CN: April 12, 2017

April 12, 2017

Uncovering princesses

Around Town Free seminar can help residents apply for Florissant’s annual Home Improvement Program. P.3

Community Voices

By Dick Welsch. P.2

School

Members of The Princess Perspective participate in the 2017 Youth Symposium.

Submitted photos

Princess Perspective works to mentor the whole girl

Brown Elementary students receive lessons in gardening.

P.6

Learn & Play

By Nicholas Elmes What does being a princess mean in today’s world?

For Ameerah Fairley, founder of The Princess Perspective, it means helping teenage girls in the St. Louis region find the guidance and support to love not only themselves but their community.

“There is a girl in our community who does not know she is beautiful,” Fairley said. “There is a girl in our community who does not know she is smart. There is a girl in our community who does not know she is brilliant. There is a girl in our community who does not know she is college bound.

These girls need to know they are all of the above.”

Through The Princess Perspective, founded just over a year ago, Fairley, hopes to provide both mentoring and peer support for spiritual, mental, emotional, social, economic and physical success for teenage girls.

She said she had been playing around with the idea of creating the nonprofit for a number of years but was spurred into making it a reality after her mother died.

So she formed a group of girls, initially from the Riverview Gardens area where she was teaching at the time, and started holding monthly meetings.

“We have done a lot since then,” said Fairley. “The first thing we did was take the group of girls on a college tour of the St. Louis region, visiting Harris-Stowe, St. Louis University, Webster, and UMSL.” That was quickly followed by service

Guilt-free comfort foods. P.11

Movie

Marvel movies: megahits and epic fails. P.16

Weather project which gives the girls a chance to give back and learn to be thankful for the things they have.

“Our first project was a random act of kindness,” said Fairley. “The girls did not know what we were going to do. We had them come in and make sandwiches and we blindfolded them and took them downtown. They handed out sandwiches, bottled water, and chips to people in need. It was such a good and humbling experience.”

The group also explores history and cultural issues.

“We went as a group to the Little Black Dress exhibit at the Missouri History Museum, making it a girls’ day,” said Fairley.

“We dressed up in our dresses and went to experience history, not just of fashion but the mourning process of women and how it started and ended.”

Although the nonprofit started in the Riverview Gardens area, it has since grown to include teenagers from throughout the region.

See ‘PRINCESSES’ page 2

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Around Town

April 12, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

COMMUNITY VOICES Reaching across the centuries

By Dick Welsch A couple of months ago I stumbled across a YouTube audio recording of one Julius Howell. Mr. Howell was a veteran of the Civil War. The recording was from 1947 when Howell was 101 years old. If strength and clarity of voice is any guide, Mr. Howell was, indeed, a sprightly centenarian.

He talked of his enlistment in Robert E. Lee’s Army of Virginia and of serving in its 24th Cavalry – at the tender age of 16. He talked of fallen friends and of being captured and confined in a POW camp in Maryland in 1865. While there, he woke one morning to flags at half-staff and news of Lincoln’s assassination.

The recording ran about fifteen minutes and as I listened it struck me how cool it was to be hearing the voice of a man born one-hundred and seventy years earlier, talking about his life and times. Julius Howell, long gone from this earth, was reaching across the centuries and touching people – still.

Of course, first-hand tales of the Civil War harbor an intrinsic fascination-factor. But hearing Howell speak of life on his family’s Virginia plantation prior to the war and his life’s path after the war throughout the balance of the 19th century and into the 20th would have been riveting, too. Doubly so, I’m sure, for his direct descendants. Imagine hearing family history from great-great-great grandad – in his own voice! Or listening to him pass-on family stories his

parents and grandparents told him. That would likely extend the history-bridge across four centuries.

In 2007 a colleague and friend asked me to work with him on a video-based oral-history project focused on University City. The work paid, so, of course, I agreed to do it. We conducted more than thirty-five interviews of long-time University City residents – a mixture of individuals and couples.

Neither my friend nor I had ever met any of these people prior to entering their homes, shaking their hands and setting up for and recording the interviews and yet, we found each interview, in its own way, spellbinding.

Their stories were of everyday life; the joys and sorrows and challenges they faced, the schools they attended and teachers who made a difference in their lives. They told of surviving the Great Depression, of hungry neighbors and homeless people.

They talked of World War II; of loved ones returning and loved ones lost. Each participant received a DVD copy of their interview and I imagine someday many of them will be reaching across the centuries and touching the future, too. How wonderful!

For years a cousin and I spoke of gathering the parents, aunts and uncles, setting up a camera and helping them to tell their stories. You’ve probably guessed, we never quite got around to doing it and now, all but one are gone. I’m a bit ashamed of our

failure to act, but mostly sadness predominates.

Most certainly, I would have enjoyed getting each one talking and recollecting, where one memory leads to the next and so on, until details, thoughts and observations breathe life into a story and reveal depths of the story-teller. But more so I’m sad for my children and their children and all the children to come, because they’ll never have the opportunity to see and hear great-upon-great grandpa and grandma reach across the centuries, introduce themselves and connect their descendants to the past.

Are you listening kids? This is another of your father’s mistakes you should avoid making.

And, oh yeah, irony of ironies, a friend and I are now recording stories and recollections of ordinary people just like my parents and aunts and uncles.

I may be a bit slow, but I do eventually learn.

Dick Welsch is an award winning writer/director with 30-plus years of film-making experience.

He has also authored newspaper columns and speeches and ghost-written books. He lives and works in the St. Louis area.

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.

‘PRINCESSES’ from cover “We also have girls from University City, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Ritenour and St. Louis,” she said. “Our girls come from a variety of backgrounds. We have some who are well–to-do, some that come from single parent homes, some who are raised by outside family members and some who are in foster care.”

Fairley said that while whether the group is helping homeless or visiting a museum, the key focus is on helping the girls to develop their own insight on what being a phenomenal female is all about.

“We don’t want to set limits on our girls,” she said. “We don’t want them to think that success is a straight road because it is not. You are going to have twists and turns and bumps and bruises.”

The group meets once a month, on the third Saturday, and always has a different theme for their meeting.

Members of The Princess Perspective participate in the 2017 Youth Symposium.

Submitted photos “Our last topic was selfesteem and building up your own self-esteem,” said Fairley. “Sometimes we do hands- a youth summit for the St. Louis region and some members are on activities, sometimes we have guest speakers come in. This joining the Urban Leagues’ Youth Advisory Board. month we are going to be focusing on sisterhood, team building Fairley said the group is always looking for girls to join the and how to coexist in a sisterhood. We also recently had pro- group and mentors to help provide guidance. gram building relationships with parents and learning how to “In order to join, girls have to be between 12 and 18 years old back down a little.” and enrolled in school,” she said. Prospective members will have The group also focuses on having fun outings. to complete an application, get a character letter of reference “We do Fun Fridays on the first Friday of the month,” said Fair- form an advisor or teacher, and provide their own letter of interley. “We try to get out and have some fun outside of the educa- est. “We accept girls from the whole St. Louis region.” tional piece.”

To learn more about the program or to join, email Fairley at She said the teenagers in the group are also working on being theprincessperspective@gmail.com, or call 314-766-9098. more involved in the community, currently working on planning

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 12, 2017

Around Town

Free seminar can help residents apply for Florissant’s annual Home Improvement Program Florissant home-owners who would like to apply for Florissant’s Home Improvement Program can learn about the resources that are available, what qualifications are needed and how to fill out an application.

The seminar will be held at the Florissant City Hall at 5:30 p.m. Florissant’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) office provides nointerest loans of up to $5,000 to a limited number of low-to-moderate income Florissant homeowners who qualify. The loans can only be used for home repair and to address code violations.

Loan applications are available for pickup or on the city website. Completed applications will be accepted on a first come-first serve basis dur-

ing regular business hours (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.) at the Government Building May 1through 5 p.m. May 31 or until all funds have been awarded. Applications are reviewed by Florissant’s Community Development Office and priority is given to lowincome households.

If funds remain after eligible low-income applications are met, candidates from moderate-income housing will be considered. All applicants will be notified of their status within eight weeks.

More information about the loans and who may apply is available on Florissant’s website www.florissantmo.com or by contacting the Community Development Office at 314-8397680 or comara@florissantmo.com.

Florissant seniors participate in Third Annual Aging My Way Resource Fair

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Pictured are some of the organizations and seniors that came to the Third Annual Aging My Way Resource Fair.

Over 350 senior citizens attended the free Third Annual Aging My Way Resource Fair for Senior Citizens and over 75 vendors were on hand on April 4 at the James J. Eagan Center from 9 a.m.

– noon.

The city of Florissant partnered with Memory Care Home Solutions, St. Catherine Retirement

Photo courtesy city of Florissant

Community, Bent-Wood Nursing & Rehabilitation and Mercy Home Health & Hospice to provide senior citizens with information and resources to senior citizens who are aging in place in their homes as well as senior citizen who are considering other senior living options.

St. Louis Admirals R/C Model Boat Club moves monthly meeting site to Old St. Ferdinand Shrine The St. Louis Admirals R/C Model Boat Club is moving its monthly meeting site to Old St. Ferdinand Shrine in Old Town Florissant, effective April 5. Membership also has approved a premeeting restaurant change to Hendel’s Restaurant, also in Old Town Florissant.

“We are so fortunate to have Father Tom Keller help us and arrange for us our new meeting place at the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine,” said Jane Rivers, “Commodore” of the club. “Also, a grateful thank you to Todd Schmidt, Director, Florissant Parks Department, for approving our sailing date change at St. Ferdinand’s Pond from the first Monday of the month to the first Wednesday of the month.”

Schmidt says that the St. Ferdinand Pond will be drained and repaired sometime this spring or summer.

“We are delighted to host the regular meeting of the St. Louis Admirals R/C Model Boat Club at the historic Old St. Ferdinand Shrine in Old Town Florissant,” said Florissant Mayor Thomas P. Schneider. “Model boat aficionados bring nautical enthusiasm and a passion for detail to their vessels, something U.S. Navy veterans like me are happy to see.

Florissant is proud to host the club’s bi-monthly sailings at our pond in St. Ferdinand Park. The city of Florissant has one of the finest park systems in all of metro St. Louis and Missouri and is host

to a wide variety of family activities that make Florissant an excellent place to live, work and raise a family,” he said.

The St. Louis Admirals R/C Model Boat Club is an organization with the sole purpose of sharing and teaching others the joy of radio-controlled model boats. These models have the same controls as those on a full-sized vessel, including variable forward-and-reverse speed control, steering and sail control for sailboats. The club’s ‘fleet’ currently numbers more than 100 ships of all kinds.

Members may have model boats that are radiocontrolled electric, steam, sail or solar powered (no gas or diesel powered models are allowed).

Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month at Old St. Ferdinand Shrine at 1 Rue St. Francois, preceded by dinner at 5 p.m. at Hendel’s Restaurant at 599 Rue St. Denis.

The St. Lois Admirals R/C Model Boat Club holds monthly sailing outings from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month and also from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the third Sunday of every month, weather permitting (at least 55 degrees and dry) at St. Ferdinand Pond from March through November.

The club was formed in 1983 and is presently working on its 29th regatta, which will be held September 23-24, 2017 at the Boathouse in Forest Park. Dues are $30 per year.

www.delmargardens.com

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Around Town

April 12, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

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The Bridge at Florissant names new director of community outreach Submitted photo

Marlon Lee is the new Director of Community Outreach for The Bridge at Florissant. He is a native of St. Louis County growing up in unincorporated St. Louis County and attending Salem Lutheran Elementary School in Black Jack and Lutheran High School North. As the Director of Community Organizing for the Urban League of St. Louis, he worked closely with the senior community leading him to positions in both home health care and hospice. In his new role at The Bridge at Florissant he has dedicated himself to assisting seniors in cultivating life to the fullest.

www.amorestl.com

Normandy leader receives outstanding new superintendent award Dr. Charles Pearson, Superintendent of Schools for the Normandy Schools Collaborative, was among eight Missouri superintendents recognized by the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA) for outstanding performance as a new superintendent.

Pearson was nominated for the honor by his colleagues in the Greater St. Louis MASA District. He was honored during the awards banquet at the MASA Photo courtesy Normandy Schools Collaborative Spring Conference on March 29.

The award is presented annu- Dr. Charles Pearson, Normandy superintendent, provides an update on the school district to loally to superintendents who are cal clergy at a luncheon last fall. Pearson was named an Outstanding New Superintendent by the Missouri Association of School Administrators. in their second or third year of employment as superintendent and have made gifted education, Advanced Placement and dual a measurable contribution to the school district enrollment/dual credit courses, and established which they serve. Under Pearson’s leadership, the vital partnerships with organizations like Wyman collaborative has significantly increased the num- Center to provide critical wraparound services to ber of points earned on the state’s Annual Perfor- help improve student academic achievement. mance Report, reinstated academic programs like

Weather from Nick’s Window

by Nick Palisch

Funnel clouds and tornadoes…oh my!

www.stlcompost.com

Severe weather can often bring tornadoes.

So far this year Missouri has experienced several tornadoes. While many consider MarchMay severe weather season, tornadoes can happen at any time of the year as long as conditions are right.

A tornado is not a tornado until the funnel makes contact with the ground. The name changes from funnel cloud to tornado once the contact with the ground is made. A funnel cloud is a column of rotating air and condensation descending from a wall cloud towards the ground. Until it reaches the ground it is not a tornado.

The majority of funnel clouds and tornadoes form a thunderstorm, but not always.

Let me explain.

Some funnels can form from non-thunderstorm clouds which we often refer to as cold air funnels. Tornadoes on the other hand typically form from a strong thunderstorm cloud. The exception to this are some landspouts.

Once a funnel makes contact with the ground it becomes a tornado. A tornado can be somewhat transparent until dirt and debris are picked up by the moving tornado.

In weaker tornadoes it may be more difficult to see the interaction with the ground.

Once contact is lost with the ground, the tornado again becomes a funnel cloud (still a rotating column of air), but is not touching the surface.

A tornado that forms over water is known

as a waterspout. These storms can move onto land and become a tornado. Many waterspouts form over large bodies of water such as lakes and oceans.

In 1985, meteorologist Howard Bluestein identified a tornado that is not associated with a mesocyclone of thunderstorm called a landspout. A landspout forms from a growing convective cloud and are often associated with low-level instability. They are typically weaker and smaller than supercell tornadoes.

It is important to know that landspouts can cause damage. In addition, some landspouts are not visible and are often first sighted as debris swirling at the surface before they eventually fill in with condensation and dust.

Many landspouts, like waterspouts, form a translucent tube appearance. Whereas tornadoes can appear more of a wedge-like or a large wall shape.

Next time we will examine the scale used to rank tornadoes.

Nick Palisch is a meteorologist and Missouri native who understands the weather here in our area. He currently resides in Lake Saint Louis and can be reached at nick-wx@sbcglobal.net and you can always get the most up-to-date forecast from the FirstWarn Weather page at www.facebook.com/nickswx The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 12, 2017

Yeggs

John Hanna

Around Town

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‘Yeggs’ is a comic series about Robert and Bill, two rabbits who have opened their own egg franchise in the Midwest (St. Louis area). We follow their day to day lives, watching as they go about the hectic task of preparing for their one big day every year. Along the way they have adventures filled with fun, comic doings and pathos.

By Cindy Moore

Moore On Life

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Man food

Going out for lunch is an exciting ritual for the ladies, while men see it as just a way of packing their intestines.

I had decided on the last place to dine which included linen tablecloths, flowers, background music and dinnerplates not made from pressed paper. The itty-bitty portions and froo-froo atmosphere were not to my husband’s high standards – meaning, the establishment didn’t serve great slabs of meat on the bone from a hubcap.

He chose the restaurant this time.

I first suspected it was man-friendly as we neared the establishment. It had three expressway drive-throughs…classy. I insisted we at least go inside. I sensed this would be a place where throwing one’s peanut shells on the ground would be encouraged…I would be wrong. Instead they handed us a bucket of old socks to toss randomly about.

“Just like home,” my husband giggled as he launched a sock at a wall where it stuck to the frame of a picture of dogs playing poker.

Hmm. Had I known we were going to an art museum, I would have worn my nice flip flops.

We ordered at the counter where the only options were: meat or lots of meat with extra meat.

I saw they were offering a “little nibblers menu” and suggested we share the animal flesh special which looked like an overflowing platter of TRex. My husband grumbled like a caveman, “Me no share meat.”

After he ordered, it was my turn.

“Could I perhaps get a spinach salad with feta and a light balsamic vinaigrette on the side?”

Instantly a siren started to sound; red lights came on and flashed above. The frightened cashier shouted into the microphone, “Security!

We’ve got a code green out front. This is not a drill. Repeat! This is not a drill!”

I could see around the corner several militarylike personnel dashing towards me, no doubt to take me down with a taser and remove me from the joint.

Quickly thinking, I hurriedly asked for bacon sprinkles.

The checkout clerk repeated, “Bacon?”

I nodded.

The sirens stopped and red lights ceased flashing.

Over the intercom came, “Cancel code green.”

Security slunk back into the shadows.

At our table, my husband greedily devoured his King Kong-sized protein plate while I enjoyed my “man” salad which consisted of a pound of bacon and a leaf on the side.

Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation?

Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder.

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

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Business

April 12, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

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Check ou

ection S n e d r a G & e Hom in Classifieds page 15

Money raised for Leaps of Love

(From left) Krystle and Kathryn stand with Alicia Green, Board Member LOL and Childhood Cancer Survivor.

Kathryn Hubbard, Avon Independent Sales Rep and her 17 year old daughter, Krystle teamed up with the organization Leaps of Love (LOL) in order to raise money to benefit families affected by childhood brain tumors and late-effects of childhood cancer. Recently, the Hubbard’s spent countless hours coordinating a vendor fair to raise money for the organization and to help them spread awareness of Childhood Cancer. Held March 26, $905 was raised with support from business owners, Silent Auction, 50/50, and Sponsors including Thrivent.

Submitted photo

LOL embraces families affected by brain tumors and late-effects of childhood cancer by hosting family retreats to connect families, nurture parents that have lost a child to cancer and provide encouragement for childhood cancer survivors age 18-plus. For information about LOL contact Traci Reichmann 618-410-7212 or www.leapsoflove.organization. Kathryn and Krystle partner all year round to help LOL raise money and awareness. Contact Kathryn 314-378-6129, www. youravon.com/kkfundraising, or kkfundraising2014@gmail.com for additional information.

Dierbergs Markets donates $75,000 to Operation Food Search

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Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and songbirds that is!

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Visit Forrest Keeling’s all-new Habitat Headquarters in Elsberry.

in the back yard to the back forty!

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Submitted photo Dierbergs Markets’ corporate office associates volunteer at a recent backpack event where they sorted and packed food for the area’s hungry.

Dierbergs Markets is one of the area’s first corporations to kick start the public phase of a local nonprofit’s drive to end food insecurity.

Dierbergs recently donated $75,000 toward a capital campaign by Operation Food Search (OFS) called “The Campaign to End Childhood Hunger in the St. Louis Region.” OFS had already raised $6,388,000 of its $7 million capital campaign goal, leaving only $612,000 remaining when the campaign went public. With Dierbergs’ donation, along with several gifts from local donors, the agency has to-date raised a total of $118,000 and now needs to raise the remaining $494,000.

The main goal of the capital campaign is to grow OFS’ ability to stop the damaging cycle that food insecurity produces. Hunger strains the region’s education and negatively affects health outcomes with one in four children – approximately 173,000 children – in the 31 counties in Missouri and Illinois plus the city of St. Louis being at risk.

The funds will focus on expanding the organization’s nutrition education services, providing community education about the area’s hunger problem, and increasing capacity building with its agency network. In addition, the campaign allows for the purchase of more freezer, cooler and racking space to store food and supplies.

Founded in 1854, Dierbergs Markets is a family owned and operated grocer with 24 St. Louis met-

ropolitan area stores and a location at Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks.

“Our relationship with Operation Food Search dates to the organization’s earliest days,” said Dierbergs’ Vice President Laura Dierberg Padousis.

“This capital campaign gift was an easy decision for us because we’ve seen firsthand how effective, efficient and innovative Operation Food Search is at addressing childhood hunger in our community.”

Padousis added that the capital campaign gift was on top of Dierbergs’ annual OFS support programs that include food donations, corporation gifts, and in-store customer food drives and cash campaigns.

“Operation Food Search is pioneering a new era of hunger relief in our community. The capital campaign is fueling that growth, and we invite others to join us in support of an organization at the center of hunger solutions in our community,” said Dierberg Padousis.

“Dierbergs Markets has been a consistent, supportive partner since they began donating food to our agency in 1981,” said Operation Food Search Executive Director Sunny Schaefer. “This generous gift is a true testament to their leadership and ongoing assistance in our quest to end the area’s food insecurity.”

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 12, 2017

FFSD financial coordinator receives Missouri leadership award

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Photo courtesy Ferguson-Florissant School District Superintendent Joe Davis and Board of Education President Donna Paulette-Thurman recognized Latonya Robinson for receiving a state leadership award at FFSD’s March 8 Board of Education meeting.

Latonya Robinson, a federal financial coordinator for the Ferguson-Florissant School District, has received the Missouri State Leadership Award from the National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators (NAFEPA).

She has also been selected by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Educa-

tion (DESE) to participate as a member of the Committee of Practitioners for federal programs.

The committee is required by federal law to advise DESE on federal program issues associated with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESSA) of 1964 as amended by ESSA.

HSD Transportation Department puts first aid training into use

Photo courtesy Hazelwood School District Recently the Hazelwood School District Transportation Department, received Hands Only Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training, Basic First Aid, conscious choking and Epipen usage training during a professional development event.

Recently the Hazelwood School District Transportation Department, received Hands Only Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training, Basic First Aid, conscious choking and Epipen usage training during a professional development event. Only days later, was their training put to use.

As a young student was walking off the bus, she fainted. Due to the training received, the bus driver knew how to handle the situation. In

the end, the student received the needed help and recovered from the incident.

“I’m proud to be a part of emergency preparedness for the transportation department,” said Christian Bertel, Coordinator of Health Services, for HSD. “Emergencies will happen, and we don’t know when and where. Trainings like these empower our staff to act quickly. Our desire is to increase this response to emergencies and other first aid needs that might be encountered.”

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School

April 12, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

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Normandy selects new assistant superintendent Tina Clark-Scott is the new Assistant Superintendent for Academics and Student Services with the Normandy Schools Collaborative, effective July 1. Her selection was approved by the Joint Executive Governing Board at its March 9 public meeting.

Clark-Scott currently serves as principal of Jefferson Elementary School in the Normandy Schools Collaborative. Before joining Normandy in 2012, Clark-Scott was an assistant principal in the Hazelwood School District.

Clark-Scott, who is a native St. Louisan, is a product of the St. Louis Public Schools. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Harris-Stowe State University and went on to earn her master’s degree in Education Administration from the Photo courtesy Normandy Schools Collaborative University of Missouri-St. Louis. Clark-Scott is currently pursuing her doctorate in Education at Lindenwood University.

“This role is critical to the ongoing progress we’re making as a district,” said Dr. Charles Pearson, Normandy Superintendent of Schools. “The successful candidate had to have the expertise as an educator and administrator – and maybe most importantly – a deep commitment and dedication to student success. We were fortunate enough to have some very talented candidates, but Ms. Clark-Scott has the best mix of these attributes and we’re proud to have her in this role.”

Clark-Scott is married to Martise Scott and they have three adult children, Sidnee Scott-Powe, Lacee Scott and Erin Scott. In addition, the Scotts have legal guardianship of four Normandy students who were abruptly displaced. Clark-Scott is an active member of the Worship Center Christian Church and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Hazelwood East student advances to International DECA competition David Duncan and Reece Ellis, students at Hazelwood East High School, recently participated in the Missouri Distributive Education Club of America (DECA) Career Development Conference, held at the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri.

Duncan received the National Qualifier award and will represent East High at the International DECA competition that will be held in Anaheim, California.

Ellis received an Emerging Leader and Medallion Winner award at the state level.

DECA is an international association of high school students studying marketing, finance, hospitality and management. Missouri DECA ranks sixth in the nation in membership with more than 8,600 members. The Missouri DECA mission states, DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

“DECA allows students to attend conferences and competitions based on their marketing classes and career interests, to network and compete just like high school athletics,” said Charles Orlando, Hazelwood East business teacher. “These students can also qualify for scholarships based on their participation and placement at these competitions.”

During the conference, DECA members were evaluated by business and industry professionals who serve as competitive event judges. Students participating in competitive events, problemsolve realistic workplace topics and case studies, through one-on-one interaction with an executive or community member.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our students,” said Orlando. “By winning at the state level, Duncan qualifies for the national competition where they will compete against the best students across the country.”

Brown Elementary students receive lessons in gardening

Photo courtesy Hazelwood School District

PSYCHIATRIC CARE AND RESEARCH CENTER 4132 KEATON CROSSING BLVD, SUITE 201, O’FALLON, MO 63368 www.pcrc-stl.com (636)244-3593 WWW.PCRC-STL.COM

Londyn Watts and Chris Jones, first-graders at Brown Elementary School, in the Hazelwood School District care for plants growing in the

Brown greenhouse. These plants will soon be transplanted to Brown’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics garden.

School

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 12, 2017

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Jennings High School Student Council wins Honor Council award The Jennings High School Student Council has been awarded the Missouri Association of Student Councils Gold Award. The Honor Council Committee of Missouri Association of Student Councils presentations were made recently at the annual MASC Convention held at Mehlville High School in St. Louis.

This honor is based on an application submitted by the Jennings High School Student Council.

The student council met the criteria as established by the Honor Council committee and the MASC Advisory Board.

The criteria are established to honor those councils that have a comprehensive program in promoting student activities and student leadership. Activities include school service, spirit, com-

munity service, student and teacher recognition, and leadership training activities.

Jennings Senior High is an A+ School with 91.8 percent of the State APR standards met in 2016, which is in the accredited distinction range. Jennings High School Student Council and student leaders make a positive contribution to their schools and help to create a positive educational climate. Jennings High School Student Council provides an atmosphere where students can play a vital role in school. Missouri Association of Student Councils recognizes the advisorship of Tom Spivey who played a large part in the acquisition of this award. Dr. Rhonda Key, principal, was also key in supporting the young leaders of Jennings High School.

North County Christian School names student of the month Jordan Ashford was honored at the Northwest Chamber of Commerce membership meeting March 9. Jordan is a senior at North County Christian School where he has attended since eighth grade. Jordan maintains a 3.45 GPA, is a member of National Honor Society and Senior Class President.

Jordan feeds his love for history by taking the NCCS honor’s classes in 20th century and advanced history. As part of the advanced history class, Jordan and his classmates have participated in Civil War and WWII reenactments.

Outside of the classroom, Jordan plays on the school basketball and baseball teams, served on student council four years, volunteers at NCCS summer camp and has just returned from Honduras where he and his Spanish class volunteered

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for a week at a children’s home and school.

Jordan plans to attend Southwest Baptist University to earn a secondary history education degree.

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“Community News hits all areas for all ages.”

-Reader ’s comment, 2016

Parker Road Elementary wins Scholar Bowl team championship Why do you read the Community News?

Pick up your copy at a newsstand today or check us out online, www.mycnews.com

Photo courtesy Ferguson-Florissant School District The winning 2017 FFSD Scholar Bowl team from Parker Road Elementary School celebrate with their principal, coach and board of education members.

A group of seven students from Parker Road Elementary School are the team winners of the district’s 2017 Scholar Bowl competition. The students, fifth graders Jon-Michael Brown, II, Destiney Payne, Claudia Poenick and sixth graders Bella Fernandez, Zoey Martinez, Mia Maxedon and Grace Raycraft competed against teams from all of the district’s elementary schools to win the title. Sarah Jennings, a fifth-grade teacher at the school, coaches the Parker Road team.

Adam Coleman, a fifth grader at Combs Elementary School, is the Scholar Bowl individual champion. Coleman competed against eight high-achieving students to answer academic questions in all curricular areas.

Scholar Bowl teams practice throughout the

school year in preparation for the event. Teams compete in four different challenges – one requires students to solve picture and logic puzzles; two of the challenges require competitors to develop winning strategies and strong math skills to win games; and in the final challenge, teams must attempt to answer academic questions in a Jeopardy-like format. In order to take first place, a team must be strong in all four areas.

Halls Ferry Elementary School placed second in the team competition, followed by Duchesne and Commons Lane Elementary Schools, placing third and fourth, respectively. The Cool Valley Elementary School team won the sportsmanship award.

10

Sports

April 12, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

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

See solution on page 13

www.treesbywoody.net

Sports you see with Gary B...

Francis Howell High honors scholar-athlete Recently senior Mikayla Hardy achieved both academic and athletic success at Francis Howell High School (FHHS), the true definition of a “scholar-athlete.”

PrepVolleyball.com, and Honorable Mention All-American

by Under Armour named her as First Team Academic AllAmerican.

In the classroom, she has a 4.8 grade point average and ranks second in her class. Her comments Photo courtesy Francis Howell School District reveal how she atFrancis Howell High School senior tains that feat, “Pretty Mikayla Hardy. much by taking all AP and honors classes. This year I’m taking six AP classes, and I took six last year as well.”

Hardy is also an AP Scholar, National Merit Commended Student, scored a 33 on the ACT, and won the American Association of University Women STEM Award for outstanding math achievement. She was also named the FHHS PostDispatch Scholar Athlete of the Year.

On the court, she was selected First Team AllMetro and First Team All-State.

Head coach Stacey Smith said, “Mikayla was our ‘go to’ hitter all season. Her consistent play in the front row, as well as the back row, was a key to our success this year. She set the Howell single-match kill record twice this season, and came up big for us when we needed it most, even while playing through a nagging injury. Mikayla was definitely a leader by example and came to practice every day ready to play.”

Hardy’s play helped lead the Lady Vikings to a national ranking, and the state championship game. * A great mentor Indoor football Raiders drop first game of season The River City Raiders play professional indoor football and are a member of the Arena Pro Football (APF) league with home games at the Family Arena.

Last Saturday at home, the River City Raiders franchise suffered a 29-19 setback by the Florida Tarpons.

Trailing 15-0 at intermission, the Raiders were are able to shore the score to 15-13 heading into the fourth quarter but 14 unanswered points by

the Tarpons resulted in the team’s first defeat of the season.

The Raiders have their third home game in a row this Saturday as they take on the Richmond Rough Riders.

Go to www.IndoorRaiders.com for more information and some possible free tickets. * Tighten the defense Professional baseball starts in May The River City Rascals play professional baseball in the West Division of the Frontier League with home games at Car Shield Field in O’Fallon.

The Rascals squad had the league’s top offense in 2016 that produced their third consecutive championship appearance and they are slated to return five of their top six weapons come opening day.

The five sluggers are in the Rascals infield and in total ten players on the roster that can play a position around the diamond. They are headlined by three-year Frontier League All-Star Josh Ludy and last year’s Rascals batting champion Josh Silver.

The crew includes: fifth year shortstop Johnny Morales, second baseman and team leader in RBIs Jason Merjano, and both first baseman’s, lefty bat Clint Freeman and right-hander Braxton Martinez.

Seventh-year manager Steve Brook is honored to have the league’s catcher of the year, Mike Jurgella in the lineup as well.

In total, the Rascals have 36 players on the spring training roster and will look to narrow it down to 24 by the season opener.

May 12 at 6:35 p.m. Ruffy will lead the team on the new turf.

Many opening day activities are planned for the day and evening.

Go to www.RiverCityRascals.com for more information. * A month away Gary B. will be broadcasting the “STL Health and Wellness LIVE” show every Saturday from 9-11 am on 590 The Fan and 590TheFan.com Gary Baute, a St. Louis native, has hosted many radio shows from Health to Sports to Baby Boomer news. He was the EMCEE of the River City Rascals and St. Louis Swarm basketball team inaugural seasons and broadcasting for the indoor football teams over a decade. Has been writing sports since 1999 for the paper.

www.feetforlifecenters.com

www.villaatriverwood.com

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 12, 2017

Recipe: Enhance your Easter with ham

F

rom the breakfast nook to the dinner table, an Easter meal isn’t complete without a delicious ham for guests to enjoy and share. Whether you’re serving up a casual brunch, an early dinner or a formal holiday feast, an easy-to-prepare spiral ham is the perfect centerpiece for any meal occasion.

Perfectly cooked and hand trimmed, Smithfield spiral sliced hams make holiday entertaining quick and effortless, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with family and

Learn & Play

11

Crossword Puzzle Theme: Earth Day

friends.

Serve up any leftovers as-is or easily incorporate them into an array of tasty dishes for brunch, lunch or dinner the next day. Try this Leftover Ham and Bacon Hash for a quick at-home brunch dish or use in an easy appetizer like Ham and Brie Crostini.

With flavor this easy, this could be your most delicious Easter yet. For more Easter recipe inspiration, visit Smithfield.com.

Leftover Ham and Bacon Hash

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons olive oil 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 pounds yellow potatoes, diced 8 ounces button mushrooms, quartered 1 1/2 cups ham, cooked 4 slices bacon, cooked and cut into 1-inch pieces 2/3 cup jarred roasted red pepper, drained and roughly chopped

3/4 cup fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed 2-3 eggs, fried or poached to preference (optional) 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced Directions: Heat oven to 425 F. In large bowl, whisk together mustard, oil, salt and pepper until combined. Add potatoes and mushrooms, and toss to coat.

ly oiled or nonstick, rimmed baking pans and roast in oven 35-40 minutes, or until potatoes and mushrooms have started to brown, stirring halfway through cooking. Add any leftover bacon or ham to mixture and stir.

Add in roasted peppers to oven-safe serving casserole (if desired) and top with cheese.

Bake additional 10-15 minutes, or until cheese has softened and begun to melt. Top hash with eggs, if desired, and sliced basil.

Spread potato mixture evenly onto two light-

Ham and Brie Crostini with Fig Jam

I ngredients: 1 French baguette (10-12 ounces), sliced on bias, 1/4-inch thick (about 24 pieces) 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 3/4 pound sliced ham, cut into 24 pieces 9 ounces Brie cheese, sliced and cut into 24 pieces 1/4 cup fig jam

Directions: Heat oven to 400 F. Lightly brush both sides of baguette slices with oil and place slightly spaced on rimmed baking pans. Bake 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned and crisp.

Top each slice with ham and Brie; bake additional 5-8 minutes, or until Brie has just started to melt.

Top each crostini with fig jam and serve warm.

ACROSS 1. Old European thrusting spears 6. Art degrees 9. Slight amount, pl.

13. African sorcery 14. *Snowy one is endangered 15. Prince’s “Raspberry ____” 16. Former Greek coin 17. Hawaiian token of farewell 18. Make one 19. *No more 21. *Meatless day?

23. Unknown power 24. Texting button 25. Roll of Benjamins, e.g.

28. Noisy talk 30. First among siblings 35. Black tropical cuckoo 37. Not Sunni 39. Comforter stuffing 40. *Outer layer of Earth’s crust 41. *Gardener’s cover 43. Australian palm 44. 2nd T in a T&T 46. Jane Lynch’s high-school musical TV show 47. Newts in terrestrial stage 48. Bewitch 50. Consequently 52. Kum Ba ____ 53. Like vacation day, sometimes 55. Old-fashioned “before” 57. *Driver’s bad habit 60. *It’s changing 64. Anemic-looking 65. Grazing area 67. Arabian chieftain 68. Sound of colliding pots 69. Roman goddess of fertility 70. Smart candy?

71. Snaky swimmers 72. Acorn tree 73. Rendezvous

DOWN 1. *South ____, Amundsen-Scott Station location 2. Wild goat 3. Best ____ secret 4. Dine at home 5. Ice fishing shelter 6. World’s fastest man 7. Leave speechless 8. Snail trail 9. Be inclined 10. “Tosca” tune, e.g.

11. What oppositions do 12. Chester White’s home 15. ____ of joy, a.k.a. baby 20. Difference of opinion 22. Comes before first Mississippi 24. Like an expert 25. *____-free lifestyle 26. Opposite of cation 27. Prince William’s mother 29. Chihuahua-Pug hybrid 31. Have supper 32. Instruct 33. Anatomical divisions 34. *Treasure to some?

36. Whitman of “Indian Love Call” fame 38. Tennis serving whiz 42. Father of dialectical idealism 45. Dealing with difficulty 49. Famous Akira Kurowasa movie 51. Home to superb rugs 54. Meltable home 56. Type of wheat 57. Capri, e.g.

58. Lentil soup 59. Carl Zeiss’ product 60. Wine container 61. Insubstantial 62. Kennedy and Turner 63. Formerly, formerly 64. Highest card in “War” 66. *Now headed by Scott Pruitt See answers on page 13

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12

What’s Happening

April 12, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

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

EVENTS April 12: Karaoke

Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.

April 14: Choir concert

Combined vocal choirs of Zion UCC and Church of the Master will present “The Passion According to St. Mark” at Church of the Master, UCC at 1325 Paddock Dr. in Florissant at 7 p.m. For more information contact 314-831-8127.

April 14: Fish fry

A fish fry takes place every Friday until April 14 at St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Church at 3500 St. Catherine Street in Florissant from 4 - 7 p.m.

April 14: Fish Fry

American Legion Post 444 in Florissant Valley will host a fish fry every Friday from Jan. 27 until April 14.

April 14: Fish fry

Fish fry at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 3 to 7 p.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.

April 14: Fish fries

St. Andrew United Methodist Church will be having a fish fry every Friday from now until April 14 (including April 14th) from 4 – 7 p.m. at 3975 N. US Highway 67 in Florissant. You can dine in or carryout. Price is $12 a plate. The menu includes a choice of fish: deep fried catfish, fried cod or baked tilapia. There is also a weekly fish special. Sides include pasta, vegetables, baked beans and hush puppies. Price also includes drink and dessert. All proceeds from the fish fries go to the Ignite Youth Mission Trip. This year the group, including 15 kids and six adults will be traveling to New Orleans.

April 15: Meat shoots

The Florissant Eagles Meat Shoots take place every Saturday from Feb. 11 through April 15. It will run from noon until dusk. They are lo-

cated at 15245 New Halls Ferry Rd in Florissant. No bull barrels. For more information call the Florissant Eagles at 314-838-3470.

April 19: Karaoke

Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.

April 19-30: Augusta Plein Air Art Festival

Early Registration and Welcome Reception at Augusta Winery, April 19 at 8 a.m.; Workshop – Sketching with Josh Been (I), April 19 at 9 a.m.; Augusta Shores Paint Out, April 20 at 6 a.m.; Daily Registration, April 20 at 8 a.m.; Montelle Winery Paint Out, April 21 at 8 a.m.; Pop-Up-Gallery – Augusta Visitor Center, April 21 at 9 a.m.; Workshop – Oil and Acrylic with Patrick Saunders (I), April 21 at 9 a.m.; Noboleis Quick Paint, April 21 at 4:30 p.m.; Morning at the Park, April 22 at 6 a.m.; Workshop – Pastel with Michele Wells, April 22 at 9 a.m.; Best of Show Paint Out, April 22 at 12 p.m.; Dinner, Night Music, and Art, April 22 at 5:30 p.m.; Morning in Washington Paintout, April 23 at 6 a.m.; Workshop – Oil and Acrylic with Patrick Saunders (II), April 23 at 9 a.m.; Lake Creek Paintout, April 23 at 1 p.m.; Workshop – Sketching with Josh Been (II), April 24 at 9 a.m.; Private Estate Paint Out, April 24 at 10 a.m.; A Day in New Melle, April 25 at 11 a.m.; Workshop – Watercolor with Spencer Meagher, April 26 at 9 a.m.; Daniel Boone Home Paint Out, April 26 at 10 a.m.; Chandler Hill Winery Premier Artist Paint Out, April 26 at 4 p.m.; A Valley View from the Vineyard, April 27 at 8 a.m.; Washington “Trees” Paintout, April 27 at 3 p.m.; Frisella Sunrise Paint Out, April 28 at 6 a.m.; Workshop – Oil and Acrylic – Joan Parker & Zak Barnes, April 28 at 9 a.m.; An Afternoon in the Wine Garden, April 28 at 12 p.m.; Sunset Paint Out at Balducci Winery. April 28 at 4 p.m.; Festival in Augusta – Artist’s Choice, People’s Choice, Theme Paint, Nocturne Paint and 15 year Celebration Dance, April 29; Final Sale from Easel and Awards, April 30 at 11 a.m.; Youth Paint Out at Mount Pleasant Estates, April 30 at 1 p.m.

April 20: Blood pressure check

Free blood pressure check at Life Care Center of Florissant at 1201 Garden Plaza Dr. (off Parker Rd.). Call 314831-3752 for more information.

April 20-22: Book sale

Ferguson Library Friends, FLIERS, Spring Book Sale will be April 20 from 4 to 7:30 p.m., April 21 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and April 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Library Auditorium at 35 No. Florissant Rd. There will be extra numbers of large print books, westerns, reference, mysteries, cook books, religious, battletech, hotrod and movie and TV magazines.

April 21: Pork steak dinner

Pork steak dinner at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 4 to 7 p.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.

April 21: Bingo

Bingo takes place from 2 – 3 p.m. at Life Care Center of Florissant at 1201 Garden Plaza Dr. (off Parker Rd.) in Florissant.Call 314-831-3752 for more information.

April 21 & 23: Choir concert

Choral Arts Singers, Francis Howell North High School Concert Choir, and members of the St. Charles Symphony will perform Joseph Haydn’s “Kleine Orgelmasse mass in B/Bflat Major” and other selections on April 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church at 3866 S. Old Hwy 94 in St. Charles, and April 23 at 2 p.m. at Assumption Chapel at 403 N. Main in O’Fallon. Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for children (ages six-18). For more information visit www.concertarts.org.

April 22: Business expo and flea market

Parkway North High will host a vendor/business expo and flea market from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Commons Area of Parkway North High School.

There will be free admission, ample parking, a band fundraiser, over 57 vendors and a flea market area. Event is wheel chair and stroller accessible.

April 22: Mental health first aid training

Lutheran Church of the Atonement

will host Mental Health First Aid Training from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

This course uses a program manual, lecture, role-playing and simulations for offering initial help in a mental illness crisis. Trainees learn the common risk factors and warning signs of specific types of illnesses, like anxiety, depression, substance abuse, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and schizophrenia. Mental Health First Aid teaches participants a five-step action plan to help loved ones, colleagues, neighbors and others cope with mental health problems. A fee of $17 will cover the cost of the manual. A light breakfast and lunch will be included. Atonement Church is located at 1285 North New Florissant Road, where Parker Road and Florissant Road intersect. For more information call Joyce Pingel at 314-740-2137 or email Rev. Williams from Behavior Health Network at gharwilliams@me.com. Everyone is welcome to attend.

April 28: Trivia night

April 22: Trivia night

April 29: Luncheon/bingo fundraiser

The annual trivia night fundraiser for TEAM Food Pantry will be held in the parish hall of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, located at 751 N. Jefferson St. The trivia night is being sponsored by the Florissant Rotary Club. Entry fee is $200 per table with a maximum of eight people per team.

Entry fee includes beer, soda, water, popcorn and attendance prizes.

Tickets may be purchased in advance or the night of the event. First come basis – only 500 tickets available.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m., trivia starts promptly at 7 p.m. Checks should be made payable to TEAM Food Pantry and mailed to Pat Piotrowicz, TEAM Trivia Night, 9 Beaujolais, Florissant, MO 63031. To register, sponsor, or make a donation, please contact Pat Piotrowicz at p.piotrowicz1@yahoo. com or 314-222-1362.

April 22: Gardening demonstration

Come join the Gardeners of Florissant as they welcome members from The Rose Society of Greater St. Louis for a hands-on rose pruning demo at the Florissant Civic Center Rose Garden at 1 James J Eagan Dr. in Florissant.

Instructions will be given at 10 a.m.

You will then be able to prune rose bushes either on your own or with the aid of a rose society member.

Stay as long as you like. Learn how to prune a rose for a healthy new growing season. Randy Hoffmann, a member of both clubs, will lead the seminar. Randy has a Bachelor of Science Horticulture degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia. What to bring: hand pruners, gloves and (optional) a bucket to collect your clippings. Contact Randy Hoffmann at 314-521-6824 for more information; leave a message.

April 25: Card and game party

Annual card and game party will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church at 3400 St Gregory Lane in St Ann. Doors open at 11 a.m., games start at noon. The cost is $7 which includes cake and coffee or tea. Other food items will be available for purchase.

Many great attendance prizes will be awarded. Also Pot of Gold and raffle prizes, including a quilt raffle. For reservations call Mary Cornwall at 314-428-3236 to reserve your table.

April 26: Karaoke

Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.

April 28: Chicken dinner

Chicken dinner at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 4 to 7 p.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.

Girlfriends for Good will hold its seventh annual trivia night to benefit Youth In Need at the Machinists’ Hall in Bridgeton at 12365 St. Charles Rock Road. Tables of eight are $200 and include beer, soda and snacks.

Doors open at 6 p.m., trivia begins at 7 p.m. Sponsor a round for $50. All proceeds benefit Youth In Need. For more information, contact Cody Finan, Community Engagement Coordinator, at cfinan@youthinneed.org or 636-757-9334.

April 29: Fine arts show

The Hazelwood School District will host its third annual Fine Arts Show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hazelwood Central High School at 15875 New Halls Ferry Road in Florissant. The event is free and open to the community. The Fine Arts Show is a collective show of artwork created by HSD art students in Pre-K through 12th grade.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 444 on 17090 Old Jamestown Road in Florissantis holding a Spring Salad Luncheon/Bingo Fundraiser. The proceeds of this function helps the Auxiliary provide activities for veterans and their families. The doors open at noon. The tickets are $12.

There will be chicken salad sandwiches and many types of salads.

There will also be a silent auction, a 50/50 drawing, a raffle and attendance prizes for everyone. For tickets call Judy De Clue at 314-868-3612.

April 29: Fine arts show

The Hazelwood School District will host its third annual Fine Arts Show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Hazelwood Central High School at 15875 New Halls Ferry Road in Florissant. The event is free and open to the community. The Fine Arts Show is a collective show of artwork created by HSD art students in pre-K through 12th grade.

April 29: Florissant Garage Sale

Florissant residents can haul down the clutter from their attics and treasures from their garages and organize accumulations from their barns for the Seventh Annual Florissant Garage Sale. The garage sale will be held at the James J Eagan Ice Rink area from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Each applicant will only receive one space.

Only Florissant residents receive a space to sell. The selling of craft items will not be approved. Fill out an application and return it by April 13.

Applications will be available at the JJE and JFK Center and at www.florissantmo.com. Space is limited. The fee is $20 per table. The Florissant Garage Sale is free to attend.

April 29: Walk/run fundraiser

Join Friends of Kids with Cancer as they honor and remember special cancer patients and raise money to support their Educational, Emotional, and Recreational programs that help kids with cancer…be kids with the 17th Annual Walk with a Friend 5k Run/1 Mile Walk at 635 Maryville Centre Dr. in St. Louis. Registration is from 7:30-8:30 a.m., the run starts at 9 a.m. and the walk immediately follows. Family and corporate team sponsorships available with logos on event shirts. Enjoy free First Watch breakfast and carnival style games and entertainment for the whole family. Sponsored by Vanderbilt Office Properties. Cost is for $25 individual registration, increases to $30 after April 14. For more information visit https://www.friendsofkids.com/ walk-with-a-friend.html or to register visit https://www.friendsofkids. com/walk-registration.html.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 12, 2017 May 2: Mercy Hospice new volunteer training

Mercy Hospice is currently seeking volunteers to offer support and comfort to patients and families in your community. Volunteers are matched with opportunities to serve according to their schedules, skills, comfort levels and geographic areas. Volunteer opportunities include: caregiver relief, companionship, bereavement support, administrative assistance, and other opportunities. The next free four week training will be Tuesdays – May 2, 9, 16, and 23, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

To register or ask any questions please contact Mercy Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, Paula Minogue, at 314-7294415 or Paula.Minogue@mercy.net.

May 4: Pitch, hit and run competition

Kids ages 7-14 (as of July 17, 2017) are invited to participate in Florissant’s Pitch, Hit and Run competition at 6 p.m. at Koch Park field #4. Cost is free, but preregistration is required by May 3. Participants compete in three stations: pitching, hitting, and running with a chance to advance to Sectional Competitions, Team Championships at a Cardinal’s game, and the National Finals at the 2017 MLB All Star game.

Metal spikes are not allowed. For further information, please call 314-9214466.

May 6: Donation drive

Please donate any home medical equipment you don’t need to the St. Louis HELP Home Health Equipment Donation Drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Equipment drop-off locations include St. Louis HELP’s lending warehouse in Olivette, and also 14 Walgreen’s designated store parking lots in metro St. Louis. St. Louis HELP is a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization that collects, cleans and revitalizes used and new home health equipment and loans that equipment for free to people suffering from accidents, illness or disability. St. Louis HELP accepts taxdeductible donations of manual and power wheelchairs, electric hospital beds, shower chairs, canes/crutches/ walkers, grab bars, elevated toilet seats, portable commodes, lift chairs, seating cushions, back supports, folding ramps – every type of home health item except oxygen and medications.

To learn more about the program please see http://www.stlhelp.org or call 314-567-4700.

May 13: Trivia night

The Parents Advisory Council at the Child Development Learning Center at St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley will hold a trivia night fund-raiser at the James J. Eagan Community Center in Florissant.

The Eagan Center is located at Parker Road and Waterford Drive. Doors for the event will open at 5:30 p.m., with the trivia contest following from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 apiece or $160 for a table of eight if purchased before April 14. After April 14 tickets are $25 apiece or $200 for a table of eight. For more information, e-mail CDLC.PAC@gmail.com, call 314-5134525 or contact Torie (Rocket) or any classroom PAC representative at the Child Development Learning Center.

May 13: Scholarship run

The Hazelwood Parent Teacher Association PTA Council invites students, families and the entire community to participate in the 36th Annual Hazelwood PTA Scholarship Run/Walk event. Registration begins at 7 a.m. The first race begins at 8:30 a.m. All activities will take place at Hazelwood Central High School at 15875 New Halls Ferry Road in Florissant. The event will also include a health and wellness fair with several vendors, student entertainment, and concession stands. To register for this event or to make a donation toward the scholarship fund, go to the Hazelwood PTA Council website at www.hazelwoodptacouncil.com or

the Hazelwood School District website at www.hazelwoodschools.org.

Volunteers are needed to make the run/walk event a success. Many opportunities are available to assist the PTA Council as the race approaches.

For additional details on participating in the race or to become a volunteer, please call 314-953-5000.

May 15: Golf fundraiser

Christian Hospital Foundation is hosting their seventh-annual Golf Outing at Norwood Hills Country Club. The day includes lunch, shotgun start, on-course refreshments and games and an awards reception with cocktails and dinner immediately after play. Proceeds from the outing will help the foundation continue in its mission to provide service, compassionate care and clinical excellence to directly improve the health and wellness of our community. The foundation supports efforts such as patient care, advanced medicine and technology, community benefit programs, community health access and staff education. Sponsorships are still available and cost for a foursome is $900; individual play is $225; or cocktail/ dinner only is $75. Event day packages, which includes mulligans, oncourse game participation and raffle tickets, are $50 per person. For more information, please visit the website at http://www.christianhospital.org/golf or contact Mindy Copp at 314-6534410 or Mindy.Copp@bjc.org.

May 20: Graduation ceremonies

The Hazelwood School District High School commencements will take place at the University of MissouriSt. Louis in the Mark Twain Building, at the following times: Hazelwood Central High School at 10 a.m., Hazelwood East High School at 2:30 p.m. and Hazelwood West High School at 7 p.m.

RECURRING EVENTS Weekdays: Food pantry volunteers needed The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry is in need of ongoing adult volunteers to sort food, stock shelves and shop with clients.

Two-to-four hour shifts are available, Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.3:45 p.m. To learn more or to join this fun group, contact Chelsey Banaskavich at 314-513-1674 or cbanaskavich@jfcs-stl.org.

Weekdays: Volunteer drivers The St. Louis County Older Resident Programs need volunteer drivers who live in St. Louis County to give a few hours during the day to provide transportation to and from doctor’s appointments for our senior residents of St. Louis County that lives near you! No weekends and mileage reimbursement is available. Call today at 314-615-4516.

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 Road which is the first house on Uthe Lane.

We sing four-part harmony a capella (without accompaniment ). We sing some traditional songs, as well as show tunes and more contemporary music. We do perform for the public at various functions. Persons interested can come right on in or for more information call Al at 314-993-6134.

What’s Happening

Every 1st Wednesday of the Month: Stroke Support Group

3-4pm, Center for Senior Renewal, Detrick Building 1st floor, 11133 Dunn Rd. For more information, contact Jamie Stevens at 314.653.5331.

Thursdays:

Blood

pressure

SUDOKU answers from page 10

checks

Free blood pressure checks monthly at Life Care Center of Florissant at 1201 Garden Plaza Dr. (off Parker Rd.) in Florissant every third Thursday of the month. Call 831-3752 for more information.

CROSSWORD answers from page 11

Tuesdays: Choir rehearsals

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

Tuesdays: Lung cancer support group

The Lung Cancer Networking Group is open to anyone affected by lung cancer and meets at Christian Hospital at 11133 Dunn Rd. every second Tuesday of the month from 6 - 7:30 p.m. in Room 2100. No RSVP required.

Christian Hospital has partnered with the Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis to provide this group meeting. Drop-in to the monthly meetings to discuss, ask questions and learn how others manager side effects, symptoms and the day-to-day of cancer. Connect with other care partners who are learning about cancer and how it impacts their friends and family members. Share and hear stories from others who “get it.” Discover the power of group support when you meet with a licensed facilitator, other people (family, friends, patients) affected by a cancer diagnosis.

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 or Connie McConnell, 314-831-5476.

Every 4th Tuesday of the month: Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335 meeting 6:30pm, Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335, 800 Chambers Road in Bellefontaine Neighbors. Those interested in membership are invited to attend.

Every Tuesday: Bingo Evening at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316 Doors at 4:30pm, games begin at 6pm, Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant. For more information, call 314.921.2316.

Wednesdays: Are you interested in losing weight?

Check out TOPS #361 Florissant group of supportive ladies. Meetings are on Wednesday mornings beginning at 9:15 am at Florissant Church of Christ, 16460 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant. If interested, please contact Shirley at 314-895-3528 for more information.

Every Wednesday: Bingo Morning at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316

Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant.

Doors at 7:30am, games begin at 9:30am. For more information, call 314.921.2316.

Bridgeton Trails Library Branch Programs: 3455 McKelvey Rd., St. Louis, 314.994.3300. Story Time: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. 9 months to 2 yrs.

Room 1 (Lap Time); Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. Ages 3–5. Room 2; Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Ages 3–5. Room 1.

Florissant Senior Citizens’ Bingo Clubs: 314.839.7604.

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Marvel movies: megahits and epic fails

M O V I E

By Steve Bryan

In 2009 the Walt Disney Corporation acquired Marvel Entertainment for the princely sum of $4 billion. Given Marvel Studios’ track record over the last eight years, that certainly was a great deal for the “House of Mouse.” A year before the sale, the first “Iron Man” movie changed the whole dynamic of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, making their films popular and profitable.

Marvel also did well with obscure characters like the “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Ant-Man,” so it’s hard to believe the studio ever had a flop. Unfortunately, stalwart characters such as the “Fantastic Four” have not translated well to the big screen, despite efforts by more than a few directors and writers.

In the early 1990s, director Roger Corman was tasked with making a “Fantastic Four” film on a million-dollar budget (that amount couldn’t attract Robert Downey, Jr.’s attention). The goal was to simply retain an option on the film rights, but Corman made a decent film for that absurdly cheap amount.

His version was never officially released theatrically, but bootleg copies are still floating around today.

Subsequent big-budget “Fantastic Four”

movies featuring future “Captain America” Chris Evans arrived a decade later, but these strayed from the actual comic book history and weren’t huge hits with critics or fans.

Arguably, the 2015 reboot of “The Fantastic Four” was the worst live-action attempt to date. To be brutally honest, it was painful to sit through.

Even Marvel’s early success with “SpiderMan” was marred by the third appearance of Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker and his webslinging alter ego. That sequel featured appearances by two of Spidey’s iconic rogues, Sandman and Venom. The writers simply did not have enough screen time to properly develop each villain.

Bill Bixby’s performance in the television version of “The Incredible Hulk” was memorable, but Ang Lee’s 2003 cinematic interpretation of the character left a lot to be desired.

Lee set out to create a definitive “Hulk” film, but the storyline was so out-of-whack that it failed miserably. A 2008 reboot featuring Ed Norton fared better, but Mark Ruffalo ultimately became Bruce Banner in the “Avengers” franchise. Ruffalo has not had a solo “Hulk” film, though.

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Ben Affleck has taken some heat for putting on Batman’s cape and cowl, but he did a credible job in DC’s “Batman v. Superman” and “Suicide Squad”; he also will appear in the upcoming “Justice League” movie. In 2003, the actor had less success playing Daredevil, Marvel’s blind superhero who now is tearing it up over at Netflix. The late Michael Clarke Duncan, who played the villain known as the Kingpin, had said Affleck looked like a “pixie” in Daredevil’s red suit.

Marvel does have a golden touch, but sometimes their efforts have been fool’s gold for sure.

Photos courtesy of 20th Century Fox an Marvel Studios 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.