CN: April 5, 2023

April 5, 2023

Expanding MetroLink

Around Town

Andy Wurm Tire & Wheel Company celebrates 50 years in business. Pg. 3

School

Ladue chess team wins Gateway League championship. Pg. 4

Features (FLIP)

Metro Transit is looking for feedback from the community as plans are underway to expand MetroLink into North St. Louis County

By Wendy Todd

Over 18 million people in St. Louis used Metro Transit public transportation in 2022, with 84% of riders using the system to get to work, and 20% to get to school. Though many rely on it as their primary means of transportation there has been a longstanding issue of the system’s limitations regarding its reach, particularly in North County. But now, after much discussion, the Jefferson Alignment MetroLink Expansion plan is underway.

On March 24, the Board of Commissioners of Bi-State Development, the organization that operates Metro Transit, approved a resolution and memorandum of understanding with the city of St. Louis to plan, design and construct the expansion.

One of first steps of the planning of the expansion is to get feedback from the commu-

nity to determine what will best serve riders in the area.

There is an online survey about the first phase of the Jefferson Alignment Expansion and that is available through April 30. Feedback will be shared with the Federal Transit Administration as part of the public outreach process.

“The survey is a key element among many different factors that will help us determine the most successful route in St. Louis County,” Roach said. “It is just one of the many tools needed, which also include other practical prioritizations like engineering, right of way, cost and demographics.”

There will also be public meetings that are slated to begin later this spring.

With plans underway to provide better access to the MetroLink in North County, one might wonder why the area wasn’t initially included in the railway’s construction. The

MetroLink expansion has been discussed since self-taxing initiatives were passed in St. Louis County in 2010 and the city of St. Louis in 2017, when residents called for the expansion of the system. Taulby refers to federal funding, among other factors that have influenced how the MetroLink was

See ‘EXPANDING’ page 2

Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1

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

Moore On Life, Lifestyle & Crossword Puzzle. Pg. F-4

Weather

FRIDAY Partly Cloudy 65/42

SATURDAY Partly Cloudy 70/48

SUNDAY EASTER Partly Cloudy 75/52

READ US ONLINE!

Submitted photos Plans are underway to begin the expansion of MetroLink into North St. Louis County.

‘EXPANDING’ from cover

originally routed.

“Creating discernible expansion pieces that are aligned with the economic growth of the region and the needs of the community, and what will lead to a competitive federal application are all parts of a complicated formula towards expanding MetroLink,” he said.

Other forces behind the expansion are St. Louis City Mayor Tishaura Jones and St. Louis County Executive Sam Paige, who have pushed to improve MetroLink transit access in neighborhoods in need.

Regarding the timeline of the expansion, construction wouldn’t begin until preliminary steps are completed.

A Request for Proposal is out for a program management consultant that would also help Bi-State Development apply for the New Starts federal funds for the city of St. Louis portion of the

MetroLink expansion which would be submitted this summer or next. After entering that process, applicants are given two years to plan the project. Then the project moves into the bidding phase for construction.

The cost to build the first phase of the expansion is estimated at $850 million.

Bi-State Development recognizes how vital the expansion is and wants the community it will serve to have a voice in the project.

“Sometimes, it’s a matter of notifying the public about what is being planned,” Roach said. “And, sometimes it’s soliciting the embedded knowledge of the community, and there is value in that. That doesn’t mean we are going to please every single person, but what we need to do is work towards consensus, which I think is an 80% or 90% solution.”

The 2023 Senior Citizen Resource Fair is set for April 11 at the James J. Eagan Center

The city of Florissant Senior Citizen Office will be hosting a free Senior Citizen Resource Fair for all North County senior citizens.

The 2023 Senior Resource Fair will be April 11, from 9 – 11 a.m. at the James J. Eagan Community Center at #1 James Eagan Drive in Florissant. There will be give-a-ways at the booths, free coffee and donuts and over 75 booths of senior citizen information.

The goal of this fair is to provide information and resources to senior citizens who are “aging in place” in their homes and senior citizens who are considering senior living options such as retirement communities, assisted living and long-term care facilities.

This is a free event for all North County residents. No ticket required. Call the city of Florissant Senior Office at 314-839-7605 for more information.

An Easter picture from the past Still In This Together:

My cousin, David, who made his dream of living in Florida actually come true a few years ago and loves to send Christmas cards with sand snowmen and Santa sleeping in a beach chair just to rub it in, sent me a manila envelope a while back with an Easter picture from a year long, long ago and a message hoping that the picture would bring back some good memories.

Did it ever!

Just as Thanksgiving was my family’s holiday to host, Easter was my Aunt Nan and Uncle Steve’s. They lived in a small house in Berkeley way back then, and I found out only much later that they knew John’s family and went to the same church. One Friday night when my sister Gail and I stayed overnight with Aunt Nan and Uncle Steve, we went to a “movie night” the church held in the basement, where kids were supervised and could watch a movie and enjoy a bag of popcorn for a dime. Turns out my future father-in-law helped run the event and I very likely had an early glimpse of my future husband that very night.

But I digress.

The black and white picture that David had enlarged and sent me showed all of us cousins dressed in our Easter finery standing on the front steps of my aunt and uncle’s house. There were crinoline skirts, white lacy gloves and socks, patent-leather shoes, and Easter hats and purses galore, because we girls outnumbered the appropriately Easter-suited boys five to two, and cousins David and Mark looked as miserable in their outfits as we of the feminine gender were loving every minute of posing in our Easter best. I can’t remember the colors of the dresses, of course, but I’m betting there were pinks and blues galore, as would have been expected, and the purses we held were all white wicker with little gold metal clasps.

Pretty confident there were little white handkerchiefs edged with colorful tatting stashed inside every one of the purses, too, along with a few jelly beans for good measure.

But the focal point of the stairstep portrait was my grandparents, standing proudly on the top step, my usually stoic grandpa actually smiling, with an arm resting gently on my grandma’s shoulder. Those two had been through a lot in their lives, as had everyone in their generation, but on this Easter Sunday, as we all prepared to traipse back inside and enjoy a meal and an afternoon together that didn’t involve their kitchen for once, they looked so incredibly at ease, Grandpa in his signature beige jacket zipped up over his shirt and tie, Grandma in a probably green dress (her favorite color) and looking positively carefree.

Of course, there is a lot of work involved in making the meal we would all enjoy, but we were never aware of it. We kids were probably too busy jumping on the beds and running races in the backyard to ever notice all that. But in hindsight, with the adult knowledge of how things were done in those crystal-water-glasses and good-China-and-silverware days, with ironed linen napkins and starched tablecloths, I know there was an enormous amount of energy and preparation that went into any holiday before the cooking even began.

And there was a lot of cooking. No one had even dreamed of a thing called a microwave or a Keurig coffee maker, an air fryer or store-bought frozen anything. There were hand-peeled potatoes and homemade pies, coconut cakes in the shape of lambs, huge roasted hams and fresh asparagus and green beans and rolls that smelled delectably yeasty and tasted wonderful slathered with butter.

The meal took hours to prepare, minutes

By Vicki Bahr

to eat, and another couple of companionable hours in the kitchen to clean up, as everyone grabbed a kitchen towel and stood in the tiny kitchen laughing and talking as they washed and dried the dishes. There were no dishwashers then either, of course.

The important things about Easter were always there…family and togetherness and celebration. And thanks to my cousin David, the memories came flooding back.

I actually owe him a copy of another picture I found of our dads laughing into the camera on a much earlier Easter. I’m pretty sure it was taken before either of us was born, because Uncle Steve and my dad look so very young. There’s a huge ham on a platter, sitting just in front of the roasting oven it was cooked in, and both of the laughing Easter ham carvers look as if they’ve just been caught sneaking more of the ham into their mouths than was being put onto the waiting platter.

It's so good to see their laughter and their youth, so good to have the memories of a long-ago Easter as the new one comes around. And so nice to remember that there are memories being made that our own kids and grandkids will cherish just as much as we do this many years later.

Happy Easter, Cousin!!

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

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

Andy Wurm Tire & Wheel Company celebrates 50 years in business

Brothers Joe and Andy Wurm are owner-operators of the Andy Wurm Tire & Wheel Company at 201 South Florissant Road in Ferguson.

They are both proud of and thankful for the opportunities they have had over the years to serve their community.

“When I remember being so young, 11 years old, and working at the shop on Martin Luther King on every snow day that school was cancelled, I can’t believe that time has gone by so fast,” Joe stated. “All the boys would work at the shop any days we were off school and, in the summers, we learned a lot from our parents about how to treat people fair and have good manners.”

Joe and Andy’s parents, Andy Sr. and Frances Wurm, founded Andy Wurm Tire Company in 1973 with the plan of providing quality tires and service to the community for a fair price. Andy and Frances believed in the business and the fact that tires will always be a product in demand.

The original location of Andy Wurm Tire was at 4965 Martin Luther King Drive in North St. Louis City.

In 1981, Andy Sr. and Frances made the decision to open another location at 402 South Florissant Road in Ferguson. Andy managed the Ferguson location and Joe managed the Martin Luther King store.

“The 402 store is where our roots in Ferguson grew and we built relationships with the community,” Andy said. “Working in Ferguson was like getting to hang

out with your friends every day.”

In 1998, the property at 201 South Florissant Road was purchased with the plan for one superstore location. This business plan facilitated two goals they had.

in the tire industry, we elevated our visibility in the marketplace and we increased our buyer power which resulted in better pricing for our customers. We are always fair with pricing and offer quality service, that’s something else I learned from my dad,” said Joe.

Over the years, the relationships they built kept the customers coming back. The hard work and dedication of the employees have helped make Andy Wurm Tire & Wheel the success it is.

“Longevity in business is hard to attain, we are appreciative of the employees that kept the business running efficiently, there are some great individuals here,” Joe stated.

The company operates today in the same spirit and under the same business plan. The 201 location is a state-of-the-art automotive facility.

The Wurm family hopes that the public comes to share in the 50-year celebration on April 15 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The first was the retirement of Andy Sr. and Frances. The second was for Joe and Andy to be able to have additional time off work. By combining the stores and employees Joe and Andy were able to integrate their talents and realize shared responsibilities. The current location at 201 South Florissant Road was completed in 2001.

In 2008, they opened their wholesale division. This division served the company in three different ways.

“We were able to service our local counterparts

“One of our favorite things about working here is seeing over the years the generations of families. Some families knew my mom and dad and then we knew their kids and now their kids, it’s been great seeing the families grow up,” said Joe.

Andy Sr. and Frances taught their business strategies to their children and were always know for their integrity. The motto they had for the business is still the mission statement of the company: “Goodwill like a good name is won by many acts and lost by one.”

Andy Wurm Tire & Wheel Company celebrates 50 years in business.

Submitted photo

Ladue chess team wins Gateway League championship

Ladue Horton Watkins High School’s Chess “A” Team won the Gateway League championship on March 8 with a 26.5 to 3.5 win over Belleville West. The win capped off an undefeated, 12-0 season and

first place finish in the league’s West Conference.

Leading up to the championship round, LHWHS won the West Conference semifinals against MICDS by a score of 26 to 4 on Feb. 22, then followed with a win in the West Conference finals against Webster Groves by a score of 26.5 to 3.5 on March 1.

LHWHS’s A chess team members Luke Ye, Andy Teh, Andrew Stappenbeck, Rex Zhu and Celina Zhou all contributed points toward the league championship win.

The school’s “B” chess team also advanced to the playoffs after finishing its Gateway Chess High School League regular season with a 7-1 record and in second place in the East Conference. The team lost its playoff

semifinals match against Belleville West by a score of 19 to 11 on Feb. 22. Aaron Lin and Lincoln Olthof contributed points for LHWHS in the match.

The LHWHS chess teams are led by coach Dr. Zach Garrison.

Riverview Gardens School District names its Teacher of the Year

Juanita Shaw, a sixthgrade teacher at Westview Middle School was named the Riverview Gardens School District Teacher of the Year.

Shaw has served as a teacher at Westview Middle for four years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Harris-Stowe State University. She has earned master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction and educational leadership from the University of Phoenix.

Outside the classroom, Shaw serves as a youth mentor and is an avid motorcycle rider. She has ridden more than 75,000 miles across the United States and Canada. She incorporates her travel experiences with her scholars during lessons.

“I work with my colleagues as if we are family so that we can focus on making Westview a place where students feel safe and great about their accomplishments,” Shaw stated.

“In the words of Nelson Mandela, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,’” Shaw added.

Shaw was surprised with the announcement by Superintendent, Joylynn Pruitt-Adams, Ed.D. and Professional Development Coordinator Tiffany Patton, Ed.D.

“Ms. Shaw is well-deserving of the RGSD Teacher of the Year Award,” Pruitt-Adams stated. “She is a motivated, highly-skilled instructor and is an exemplary

role model for the Westview scholars.”

Shaw and the building-wide honorees were presented with their awards at the District Teacher of the Year celebration on March 28.

Second place was a three-way tie between the following outstanding teachers: JeJuana Collins of Koch Elementary; Patti Madonna of Michelle Obama Early Childhood Academic Center and Krystal Thomas of Moline Elementary.

Shaw will proceed as the representative for the Missouri State Teacher of the Year nomination.

The Missouri Teacher of the Year Program is facilitated annually by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education collaboratively with the National Teacher of the Year Program.

Ladue Horton Watkins High School’s chess team won the Gateway League championship on March 8.

Photo courtesy Ladue School District

Juanita Shaw, a sixth-grade teacher at Westview Middle School was named the Riverview Gardens School District Teacher of the Year.

Photo courtesy Riverview Gardens School District

EVENTS

April 22: Shred event

The 12th Annual “Free Document Shredding Day” will be held at St. Ferdinand Park in Florissant and traffic will be directed accordingly. The event is from 9 a.m. to noon (or until trucks reach their capacity). All information will be destroyed in a manner to which it cannot be recognized or recreated. All paper will then be recycled. You may bring up to five bags or boxes. Types of boxes include copy paper boxes, banker boxes and shoe boxes. Types of bags include shopping bags, grocery bags and trash bags. No three ring binders, hanging file folders, CD’s, DVD’s or hard bound books. The event is open to the public.

April 27: Shred event

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

May 12: Trivia night

Join Youth In Need’s Young Professionals Group for its annual trivia night to benefit Youth In Need at the Bridgeton Recreation Center at 4201 Fee Fee Road in Bridgeton. Doors open at 6 p.m., and trivia begins at 7 p.m. Registration is $200 for tables of eight and includes soda, beer, wine and popcorn. Outside food and drinks are encouraged, just no glass, please. For more information about the event and sponsorship opportunities or to make an auction donation, contact Ashlee Berry, Annual Fund Director, at aberry@youthinneed.org.

RECURRING EVENTS

Weekdays: Food pantry volunteers needed

The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry is in need of ongoing adult volunteers to sort food, stock shelves and shop with clients. Two-tofour hour shifts are available, Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.3:45 p.m. To learn more or to join this fun group, contact

Chelsey Banaskavich at 314513-1674 or cbanaskavich@ jfcs-stl.org.

Mondays: Choral Arts Group meetings

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

Mondays: City council meetings

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

Mondays: Workshop meetings

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

Mondays: A cappella singers

All men who like to sing are invited to come sing with us, The Men of Harmony. We practice every Monday night at 7 p.m. at 5500 Parker Raoad which is the first house on Uthe Lane. We sing fourpart harmony a capella (without accompaniment). We sing some traditional songs, as well as show tunes and more contemporary music. We do perform for the public at various functions. Persons interested can come right on in or for more information call Al at 314-993-6134.

Mondays-Thursdays: Volunteers needed Community Action Agency of St. Louis County is in need of volunteers to stock shelves, sort food shipments and pack bags for Food Pantry Clients Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Two to four hour shifts are available. If you are interested, please contact Cheryl Piece at 314-446-4440 or cpiece@ caastlc.org for additional information.

Tuesdays: Bingo

Florissant Elks Bingo takes place at 16400 New Halls Ferry every Tuesday. Doors open at 4 p.m., bingo starts at 6 p.m. No outside food or drinks allowed per St. Louis

County. Food and drinks available for purchase. Maximum 150 players. Must wear mask to enter. Social distancing followed.

Tuesdays: TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets from 10 – 11 a.m. at Expansion Church at 11150 Old Saint Charles Rd. in St. Ann. For more info, contact Pat Pinson 314-4281168 or 314-435-5898.

Tuesdays: A cappella singers

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

Tuesdays: Chair Zumba

Chair Zumba every Tuesday from 2:15 – 3 p.m. at The Bridge At Florissant at 1101 Garden Plaza Dr. (Parker @ Arlington). For more information call 314-831-0988.

Tuesdays: Celebrate Recovery

Celebrate Recovery Tuesday meetings take place at 6 p.m. with a Saturday Bible Study at 9 a.m. at LifePoint Church at 424 Graham Rd. in Florissant. For more information visit www.lifepointministries.church/celebrate-recovery or call (men) Steve D. at 636-634-6582 or (women) Denise W. at 530-417-6151.

Tuesdays: TOPS (Take off pounds sensibly)

From 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. located at John F. Kennedy Center/ Henry Koch Ctr., Howdershell Rd. at Charbonier Rd., Florissant. For more info contact Paul McConnell, 314831-5476.

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

Every 4th Tuesday of the month: Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335 meeting 6:30pm, Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion

Post 335, at the Bellefontaine Neighbors Community Center at 9669 Bellefontaine Rd. Those interested in membership are invited to attend.

Wednesdays: Bingo

Bingo takes place every Wednesday at American Legion

Post 338 at 9655 Midland Blvd. in Overland. Doors open at 5 p.m. For more information contact Chairman Ed Hilleman at 314-660-1813.

Wednesdays: Bingo

Life Care Center of Bridgeton, at 12145 Bridgeton

Square in Bridgeton, welcome all to Community Bingo every last Wednesday of the month at 2:30 p.m. Light refreshment will be served. Please RVSP at 314298-7444 with the month you will attend and number of people attending.

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

Sports you see with Gary B...

Lindenwood adds new head coach for women’s basketball

Recently, Lindenwood University’s Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Jason Coomer named Amy Eagan the next head coach of the women’s basketball program.

“I want to thank Lindenwood University President Dr. Porter and VP of Athletics Jason Coomer for trusting me with this amazing opportunity,” said Eagan. “I also want to give a very special thank you to Drury University, the community, and all the coaches and players that I have coached in the past. None of this is possible without you.”

Eagan arrives in St. Charles after spending three seasons as the head coach of Drury University women’s basketball. Eagan completed her 14th season as a collegiate head coach, as she had stops at Truman State, Ashford, and St. Ambrose.

“Today is an exciting day for our institution, department and women’s basketball program,” said Coomer. “After an extensive search that featured tremendous interest in the position, it was clear that the right and best candidate was only a few hours away. Coach Eagan is a proven winner as demonstrated throughout her career as a student-athlete, coach and mentor. We are thrilled that she will be bringing her exciting style of play to St. Charles as this will certainly be intriguing to players and fans alike.”

Eagan brings a career mark of 274-151 (.645) to Lindenwood, including four-straight seasons of 23 or more wins. Eagan has led three schools to the NCAA Division II tournament for a total of five appearances, as well as one NAIA tournament appearance. Eagan has claimed five conference titles in her 14 years, including three-straight.

“From my first contact with Dr. Porter and Mr. Coomer, it was very apparent that there is a commitment to excellence, a commitment to winning, and a commitment to the student-athletes and their

graduation,” added Eagan. “Words cannot express my sincere gratitude and excitement to lead this program into this new era! I am committed to ensuring that these young women are champions on the floor, in the community, and in the classroom.”

* Exciting season ahead

Hoots sign local player

The O’Fallon Hoots, proud members of the Prospect League, play their home games at the CarShield Field in O’Fallon.

Infielder Tyson Ludwig has signed a contract for the 2023 summer season as he comes to O’Fallon as a junior from Lindenwood University.

The 5-foot-10, right-handed infielder attended Troy Buchanan High School in Troy. Ludwig went on to play two seasons at Bryant and Stratton College in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where he finished with a career .298 AVG, .399 OBP, .390 SLG, 88 hits, 86 RBI, and 53 stolen bases in 90 games played for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Bobcats.

The infielder played in four games for the O’Fallon Hoots during their 2022 summer campaign, putting up a .286 AVG, one homerun, one RBI, two runs, and one stolen base in his seven at-bats in the Prospect League. Following the summer season, the junior committed to play for Lindenwood University this 2023 season and has since started in 23 of the 24 games for the Lions, notching 13 hits, 13 walks, seven runs, and eight stolen bases.

* Local, talented athlete

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.

Recipe: A seasonal spring surprise

INGREDIENTS:

5 cups water

1 pound asparagus

ice water

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1/4 teaspoon salt, plus additional, to taste, divided

1/4 teaspoon pepper, plus additional, to taste, divided

flour, for dusting

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

1 cup grated fontina cheese

1 cup grated gruyere cheese

1 tablespoon shallot, minced

2 egg yolks

3 tablespoons milk

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 lemon, zest only

Cheesy Asparagus Tart

DIRECTIONS: Heat oven to 400 F.

In large skillet, add water and asparagus. Cook 5-8 minutes until asparagus is bright green.

Drain asparagus and soak in ice water.

In large bowl, mix drained asparagus, vegetable oil, salt and pepper until combined.

Flour surface area. Using rolling pin, roll out pastry to 10-by-16-inch rectangle. Transfer pastry to

parchment-lined baking sheet. Prick pastry with fork. Bake about 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool slightly on baking sheet.

In large bowl, mix fontina cheese, gruyere cheese, shallot, egg yolks, milk, nutmeg and salt and pepper, to taste, until combined. Spread cheese over pastry, leaving 1 inch around edges. Lay asparagus over cheese mixture.

Bake 5 minutes, or until cheese has melted.

Movies featuring artificial intelligence

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.

Jack Williamson’s 1947 science fiction novella “With Folded Hands” featured a group of sophisticated robots that presented themselves to humans free of charge. These mechanical creatures had one Prime Directive: “To serve and obey and guard men from harm.” That sounded positive at first, but over time, humans with jobs were replaced by robots and were later referred to as “Humanoids.” They also assumed benevolent control of humanity and, as the title of the novella indicated, humanity was left with nothing to do but sit with folded hands.

Williamson’s novella raised interesting questions about artificial intelligence that have become quite relevant today. ChatGPT, a “natural language processing tool driven by AI,” has been making headlines. It was created by research lab OpenAI and, according to Wikipedia, this chatbot delivered “detailed responses and articulate answers” when questioned. For writers, however, this technology may pose some problems. Online freelance writing sites such as “Constant Content” have already posted guidelines to writers about the use of chatbots.

Could artificial intelligence become a serious problem for humanity in the future? In 1999’s “The Matrix,” humans were used as living power sources for a robotic artificial intelligence. Keanu Reeves starred as Thomas

Anderson, a computer programmer searching for the meaning behind the phrase “The Matrix.” Anderson, who preferred his hacker name “Neo,” met Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) who then directed him to seek out Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), the man with answers to Neo’s questions.

The fate of humanity rested in the mechanical hands of Pixar’s “Wall-E.” The title referred to Earth’s last remaining trash compacting robot. Wall-E (voice of Ben Burtt) was originally one of many robots programmed to clean up the mess left by humans. Wall-E continued to work until he was the last one left. Over time, however, he developed a unique personality, hung out with Hal, his cockroach friend, and repeatedly watched a tape of “Hello, Dolly!” When a probe named EVE (voice of Elissa Knight) landed on Earth in search of viable plants,

Wall-E hitched a ride to the Axiom, the spaceship holding the remaining humans.

Artificial intelligence played a big role in Spike Jonze’s 2013 film “Her.” Joaquin Phoenix played Theodore Twombly, a professional writer who wrote personal letters for people who couldn’t write their own correspondence. At home, Theodore installed a new computer operating system that came with artificial intelligence that could evolve and grow. Twombly named his new electronic AI friend Samantha (voice of Scarlett Johansson). She surprised Theodore with her ability to learn and grow and he even took her on vacation.

Steven Spielberg directed 2001’s “A.I. Artificial Intelligence,” a science fiction film based on the 1969 short story “Supertoys Last All Summer Long.” In the 22nd century, rising seas levels destroyed coastal cities, reduced the population and led to the creation of humanoid robots. Henry Swinton (Sam Robards) and his wife Monica (Frances O’Connor) had an ill child that was in suspended animation waiting for a cure to his disease. The Swintons then received a mechanical child named David (Haley Joel Osment) with the capacity to love, but after their son was cured, things changed.

Will ChatGPT be the electronic genie that escapes its bottle? Only time will tell.

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.

Paramount Pictures

FindmorespringrecipesanddiningideasatCulinary.net.

“Wall-E” photo courtesy Pixar Animation Studios

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NOVENA

PRAYER TO ST. JUDE May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world, now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, Pray for us. St. Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, Pray for us.

Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days, then publish. Your prayers will be answered. It has never been known to fail.

Thank you, St. Jude. L.M.

LEGAL NOTICE

‘

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.

Moore on Life

Last week my husband got in all sorts of trouble for being a man and thinking man thoughts. This week he gets to tell his side of the story:

Him: So, we went to one of those big box stores, you know the ones where you have to buy mayonnaise in 55-gallon steel drum and not just one, but two at a time because, of course, they’re latched together with Kevlar rope.

She vs. he

I don’t know why we go there since it’s just the two of us. I mean, how are we ever going to finish off a package of 800 fish sticks? I guess she figures by the time the grandkids are grown she’ll pass the bag on to them. There should still be 200 left.

So, we entered the store and right there in front of us were five humongous television screens. I’ve never had such an amazing experience since I accidentally got locked in the hardware store overnight; tools, so many glorious tools.

Anyway, I searched for someone who worked there because I needed a measuring tape. I couldn’t believe it. Those things had to be 80 inches wide or more. I commented on the size, but she was irritated and thought I should have paid more attention to what was being shown on the screen – a dumb demonstration of someone making soup.

I told her if I wanted soup I could get a double can of it – in a 55-gallon steel drum on aisle five. I was put in verbal timeout for the next 20 minutes.

I didn’t feel like talking anyways. There wasn’t much to do but look around. That’s when I spot-

CROSSWORD: C O L O R S

By Cindy Moore

ted an extremely attractive lady and I mean…man, if I was 20 – okay 30! – years younger. She passed by and I sucked in my dad-gut, you know, first impressions and all.

Just then, I felt an elbow in my side. I guess that was to inform me that my timeout had expired.

“Did you see that cutie?” she asked.

“Did I ever,” I said, surprised she would notice. “She was one foxy babe!”

“I meant the cute little boy in her shopping cart, dirty old man!”

“There was a little boy?” I asked.

I received two sharp jabs to the ribs which meant double verbal timeout. I don’t think we’ll be shopping together anytime soon.

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 fil-

ACROSS

1. Partner of pains

6. “Raiders of the Lost

9. Opposite of flows

13. Flesh of fish

14. Grazing area

15. Soft palate hanger

16. Boatload

17. Wood-shaping tool

18. Old episode

19. *Alice of “Color Purple” fame

21. *Fruit and color

23. Long reef dweller

24. Sound of pain

25. Math class total

28. Excessively abundant

30. *”Royal” color

35. Arrival times, acr.

37. *Color quality

39. Shininess

40. White House “sub”

41. Spritelike

43. Cupid’s counterpart

44. Serengeti grazer

46. *Feeling blue

47. Hokkaido native

48. *Color wheel inventor

50. Walk with a hitch

52. “Malcolm X” (1992) movie director

53. Stare open-mouthed

55. Napoleon of “Animal Farm,” e.g.

57. *Between blue and

violet

60. *____phobia, intense fear of colors

63. Opposite of cathode

64. North American country

66. Run ____ of the law

68. Geography class book

69. Local area network

70. It’s firma

71. Has divine power

72. Banned insecticide, acr.

73. German surrealist Max DOWN

1. “General Hospital” network

2. Crop of a bird

3. Zeus’ sister and wife

4. Two under par on a golf hole

5. Meat-cooking contraption

6. Winglike

7. *Predominant color of Mars

8. Type of membranophone

9. Like never-losing Steven

10. Town

11. *Primary color

12. ___ Juan, Puerto Rico

15. 7th planet from the

sun

20. Chosen few

22. Nicki Minaj’s genre

24. Not womenfolk

25. *Number of colors in a rainbow

26. Of service

27. Colorful parrot

29. *The Lumière brothers’ colorful creation

31. “Cheers” actress Perlman

32. Jeopardy

33. Sergio of Spaghetti Westerns fame

34. Follow as a consequence

36. Email folder

38. Cone-shaped quarters

42. Naiad or maenad

45. Motherless calves

49. Old horse

51. Long John Silver, e.g.

54. Modified “will”

56. Bottom-ranking employee

57. Opposite of “out of”

58. Hall of Fame Steelers’ coach

59. June 6, 1944

60. “____ Buy Me Love”

61. Between dawn and noon

62. Yours and mine

63. Expression of pleasure

65. Melancholy

67. Latissimus dorsi, for short

ter, 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.

Yeggs’ is a comic

John Hanna Yeggs