CN: June 14, 2023

June 14, 2023

Safe at school

Around Town

JUNE 15: Commuters encouraged to ‘Dump the Pump’ for opportunity win prizes. Pg. 3

Jefferson Nationa l Parks Association offers new virtual reality experience in Gateway Arch Lobby. Pg. 4

Features (FLIP)

By Olivia Holler

Educators, parents and communities have had their hands full with after effects of the pandemic and the recurring issue of school safety.

According to an article from Education Week, there have been 19 school shootings this year. This has led to many concerns across the board regarding school safety and has shed light on mental health awareness.

“We certainly are paying attention to our school’s safety and we are on a regular basis adding safety features,” Cathy Kelly from Parkway School District said.

Schools around the U.S. have upped their safety protocols and increased security in

order to protect the students and educators. In order to do this, some school districts have received funding, Riverview Gardens School District was one of them. They were awarded $400,000 from the

Missouri

See ‘SAFE’ 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

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SUNDAY Sunny 94/69

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Department of Elementary and Secondary Education from the School Safety Grant Program.

School districts around St. Louis County have made upgrades to improve safety as security concerns increase

Photos courtesy Parkway School District Many school districts such as Parkway School District have also increased safety procedures and equipment, and training due to the increase of school shootings.

Wyman awarded funding from St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund for work with area teens

St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund (CSF) has awarded Wyman $1,481,571 to support mental and behavioral health services for children and families in St. Louis County. The funding will be used to support Wyman’s mission of empowering teens from economically disadvantaged circumstances to lead successful live and build strong communities.

“Wyman is honored to receive the support of St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund for our work with area teens,” said Claire Wyneken, Wyman’s President & CEO. “Over the past 125 years, Wyman has evolved, but our belief in the power of teens has not changed. This funding will help us continue to serve current and future generations of St. Louis County teens during this critical time of their development and lives.”

As a funded partner of CSF, Wyman joins an integrated network of partners who share a commitment to providing quality services and programs to the children and families of St. Louis County.

CSF invests in local nonprofits and governmental entities that provide mental and behavioral health services, substance use treatment, and prevention services for kids and families in St. Louis County through a voter-approved quarter-cent sales tax.

“This significant funding will have a great impact on bolstering safety and security in Riverview Gardens School District,” stated Warren Newton, Director of Safety & Security. “The funding will equip the district with valuable resources to help provide a safe learning environment to scholars and staff.”

The funding will be used for metal detectors, a visitor management system, emergency communication tools, video surveillance systems and many other safety equipment, tools and resources.

Many other school districts such as Parkway School District have also increased safety procedures and equipment, and training due to the increase of

school shootings.

“We are constantly making adjustments to our security systems when we have the newest information available,” Kelly said.

To learn more about how your school district can apply for school safety grants. Visit: https://oese.ed.gov/offices/ office-of-formula-grants/safe-supportive-schools/

By Sheri Block Glantz

As I tended to the remnants of last year’s flowers, fruits, and vegetables - removing the final vestiges of winter-ravaged plants, it occurred to me how much common ground exists between horticultural activity and relationships - enough to make me think of a term that can incorporate both realms: “guard”ening.

I won’t beat around the bush. When we sow the seeds of any affiliation, we are, in a sense, putting down roots as a means of grounding ourselves to someone – whether romantically, or as close, trusted family or friends. Through the years, we learn to nurture the liaisons we create with others by tending to their needs, devoting the proper time and attention to them, and demonstrating that we care.

The reality is, it all works the same way in the garden! We are the guardians of what takes root in our personal patches of green space.

Everyone knows that it’s no bed of roses to clear out the weeds, till the soil, and add the proper nutrients to ensure the hardiest yield, but we take stock of the vast display of vibrant flowers, or the plumpest, most succulent tomatoes and just know that the effort we put forth at the start of our endeavor has been well-worth the outcome. It is often even better than we ever could have imagined!

The reality is, it all works the same way with people. We are the guardians of the bonds we create with others.

It is certainly no secret that you get out of something what you put into it. Hard work

is always in season, regardless of if we are referring to the burgeoning florae or the human bonds that we are cultivating. The requirements are the same, as is the fact that we essentially “guard” them both, by providing the necessary components in order for our gardens/relationships to thrive. If we cease supplying essential elements to either, they will wilt and, eventually go to seed - which, in agricultural terms, is a delicate way to say “die out.”

So many of us take pride in having a green thumb when it comes to house or outdoor plants. We diligently water, remove weeds that can (selfishly) suck the nutrients away from what we want to grow, protect them from harmful pests, and perhaps prune them - all in an attempt to derive the healthiest, most beautiful vegetation. Why not exhibit that same delight in fostering growth with each other? Do we forget that the invariable sweat equity that goes into gardening can produce equivalent results when applied to relationships with people? If so, we must nip things in the bud, and dig deep to see the similarities. They are, indeed, uncanny!

Think about it: You’ve attempted to plant annuals, year after year, and like a thorn in your side, the rabbits, squirrels, and deer lop off the buds before they even have a chance to bloom. So, you turn to your friend, Google, (ok, I turned to my friend, Google) for suggestions on how to deter the animals from enjoying my flowers before I have the opportunity to do so! I follow the recipe to concoct an animal-friendly spray preventive, and

diligently coat the delicate saplings with the Cayenne Pepper blend - and then pray that it doesn’t rain overnight, defeating my efforts with a quick rinse by Mother Nature. That is an abundance of exertion to try and preserve, protect, and proliferate an assemblage of plants! It is the same type of commitment that helps produce a healthy, flourishing relationship with another person. When we consider the similarities needed to sustain our vegetation and our partnerships, it is evident that we shield or “guard” them both through hard work and dedication.

If we find ourselves overwhelmed, or in the weeds, when it comes to relating to those we love, why not turn over a new leaf, infusing each other with protective solutions, nurturing elements, and the devotion that inspires us all to blossom and bloom, continuing the practice of “guardening”, both in our actual gardens and in our connections with the people who are most important in our lives.

Sheri Block Glantz, M.Ed., is a five-term elected official in her community, a lifelong writer, and the author of “G.I.F.T.E.D. Love,” “FLY!” and “The Sunny Side of Life” blog. Inspired by life, love, hope, and the continued quest to find meaning and authenticity in her world, she writes from the heart and is thrilled to share her insights with the public.

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

‘SAFE’ from cover

Photos courtesy Parkway School District

Commuters encouraged to ‘Dump the Pump’ on June 15 for opportunity win prizes

Public transit is the region’s “golden ticket” to a safe, more cost-effective and hassle-free way for St. Louis area residents to get where they need to go. To help reinforce this message, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT), Metro Transit and St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) are encouraging area commuters to give transit a try on Thursday, June 15, which is National Dump the Pump Day. Those who take transit that day will witness the benefits of this viable commuting option and be eligible to win prizes.

Nearly 100 branded envelopes touting “Dump the Pump to Win. Public Transit is your Golden Ticket” will be hidden on MetroLink, MetroBuses, Metro Call-A-Ride and SCCTD’s Flyer Service vehicles, as well as at Metro Transit Centers on both sides of the river. Each will have a prize enclosed, as well as information about the many benefits of taking transit and the availability of CMT’s Try & Ride Program, which provides new riders, who are unfamiliar with the transit system, with complimentary transit tickets for one month, giving riders time to get on board

and learn the system. Those who find a “Golden Ticket” inside an envelope will have captured one of the grand prizes, including a $100 gift card to Amazon, one year’s worth of free transit, four St. Louis Riverboat Cruise tickets, and two tickets to the St. Louis Cardinals game against the Washington Nationals on July 15. Other prizes range from free daily and monthly fare passes to gift cards to establishments accessible via the MetroLink system.

Transit ambassadors will also be at the Shrewsbury-Lansdowne I-44, Clayton, Brentwood I-64, Maplewood, Belleville, Fairview Heights and Emerson Park Transit Centers from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on June 15 handing out PAYDAY candy bars with a QR code that allows commuters to calculate the cost savings associated with taking public transit.

“Gas, parking prices, vehicle maintenance and car insurance are costly,” commented Kimberly Cella, executive director of Citizen for Modern Transit. “According to the American Public Transit Association, a two-person household can save as much as

Parkway sisters receive scholarship for cosmetology summer camp

Two enterprising sisters were awarded what may be the first step in their entrepreneurial future.

Kimeisha and Kyleaha Fuller-Oliver are the recipients of a scholarship to attend a cosmetology summer camp, courtesy of Dismas House, Affinia Healthcare, and The Ultimate Cosmetology and Barber Academy.

The scholarship is the result of a recent career fair Affinia Healthcare held for youth in foster care. The Fuller-Oliver sisters were adopted by their grandmother, Josephine, and received assistance from the Affinia Healthcare Community Health Workers-Foster Care group. According to Linda Moreland, Community Health Worker, many families in the foster care system need assistance with legal, medical, dental, and social services.

“The CHW group can help with the medical and dental services through Affinia Healthcare, but also connect families to other resources as well,” said Moreland.

Kimeisha and Kyleaha attended the career fair in March where several organizations participated including the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, YWCA and Dismas House. The sisters visited the Dismas House table where they shared their goal of becoming hair stylists with Tara Barrett, Dismas House Communications Director. Barrett remembered the duo when she received a call from Freida Williams about a cosmetology summer camp she was planning. Williams is co-founder of The Ultimate Cosmetology and Barber Academy.

“I immediately thought of them because they were so confident about what they wanted to do,” Barrett recalled during the scholarship presentation May 4 at the Affinia Healthcare Biddle Street location. “I told Freida ‘I know someone’.”

Dismas House specializes in reentry services but Barrett knew they should help these sisters. Barrett consulted with her team at Dismas House to see if they could assist the sisters and offered to pay for their tuition for the summer camp.

Kimeisha, who is an eighth grader at Parkway Central Middle School, plans to attend college to study business and open her own salon. She wants to help people ‘look good,’ including herself.

“I want to know how to do my own hair, and I can help my Mama pay her bills,” Kimeisha explained.

Kyleaha, a sophomore at Parkway Central High School, also wants to go to college and open her own salon.

“I want to help others look good, feel good, and it’s also fun and I’m really interested in learning more about (cosmetology),” Kyleaha said. "I want to learn more about skin care, nails and lashes.”

The summer camp will run for a week in June at the cosmetology school, which is located in Dellwood. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about barbering, cosmetology, nail care, and eyelashes.

“We want to help young people and this summer camp is a great way to introduce them to the profession,” said Williams of The Ultimate Cosmetology and Barber Academy.

$10,000 annually by downsizing to one car and using public transit. This campaign is designed to help St. Louisans better understand these and the many other benefits of public transit and its ability to get them where they need to go. Transit can be your own personal payday each day.”

Dismas House staff congratulate the Kyleaha and Kimeisha on their scholarship. (From left) Tara Barrett, communications director stands next to John House, program manager; Kyleaha Fuller-Oliver; Josephine F. Oliver, mother; Kimeisha Fuller-Oliver; Anthony Arington, Dismas House, COO; Kevin Walk, Dismas House CEO and Michael Kean, Dismas House CFO.

Submitted photo

Around Town

Still In This Together:

Dads, thanks for teaching us the importance of respect

I vividly remember a few instances when my dad was interacting with his father, my grandfather. One time they were up on the roof of the garage they were building at my grandparents’ new home along with my uncle. Dad and Uncle Steve were so young, my grandpa not so much, but they were all laughing companionably and Dad was listening carefully to Grandpa’s instructions. Respectfully.

They put in a bathroom in the basement of the home we moved into when I was little, too, and Grandpa was the expert on the job, having worked for a plumbing supply company for as long as I remember. Dad deferred to my grandfather, and thanked him for all his help.

I saw the same respect emulated by John toward his father the first time I visited their house when John and I began dating. Frank had a vision problem that no one was ever able to diagnose. He adapted well in his everyday life, and was able to continue driving, but John and his siblings mowed the lawn and did the jobs around the house that needed youth and strength, all the while respecting their father’s direction and expertise.

That respect was one of the attributes that drew me

closer to John. I knew that he was a good man, and would be the kind of husband my dad was, caring and respectful, loyal to a fault. John still, to this day, opens the car door for me wherever we are, even when it hasn’t been a particularly great day. It’s the way he was raised, and I thank Frank for that.

Our own children were brought up knowing the importance of that kind of respect. We may not have always been right in our decisions, and they many not have always been happy with the outcome of our decisions, but our kids knew that we were to be respected. John made that abundantly clear by the way he modeled respect.

And now, we are at the wonderful stage of our lives that we see that respect being forwarded to the next generation and returned to us in kind. Our kids have stepped up conscientiously when we’ve needed a little assistance with surgeries and recuperations, staying in touch and being present whether physically or emotionally just to make sure we were okay.

I have never been prouder of our children that I have in the past months as we maneuvered the trying journey of moving with its highs and lows, impossible-seeming decisions and exhausting days and nights of packing and purging, stair climbing and ladder scaling, ceiling painting and moral supporting.

I’m so grateful that I’ve been here to revel in the next generation of respect that was so evident as our children helped us without ever losing sight of the need to keep their father’s respect. I thanked God repeatedly for their patience as they questioned the need for another box of paperclips or years’ old paperwork to be packed and moved to a new home, wiped down basement walls and carried countless heavy loads from the basement to be purged after we’d carefully weighed the importance of each and every memory.

Our son, Adam, often

By Vicki Bahr

asked if I thought John was up to another half hour of work, or if he should make the drive back to our house the next day so we could rest a while. He gauged his own evenings and weekends according to our wishes and energy, and never once questioned the number of trips, price of gasoline, his own busy work and coaching schedule or how physically tired he was of caring for our home as well as his own.

Grandchildren and in-laws were involved, from the three-year-olds pretending to paint to the teens and preteens packing and repacking boxes and carrying things up the steps to stack in the living room or strategically pack into the waiting pickup truck. And they were watching, seeing the respect their parents gave to us without question, soaking up the memories for the future, making every day Mother’s Day and Father’s Day for us.

Our oldest, Chris, came in from North Carolina after we had moved, leaving family and job behind to help us unpack boxes, set up the computer and bedroom television for us, and was here to buy and install blinds for the windows with son-in-law Andy. It was all hands on deck from day one with no questions asked beyond: “How can we best be of help and what time do you want us there?”

As a mom, I couldn’t be prouder, as a wife, I can’t help but thank the dads and moms who taught us the importance of respect and the necessity of passing it forward.

Happy Father’s Day!

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

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

New virtual reality experience in Gateway Arch Lobby

Jefferson National Parks Association (JNPA), a nonprofit partner of Gateway Arch National Park, recently launched a brand-new virtual reality (VR) experience titled “Cobblestones & Courage.”

The 3D, immersive experience transports visitors to the St. Louis riverfront of the 1850s. Surrounded by the sights and sounds of the bustling levee, viewers hear real stories of courage, struggle and hope from people who crossed paths there.

The 10-minute virtual reality experience highlights the stories of three individuals; John Parker an enslaved dock worker; Anna Hormann an immigrant from Germany; and James Eads who designed a “submarine” to salvage cargo from sunken steamboats at the bottom of the Mississippi River.

The new 3D experience is located in the Gateway Arch lobby, right outside The Arch Store, which JNPA also operates. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 children (ages 5-15). Reservations are encouraged. For information about tickets for groups of 20 or more please contact, groupsales@gatewayarch.com.

Visitors to Gateway Arch National Park can purchase individual tickets for the VR experience online at gatewayarch.com/buy-tickets. Combo tickets pairing the VR experience with either a Tram Ride to the Top ticket, a Documentary Movie Ticket, or both are available for purchase on-site at a ticket center or by calling 877-982-1410. If a guest purchases a tram ticket online and then adds the VR experience after they arrive, they will be given the discounted VR price.

Sports you see with Gary B...

Golfers named to All-District academic at UMSL University of Missouri-St. Louis golfers Tove Brunell and Juan Antonio Padilla have been named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District At-Large team that was announced recently.

To be eligible for Academic All-District and Academic All-America honors, a student-athlete must have a 3.5 or higher cumulative grade point average, have been at the school for at least one full academic year and have competed in at least 50 percent of the team’s competitions.

The at-large team covers all sports that do not have sport-specific teams and includes sports such as men’s volleyball and men’s and women’s lacrosse.

Brunell, an engineering major with a 4.00 GPA, was the GLVC’s Player of the Year this season and earned First Team All-America honors from the Women’s Golf Coaches Association. She finished tied for 21st at last week’s DII Championships at Fox Run Golf Course in Eureka. Brunell played in 39 rounds this season and had a scoring average of 73.33. She had four rounds in the 60s this season highlighted by a school and course record 64 at the Beall Fall Classic in Findlay, Ohio. Brunell won the Trevecca Music City Invite and was runner-up in three other events. She had eight top 10 finishes this season.

Padilla, a business administration major with a 3.52 GPA, was a First Team All-GLVC and was named to the Ping All-Midwest Region team. He played in 36

rounds this season with a 72.83 scoring average. Padilla shot seven rounds in the 60s highlighted by a 65 in the final round of the MSSU Fall Invitational. He had three top-five and 10 top-20 finishes this season.

Academic All-District honorees advance to the CSC Academic All-America Ballot. First-, second and third team Academic All-America honorees will be announced June 21 (men) and June 22 (women).

* Balancing education and sports

Lindenwood offers a team store for merchandise Lindenwood University’s athletic department is set to launch the official Lindenwood University team store which can be accessed at www. ShopLULions.com. It includes gear from every Lindenwood athletic program, NCAA, and Student Life Sports.

“We’re excited to launch this new partnership with our friends at Follett,” said Lindenwood VP for Intercollegiate Athletics Jason Coomer. “It was important for us to provide a platform for our fans to have access to official merchandise for all our programs. With the tremendous interest in Lindenwood athletics, the launch of shoplulions.com could not come at a better time. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of our Coordinator of Athletics Compliance, Myah LeFlore as she has managed this project from start to finish.”

Lindenwood fans, parents, students, and alumni will now be able to purchase everything from t-shirts, hoodies, and hats. The site will also have golf gear, drinkware, and apparel from different brands, including Lindenwood’s official apparel partner, Under Armour.

The new online store provides easy access for Lindenwood fans to a variety of clothing and merchandise options, including customization on many of the items.

* The place to go for apparel

Gary Baute, a St. Louis native, may be educated in business but he lives and breathes sports. As a fan or an athlete, Gary is all sports all the time. He hosted a radio sports program on KFNS, emceed the River City Rascals’ inaugural season, among many other activities. I am currently hosting a Health show on 97.1 FM, ‘Prime Time Health’ www.PrimeTimeSTL.com. It broadcasts Saturday nights at 8 and Sunday mornings at 9.

RECIPE : A perfect summer pie

It wouldn’t be summer without a fresh fruit pie. Sink your teeth into sweetness with every bite of this Fresh Strawberry Pie.mer sun.

INGREDIENTS:

1 pie crust

6 cups whole fresh strawberries

1 cup sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 cup water

sliced strawberries

1 cup sweetened whipped cream

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 450 F.

Fresh Strawberry Pie Fresh Strawberry Pie

Recipe adapted from Pillsbury

Press pie crust into 9-inch glass pie pan. Bake 9-11 minutes, or until lightly browned. Completely cool pie crust, approximately 30 minutes.

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.

Can the Sanderson Sisters return for more magic?

According to the “New York Times,” Sean Bailey, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, said the studio would be developing “Hocus Pocus 3,” the third film in the franchise. After the streaming success of “Hocus Pocus 2,” news of a third installment pleased their fans. In the original film, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy played Winifred, Sarah and Mary Sanderson, three witches in Salem, Massachusetts who used the lifeforce of children to make themselves young. Before they were hung by the villagers, Winifred cast a curse that could bring the sisters back years later for their revenge.

Magic, both good and bad, has been part of the Walt Disney legacy for decades. In 2013, Sam Raimi directed “Oz the Great and Powerful,” a fantasy adventure set in the land of Oz. While avoiding an angry circus strongman, magician and con-artist Oscar Diggs (James Franco) escaped in a balloon, but a tornado sent him to the Land of Oz. He met Theodora (Mila Kunis), an impressionable young witch who thought he may be the one to become the King of

Oz. Later believing she was betrayed by Oscar, Theodora’s sister Evanora (Rachel Weisz) cruelly tricked her into becoming the Wicked Witch of the West.

In March 2020, theaters shut their doors due to the coronavirus and only a handful of films were released. One of those was “Onward,” a magical adventure courtesy of Pixar Animation Studios. Director Dan Scanlon’s inspiration was his father, a chemist who died in a car accident when Scanlon and his brother were young. The story was set in a world where technology surpassed magic. Ian Lightfoot (Tom Holland) was

an elf lacking self-confidence, but his brother Barley (Chris Pratt) was boisterous and loved role-playing games. When Ian turned sixteen, their mother Laurel (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) gave him a gift that could bring their father back for a single day. “Onward” will strike a chord with viewers, especially those who lost beloved family members.

While being a teenager can be troublesome, turning into a large fury creature was something else. Domee Shi directed “Turning Red,” a Pixar film about the problems of growing up. Meilin “Mei” Lee lived in Toronto with her parents and helped them maintain their family temple. Like her friends, Mei loved boy bands and had a crush on a teenage store clerk. When she was stressed, however, she transformed into a giant red panda. Mei learned that all her female descendants had the same ability in order to protect their village, but her relatives wanted her to seal her “panda spirit” safely away. “Turning Red” was a wonderful coming of age film with a unique twist. With the success of “Hocus Pocus 2” and the upcoming “Hocus Pocus 3” slated for a future release, the Disney magic is alive and well.

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.

“Hocus Pocus 3” could magically reunite Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker

In blender, crush strawberries to make 1 cup. In saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Add crushed strawberries and water. Bring to boil, stirring constantly. Cool to room temperature.

Arrange sliced strawberries in cooled crust. Pour cooked strawberry mixture evenly over strawberries. Refrigerate 3 hours.

“Hocus Pocus 2” photooc ourtesy Walt Disney pcitures

Moore on Life: Sound the alarm

I’m gonna be rich. Not just mildly rich, but stinking filthy rich. So rich I might even buy my cats that fancy kibble made from chicken – the good kind and not the cheap stuff made from powdered feet and beaks.

What’s going to make me so rich you’re probably asking? It’s my new invention.

To begin with, we’ve all needed to set our alarms to wake up, either for work or an appointment or just to get out of bed before 9 a.m.so the neighbors don’t think we’re total shlubs.

But how many of us have had the alarm go off only to reach over in a deep sleep and push the snooze button so many times that it’s become indented? Well, my invention will put an end to that. This creation is guaranteed to get you up and moving without once using the snooze button and furthermore you’ll feel so wide awake that all thoughts of sleep will leave immediately.

And how can I be certain it works? Because I’ve been the lab rat for many tests and believe me, it works. Here’s how it happens: I’ll be lying in bed in a deep sleep, so deep I can’t hear my husband’s garbage-disposal-chopping-up-gravel snoring.

Suddenly, there’s a noise. It starts low and garbled then escalates until it sounds like something’s insides are coming up followed by a thunderous hacking sound. That’s when all sleep leaves us. We bolt upright and look towards each other even though it’s so dark we can’t see a thing, but we feel each other’s eyes pop open.

“THE CAT!” We shout out together.

“Get the bucket!” he yells.

By Cindy Moore CROSSWORD: AT THE MOVIES

“There’s no time!” I yell back. “Get him before he hurls! RUN!”

Together we unknot ourselves from the tangled sheets and blankets and bolt from bed to try to get to the cat before it finds its mark – the carpet!

It’s always the carpet! We have 95% of the house floored in tile and wood, but the cats will not spill a drop of their stomach remnants until they find a suitable splotch of deep pile carpeting.

Fortunately, we grabbed the cat before he made his mark and tossed him onto the tile just in time. But unfortunately, all sleep had left us and we were awake as if it were noon.

That’s when genius hit me – make an alarm that sounds like a cat hurling.

Yup, I’m gonna be rich and the first thing I’m going to do is tile that remaining 5% of the house.

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.

LIFESTYLE: Understanding thread counts

Many companies use thread count to make their sheets more appealing and luxurious, but a bigger number doesn’t always mean a good buy. Before you reach into your wallet, consider these truths about thread counts.

A thread count is a scientific term with strict federal standards on how the threads are counted. Simply put, it measures the number of threads woven together per square inch, counted lengthwise and widthwise. A 400-thread count sheet will have 200 threads lengthwise and 200 widthwise.

When a sheet has a count of 150, it is considered a muslin fabric, which isn’t all that soft to the touch. Any count of 180 or above is considered high quality, but anything beyond 400 is likely to only signify a higher price tag.

However, a sheet with a thread count of 200 can

be softer to the touch than one with a 400 thread count. The quality of sheets depends not only on the thread count, but on the quality of fibers within those threads as well. Many stores and manufacturers tout Egyptian cotton as the best because of its long, strong fibers, which are more durable than most other cottons. Another high-quality cotton type is pima, also known for its extra-long fibers.

When shopping for new sheets, make sure you are looking at both the thread count and the quality. Look for a count between 200-400 and make sure the fabric quality is high to ensure you get the best bang for your buck, as well as a comfortable night’s sleep.

Find more tips for selecting linens and other home goods at eLivingtoday.com.

ACROSS

1. Mother Earth, to Ancient Greeks

5. Barrel, unit

8. Foot the bill

11. Quiet time

12. Nemo's forgetful friend

13. Horace's poem

15. One thing on a list

16. Ophthamologist's check-up, e.g.

17. Range of hills in England, pl.

18. *Ticket booth (2 words)

20. "Odyssey," e.g.

21. Biased perspective

22. Azog or Bolg in Tolkien's Moria

23. *Siskel or Ebert

26. To the degree

30. Brick and mortar carrier

31. Governing authority

34. Key component of a loan

35. Highly skilled

37. E in CE or BCE

38. "____ ____ a high note"

39. End of the line

40. Like certain yellowish hair color

42. Compass bearing 43. Ambled

45. Warhol or Samberg, formally 47. Churchill's sign

48. Anna Wintour's magazine

50. "Heat of the Moment" band

52. *Like some seats

56. More slippery

57. Initial bet in poker

58. Popular dunking cookie

59. "Little ____ fact"

60. Simon and Gurfunkel, e.g.

61. *Sentimental movie, or

62. Literary "even"

63. *Shooting location 64. ESPN award

DOWN

1. Not intellectually deep

2. ____pilot

3. Holly family

4. *Kate Hudson's "____ Famous" (2000)

5. Put someone in a bind (2 words)

6. Modified leaf

7. Tick-born disease

8. Ralph Lauren's inspiration

9. Puts two and two together 10. "Owner of a Lonely Heart" band 12. Vandalize

13. Pitchers

14. *Tub contents

19. Behave like a coquette

22. Comes before first Mississippi 23. Bracelet add-on 24. Barrel racing meet 25. Think tank output, pl.

*Widescreen cinematography abbreviation

27. Dimmer, e.g.

28. Do penance

29. Re-establish

32. Neuter

33. Investment option acronym

36. *Movie ad

38. Boredom

40. *Upcharge for an online ticket purchase, e.g.

41. Aerie baby

44. Pine

46. Indicate

48. *Movie theater, e.g.

49. Set of eight

50. Teenager's breakout

51. Land of Israel

52. X-ray units

53. Wraths

54. Type of tide

55. *Like a bloody horror movie

56. Short of Isaac

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