CN: September 16, 2020

September 16, 2020

Stand up and be counted

Around Town

COMMUNITY VOICES

By Tom Duff. Pg. 2 Gateway Arch National Park reopens Tram Ride to the Top. Pg. 3 More African-American blood donors urgently needed to help sickle cell patients and help save lives . Pg. 5

Special Section Senior Living. Pg. 6

Features

Census workers drop of information and meet with residents before the Sept. 30 deadline.

Submitted photos

The U.S. Census wraps up on Sept. 30 while census workers strive to get an accurate count of St. Louis County before the deadline

By Charlotte Beard Though the decennial is taking place in the same year that COVID-19 struck, the United States Census Bureau has been putting in much effort to get citizens counted by Sept.

30. In 2010, citizens could only respond by completing the paper census questionnaire.

In 2020, the Census Bureau has provided three options: paper, phone and internet.

St. Louis officially began its door-to-door operations Aug. 9. Ellisa Johnson, Chicago Region’s Deputy Regional Director for the Census Bureau states that as of Sept. 9, 72.8 percent of the non-response workload combined has been completed for Ferguson, Florissant and Hazelwood, which puts the area a little ahead of schedule.

“(We) still have some work to do,” stated Johnson. “The workload includes households that have not self-responded as well as other case types that we use to improve the accuracy of the census. We have a quality check process that we will begin Oct. 1 to make sure (there are no) duplications, (etc.) because we do get calls from people saying, ‘I’ve got an enumerator at my door; I’ve already filled out the census form.’”

During the field process, enumerators (door-to-door census takers for non-responders) may be assigned a quality check called a “re-interview” of a previous respondent which is not to be confused with the full interview conducted to complete a cen-

sus count for an address. The “re-interview” involves limited questions to help ensure the accuracy and integrity of the bureau’s data.

According to Johnson, as of Sept. 9 the national response rate showed 65.5 percent; in 2010 the rate reached 74 percent. Missouri (one of the eight states under the Chicago Region) showed a response rate of 65 percent; in 2010 the state reached 67.5 percent.

The city of Hazelwood exceeded the national response rate by four percent; in 2010 the city’s response rate reached 71.1 percent.

Ferguson showed a 57.1 percent rate; in 2010 its city reached 66 percent. The city of See ‘COUNTED’ page 4

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Around Town

September 16, 2020 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Operation Food Search transforms warehouse distribution process Operation Food Search (OFS), a non-profit hunger relief organization, recently revolutionized its warehouse distribution process to more efficiently comply with COVID-19 requirements.

The newly created protocols enhance OFS’s food safety and social distancing specifications when interacting with community food partners.

The warehouse transformation now allows the food distribution process to have more quality control based upon less interaction with multiple sources. Prior to the pandemic, community food partners (food pantries) entered OFS’s warehouse to receive its pre-loaded dry goods cart. This was followed by the time-consuming task of partners sorting and gathering their own refrigerated fresh food and bread items.

Today the number of people who are allowed to enter the warehouse is limited. OFS personnel now sort and pack food boxes to ensure better quality control, which simultaneously increases the amount of healthier and more diverse selections. The organized boxes

contain a similar mix of fresh produce, dairy and bread for each pantry partner. Streamlining the distribution process allows immediate access and quicker turnaround for perishable produce boxes.

Kallie Galati, who was promoted to Nutrition Education Program Coordinator, will coordinate the revamped warehouse process. In this position, she will collaborate with OFS’s agency relations and operations departments to ensure the success of the new warehouse distribution process. Galati also will work with community food partners to expand OFS’s community-based nutrition education programs. Prior to her promotion, she served as Nutrition Educator where she led nutrition-focused culinary classes for OFS. “This recent transformation is a perfect example of how thoughtful processes can improve safety and quality while benefitting everyone involved,” said Operation Food Search Executive Director Kristen Wild. “The food pantry drivers arrive at our headquarters and are greeted outside of our headquarters with already packed boxes of food donations. We save them time, and they receive a beautiful assortment of the freshest food available to distribute to the community.”

Submitted photo Operation Food Search recently revolutionized its warehouse distribution process to more efficiently comply with COVID-19 requirements.

COMMUNITY VOICES

By Tom Duff

Staying mentally healthy during the pandemic Staying healthy during COVID-19 is a priority for tens of millions of people.

But how can we also stay mentally healthy when the pandemic is taking a toll on essential workers, parents, teachers, students, people who have lost jobs, those who have been isolated, kids, teens, and people who already struggle with mental-health issues or a mental illness?

This past May, when the country was in quarantine, The Washington Post reported the findings of a Kaiser Family Foundation poll, stating that “nearly half of Americans reported the coronavirus was harming their mental health.” The main reason: coronavirus-related anxiety.

One of the reasons for so much anxiety is from thinking about what could happen. It’s called anticipatory anxiety, and it is common when there are so many unknowns facing us. We worry that we may give a loved one COVID-19 because we may have it but not have symptoms. We feel anxious about going out in public because not everyone shares the same beliefs about how the virus is spread, and we are afraid of getting it ourselves. We worry that we may lose our homes if we lose our jobs. The fear is real for so many people, and it directly impacts their overall mental health and physical health.

But it’s not just anxiety that is striking more people than ever. A Centers for Disease Control (CDC) study also found that one in four, 25 percent, of young adults

between the ages of 18-24 has seriously thought about suicide during COVID-19.

What can we do to keep this mental-health crisis from growing worse?

Communication is key When people are feeling stressed or their daily lives are being affected by anxiety, feelings of depression or thoughts of suicide, or if people start turning to alcohol or drugs to numb the worry, it’s time to talk! Reach out to a family member or friend and describe what you are feeling.

Sometimes just talking about your emotions can make them easier to deal with.

But if you feel that you need professional help by talking with a licensed therapist, by all means, reach out to a counseling agency. Most insurance companies have expanded coverage for teletherapy, so it is now being covered during the pandemic.

There are many options out there for people of all ages to receive counseling at a time when they are really needing it.

Staying mentally healthy Some proven ways to help stay mentally healthy include taking time for yourself to do what you enjoy doing, staying away from social media, turning off the news, taking up a hobby, exercising, practicing yoga or mindfulness or meditation, eating healthy meals, journaling, getting out in nature, or taking long deep breaths in through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. Taking care of yourself mentally and physically will help you to better

manage the changing situations.

We have to remember is that this is the most anxiety-inducing event in recent history. And it is impacting everyone at the same time. It’s so important that we take care of ourselves and check in with each other. Remember: there is help out there, and we will get through this!

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental-health crisis, call 9-1-1, go to the nearest emergency room, or call the Behavioral Health Crisis Line: 800811-4760 or 314-469-6644. To make an appointment with a licensed therapist at Saint Louis Counseling, contact us at 314544-3800 or SaintLouisCounseling.org.

Tom Duff, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) brings 25 years of mental-health expertise to his role as Executive Director of Saint Louis Counseling. As a professional therapist adept in high-stress, crisis situations, he has treated numerous clients with myriad mental-health diagnoses, spanning all ages from kids to seniors. His strengths-based, solution-focused, relationship-oriented approach to counseling and leadership, along with his solid understanding of running a small business focused on its most important priorities – customers/clients and employees – shape his management philosophy that takes the whole person into account.

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 • September 16, 2020

Around Town

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Gateway Arch National Park reopens Tram Ride to the Top On Sept. 1, Gateway Arch National Park began entering Phase II of reopening the park. The highlight being limited access to “The Tram Ride to the Top” of the Gateway Arch open to the public with reservations.

“We are excited to reopen more of the key experiences of Gateway Arch National Park in a safe, responsible and efficient manner,” said Gateway Arch National Park Superintendent Mike Ward. “The Tram Ride to the Top is a unique experience most of our visitors are looking for, but while we are still responding to the coronavirus pandemic, it has required many changes to ensure visitor and employee safety. We will start with very limited availability to assess operations and make any additional modifications so that we can continue increasing the number of people who can go to the top of the Arch each day as we enter into Phase II of reopening the park.”

In addition to previously-announced health and safety protocols that have been implemented throughout the Arch facility (which are outlined online at nps.gov/ jeff), Gateway Arch National Park has made the following modifications to the Tram Ride to the Top. These modifications are subject to updates in later phases.

Bi-State Development, which operates the tram, requires face coverings for all tram riders ages nine and up.

• Disposable face coverings can be purchased for $1 at The Arch Store.

• Guests with preexisting health conditions who are unable to wear a mask/face covering for medical reasons are exempt.

• Tram cars and observation deck windows will be assigned by family/group.

• Solo visitors will be assigned their own tram car and windows.

• Time limit in Arch observation deck (no more than 10 minutes).

• In order to maintain directional flow and ensure one way in and one way out of the observation deck, one tram will transport visitors to the top, while the other tram will transport visitors to the ground level.

Tickets are subject to availability, based on reduced facility capacity. It is strongly recommended to reserve your tickets in advance. Reservations should be made at gatewayarch.com or by calling 877-982-1410 before arriving to ensure you can enter the facility.

Capacity is temporarily limited to help maintain social distancing and safety protocols. To enter the Arch Visitor Center, the NPS is temporarily requiring a free timed-entry ticket.

Tickets for the Tram Ride to the Top are required and must be purchased online or by phone.

For individuals needing assistance with making reservations, contact the call center at 877-982-1410. Staff will be available to answer questions in the west entrance plaza in front of the Arch Visitor Center during facility hours of operation.

Visitors to the Arch must enter the monument at the new glass west entrance, which faces the Old Courthouse. The Arch legs are exits only, providing great opportunities for photo ops with the Arch structure and direct access to the park grounds.

Entrance to the Gateway Arch Visitor Center and Museum is free but will temporarily require a reservation and timed-entry ticket.

Gateway Arch National Park does not have designated on-site visitor parking. A list of parking locations near the park can be found at getaroundstl.com. Metered street parking is also available around the park.

The Old Courthouse remains closed at this time.

Outdoor spaces at Gateway Arch National Park remain accessible to the public in accordance with the latest federal, state and local health guidelines.

The health and safety of visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. Gateway Arch National Park’s operational approach continues to be centered on examining each facility function and service to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and are regularly monitored. The park continues to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public areas and workspaces are safe and clean.

The NPS encourages visitors to plan their visit by checking the park’s website and social media for current conditions and travel tips. The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Gateway Arch National Park asks the public to partner in recreating responsibly by following CDC and state and local guidance, social distancing and wearing a face covering when social distance cannot be maintained.

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on the website at nps.gov/jeff and social media channels (@GatewayArchNPS). Updates about NPS operations will be posted on nps.gov/coronavirus.

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Aound Town

September 16, 2020 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

‘COUNTED’ from cover Florissant showed a rate of 72.4 percent; in 2010 the rate reached 77.3 percent.

“Once we start seeing the impact of the ‘non-response follow-up’ responses the rates should go up considerably. We want to encourage residents who have not responded to go online to 2020census.gov or if they still have their form at home – make sure they fill out that form and get it in the mail. It (must) be postmarked no later than Sept. 30. It (must) be received by our processing center no later than Oct. 7.

If they get a knock at the door or if someone comes by their home for an interview and they don’t respond, at least look at the (Notice of Visit) with information (enumerators) will (leave), which will include how they can respond so that we can make sure that we have 100 percent participation – that’s our goal.”

www.treesbywoody.net

www.oasisnet.org/covid

Though enumerators inform the homes they visit that it requires approximately 10 minutes for them to interview and enter the information from an occupant, Johnson shared that it took her under six minutes to self-respond by completing the questionnaire that came in the mail. For citizens concerned about using the names of household members on the questionnaire, the questionnaire does allow the usage of pseudo names, although Johnson stated that the intake of information is extremely innovative in making sure that data is protected and that the bureau follows “confidentiality guidelines to the highest level of protection for households.”

Taking the census in a pandemic The bureau’s major challenge for beginning its field process was having to adapt to different procedures for COVID-19.

Johnson stated, “We did start our self-response on time in March, and we’ve continued with that self-response period. When we first got started, one of the challenges was that unemployment was at an all-time low. We had some recruiting challenges – encouraging people to apply for jobs. We have (extremely) competitive rates. Once we started to get our recruiting numbers up then COVID-19 happened and (we) had challenges (such as) encouraging people to take the jobs and stay on the jobs. But we try to be extremely creative in terms of how we entice the enumerators to stay on board. We’ve included some incentives for them in terms of bonuses and travel.”

Johnson stated that all enumerators were trained to ensure they follow CDC guidelines to protect those they visit as well as themselves, which includes wearing a mask. Other sources also state that enumerators were pre-scheduled for their civil swearing-in (confidentiality) and employment onboarding process in a manner that ensured social distancing.

Training for field work was conducted online from home and via role-play conference calls. “(We want) the public (to) know that we are following the CDC guidelines and that staff are extremely trained in how they are approaching every household.

Some people may not want an enumerator to knock on their door. In those cases, we are encouraging those households to make sure they are self-responding either online or by phone. (However), when our staff go out, they are maintaining social distance. We’ve tried to round out those type of challenges with very tight training and protocols that all of our staff must maintain.”

A long-lasting impact Johnson stressed the importance of every home completing a census questionnaire.

“We’ve got over $675 billion that flows through our communities every single year – that equals trillions of dollars over

a decade,” stated Johnson.

Johnson went on to explain that federal funds provided due to census data go to head start programs, Pell Grant programs for college students, programs that impact seniors, as well as funding for roads and bridges. She placed an emphasis on the census data impacting each state’s congressional representation. “(It is) extremely important (to) our communities that we have that correct representation in Washington,” stated Johnson. “There’s a lot at stake when you think about the decennial only comes around once every 10 years – this is your one time in 10 years that you have an opportunity for your voice to be heard by being counted. Once that window closes on Sept.

30 we will be done with the decennial. We deliver the data to the President of the United States on Dec. 31.

Next year we start the redistricting process; we will start providing that information to school districts and for our congressional representation. We (do not) want our children to lose out on funding for lunch programs, etc. – things that are so beneficial to a lot of our children, particularly children of color. We want to make sure that households understand the impact of not being counted.”

The work of nonprofits can be greatly impacted by the presence or absence of census data. The demographic information from census questionnaires play a great role for funding requests by nonprofits in support of the communities they serve.

“If the data is not reflected in our communities the funding goes elsewhere,” stated Johnson. “People would be amazed at how the data is used, particularly for those community organizations or social service organizations that have to apply for grants through different funding sources. The first thing they ask you (on an application) is ‘what is the data?’ (The Census Bureau) has the highest quality of data out of just about all data sources.”

Answering the call While some residences may have already completed their census, it is important to note that an enumerator may visit a residence seeking a confidential proxy count for a nearby home where there has been no response after numerous attempts. Another instance of a visit may occur if the Census Bureau has not received a response for the address where the current occupant moved in after April 1. In the latter scenario it is pertinent that the resident be specific in informing the enumerator that their questionnaire was completed at a prior address (if applicable). This information allows the enumerator to seek relative April 1 information for the address they are visiting.

Johnson states, “Sometimes we get calls (asking), ‘Is this truly a census worker at my door?’ We recognize the environment that we are in right now, so we want the public (to) know that our staff have clear identifiers – a certified badge with a watermark that should always be present. Those badges have expiration dates on them. They will sometimes carry a census satchel bag that has clear identification that they are a census employee. If people are in doubt (about) who’s knocking on their door they can always call our local office at 312-579-1500 and ask to speak to a Census Bureau representative.”

Census questionnaires can be completed when calling 844-330-2020. For assistance in Spanish call 844468-2020. Lines are open 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • September 16, 2020

Around Town

5

Boys & Girls More African-American blood donors urgently needed to help Clubs of sickle cell patients and help save lives Greater St. The American Red Cross is emphasizing the unique role Afri- nic groups, and because of this, sickle cell disease patients are more can-American blood donors play in the medical treatment of those likely to find a compatible blood match from a blood donor who is Louis’ annual living with sickle cell disease during Sickle Cell Awareness Month African American.

September. Right now, more African-American blood donors More information about blood and diversity is available on the gala converted this are critically needed to help patients battling sickle cell disease as Red Cross website. blood drives – especially those at schools, colleges and universities Upcoming blood donation opportunities: Saint Louis County to outdoor – continue to be canceled at alarming rates.

• 9/16/2020: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., St Louis Area Chapter American Red tailgate Last spring, more African-American blood donors gave at Red Cross, 10195 Corporate Square The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) annual Great Futures Gala, will be held on Oct. 29 in the upper Muny Lot in Forest Park, tailgate and outdoor movie style.

The now outdoor gala will include all of the favorite elements of past galas, but under the stars. The club is transforming the upper Muny lot in Forest Park to a 70’s themed tailgate gala that will consist of a center stage with large outdoor movie screens, an emcee, dueling DJ’s, musical entertainment and dinner.

Within this enclosed area, people will enjoy the 2020 gala from the privacy and comfort of their cars allowing for more distancing in a safer social environment. Guests will hear the dreams and aspirations of these young leaders and stories of how Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis has influenced their lives.

The “Great Futures Gala” is the largest fundraiser benefitting youth at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis and showcases the youth who embody the ideals of the club’s mission to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Club teens and Youth of the Year candidates will share their stories of how the club has impacted their lives throughout the evening followed by the selection of the 2021 Youth of the Year.

Event proceeds are used to send teens to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Keystone Leadership Conference as well as provided support for the Diplomas to Degrees program, Mentor St. Louis, Keystone Clubs, Money Matters and Career Launch programs.

For ticket information, visit www.bgcstl.org.

Cross blood drives held at educational institutions than at any other blood drive location type. As drives across the country canceled this spring due to coronavirus concerns, the number of African-American blood donors giving at these schools decreased from over 15,000 in 2019 to about 2,700 this year. Drives at educational institutions make up the largest percentage of fall blood drive cancellations, so the need for more African-American blood donors for sickle cell patients is expected to remain urgent.

“Sickle cell disease profoundly impacts the quality of life of those living with this inherited blood disorder, and your blood donation could be the donation that helps a patient keep fighting,” said Dr. Yvette Miller, executive medical director, Red Cross Blood Services.

“The pandemic hasn’t stopped the need for transfusions for sickle cell patients. The Red Cross encourages eligible donors to roll up a sleeve and share their strength with patients during Sickle Cell Awareness Month.”

More African-American blood donors are urged to make a blood donation appointment by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

How donations from African-American blood donors help sickle cell patients About 100,000 people in the U.S., most of whom are of African or Latino descent, are living with sickle cell disease, making it the most common genetic blood disease in the country. Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to be sticky, hard and crescent-shaped instead of soft and round. This makes it difficult for blood to flow smoothly and carry oxygen to the rest of the body, which may lead to severe pain, tissue and organ damage, acute anemia and even strokes.

Blood transfusion helps sickle cell disease patients by increasing the number of normal red blood cells in the body, helping to deliver oxygen and unblock blood vessels. Patients with sickle cell disease depend on blood that must be matched very closely – beyond the A, B, O and AB blood types – to reduce the risk of complications.

Some of these rare blood types are unique to specific racial and eth-

• 9/16/2020: 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Florissant Meadow’s Shopping Center, 740 N. Highway 67 • 9/17/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., St Louis Area Chapter American Red Cross, 10195 Corporate Square • 9/17/2020: 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Florissant Meadow’s Shopping Center, 740 N. Highway 67 • 9/18/2020: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Bethesda Dilworth, 9645 Big Bend Rd • 9/18/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., St Louis Area Chapter American Red Cross, 10195 Corporate Square • 9/21/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Mary Queen of Peace, 676 Lockwood Avenue • 9/21/2020: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Zion United Methodist Church, 1603 Union Road • 9/22/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Drury Inn & Suites Brentwood, 8700 Eager Road • 9/22/2020: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Assumption Catholic Church, 4725 Mattis Rd. • 9/23/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Craig Elementary, 1485 Craig Rd • 9/23/2020: 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Florissant Meadow’s Shopping Center, 740 N. Highway 67 • 9/24/2020: 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Florissant Meadow’s Shopping Center, 740 N. Highway 67 • 9/25/2020: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Greater North County Chamber of Commerce, 420 W Washington Street • 9/25/2020: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn St. Louis Airport, 4450 Evans Pl • 9/25/2020: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Crestwood Elks Lodge 2503, 10261 Bauer Road • 9/29/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Marriott - St Louis West, 660 Maryville Centre Drive • 9/29/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Boulevard- Richmond Heights, 26 The Boulevard • 9/30/2020: 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Florissant Meadow’s Shopping Center, 740 N. Highway 67

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Senior Living

September 16, 2020 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

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CARES Act – take advantage now to help your favorite charities

By Mike Bauhof, ALS Association of St. Louis Regional Chapter The CARES Act has been a topic of much discussion over the last few months. Passed in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act included a number of provisions intended to help America face the economic uncertainty created by the

crisis.

And while there is ongoing discussion in Congress about some of the provisions of the CARES Act that have expired or will expire soon, it is worth remembering that the CARES Act included a number of provisions that do not expire until the end of 2020, including many incentives that provide benefits for those looking to make charitable gifts during this time to support non-profit organizations, including The ALS Association St. Louis Regional Chapter.

For many individuals or families who don’t itemize deductions on their taxes, the benefit that is most readily available is the ability to deduct charitable contributions up to $300 from your 2020 taxes. This allows you to bring down your taxable income by $300.

For those who do itemize, there are benefits as well. For 2020 taxes, the adjusted gross income (AGI) charitable deduction cap has been waived, allowing those who itemize to deduct contributions up to 100 percent of their AGI. And any unused contribution deductions on your 2020 taxes can be carried forward up to five years. At least one member of our Chapter Board of Directors found this provision would allow him to make pledged donations sooner, which ended up benefiting both him and our chapter.

The CARES Act also includes provisions for some businesses to deduct a higher amount of their charitable contributions than normal.

And of course, those ongoing discussions in Congress mean it is possible that new legislation may provide more opportunities to enhance your charitable giving to your benefit. As always, you should consult with a professional financial advisor to determine what is best for your personal situation. If we can be of any assistance as you craft your own giving plan that benefits you and your family, please contact Katie McGovern at kmcgovern@alsastl.org or 314-4327257, ext. 222.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • September 16, 2020

School

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STLCC Foundation receives funds to establish endowed scholarship for health care careers The St. Louis Community College Foundation has received a contribution from BJC HealthCare to establish the Valerie Bell and Kelvin Westbrook Endowed Scholarship for Health Care Careers. The gift was made to recognize Kelvin’s longstanding board service to BJC HealthCare and to support the vision of Valerie and Kelvin to improve opportunities for young people.

This scholarship fund is established by BJC HealthCare in honor of Valerie Bell and Kelvin Westbrook and will encourage and inspire deserving students to earn a degree in a health care career path at St. Louis Community College. It covers tuition and books for a year and will follow the selected student to graduation if that student remains in good standing.

“We are honored and humbled by BJC’s generous gift to the STLCC Foundation to assist students pursuing careers in health care professions,” said Jeff L. Pittman, Ph.D., STLCC chancellor. “Increasing accessibility to scholarships increases opportunities for our students to enroll and persist in a health care career pathway, particularly during this pandemic. We are grateful for BJC’s generous investment in our students and in transforming today’s students into tomorrow’s health care professionals.”

STLCC now trains the vast majority of nurses and allied health care workers in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The College’s Center for Nursing and Health Sciences is home to approximately 900 students in nursing and 13 other high-demand health science professions. The college recently expanded the capacity of its nursing program by more than 50 percent. The emergency medical technician and ultrasound technology programs have also expanded to meet demand.

Rich Liekweg, CEO of BJC HealthCare, said the scholarship fund will enhance STLCC’s ability to train quality healthcare professionals as well as increase diversity in the medical professions to better serve pa-

tients throughout the region.

“Kelvin Westbrook is one of BJC’s longest serving board members, retiring as board chair in December 2019. Together, Kelvin and Valerie have devoted so much of their time and energy to helping to improve health care and education in our region,” said Liekweg.

“BJC is pleased to be able to reflect both of their passions with the establishment of the Valerie Bell and Kelvin Westbrook Endowed Scholarship for Health Care Careers.”

At STLCC, more than 59 percent of students receive financial assistance, with unmet student financial aid topping $40 million.

A respected attorney and civic volunteer, Bell is passionate about public education. She is a former member of the St. Louis Community College Foundation Board of Directors. She is a current member and past chair of the board of the St. Louis Public Schools Foundation.

Westbrook is president and CEO of KRW Advisors, LLC. KRW Advisors provides strategic and general business and consulting services to companies in telecommunications, media and other industries. He serves on the boards of several public companies. Westbrook has provided valuable insight into helping STLCC grow its commitment to developing trained health care professionals for the region.

“Community colleges, including STLCC, perform a special service by providing postsecondary educational opportunities for many whose circumstances put them on a nontraditional path to college education,” he said. “In fact, community college facilitated my journey to becoming the first among 11 siblings to graduate college and Harvard Law School, and to a successful legal practice in New York City and business career in St. Louis. We are hopeful the funding from BJC will assist others from similar backgrounds in pursuit of careers in healthcare.”

Bell and Westbrook, who married after meeting at Harvard Law School, will select the

scholarship recipient with recommendations from the student’s academic program lead.

They will meet the first scholarship recipient, as well as attend the student’s graduation or pinning ceremony.

Recipients must meet the following criteria: 1. Be currently enrolled at STLCC and pursuing a degree in a health care career pathway.

the standard federal needs analysis formula.

5. Preference will be given to students of color.

6. Recipient will be required to send a note of thanks to the donor as a condition of receiving the award and agree to meet with the donors at a

mutually agreed upon time.

Students must complete a scholarship application and submit other materials as required to the financial aid office. Applications are available on the STLCC Foundation Scholarship website.

2. Complete a scholarship application.

3. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and be in good standing.

4. Demonstrate unmet financial need as determined by the financial aid office under

www.stlukes-stl.com/urgent-care

8

What’s Happening

September 16, 2020 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

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

Chelsey Banaskavich at 314-513-1674 or cbanaskavich@jfcs-stl.org.

Take notice . . .

The events listed in this section are the latest updates as of press time, please check with individual sites for the most up to date cancellations and reschedule info.

EVENTS

RECURRING EVENTS

Sept. 19: Creative lab and open mic

Weekdays: Food pantry volunteers needed

North County Writing & Arts Network creative lab and open mic takes place at 11 a.m. on Zoom. Text or email to attend for meeting link and guidelines to 314-210-4774, nocowan@yahoo.com or join on MeetUp.

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

Weekdays: Tax filing program volunteers

Seeking greeters, appointment schedulers, and tax preparers to assist older adults in the St. Louis County Tax Filing Program. Training and mileage reimbursement is provided.

For more information and to start the volunteer application process, contact the County Older Resident Programs and ask for Mike Nickel at 314-615-4021.

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: TOPS meeting

Come, join and take off those extra pounds. T.O.P.S.=Take Off Pounds Sensibly has meetings on Monday nights at 7 p.m. (weigh in begins at 6:35 p.m.) 9135 Shelley Avenue, Overland, MO 63114. (Entrance is in the back on East Milton). TOPS is a very inexpensive way to lose weight.

You may visit a meeting for free. Any questions please call Dan Agee at 314-540-5223.

Mondays: Choral Arts Singers practice

Choral Arts Singers resume practice on Mondays, at 7 p.m. at Transfiguration Episcopal Church, 1860 Lake St. Louis Blvd. in Lake St. Louis. New singers are welcome. Auditions are not required.

See www.concertarts.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.

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.

Mondays: Korean War Veterans Association meeting

If you had military service in Korea between Sept. 3, 1945 and the present you are cordially invited to a meeting of Chapter 4, North County Korean War Veterans Association. Meetings take place at the VFW Post 4105 at 410 St. Francois in Florissant on the second Monday of the month, starting at 7 p.m. For more information contact Walter Kaiser at 314-921-2132.

For a limited period the Chapter will pay for one (1) year membership for new members.

Mondays-Thursdays: Volunteers needed

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

Tuesdays: A cappella singers

The Gentlemen of Sound are looking for men who like to sing or want to learn. They practice Tuesdays at Lady of the Pillar school at 401 S. Lindbergh from 7 – 9 p.m. They try to do public events monthly. Always looking for new members. Come by or call Charlie at 314-954-1121.

Tuesdays: Chair Zumba

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

Tuesdays: Celebrate Recovery

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

Tuesdays: 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: Vietnam Veterans Association meeting

Chapter 794 Vietnam Veterans Association meets on the third Tuesday of each month at VFW Post 4105 at 410 St. Francois in Florissant. Meetings start at 7 p.m. For more information contact Walter Kaiser at 314-9212132. Chapter will pay for one (1) year membership for new members.

Tuesdays: TOPS pounds sensibly)

(Take

off

From 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. located at John

F. Kennedy Center/Henry Koch Ctr., Howdershell Rd. at Charbonier Rd., Florissant. For more info contact Paul McConnell, 314-831-5476.

2nd Tuesday Sept.-June: Showme Stitchers:

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

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

6:30pm, Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335, at the Bellefontaine Neighbors Community Center at 9669 Bellefontaine Rd. Those interested in membership are invited to attend.

Every Tuesday: Bingo Evening at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316

Doors at 4:30 p.m., games begin at 6pm, Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant. For more information, call 314921-2316.

Wednesdays: Bingo

Bingo takes place every Wednesday at American Legion Post 338 at 9655 Midland Blvd. in Overland. Doors open at 5 p.m. For more information contact Chairman Ed Hilleman at 314-660-1813.

Wednesdays: Bingo

Life Care Center of Bridgeton, at 12145 Bridgeton Square in Bridgeton, welcome all to Community Bingo every last Wednesday of the month at 2:30 p.m. Light refreshment will be served. Please RVSP at 314-298-7444 with the month you will attend and number of people attending.

Wednesdays: TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrews United Methodist Church at 3975 N. Hwy 67 in Florissant. For more information contact Norma at 314-306-4731.

Every Wednesday: Bingo Morning at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316

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

Doors at 7:30 a.m., games begin at 9:30 a.m. For more information, call 314-921-2316.

Bridgeton Trails Library Branch Programs:

3455 McKelvey Rd., St. Louis, 314994-3300. 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.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • September 16, 2020 Every 1st Wednesday of the Month: Stroke Support Group

3-4 p.m., Center for Senior Renewal, Detrick Building 1st floor, 11133 Dunn Rd. For more information, contact Jamie Stevens at 314-653-5331.

Thursdays: Bingo

Community Bingo at the Bridge At Florissant, at 1101 Garden Plaza Drive (intersection of Parker and Arlington) takes place on the third Thursday of each month starts at 2 p.m. There will be snacks and prizes. For more information call 314-831-0988.

Thursdays: Quilting guild

Every third Thursday of the month the Flower Valley Quilting Guild meets at 7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church at 123 Carson Road in Ferguson.

Thursdays: Blood pressure 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.

Thursdays: meeting

Women’s

chorus

Every Thursday City Voices Chorus, a women’s chorus singing four-part a cappella harmony, meets at Church of the Good Shepherd at 1166 S. Mason Rd. in St. Louis. Members come from the entire bi-state region. Call Marcia at 636-274-0723 for more information or visit www.cityvoiceschorus.org.

Fridays: Fish fry

A fish fry takes place every Friday at American Legion Post 338 at 9655 Midland Blvd. in Overland from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information contact Chairman Ed Hilleman at 314660-1813.

Every Friday: Our Lady of Fatima #4429 Knights of Columbus Bingo

6:45 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 1216 Teson Rd. in Hazelwood. For more information call 314-731-9330.

Every 3rd Friday of the month: Bingo 2 p.m., Life Care Center of Florissant, 1201 Garden Plaza Dr. For more information, call 314-831-3752.

Saturdays: Yoga

Yoga returns to Calvary UCC at 2501 Hartland Avenue, on Saturdays from 10:30-11:30. Masks and social distancing are required in the building and participants should bring hand sanitizer with them. For further information call Angela at 314-801-8594.

Saturdays: Toastmasters meeting

Everyone is welcome to attend Toastmasters Saturdays 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Normandy United Methodist Church at 8001 Natural Bridge Road (across from UMSL). For more info call 314402-7025.

Saturdays: Free walk-in clinic

Salam Clinic at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ at 1425 Stein Road at West Florissant in Ferguson is a free walk-in clinic open Saturdays from 11

a.m. – 1 p.m. The clinic is jointly sponsored by the Muslim Community of St. Louis (MCSL) and St. Peter’s United Church of Christ to provide basic adult medical screening, treatment and referrals free of charge for the uninsured. For more information or if you would be interested in volunteering, please call 314-521-5694 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Monday – Friday or visit www.stpeterschurch.org

Saturdays: Clothing sale

On the second Saturday of each month Bethany-Peace UCC at 11952 Bellefontaine Rd. in St. Louis County hosts a clothing sale from 9 - 11 a.m. For sale are used clothing and shoes, some household items, books and toys. Fill your bag for $1.

Saturdays: Grief support

On the fourth Saturday of each month, grief support meeting “A Way With Words Ministry” meets at 12:30 p.m. at Community Christ Fellowship, rear, at 121 Williams Blvd. in Hazelwood, 1/4 mile south of Hwy 270 off Florissant Rd. There are a variety of topics monthly. You are not alone. Come help your heart heal with others. For more information call 314-605-3949.

Every Fourth Saturday’s Writer’s Workshop

10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Baden Library, at 8448 Church Rd. For more information call 314-388-2400.

Come and enjoy the meat shoots at American Legion Post 4445 located on 17090 Old Jamestown Rd. between Sinks Rd. and Lindbergh starting noon Sept. 15 thru Nov. 17; and in the spring, Feb. 2 thru March 8 rain or shine. Great meat prizes awarded.

Sundays: AMVETS meat shoot

Sundays in September through April, AMVETS Post 55, located on 8842 Natural Bridge Rd. in Bel-Ridge will be hosting meat shoots with practice beginning at 11 a.m. and rounds starting at noon. Shooters must be 18 or older and will shoot #9’s with no bull barrels or scopes and 675 minimum chokes. The shooting area is indoors and food and drink are available in the club room. For more information, contact 314-630-2671 or 314-330-7269.

Jennings

Every Mon. & Tues.: Healthy Meal Replacement (HMR) Program Orientation

Mondays: 6–7pm Tuesdays: Noon– 1pm SSM DePaul Wellness Center.

Attend a free orientation to learn: the Five Success Variables needed to lose weight, different diet options available and how important physical activity really is. Please call to register at 1-877-477-6954.

1st Tuesday of Every Month: Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group Meeting

Meeting to be held at Sarah Care of Bridgeton Adult Day Center 11977 St. Charles Rock Road, Suite 121-124, Bridgeton, MO 63044. Join our Support Group for Mutual, Emotional Support and Education. You are not alone. For information, contact Deborah Mabrie at 314-291-5210 or Ferd Fetsch at 314-291-3021 Email: dbland@ sarahcare.com ferdfetsch@sbcglobal. net.

Every third Tuesday of every month: Grief Support Group sponsored by DePaul Hospital 11:30am-1pm, Maryland Hgts. Comm.

Ctr., 2300 McKelvey Rd. For more information, call 314-344-6873.

Wednesdays: ACES Schizophrenia Support Group 6:30 - 7:30pm, 314-839-3171.

Sundays: Meat shoot

Sundays: meeting

HEALTH

Do-Dads

The Jennings Do-Dads hold meetings every third Sunday of the month (except June which is the second Sunday and no meeting in December) at 1 p.m. at Classics Bar & Grill at 11601 West Florissant Avenue. Those interested in membership are invited to attend. For more information visit www.jenningsdodads.org.

CHURCH Tuesdays & Thursdays: Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church GriefShare Support Group

Tuesdays from 2 - 4pm and Thursday from 6:30 - 8:30pm, 11645 Benham Rd., 314-741-3737

Sundays: Alcoholics Anonymous Group 109

11th floor conference room at Christian Hospital, 10am, 11133 Dunn Road.

Diabetes Basics:

314-344-7024 for info or 314-344-7220 to enroll.

Crisis Nursery:

Committed to preventing child abuse and neglect, the Crisis Nursery provides short-term, safe havens to children, birth through age 12, whose families are faced with an emergency or crisis. Care is available year-round and

What’s Happening

serves families throughout the greater St. Charles region. 24-hour helpline: 314-768-3201. Or 636-947-0600, www. crisisnurserykids.org

Center for Senior Renewal:

Day treatment programs for older adults dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, loss and early signs of dementia, 314653-5123.

Nutrition Education:

SSM DePaul registered dieticians can help you make sure your diet is right for you, 314-344-6157.

Christian Center:

Hospital

Recovery

Outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment for adults, 314953-8100.

Volunteers Needed at Christian Hospital: Call 314-653-5032 Nicotine Anonymous

Nicotine Anonymous is a 12 Step Program, free and available to all seeking recovery from nicotine addiction based on principals of AA. Only requirement is a desire to stop using nicotine. Voluntary contributions are accepted. For further info call 314-822-2066 or visit www.

Nicotine-Anonymous.org.

Look Good…Feel Better

SSM Cancer Care at DePaul Health Center, 12303 DePaul Drive. Radiation OncologyBridgeton. Attend a great makeup session sponsored by the American Cancer Society. A licensed cosmetologist teaches a session of scarf tying, shows a SUDOKU answers from page F-1

9

parade of hats, and provides each participant with a makeup kit. Light refreshments are served. Info: 314-344-6090.

SilverSneakers Senior Wellness Program at the Maryland Heights Centre

A fun, energizing program that helps older adults take greater control of their health by encouraging physical activity and offering social events. A Silver Sneakers membership includes access to the city’s Fitness Centre with stateof-the-art fitness equipment and circuit training. Membership is available at little or no cost through your health plan.

To find out if you are eligible, visit www. silversneakers.com or call 314-738-2599.

Smoking Cessation Classes:

Free ongoing 8-week sessions, 866-SSMDOCS to register or for more information.

SSM DePaul Wellness Center:

Classes available on strength training, nutrition and smoking cessation, 314344-6177

Free Mammogram Screenings:

SSM Health Care free mammogram screenings to women who have no health insurance. Appointments at 300 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles and SSM St. Joseph Hospital West, 100 Medical Plaza in Lake Saint Louis, 636-947-5617

Speaker’s Bureau:

SSM speakers available for organizations, clubs, community and church groups for up to one hour free of charge, 636-949+7159 CROSSWORD answers from page F-4

10

Sports

September 16, 2020 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Sports you see with Gary B...

UMSL golf teams will play tournaments The University of Missouri-St. Louis men and women’s golf teams will proceed with fall schedules, with each playing three tournaments.

The women will open the season at the UIndy Women’s Invitational in Indianapolis the week of Sept. 14. That will mark the first UMSL Athletics event since March 13, when the remainder of spring sports was cancelled.

The second women’s tourney will be Oct. 4-5 at Dan Salisbury Memorial in Springfield, Illinois.

The men also open their schedule in Indianapolis at the Brickyard Invitational later in the month on Sept.

28-29.

The second men’s tourney will be Oct. 12-13 at the Midwest Regional at Fox Run in Eureka, Missouri.

Both teams will close out the fall season at the Bearcat Dual Gender in Caseyville, Illinois, Oct. 19-20. * And it begins Bandits putting indoor football team together for February Coach Jeff Hunt who has many years behind the bench for several different indoor football teams over the years, has been putting coordinating all the details to have an entertaining and successful organization. Play is scheduled to start February or March depending on the virus situation.

Coach and his group are presently looking for a venue to show off all the hard work they have put together forming this venture. The Family Arena in St. Charles is an obvious indoor field choice but all options are being considered.

The league will be the American Arena League that is a minor professional indoor football league that began playing in 2018.

A merger between Arena Pro Football and the Can-Am Indoor Football League initiated the league, although it claimed only the APF history after the former Can-Am founder left the league.

The team count is at 13 but expansion can see it escalate higher before the start of the season in 2021.

For more details go to www.AmericanArenaLeague.com to get the in-depth highlights.

Go to www.StLouisBanditsFootball.com for more information. * A lot to put together

Soccer legend coaching at SCC The St. Charles Community College has hired Daryl Doran for the 2020-2021 season as the women’s soccer head coach.

Doran played indoor soccer and his 827 games are the most of any player in American professional indoor soccer history. He previously coached the St. Louis Ambush in the Major Arena Soccer League from 2013-2015.

Doran grew up in St. Louis, where he attended Christian Brothers College high school from 1977 to 1980. He was a four-year starter with the school’s Varsity soccer team, finishing his career with 35 goals and 31 assists.

Doran was named All-State three times and named Parade All-American twice.

The local St. Louis Steamers of the Major Indoor Soccer League drafted him when he was in high school, but he declined the offer, and instead graduated from St. Louis University.

In December 1980, the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the second round of the North American Soccer League draft selected him.

The Steamers again drafted Doran during his freshman year of college. This time, he left college and turned professional. * Talent added to the staff

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.

www.langinsurance.com

www.mycnews.com • Community News • September 16, 2020

Recipe:

A ‘meatless Monday’ family meal

Feature

F-1

– 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.

Meatless Cheesy Burrito Bake Ingredients: 2 tablespoons canola oil 2 bell peppers, sliced 1 medium onion, sliced 1 teaspoon cumin 2 cups water 1 cup brown rice, uncooked 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk, divided 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles, undrained 1 can (16 ounces) refried beans

peppers, onion and cumin until tender.

6 wheat tortillas (8 inches)

In saucepan, add water and brown rice.

Cook 45 minutes.

salsa (optional) guacamole (optional) Directions: Heat oven to 350 F. In large skillet, heat canola oil. Cook

In saucepan, add 1 1/4 cups evaporated milk, shredded cheese and green chilies.

Cook over medium heat until cheese is melted and smooth. Stir 3/4 cheese mixture in with rice; set remaining cheese sauce aside.

In medium bowl, add refried beans and remaining evaporated milk. Microwave 3-4 minutes.

Lay out tortillas and layer: refried bean mixture, rice mixture and pepper-onion mixture. Roll into burritos and place in baking pan. Top burritos with remaining cheese sauce. Bake 20-25 minutes.

Garnish with salsa and guacamole, if desired.

Find more creative family dinner inspiration at Culinary.net

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9

A tale of two movies: ‘Mulan’ and ‘Tenet’

G

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.

oing into 2020, Hollywood’s movie pipeline was fully functional, especially for the Walt Disney Studios. After a blockbuster year filled with hits such as “Avengers: Endgame,” a new adaptation of “The Lion King” and the latest “Toy Story” sequel, the new year promised more of the same with Pixar’s “Soul” and Scarlett Johansson starring in a solo “Black Widow” adventure.

Things don’t always go as planned, however. By mid-March, movie theaters had closed their doors and families sheltered at home. Highly anticipated releases like “Wonder Woman 1984” saw their opening dates shifted multiple times while streaming services gained in popularity. Universal Studios even made a bold move to release “Trolls: World Tour” as a Premium Video-On-Demand option instead of waiting for theaters to reopen.

With the growing popularity of “Pop-Up” drive-ins, some critics argued that traditional indoor movie theaters might be on the way out.

It took an actor like Russell Crowe, however, to show that the theatrical experience is still a viable option for some fans. As Kim Willis of USA Today pointed out, Crowe’s road rage thriller “Unhinged” enjoyed a wide release on

told the story of a young woman who disguised herself as a man to take her father’s place in the Chinese army. The live-action adaptation was supposed to debut in theaters in March, but it ultimately landed on the studio’s in-house streaming service Disney+ for $30 for unlimited viewings.

After some delay and an intriguing movie trailer, Nolan’s “Tenet,” finally debuted in the United States ‘Mulan’ photo courtesy Walt Disney Studios in time for Labor Day Weekend.

John David Washington (“Mon1,823 screens, indicating that movie fans would sters and Men”) plays a character called the Protagonist who is recruited by an organizaindeed leave home to see something new.

By this time on the movie calendar, the big tion called “Tenet” to help humanity survive. summer releases would have left theaters and Nolan’s complex film has brought in more than been available on DVD and Blu-ray. Suffice it $150 million worldwide thus far but may not to say, it’s been a bumpy ride for movie fans, make the break-even point.

Based on the cinematic trajectories of “Mutheater owners and studios waiting for venues to reopen. Over the last several weeks, hopes lan” and “Tenet,” it’s hard to tell if movie fans were pinned on two films: Disney’s “Mulan” are truly ready to come back to theaters in the and Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet.” Each movie current climate. With Disney examining the had its own built-in fanbase and were expected viability of their Disney + platform, the stuto have big opening weekends before the lock- dio may release more of their films on that platform. The box office results of “Tenet” do downs.

Still riding the animation wave that started show, however; that traditional theaters have with “The Little Mermaid” in 1989, Disney re- not fallen out of favor. Only time will tell at leased “Mulan” in 1998. Based on the folk song this point.

“The Ballad of Mulan,” the animated adventure

F-2

Feature

September 16, 2020 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

COLLECTIBLES

HELP WANTED

SINGERS WANTED

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

Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days, then publish. Your prayers will be answered.

It has never been known to fail.

Thank you, St. Jude. K.B.

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SERVICES PET CEMETERY

over 4,000 pet burials; over 6 acres; over 60 yrs old. 314-576-3030 www.memoryparkpetcemetery.info www.memoryparkpetcemetery.info

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45

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“Stuff” Piling Up? Let us help advertise your sale!

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$15 each additional week after that. $30 for a 1.5” x 2” CALL

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www.mycnews.com • Community News • September 16, 2020

Feature

F-3

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Dannegger Brothers Contracting, Inc • Foundation & Basement Repairs • Waterproofing • Piering • Mudjacking • Stress Bracing • Concrete Flatwork

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F-4

Feature

September 16, 2020 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Yeggs

John Hanna

CROSSWORD: BOTANY 101

‘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

T

Winds Of Change

he state I live in was recently hit with hurricane velocity winds. No, I am not in the hurricane section of the country. Yes, of course it should happen. And no, I should not even be questioning it and yes I should have expected it to also rain down angry unicorns because…2020. Duh! Nothing is out of the ordinary or surprising nowadays. Earlier in the year we experienced an out-of-the-blue 5.7 earthquake, which caused us to absolutely believe it was the official kickoff to the zombie apocalypse.

So naturally, after all else that we’ve been hit with, it would only seem likely that we should top it off with a freakish inland, waterless, cyclone! No angry unicorns though. 2020 you’re losing your touch.

And why should we expect less? We still have three and a half more months left of this plagued year and it isn’t quite done pulling its tricks. I sure wish the kid who plunked that cursed cartridge of Jumanji into their dusty old Atari game would do us all a favor and unplug it! But, not gonna happen, because it also created an extended timeout from school, which was the equivalent of a sixmonth long snow day.

So the weekend before the dark underworld let loose all its furry on us turned out to be a nice, peaceful, hot Labor Day weekend. My husband and I ventured out. We had a picnic in the canyon, complained about the heat then went home and got on about our business as regular people do.

The next day the temperature plunged from the high 80’s into the chilling 50’s with wind velocities reaching 90 mph, which equated to a category 1 hurricane.

Giant evergreens everywhere were shooting out

of the ground like Pop-Tarts from a toaster! The trees in our yard were stripped bare of their leaves and blown into the neighbor’s yards near and far. Total defoliation.

So now what? It appears that fall will be cancelled. We won’t have our usual Mt. Everest pile of leaves to rake and blow and bag and get back pain and charley horses and muscle cramps and…

Really?

That’s not so bad after all. 2020…losing your touch aren’t ya?

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.

ACROSS 1. One’s arbitrary assertion 6. “Swan Lake” step 9. Not Sunni 13. Mountaineer’s tool 14. Tolkien creature 15. Bebe Rexha’s “____ to Be” 16. Artificial or mannered 17. Snow runner 18. Nylon or Kevlar, in chemistry terms 19. Scooby-Doo’s best friend 21. *Between order and genus 23. *Marine botany is study of plants living here 24. 35mm, e.g.

25. Public health agency, acr.

28. Partner of void 30. Small lynx 35. Stewart and Blagojevich 37. Grazing lands 39. Jawaharlal ____ 40. g or cm 41. Smelling ____, athlete’s pick-me-upper 43. No neatnik 44. Lay to rest 46. They are hairy on a hobbit 47. Hefty volume 48. One in line, during COVID-19 pandemic

50. In the middle of 52. *Grain-bearing tip of a cereal plant 53. Cattle meat 55. Fleur-de-____ 57. *Pollinator attractors 60. *Food for a pollinator 63. One there at the beginning 64. Famous T-Rex 66. Lowest deck 68. Forearm bones 69. Cassius Clay, ____ Muhammad Ali 70. Private instructor 71. ____-do-well 72. Thus far 73. Inflict a blow DOWN 1. Female sib 2. “Hamlet” has five 3. Sure or uh-huh 4. “The Forsyte ____,” pl.

5. *Product of photosynthesis 6. One of a pocketful, according to Mother Goose 7. Genesis vessel 8. “The Matrix” genre 9. Highway hauler 10. Icy precipitation 11. Dr. Jones, fictional professor of archaeology, to friends 12. Filled up

15. Biblical personification of material wealth 20. Olden-day Celts 22. Priest’s robe 24. Blank leaf in a book 25. *Seed holder 26. “Death, Be Not Proud” poet 27. Mine passages 29. *Food manufacturer 31. Superlative of better 32. Actress Sevigny 33. Something in the air 34. *Potato, e.g.

36. Proofreader’s mark 38. *Plant support 42. “...he found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked ____” 45. Sales lure 49. Electric fish 51. *Not monocots 54. Piece of writing 56. Pull strings 57. Carpet attribute 58. Marine eagle 59. Russia’s famous Peter 60. Sans mixers 61. Choir voice 62. *Plant anchor 63. Good times 65. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s guitar 67. Prefix for prior

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