CN: April 19, 2023

April 19, 2023

Fresh and fun in Ferguson

Around Town

NORTHWEST VIEWS

IDOT and MoDOT demonstrate unprecedented collaboration. Pg. 2

The annual Valley of Flowers Clean Up, Spruce Up and Fix It campaign has kicked off. Pg. 3

Features (FLIP)

By Wendy Todd

Now that spring has finally sprung, many want to get back outside. Fresh produce and local artisan items can be a big motivation to get out and enjoy the warmer weather. The Ferguson Farmers Market, which opens for its 22nd season on May 6, is a popular place to indulge one’s craving for local fare.

The market is now managed by the city of Ferguson and the Ferguson Parks and Recreation Department.

“We’re excited to bring the management of the Ferguson Farmers’ Market back inhouse,” said David Musgrave, director of parks and recreation. “The market is more than just about bringing healthy, fresh

produce to the community. It’s a Saturday morning tradition where the community can grab a coffee, chat with neighbors, make new connections, let their kids participate in fun activities and enjoy a family-friendly, festive atmosphere.”

In addition to longtime vendors, such as Earthdance Organic Farm School, Howie Farms, Alpacas of Troy and King Enterprises, there are some new merchants including fresh produce vendor, Hale Farms and new prepared food vendors, Hammy’s Food Joint, Vance’s Tasty Eats and 2 Scoops STL.

Showcasing local vendors is an important aspect of the market.

“Supporting local farmers really helps strengthen our community and our local

economy,” said Joseph Seastrom, superintendent of parks and recreation in Ferguson. “Buying directly from farmers gives them a much better return for their produce and keeps the money circulating locally. Our local farmers are also experts in their field and at their craft. They are a wealth of knowledge and can tell you exactly where your food comes from, how it was grown and the best preparation methods for their product.”

The market will continue focusing on equitable access to the market, making fresh and healthy foods accessible to low-income and other vulnerable populations.

See ‘FRESH’ 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 Cloudy 61/40

SATURDAY Cloudy 50/34

SUNDAY Partly Cloudy 56/36

READ US ONLINE!

The city of Ferguson has assumed management of the Ferguson Farmers Market which is preparing to open for its 22nd season in May

Submitted photos

The Ferguson Farmers Market, which opens for its 22nd season on May 6, is now managed by the city of Ferguson and the Ferguson Parks and Recreation Department.

St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund highlights women-led organizations offering mental health resources

St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund (CSF) recognized some of its women-led partner organizations during Women's History Month. These organizations offer a variety of resources and programs that promote the wellness of our community, including mental and behavioral health and substance use treatment and prevention services for children and families across St. Louis County.

"Our women-led partner organizations play a vital role in promoting the health and well-being of children and families in communities throughout St. Louis County,” said Emily Koenig, executive director of CSF. “Under the leadership of some of the region’s most talented and passionate women, these organizations provide impactful resources like counseling services, support groups, educational programs and advocacy initiatives. We are thrilled to highlight these amazing organizations led by women positively impacting our community."

CSF encourages parents and community members to explore its list of highlighted women-led partner organizations, utilize their resources and help support their programs. By funding nonprofit and governmental entities that offer mental and behavioral health services to children and families in St. Louis County, CSF is committed to creating a brighter future for all youth in the community.

St. Louis County residents can visit the websites of the women-led organizations below to learn more about their programs and services. To learn more about CSF, its funded partner organizations and funding opportunities, please visit stlcsf.org or call 314-615-5850.

‘FRESH’ from cover

“The Ferguson Farmers Market tries to break down barriers of access to healthy and fresh foods,” said Seastrom. “We support a variety of programs aimed at providing more fresh, local produce to low-income families including SNAP and the Double-Up Food Bucks program which matches every dollar spent up to $25 if using your SNAP EBT card to purchase fresh fruits or vegetables. We also support the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which can provide low-income seniors $50 in free produce. Along with WIC, all of these programs provide a great way for struggling families to purchase and eat more fresh and local produce.”

The summer market kickoff will be full of events and perks for visitors. The morning will begin with a free yoga class from 8 - 8:45 a.m., and the first 50 shoppers will receive a free, reusable shopping bag filled with special giveaways. Additionally, an interactive and educational family experience area will include inflatables, balloon twisters and caricatures.

Varied activities, including live music, themes and special events will be featured at the market every Saturday.

“Our market is more than just a place to buy fresh foods,” said Seastrom. “It’s also a place to learn from the vendors about the health benefits of eating fresh produce, or the best ways to prepare healthy food. Our market provides a community where patrons can socialize and exchange ideas about cooking, nutrition, agriculture and so much more. The Ferguson Farmers Market strives to educate, inform and build relationships within the community to lead people to a healthier and happier life.”

The market, located at 501 S Florissant Rd., will be open every Saturday from May through October from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Northwest Views: IDOT and MoDOT demonstrate unprecedented collaboration

By Mary Lamie

Construction on the new I-270 Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River marks another significant milestone for infrastructure investment in our area. It also is a testament to the strength of the continued collaboration that is helping to add capacity and redundancy to the St. Louis region’s world-class freight network.

Over a three-year period during the project planning phase, the unprecedented track record of bi-state unity resulted in more than $600 million in funding secured by both the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for the bridge replacement, along with improvements to adjacent sections of I-270. The new bridge is part of a regional plan to improve a 30-mile section of I-270 from James S. McDonnell Boulevard in Missouri to Illinois Route 157 in Illinois. Fast forward to today, and nearly $900 million in funding has been secured for this corridor for construction and partial design of new interchanges, additional lanes and other interchange improvements.

Recognizing the importance of this Mississippi River bridge crossing to the movement of freight through the region and the heartland of America, the St. Louis Regional Freightway, a business enterprise of Bi-State Development, has counted its replacement among the highest priority freight infrastructure projects for the past several years

and helped to garner support for this project from the East-West Gateway Council of Governments’ Board of Directors. These efforts included collaboration with freight industry leaders, IDOT and MoDOT all supporting the project based on connectivity to other modes of transportation, such as rail, river and air and providing global access to shippers and carriers throughout the world. Maintenance costs continue to rise due to the age of the bridge, which was built in 1966, and to increased traffic volumes and safety issues associated with narrow shoulders. Traffic has soared from an estimated 19,800 vehicles per day in 1975 to approximately 50,000 vehicles per day, with nearly 20% of those vehicles now being trucks. At four lanes wide, the current bridge creates a severe freight bottleneck and is not equipped to handle the large freight flow increases forecasted for the region.

This joint project between IDOT and MoDOT will deliver a new bridge providing two lanes in each direction, expandable to three, and a 10-foot shoulder from Riverview Drive in Missouri to the Chain of Rocks Canal on the Illinois side. Construction includes new twin bridges, with the northern structure on the same alignment as the existing I-270 Chain of Rocks Bridge, and the southern structure adjacent to the northern structure. The new bridges’ inside and outside shoulders will be wide enough to accommodate a stalled vehicle or emergency responders handling an accident, a dramatic improvement compared

to the one-foot shoulders that exist today. This collaborative, future-focused approach will ensure the project serves this region for decades to come. It also helped to draw the unanimous support of the Freightway’s Freight Development Committee for inclusion of the I-270 Chain of Rocks Bridge project on the Priority Projects’ list. That helped raise awareness about the need to replace the structure and demonstrated that all constituents see the benefits of this project to the entire freight network, making it a stronger candidate for funding.

With inflation impacting construction costs, the new bridge alone now has an estimated cost of $496 million. That makes securing funding for this local project one of our region’s greatest examples of successful regionalism and unified support for infrastructure investment. We salute IDOT and MoDOT for their historic partnership and look forward to gathering as a region to celebrate the opening of the new I-270 Chain of Rocks Bridge in late 2026.

Mary Lamie is Executive Vice President of Multimodal Enterprises for Bi-State Development and head of the St. Louis Regional Freightway.

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

The annual Valley of Flowers Clean Up, Spruce Up and Fix It campaign has kicked off

The annual kick-off initiative to clean up Florissant’s streets and public areas has begun. The “Valley of Flowers Spring Cleaning” effort will run to May , which will be the start of the city’s annual Valley of Flowers festival.

“As we get ready for 61st Annual Valley of Flowers Festivities May 5, 6 and 7, I am asking all residents and business owners to participate in this year’s Clean Up, Spruce Up and Fix It Campaign. We encourage our residents to join the city administration to recapture the spirit of the original Valley of Flowers festival,” said Florissant Mayor Tim Lowery. “That first festival in 1963 had as one of its goals to clean up, spruce up

and fix up Florissant, culminating in what has become the Valley of Flowers festival.”

Organizations throughout the city as well as individual residents are urged to join in this effort to participate in Florissant’s “spring cleaning” initiative.

“We hope that this effort will take a page from our past to help us now and into the future,” said Lowery.

“Our goal is to generate positive momentum for the rest of the year, resulting in better property maintenance overall and improved property values for residents and businesses alike.”

In addition to the Spring Clean Up Campaign, Florissant’s Adopt-A-Street Program provides a great

St. Louis Regional Freightway offers riverboat cruises for students and educators to tour the Ag Coast of America

The St. Louis Regional Freightway is inviting students and educators to sign up now to take advantage of curated riverboat cruises in 2023 that will provide tours through a portion of the Ag Coast of America. Offered the first Wednesday of the month beginning in April 2023, the cruises will be open to high school and college student groups, educators and educational administrators, and others interested in learning about the Ag Coast and the many career opportunities available in the region’s transportation, manufacturing and logistics industries. The cost per person varies based on age, group size and whether the group is participating in a regularly scheduled tour or a private, chartered tour.

Participants will get an up-close look at critical elements of the region’s multimodal freight network, including roads and bridges, rail and barge facilities and multimodal freight transfer services and ports, all of which have garnered recognition for a 15-mile stretch of the Mississippi River running through the St Louis region as the Ag Coast of America. The Ag Coast is home to 16 barge transfer facilities that at total capacity, can handle more than 150 barges per day, providing the highest level of barge-handling capacity anywhere along the Mississippi River. Routinely handling approximately 436,000 tons per mile, the barge industry in this section of the Mississippi River is nearly twoand-a-half times more efficient than its closest competitors, according to the most recent rankings by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“For student groups and educational administrators, the cruise will help increase awareness of the types of jobs available in the transportation, manufacturing and logistics industries and highlight the pathways to careers that are in demand and offer a great living wage,” said Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President of Multi Modal Enterprises for Bi-State Development and head of the St. Louis Regional Freightway.

Participants will gain an awareness of the impact transportation has on the local economy, and a deeper understanding of the St. Louis region’s role as a worldclass logistics hub offering global access from a central location at the nexus of America’s freight network. A visit to the Gateway Arch Museum can be included to learn about the St. Louis Region’s Riverfront Era –highlighting its early role as a distribution point for U.S. goods and an entryway for global imports.

The Ag Coast Cruises take place aboard replica 19th century paddlewheel riverboats that are part of Bi-State

Development’s Riverboats at the Gateway Arch enterprise. The Becky Thatcher and Tom Sawyer riverboats offer a variety of Mississippi River excursions with unique themes and breathtaking views of the St. Louis skyline and riverfront. The boat dock located at the base of the steps to the Arch also offers live music events and other fun activities.

“Given the proximity of the Laclede’s Landing MetroLink station, we encourage the use of the MetroLink for transportation to the Gateway Arch and the riverboats to also highlight transit-related employment opportunities and to provide a fun introduction to a mode of transportation that can be used for job interviews, the commute to work or participating in work-related training programs, and to access many of our region’s most popular attractions,” Lamie said.

Small groups will be accommodated on regularly scheduled onehour-long cruises on the first Wednesday of each month, with narration by the captain who will share information about the Ag Coast.

Pricing for those regularly scheduled cruises starts at $24 for adults and $14 for those aged 3 – 15, but additional discounts are available for groups with more than 20 participants. Any groups of 20 or more wanting to purchase tickets at a group discount or inquire about a private charter can contact groupsales@ gatewayarch.com. Private charters would include rental of one of the riverboats in its entirety for a 90-minute, private, narrated cruise on the Ag Coast that could accom-

opportunity for volunteer groups, residents and businesses to personally participate in litter pickup events along city streets and right-of-ways.

Folks will have the opportunity to adopt a city street or a portion thereof. The city will provide safety vests, gloves and trash bags to the adopters for pickup events. Once the adopter has performed a litter pickup event, the city will install street signs to recognize the adopter's efforts to help keep the city clean.

Program guidelines and application forms can be found on the city's website at www.florissantmo.com or you can contact City Engineer Tom Goldkamp at 314-839-7643.

modate up to 125 guests. For information on the regular sightseeing cruises and other specialty cruises and entertainment available, visit www.gatewayarch.com/ riverboats.

Submitted photo

Around Town

What is really important in a move Still

In This Together:

Back in 1974, we were so happy when my grandmother decided to move into a senior citizen apartment building and offered us the rental of her home. John and I were in a townhome at that point, with six-month-old Christopher, and loved that we would have a home for Chris, with his own bedroom and a big backyard.

We lived there until 1977, when Chris was three and baby Adam was going on six months, and we fixed up Gram’s home, painted it, and sold it for her. It was the least we could do for her generosity to us.

Chris and I played a game every day, where he questioned what would be going with us to “his new house.”

It was reassuring to him, and silly, as he went through the litany of what would be packed into relatives’ cars for the ride from Spanish Lake to North County.

“Will the green beans be going?” he asked with a big grin on his face. “What about my circus curtains?” The room he shared with his new brother was decorated with a rocking horse, red and white striped curtains, and empty diaper boxes that I had saved and covered with circus animal printed contact paper.

“What about Daddy?” Chris asked. “Is he going with us?”

“What about the potty? Will we bring the potty?”

“No, Chris,” I would always answer, “That needs to stay for the new people.”

“Will we bring the pots and pans? Can I bring my cereal bowl?”

“But can we please leave the wig head that flies at night, Mommy?”

Remember back then that every woman had a wig for some reason. Mine had shorter hair than I had myself, and I had a styrofoam head to hold it. For some reason, I had drawn a face on it, and Chris had dreams after watching part of “The Wizard of Oz” at my mom’s house that the styrofoam wig head was like the flying monkeys. The wig head fortuitously didn’t make the move with us.

I was remembering those wonderful days when we packed up our belongings this time around, going through all the things we had accumulated after 46 years in our home, and disposing or donating an awful lot. Amazing how the importance of “things” changes over that space of time, what was now disposable, and

what had long ago lost its glamour.

By Vicki Bahr

I found out after I packed all but about a week’s worth of clothes, that it was possible to get by with much less than what I owned, especially things that don’t quite fit or aren’t really in style anymore. There have been even more donations since we’ve moved.

Funny, too, how the definition of important changes when you’re paying a moving company to transport things.

But I was reminded when we talked to the grandkids as we were going through the various phases of packing and purging, that some things were important to them, too.

Caroline asked if we could be sure to pack the battery-operated seashell light she sits on the nightstand when she visits us from North Carolina, and Adler has a favorite old book I’ve read to him since he was little. Aidan and Conor are going to miss the backyard basketball hoop that we couldn’t bring since it’s buried in concrete, but were happy to know that the Christmas sheets for the bed they sleep in are still here.

Best of all, three-year-old grandson, Ellis, asked me on a FaceTime call if we were taking the kitchen with us. Not the actual kitchen, but the 40-some-year-old Fisher Price little kitchen and accompanying equipment that has been a staple in our home through our children and every one of the grandkids.

“Yes, we’re bringing that with us, Ellis,” I answered him.

“Oh, thank you, Grandma,” he said with a big grin on his face.

I know what’s really important!

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.

St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund announces inaugural mental health provider award

The St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund (CSF) has created the Dr. John M. Anderson Community Mental Health Provider Award. The new award is part of the Dr. John M. Anderson Excellence in Mental Health Care Award and complements the John M. Anderson Excellence in the Field of Mental Health Award, which has celebrated and recognized unsung mental health professionals in the St. Louis region since 2014.

The Dr. John M. Anderson Community Mental Health Provider Award is designed to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of individuals who provide on-the-ground care in the community but do not have a research component in their day-to-day work.

The award aims to highlight and celebrate the accomplishments of mental health professionals whose work directly addresses the needs identified by the community and actively works to reduce the stigma of mental illness in the Black/African-American community.

“Creating an integrated system of care in which kids and families have access to effective and quality mental health services requires support and input from professionals with varied backgrounds and areas of expertise,” said Emily Koenig, executive director of CSF. “We are thrilled to be awarding two prestigious awards this

year to individuals making a significant impact in the field of mental health care for children and families in St. Louis.”

The Excellence in the Field of Mental Health Care awardee is someone who demonstrates clinical excellence in mental health. They have a body of work that illustrates large-scale impact and supports their commitment to addressing inequalities in mental health care for children and families in St. Louis. They have taken significant steps to reduce the stigma of seeking care in the Black/African-American community.

Nominations for the Dr. John M. Anderson Community Mental Health Provider and Excellence in the Field of Mental Health Award closed on March 5. Both award winners will be announced at the St. Louis American’s Excellence in Health Care banquet. Awardees are chosen by a review panel consisting of mental/public health professionals, a previous award winner, education experts, community administrators and CSF board members and staff.

For more information about the Dr. John M. Anderson Excellence in Mental Health Awards, please visit the CSF website at stlcsf.org, or contact the CSF office at 314-615-5850.

EVENTS

April 20-22: Book sale

FLIERS (The Friends of the Ferguson Municipal Public Library) Spring Book Sale will take place in the auditorium of the Ferguson Municipal Public Library at 35 N. Florissant Road in Ferguson on 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. For more information, contact Janie Norberg at 314-521-4663 or at jkbnorberg@gmail.com.

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: 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.

CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

SUDOKU answers from page F-1

Sports you see with Gary B...

Lindenwood picks up championship trophies in Florida

Lindenwood University’s Cheerleading captured the Division II Intermediate Small Coed title and the Division II Advanced Large Coed title at the NCA/ NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Team Championships April 8 at the Bandshell and Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The Lions also took third in the Intermediate All-Girl Division II competition, finished fourth in Advanced Small Coed Division II, and took fifth in Group Stunt. At the end of the week, Lindenwood competed in the Large Coed Grand Championship and finished third.

The busy week of competition began with preliminaries in Intermediate Small Coed. In a field of 18 squads, the Lions posted the top score at 24.1482 to sit in first place ahead of second place Arkansas – Fort Smith by 0.0649 points.

Lindenwood performed a near flawless routine in the finals and was one of only two teams with no deductions. With a final event score of 96.9815, the Lions finished over two points a head of Arkansas – Fort Smith (94.8542) to hoist the national championship trophy.

It was a similar theme in the Advanced Large Coed competition as Lindenwood led wire to wire, leading preliminaries with a score of 22.5301 compared to second place Columbus State University with 20.9884. The Lions again nailed a deduction free performance to earn a finals event score of 93.7524 and win their

second title of the week. Columbus State finished second with 87.8704.

Lindenwood was solid during the Intermediate AllGirl prelims, posting a score of 24.2361 to sit in third place in a field of 17 squads behind Dallas Baptist University (24.4908) in first. The Lions brought their A-game to the finals, but some deductions dashed any hopes of climbing up the standings. Lindenwood finished third with 97.0625 behind the eventual champion Dallas Baptist (98.3519).

The Lions looked poised to hoist a third championship trophy after prelims in Advance Small Coed. Lindenwood easily led the field with a score of 23.5324 ahead of McKendree (22.8912) in second but disaster struck in the finals with multiple deductions that knocked the Lions all the way down to fourth with an event score of 91.2184. Hawaii Pacific (92.7037) claimed the national title, Limestone University (91.9306) leaped all the way from fifth to second, and Shorter University (91.3125) rounded out the top three.

The Lions entered a four-person squad in the Group Stunt competition and finished fifth with a score of 91, edging out California Baptist in sixth. Western Kentucky (94.9444) won the event.

In the final event of the week, Lindenwood competed its winning squad in the Large Coed Grand Championship and finished third with an overall score of 93.6296. Weber State won with a mark of 98.0833.

The two national championships become the 12th and 13th in program history for cheerleading. The Lions won the Small Coed Open and Intermediate Small Coed Open titles in 2021, won Large Coed division crowns in 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2015, and captured the Small Coed Division II championship in 2022 and 2018, the Small Coed Division II in 2016, and Small Coed in 2011.

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: Simple, sweet energy bites

Energy Bites

Servings: 20

Having enough energy and fuel to make it through a long day can be challenging. No matter if you’re a stay-at-home parent, corporate worker or small business owner, having a high energy level that lasts throughout the day is important for both you and those around you. Having enough energy helps you stay alert and attentive to what is going on around you, whether that’s cleaning up after your little ones or filing a report your boss asked for.

When it comes to snacking during the day, these delicious, mouth-watering Energy Bites can give you the boost you need. They are made with creamy peanut butter and honey to curb your sweet cravings but still provide plenty of texture with shredded coconut and raw oats.

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/3 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup raw oats

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.

1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut

1/2 cup flaxseed meal

6 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

In medium mixing bowl, stir peanut butter, honey and vanilla extract until combined.

Add oats, coconut, flaxseed meal and chocolate chips. Mix until combined.

Shape into 1-inch balls. Store in airtight container in refrigerator until ready to serve.

FindmoresnackrecipesatCulinary.net.

During the summer of 1981, my friends and I were looking forward to “History of the World, Part 1,” the latest comedic outing from director Mel Brooks. When we arrived at the theater, tickets for that film were sold out. One friend suggested driving down the street to the Mark Twain Theater to see another new film, “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” With nothing to lose, we settled into our theater seats for nearly two hours of action and adventure. Steven Spielberg directed the film, which was based on a story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman. Suffice it to say, we forgot all about Brooks’ film.

Preview audiences weren’t impressed with the film, but “Raiders” went on to become the highest-grossing film of 1981. It also has been considered one of the best films ever made. The 1984 sequel “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” attempted to capture the thrills of the original, but the violent tone was reportedly responsible for the creation of the “PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned” rating. However, teaming Harrison Ford with Sean Connery for 1989’s “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” was a brilliant move.

After “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” however, it looked as if Dr. Henry Walton “Indiana” Jones, Jr. would hang up his whip and fedora for good, but he will return in “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.” Unlike previous films, it’s important to note that Spielberg and Lucas only served here as executive producers. Set in 1969, Indiana Jones discovered that the U.S government recruited former Nazis to help them beat the Soviet Union into space. In the film, Mads Mikkelsen (“Fantastic Beasts”) plays Jürgen Voller, one of the ex-Nazis with his own outer space agenda.

With her engaging “Hunger Games” trilogy, author Suzanne Collins introduced readers to Katniss Everdeen, a young woman who

lived in the nation of Panem in District 12 in what was once North America. After her father was killed in a mine explosion, Katniss became breadwinner for the family. Every year, the Capitol demanded each district produce a male and female tribute to participate in “The Hunger Games” where only a single tribute would survive. The tributes were chosen by lottery but, after her sister was selected, Katniss volunteered to take her place in the deadly games.

Katniss’ actions in the games displeased Coriolanus Snow, the President of Panem. In the upcoming prequel film, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” an 18-year-old Coriolanus has fallen from grace and must mentor the defiant female tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird. In the film, Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones”) will play Casca Highbottom, a co-creator of the Hunger Games.

“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” will be released on June 30.

“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” will be released on November 17.

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 ANSWERS ON PG. 5

(Left) ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ photo courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures. (Right) ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ photo courtesy of Lionsgate.

Movie previews: ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,’ ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’

Photo courtesy

Moore on Life

I am not the most athletic of people. Oh sure, I can bench press a fork-full of pie to my mouth without pulling a muscle or do an impressive sit-up as the alarm clock buzzes then give it a good swat as I return to my slumber. I can also do crunches along with the best of them; my finest crunches result around breakfast time with crispy strips of bacon.

Fiscal fitness

But that is pretty much the extent of my physical exertion. However, there is one activity I take very seriously and am quite skillful at – shopping: extreme shopping to be exact.

Extreme shopping is not your standard breadand-butter-run-to-the-grocer’s type of action. No. This type of activity is a sport which requires stamina and talent.

Keen math skills are required. One must be able to search out the best bargains possible. I can quickly calculate a 50-percent-off clearance priced item then toss in a 30 percent store coupon along with a freebie early bird shopper discount; this all results in the store writing me a fat check for the merchandise selected.

One must also have strength and tenacity. If the last Captain Robo-Cat is on the shelf and another women has her outstretched hand reaching towards it; I must be able to duck, dive, grab, roll and run while yelling, “Snoozers are losers!” before the lady can mutter, “Hey, Jerk! What’s the big idea?!”

Nimble brainpower is imperative along with instant recall abilities. I must be able to remember each of my seven grandkids’ individual sizes, sexes, style preferences, favorite colors, special allergies, and least favorite cartoon characters.

By Cindy Moore

I once made the tragic mistake of buying my granddaughter Ninja Turtle underpants for her birthday. She became so traumatized she wore the same pair of Princess Sugar Sparkles underwear for the next month.

An extreme shopper must also be able to sift through seven aisles of clearance racks to locate the missing bottoms to the last pair of Spider-Man pajama’s, size 4T, which are needed to reward a grandson for doing his first pootie in the potty. I then must be able to whip out my cellphone coupon without the internet shutting down as I approach the checkout counter.

Afterwards, I will lift two bulging bags of goodies affixed to each arm thus further sculpting my biceps, while at the same increasing the bulk of my wallet by saving $96.78. I will receive a wad of Kohl’s Cash ensuring I return again for more cardiovascular, and all without breaking a sweat. That, my friends, is an intense workout!

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.

CROSSWORD: CARTOON CHARACTERS

ACROSS

1. Unsuitable

6. Agency behind food labels, acr.

9. Pastoral sounds

13. More painful

14. "Maggie May" singer

15. Secret storage

16. Hajj destination

17. Inflated feeling

18. One in a quiver

19. *Scooby-Doo's best friend

21. *Stone Age Fred's best friend

23. Zip

24. Type of wave

25. "Mangia!"

28. Apple leftover

30. Unlike Pinocchio

35. Law school test acronym

37. Tiger's forte

39. Jack Black's Libre

40. For____ kitchen counter

41. Jewish folklore creature

43. Singer Whitman of "Secret Love" fame

44. Formerly known as dropsy

46. Spanish Surrealist

47. Stay out of its way!

48. Make a remake

50. Shawm

52. Yoda: "Do or do not. There is no ____"

53. Like hard times

55. Tube in old TV, acr.

57. *Jessica or Peter

60. *Anthropomorphic squirrel's last name

63. Small and elegant

64. Mozart's "L'____ del Cairo"

66. Like a whistle?

68. Optical illusion creation (2 words)

69. "Time," e.g., colloquially

70. Hint of color

71. "The Way We ___"

72. Farm pen

73. Skedaddle

DOWN

1. What hedonism and idealism have in common

2. Rejections

3. Flatfoot's lack

4. Pie option

5. Calamitous

6. One of the Eagles

7. *Pluto or Snoopy

8. Acrobat maker

9. Rural building

10. Homesteader's purchase, sing.

11. Nabisco's "Chips

12. To use a Singer

15. Dairy industry missing person-seeking prop

20. Nordic glühwein

22. Ooh and ____

24. Troublemaker

25. *Fudd's first name

26. Line to the audience

27. "It is silent," in sheet music

29. Living space

31. Don Johnson's Bridges

32. Plaudit and pomp

33. Bake an egg

34. *One of the Pickles

36. Like a broken horse

38. *Phineas' stepbrother

42. Be a parasite

45. Just about (2 words)

49. Hula necklace

51. Builds a tower, e.g.

54. Very small particles

56. Opposite of ecbatic

57. Ready for picking

58. A bit cracked

59. Not the life of the party

60. Same as cagey

61. Lotto variant

62. Palm starch

63. Gift topper

65. *Garfield or Tom

67. Butterfly catcher

‘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.

John Hanna Yeggs