small bowl; mix well. Combine eggs, milk and remaining vanilla in shallow bowl; mix well.

Ingredients: - 2 teaspoons olive or vegetable oil - 1 medium red or yellow onion, cut into 1/2-inch thick wedges - 1 cup chopped red bell pepper - 3/4 pound pre-cooked smoked chicken or turkey sausage links - 1 can (15 ounces) READ German Potato Salad - 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper - Chopped parsley, optional

per. Cook and stir 1 minute. Add sausages; continue cooking 5 minutes until browned and heated through, turning occasionally. Remove sausages from skillet.

2. Spread ricotta-sugar mixture evenly over 4 bread slices. Top each slice with 1/4 cup sliced strawberries and remaining bread slices to form 4 sandwiches.

2. Add potato salad and black pepper to skillet. Stir to combine with onion mixture. Return sausages to skillet. Cook 2 to 3 minutes to heat through. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired.

3. Spray large skillet with nonstick cooking spray; heat over medium heat.

Carefully dip sandwiches in egg mixture, coating both sides. Cook on each side for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown.

Directions: 1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add onion and bell pep-

Note: Other smoked sausage such as Polish or kielbasa can be substituted.

4. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and top with remaining strawberries. Serve with maple syrup, if desired.

w w w. p a y n e f a m i l y h o m e s . c o m

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What’s Happening

March 6, 2013 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Church

Events

Mar. 8, 15, 22: St. Rose Lenten Fish Fries 4-7 p.m. Fish Dinners (Dine in or Take Home) At St Rose Philippine Duchesne School, 3500 St. Catherine St., Florissant, MO 63033. For info: 314.837.3410.

Fridays through Apr. 12: Fish Fry 4 – 7 p.m. at the American Legion Post 444, 17090 Old Jamestown Rd., Florissant. Call 314.741.7786 for more information.

Mar. 15: Fish Fry 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Bellefontaine United Methodist Church, 10600 Bellefontaine Rd. St. Louis, Mo 63137. Entrees: catfish, fried & baked cod and chicken nuggets.

Dinner includes any two side dishes-cole slaw, french fries, spaghetti, green beans or okra. Single entree, $7, double entree: $8.50 Children under 6 years old free.

314.867.0800.

Mar. 16: Spaghetti Supper At Northside Christian Church, 9635 Lewis & Clark Blvd., St. Louis from 4 to 7 pm. The cost is $8 for spaghetti, bread, salad, beverage and dessert with all-youcan-eat spaghetti costing another $1.50. Call 314.868.5722.

Mar. 19: “A Call to Holiness: The Evolvement of the Roles of the Laity Since Vatican II” 7- 8:30pm. Presentation sponsored by St. Ferdinand and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. Speaker: Fr. Jose Santiago, O.P. Place: Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1115 S. Florissant Rd. Fee: Donation. For information call 314.522.9264.

Apr. 6: Basement & Tailgate Sale At Northside Christian Church, 9635 Hwy. 367 (Lewis & Clark Blvd.), St. Louis from 8 am noon. $10 for a double parking spot to sell your own treasures.

Call 314.868.5722, to reserve your tailgate spot.

Saturdays: ESL Classes 10 – 11:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Chapel, 11100 Old Halls Ferry Road, St. Louis. Free. All are welcome. Info: 314.849.6949.

Fridays in Mar.: Tai Chi for Seniors At St. Catherine Retirement Community at 3350 St. Catherine St. Florissant. These FREE classes begin at 10:30 a.m. Reduce stress, strengthen joints, develop balance and coordination. RSVP by calling 314.838.3877.

Mar. 9: Trinity Catholic High School Spring Trivia Night The Trinity Catholic High School Parent Organization (TPO) will hold its Spring Trivia Night in the gym. The cost is $120 for a table of eight and all trivia players must be at least 21 years of age to attend. Bottled beer, water, soda and light snacks will be provided with the price of admission and players may also bring in anything else they wish to eat or drink. All proceeds benefit the TPO. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the questions will begin at 7 p.m. The author of the questions and emcee for the evening will be 1972 Aquinas graduate Dan Dillon. For more info, or to reserve a table, call Lisa Moehlenkamp at 314.550.7300.

Mar. 7: North County Christian School Open House For prospective students and their families, preschool ages 3 through 12th grade at 7 p.m. at 845 Dunn Road, Florissant. For more information, please call 314.972.2667 or visit our website www.nccsedu.org.

Mar. 7: Blood Pressure Clinic At St. Catherine Retirement Community at 3350 St. Catherine St. Florissant at 10 am. Refreshments served. RSVP by calling 314.838.3877.

Mar. 16: Soup er Scrapbook with Bishop John Wurm Ladies Auxiliary #2012 At Knights of Columbus from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Duchesne K of C Hall at 50 Rue St. Francois, Florissant. The price is $25 per person. For more information contact: Chris Herbert at 314.837.5526.

Mar. 18: Bissells of North St. Louis County: The Bissell name is synonymous with North County Learn more about this fascinating family and its impact on the settlement of the area through the portraiture of Jane Bissell by re-enactor Barbara Kay. This presentation will be performed at the March meeting of the American Association of University Women, Ferguson-Florissant Branch.

The program will be at 7pm at Immanuel United Church of Christ (Education Building), 221 Chruch Street, Ferguson. For information, call 314.867.4755 or 314.831.5359. This exciting presention is free and open to the public.

Mar. 18: St. Louis Theater Circle Awards Which will honor accomplishments in local professional theater. Box office opens at 6 p.m., pre-show buffet begins at 5:30 p.m. and the ceremony starts at 7 p.m. The ceremony will be held at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre. Contact 314.838.9371 for more info.

Mar. 18: Ferguson-Florissant School District McCluer North Stars “Fitness and Funds” Event to supplement the athletics & activity budget. Sponsorships available (1 hours sponsorship $200 & 1/2 Hour sponsorship $125) For more info call 314.506.9233 and speak with Bruce Smith.

Mar. 23: Institute for Family Medicine Trivia Night

At Epiphany Gym (3164 Ivanhoe Ave, St. Louis). Doors open at 6 pm and trivia starts at 7 pm.

The event includes 10 rounds of trivia, prizes, free beer, raffles, a silent auction and more, all for a great cause. Tickets are $25 for a seat, $150 for a table of six, or $200 for a VIP table of six. Proceeds from Trivia Night will support 15 community clinics at local schools, shelters and other social service organizations. Visit http:// ifm-stl.org/events/ or call Megan at 314.849.7669 ext. 104 for more information and to register for a table today.

Mar. 23: Snack with the Eater Bunny Tickets are available beginning Monday March 4 for the “Snack with the Easter Bunny” and egg hunt. This event will be held at the James J. Eagan Center from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. The event is free; however, a current Florissant resident card must be presented to obtain tickets. Limit of 100 tickets will be made will be made available. Only children need a ticket. For additional information call the James J. Eagan Center at 314.921.4466.

Mar. 27: City of Bellefontaine Neighbors 2nd Annual Housing Resource Fair 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Bellefontaine Recreation Center. For more information call 314.867.0076.

Mar. 27: Florissant Police Department Business Seminar 7:30-9 a.m. at the Florissant Police Station, 1700 North Highway 67. Coffee and donuts will be provided. At this meeting, police officers will talk about the changes to the upcoming Valley of Flowers and how they might affect area businesses. Also, a Secret Service agent will give a presentation on counterfeit money at the March meeting. The Florissant Police would like to host the seminars quarterly. The dates for the rest of 2013 are: June 26 and September 25. Please RSVP to Officer Andy Haarmann at 314.831.7000 or email him at ahaarmann@florissantmo.com Apr. 20: Join the St. Louis Businesswomen’s Golf Association

Are you a woman who enjoys playing golf? Join the St. Louis Businesswomen’s Golf Association (SLBGA). The purpose of the SLBGA is to meet the needs of working women and golf skills improvement, networking, playing opportunities, making friends and having fun. Membership allows you to participate at the golf events throughout the STL area often with discounts and other amenities. You need only sign up for those events you wish to participate approximately 7 days in advance. You can sign up with a group or by yourself and you will be paired with other members.

Find out more about the SLBGA at our annual Tee Off Meeting on April 20. For more info www.slbga.org.

Apr. 27: UCC Habitat For Humanity Fundraising Dinner At Zion United Church of Christ (5710 North Highway 67, 1/4 mile west of Jamestown Mall) Outreach Ministry will host a Fundraising Dinner to benefit Habitat For Humanity from 5-7 p.m. The menu includes: Pulled pork, bread, side dishes, iced tea, coffee, punch and dessert. Tickets are: $10.00 (adults), $5 (children under 10). Call 314.741.1590 for tickets or reservations. www.zionucc1.org.

June 1: Chili Cookoff The Clarksville Missouri State Chili Cookoff will replace the Clarksville Regional. Riverfront Park, Clarksville, Mo. Total prize money is $1500.

Calling All St. Augustine’s Classmates Planning is underway for an All School Reunion. If you attended St. Augustine’s School located at Herbert & Lismore streets in the city of St. Louis we want to hear from you. Please contact a member of the planning committee: Sandy Tricamo (‘66) 314.791.7714; Leo Neuner (‘65) 972.951.4853; Don Becker (‘68) 636.399.0088; Tom Hartnett (‘66) 314.623.9950. You can also register on Facebook as you reminisce viewing the old parish pictures which have been posted. Search for: St. Augustine Catholic School - St. Louis Mo.

www.mycnews.com

www.mycnews.com • Community News • March 6, 2013 Bridgeton Trails Library Branch Programs 3455 McKelvey Rd., St. Louis, MO 63044. Info: 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.

Inviting All Florissant Senior Citizens To Join One Of The Bingo Clubs With The City Of Florissant!!

Please contact the Florissant Senior Office for more information at 839-7604.

• Monday Club: Meets every Monday for Bingo from 11:302:30 on the lower level of the James J. Eagan Center. Bring a sandwich - coffee and tea are available. Interesting day trips to St. Louis Area locations are also scheduled.

• Florissant Older Adult Club: Meets the second Tuesday of each month from 11-1:30 on the lower level of the James J. Eagan Center.

Bring your lunch! Bingo, Trips, Speakers and special events are planned.

• Wednesday Club: Meets every Wednesday for Bingo from 11:30-2:30 on the lower level of the James J. Eagan Center. Bring a sandwich-coffee and tea available.

Interesting day trips to St. Louis Area locations are also available.

Last Saturday of Each Month: Writers Workshop 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Looking for new Authors and Songwriters.

Come join us and let us help you with your dream. We have Authors, Songwriters, Playwrites, Teachers and more. Meet at the Baden Liberary 8448 Church Rd. For more info call 314.388.2400.

GNCC Member Happenings Old Jamestown Association Join for only $10 per individual or $15 per family. Become a part of this network of residents who are informed about events and issues in the Old Jamestown Area. Questions? Email prautes@aol.com.

Health Mar. 13: Stroke Survivor’s Network 2:30 – 4 p.m. in the SSM Rehab Hospital Dining Room. A presentation and educational session for stroke survivors and their family members or caregivers. Call Chris Gonzalez at 314.447.9644 for more info.

Mar. 16: Health Screening 2 p.m. Free, Greater Grace Church, 2900 Pershall Rd. Ferguson. Enjoy food, door prizes, 50/50 Raffle.

Call 314.731.5700.

March 19: Grief and Loss – Support Group 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Bridgeton Trails Library. Call 314.344.7080 for more info.

Hands-Only CPR Could you save someone’s life if their heart suddenly stopped?

SSM St. Joseph Health Center is now offering FREE non-certificate training in hands-only CPR for individuals and their families.

The training takes 15 minutes and is appropriate for anyone ages 10 and older. Eighty percent of sudden cardiac arrests happen in private or residential settings.

Hands-only CPR, also known as compression-only CPR, has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR for sudden cardiac arrest at home, at work or in other public settings. It can double or triple a victim’s chance for survival, according to the American Heart Association. Contact Rachel Sparks 636.947.5663 or Maureen Bell 636.947.5083 to schedule a training session.

Crisis Nursery The Crisis Nursery is committed to preventing child abuse and neglect by offering real help and real hope to families in crisis. 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 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at five sites, serving families throughout the greater St. Louis, St. Charles, Wen-

tzville, Southern Illinois and surrounding regions. For the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery 24-hour helpline, call 314. 768.3201. In St. Charles County, call 636.947.0600.

Visit www.crisisnurserykids.org for program, volunteer and event info.

Christian Hospital To register call 314.747.9355 Mar. 12: The Elder Care Journey With Mr. Rudy D. Beck, Elder Law Attorney from 1:30-3 p.m. .

Come listen as he explains how to protect yourself, your family, and your finances. Call 314.747.9355 or 1-877.747.9355 to register. At Northwest HealthCare, 1225 Graham Road, Community Rooms 1 & 2. Free.

Mar. 21: Good Night’s Sleep OASIS Peer Led Discussion Group 1:30-2:30 p.m at Village North Retirement Community, 11160 Village North Dr.. Laugh, reminisce and learn with OASIS during this discussion group program.

Enjoy fellowship and discussion on a variety of topics while making new friends or reconnecting with old ones. Attend one, or attend every month. Light refreshments provided. Dates and topics listed below. Call 314.747.9355 or 1.877.747.9355 to register.

Mar. 26: Diabetes Alert Day To celebrate, get a free diabetes screening anytime. Call 314.747.9355 or 1.877.747. 9355 for more information or to register.

What’s Happening

Tuesdays: Alcohol and Drug Information Meeting 6:30-8 p.m. A certified substance abuse counselor talks about the addiction of alcohol and drugs, warning signs and symptoms, treatment and recovery, how families are affected by addiction and common problems families experience during the recovery process. Meetings are free and open to the public. Christian Hospital Building 2, Suite 401 (I-270/Hwy 367 interchange) For more information, call 314.839.3171 or 1.800.447.4301.

Center for Senior Renewal The Center for Mental Health’s Center for Senior Renewal, conveniently located on the first floor of the Detrick Building, provides day treatment programs for older adults dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, loss and early signs of dementia. The Center for Senior Renewal provides a comfortable, home-like atmosphere staffed with compassionate and experienced mental health professionals. For more information, call 314.653.5123.

Sundays: Alcoholics Anonymous 10 a.m. Group 109 meets in the 11th floor conference room at Christian Hospital. This is an open meeting for alcoholics, drug addicts and their family and friends. At Christian Hospital, 11133 Dunn Road at the I-270/ Hwy. 367 interchange.

13

Christian Hospital Recovery Center The Christian Hospital Recovery Center provides intensive outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment for adults. There is also a specialized program for patients with chronic mental illness. The center is conveniently located on the Christian Hospital campus. Call confidentially to 314.953.8100.

STEPS Schizophrenia Support Group This nationally recognized program provides education and support for those with schizophrenia.

Group is facilitated by an experienced STEPS nurse.

Volunteers needed at Christian Hospital Christian Hospital is calling out for volunteers that can do a significant amount of walking to run errands within the hospital.

Discover the rewards of volunteering! If you’re looking for a rewarding way to spend your time, volunteering at Christian Hospital is an ideal match. Volunteer positions are available in many different areas. You’ll meet a variety of interesting people while making a difference in our community. Applications are available at www.chrisitianhospital.org in the Volunteer Office, located off the hospital’s main lobby. For more information, call the Christian Hospital volunteer office at 314.653.5032.

Answers from page 8

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Our publications use a combination of online subscription, direct mail, home delivery, and voluntary circulation methods.

Voluntary refers to a circulation method where readers “voluntarily” choose to pick up a publication to read. This method is powerful because locations are carefully chosen and newsstands are monitored for 100% pick up. Community News has developed a network of over 650 convenient locations including every major supermarket chain. Our voluntary method is powerful for three reasons: 1 QUALITY READERS A voluntary reader is an interested reader, actively outside of the home, in stores, seeking out information about the community 2 TOTAL UTILITY 100% pick up assures no wasted papers. Every paper reaches an interested reader, yielding a full value for the entire print run.

3 EXPANDING SET Every print run reaches a unique group of readers, because the majority of voluntary readers are occasional readers.

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FOUR GREAT PUBLICATIONS Huneke Publications, Inc. offers four publications: two weekly newspapers and two news magazines, each covering a unique market segment within St. Louis County and St. Charles County. As a member of the Missouri Press Association, all of our publications feature verified circulation and an earned credibility among our peers.

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Annual The 16th Fair Women’s Fit will be Fun, ! lous and Fabu

Women’s r

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Follow thes e tips to keep your family and pets safe from mosquitoes.

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Community Health and ment states the Environit is only the female mosquito that “bites” and she does so to obtain blood meal the needed While mosquito to lay viable eggs. more than drive es usually do little the family from doors to the the outindoors, they carriers of are sometime dang s may contract erous diseases. Hum ans malaria, yellow gue, and encephali fever, dentis; and dogs heartworm. may get Most of these the exception diseases, with of canine heartwor human encephalitis and m, have been eliminated fairly well from Health officials the entire United States. said outbreaks to borne encephali of mosquitis have occurred in periodically Missouri.

“Canine heartwor m is an problem, with endemic ers escalating costs to animal owneach warned. “Effective year,” health officials measures including mosquito control the eliminatio swamp areas, n of to keep road and maintenance efforts ditches clear have done and much to control water free mosquito for disease transmission. ” toes: floodwate r and permanen If you believe mosquitoes. t water ing you have a mosquito Floodwater problem on mosquitoes their eggs on breedyour property, lay damp soil but are not where flooding sure, please call the will occur or, in some Department munity Hea cases, above of Comwater line lth and the the in tree holes, Environme tainers, or nt. Ofartificial con- ficials will make an inspectio other small n and evaluabodies of water. tion appointment, When rain and then recomme fills these areas (ARA) and floods the possible solution. nd a - National St. Charles in the larval County residents Friendship stages, broods greatest preventio can upload have the of mosquito n methods Day is Aues fingertips a two-minright at their toes are mainly . gust 5 and - property Proper maintenance of the pest variety, ute video the first to of the is the first step and are in light of emerge in the toward mosquito describi ng spring months. prevention. All trash Many of these a recent and mosquitoes refuse that how a close ers and may are strong flycould survey that range up to property friend lights ten miles or more drained, should be adequatel i n d i c ate s up their life y graded and a blood meal to prevent any ...3 women ............. to lay eggs. pools or puddles water that may to www.rastory.................. of last place high Cover County mosquitoten days or longer. diancer ibtheir eggs directly ..............6 v a l u e er.......... control officer McCauley lists on the water bons.com Schneid Barry .

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COMMUNITY NEWS

COMMUNITY NEWS - St. Charles County

OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

CROSSROADS MAGAZINE

Published bi-monthly, Our Town is direct mailed to all business addresses in its service area, plus online subscribers. It is a unique business-to-business magazine featuring chamber of commerce news plus articles on the economy, technology, human resources, and marketing.

Vol 9 No 28

Missouri is home to about mosquitoes.

Some live less 50 species of while others than may live several a week, months.

S LOU

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o busy, e it gets to to dies, befor is the time corner. La for you. Now ovement and take a day impr se for selffun in the set a cour and to have self-awareness will find the answers process! Women health, family, career, s on at the 2007 to question and more image, fashion, – Fun, Fit, and FabuFair at St. Women’s , Nov. 17, for Saturday lous – set nity College.

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July 11, 2007

Mosquito Seas on

By Shelly A.

IN THIS ISSUE

St. Louis

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14, 2007 November 46 Vol. 86 No.

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16

March 6, 2013 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Over the Fence

Joe Morice

Sequester? Sequestration? I’m Confused!

I was curious and looked up the word “Sequester.“ It means: 1. formal: to put somebody in an isolated or lonely place away from other people, the pressures of everyday life, or possible disturbances.

2. law: take property to cover obligation: to take legal possession of somebody’s property temporarily until a debt that person owes is paid, a dispute is settled, or a court order is obeyed 3. international law: take enemy’s property: to demand or seize the property of an enemy Number one might describe legislators as well as juries and two might describe the IRS. Three is what started world wars. I see nothing that describes what the U.S. Congress is doing of late, which appears to be very little.

The word sounded like “Bureaucratese,” referring to terms used by political forked-tongue devils making excuses for doing nothing or something under-handed and self-serving. Forked-tongue describes snake tongues which seems appropriate although it isn’t fair to the slithery reptiles. Basically, they’re honest. They only stalk prey

to live. Congressional legislators live to stalk campaign funds and tax dollars for seemingly nefarious plots unbecoming an unindicted co-conspirator.

For some reason apparently unknown to Congress, the fact is our economy remains in trouble because a large portion of jobs providing tax dollars that kept the country solvent went to other countries. It seems fairly simple.

Laid-off workers and underpaid workers can’t provide needed tax dollars. While jobs left the country, migrants were taking minimum wage jobs here. While corporate big box stores flourished, Mom & Pop small businesses were lost and boarded up. The entire situation fed on itself and down went the tax base and up went the national debt.

Since Sequester morphed into “Sequestration,” perhaps I’ll make up some words, too. How about “Retirobribees”?

This refers to elected US officials who receive large campaign donations by self-serving big-buck contributors along with promises of retirement to consulting jobs in some monster corporation that pays huge salaries and perks for showing up on payday.

Here’s another; “Puppetaires.” Billionaires routinely have the ears of state and federal legislators and even sit in on committee meetings dealing with their personal fortunes or more to the point, increasing their fortunes. The legislators who allow it might qualify as billionaires’ puppets, i.e. Puppetaires.

“Develamallers:” This refers to local developers seeking tax increment financing for useless strip malls and billiondollar big box stores...which brings forth, “Signawardia,” a disease of local campaigners with the most sign money who win city council elections.

“Coppercite” refers to local cops supplying the semiuseless bureaucracy that employs them with revenue obtained from speeding tickets. Similar but not to be confused with “Parasite.“ Speaking of “cites” or sites, how about “Leftosites?” These are left-wingers who believe guns pull their own triggers and second hand smoke is harmful in city parks during hurricanes. Or “Ritosites:” right-wingers who believe the NRA isn’t supported by the arms industry and billionaires would willingly use their huge fortunes to help schools... or even the Ritocites.

Of course we also have “Moderbaffled” referring to the state-of-mind of moderates who wonder where the Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower types are when we really need them.

Since we have “Televangelists‘” why not “Teledummies?”

These semi-literates get all their information from the most self-serving media source that ever bought federal legislators for the approval of twelve loud commercials every three minutes. Also describes the voters who believe TV political campaign ads supplied by the aforementioned “Retirobribees.”

My apologies to Funk and Wagnell, Webster, and those who read something besides the sports pages.

Joe Morice is Community News’s blue-collar philosopher. He was born and raised in Missouri and spent most of his childhood on a farm and adulthood operating big machines. He has no formal training as a writer, unless 60 years of writing about any and everything counts.

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