CN: September 28, 2022

By Wendy Todd

The Old Saint Ferdinand Shrine in Floris sant is one of the oldest Catholic locations west of the Mississippi and is considered an important part of the history of the area. It’s maintained by the Friends of Old St. Ferdi nand, Inc., a nonprofit that is currently in the process of restoring the church from the wa ter damage it incurred from a historic rainfall in late July.

According to the church, the rainfall flood ed the convent, church, rectory and school house with almost three feet of water. The

nonprofit is currently raising funds for resto ration and repair.

Anna Gettemeier Vogel, one of the volun teers at the shrine, described the damage and repairs that are needed.

“Everything that was under water will need to be torn out or carefully restored,” she said.

“For the school house, new drywall, paint, and all the furniture and appliances will be replaced. For the church, convent, and recto ry, the floor, statue pedestals, baptismal font and the confessional from the original church in the 1700’s will also need to be replaced.”

Other items became moldy and along with

the pews, altar and plastered walls will get cleaned. The electrical, heating and cooling will also need to be replaced.

The cost of repairs is still being estimated and the shrine’s restoration company is final izing bids.

“Construction and materials have changed a lot in 200 years,” Gettemeier Vogel said. “Shrine volunteers are compiling lists of the non-historic items to replace: signs, gift shop inventory, office furniture, tables and chairs, kitchen supplies and more.”

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With the extensive restoration and repairs that are needed, all services and events have been on hold. The hope is to have the book store reopened in a few months.

The community has rallied behind the ef forts. From lemonade stands and donation cans to organized fundraisers by the auto motive shop, The Pit Crew, Goeke’s Produce and Old Town Partners, the community has showed an outpouring of support for the shrine.

“We have had so many people reach out to offer to help clean, paint, build and repair over the last few weeks,” Gettemeier Vogel said. “They have not forgotten about us. It takes your breath away at the generosity of our community and what this place means to so many people.”

Gettemeier Vogel volunteers due to her love of history and all that the shrine has of fered the community since the 1700s. In ad dition to Gettemeier Vogel, the shrine holds significance for so many in Florissant and has been the location for momentous commem orations and occasions.

“For some the shrine is where their parents or grandparents were married,” Vogel said, “For others, it is one of the best examples of Federal architecture in the Midwest. There are others that love to learn the history of pi oneer days in this building before Missouri was even a state. Many students come to see

where DeSmet was ordained and where Bish op DuBourg spent so much time. It is such an important piece of U.S. history, right here in Florissant.”

The Old Saint Ferdinand Shrine is taking donations. More information can be found at www.oldstferdinandshrine.com.

Trouble seems to be everywhere these days, and some can try very hard to avoid it by not reading any newspapers or watching cable/broadcast news, yet even our social media brings in top trending stories – most of which are the big news troubles.

Worst yet, many group chats, comments and threads are discussions of the most troubling issues of the day. During cam paign season, candidate’s alarmist messages are plastered all over television, radio and social media (which means our phones) ad nauseum.

Parents of school-aged children and se niors seemed to be the most in-tune or on alert for societal trouble alerts and trends. These days, with 24-hour news cycles and social networks, the firehose pace of infor mation is exhausting. I didn’t even mention the constant health monitoring of personal devises such as fit bits. It’s a lot, like, a lot a lot to quote a zany local grocery ad. So,

what do we do in such times to stay calm?

As a professional faith leader, I am going to affirm and advocate stopping and reflect ing on your faith. There are many Psalms, such as the 103rd or a personal favorite, John 16:33, that will provide comfort.

For those who do not practice faith, I sug gest visiting the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. From the banks at the Edward “Ted” and Pat Jones Confluence Point State Park in West Alton; and the Lew is & Clark Confluence Tower (for a fee) you can quietly watch two mighty rivers merge together and calm the spirit. If nature can come together with such regularity, power and beauty, there’s hope we can too.

I will suggest appreciatively reflecting on the fact our water utilities capture, purify and provide that water to our taps and puri fies the water we use for sanitation daily will calmly produce gratitude. Everyone on this planet does not enjoy such service.

Then go from there, counting your bless ings during a commute to work, during a grocery store visit or a flight at the airport – yes, there is plenty to be grateful as a con temporary air traveler, air traffic control for one! I challenge you to try such a posture for a week and you will find a calm in these unsettling times.

Rodrick Burton is the pastor of New Northside Missionary Baptist Church, a member of the St. Louis Metropoli tan Clergy Coalition, the Ecumenical Leadership Council, St. Louis Initia tive to Reduce Violence (SIRV), Voices for Early Childcare Programs and a field education mentor at Covenant Theologi cal Seminary.

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. Rodrick Burton to stay calm in unsettled times

The Old Saint Ferdinand Shrine in Florissant suffered extensive flood damage from the record rainfall in July. Friends of Old St. Ferdinand, Inc. is currently in the process of restoring the church.

Submitted photos

The Knights of Columbus Duchesne Council #2951 and the city of Florissant will be co-sponsoring the last Food Truck Knight for the year on Friday, Oct. 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. on the lot near the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine located at 50 rue St. Francois.

The trucks will serve until 8 p.m. and performing at the October event will be Decades Apart which will be performing from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

The truck line up for the evening is: Destination Desserts, Doughboys, Ukraft, Zias, 2 Girls 4 Wheels, Truck Norris, Seoul Taco and Farm Truk.

Proceeds will benefit local nonprofit charities in cluding the TEAM Food Pantry. Patrons are also en couraged to bring non-perishable food items for col lection barrels that will be on site.

Chamber Music Society of St. Louis Announces changes for 2022-23 season

The Chamber Music Society of St. Louis (CMSSL) will have a new performance venue and new concert series name along with its 2022-23 season lineup.

The new 2022-23 season con cert home is the E. Desmond lee Concert Hall at the 560 Music Center (560 Trinity Avenue in University City). CMSSL will perform in the concert hall on Monday evenings.

The concert series also has a new name. The series is now called the Michael F. Neidorff Chamber Concert Series.

“Chamber Music Society of St. Louis is honored to pay tribute to the long legacy and generosity of Mi chael F. Neidorff with the naming of our concert series in his memory,” said Marc Gordon, executive and ar tistic director of CMSSL. “There is always an air of ex citement when we start a new season. This season, the anticipation is palpable as we announce not only the season lineup, but also our new performance home and series name.”

Following is the lineup for the Michael F. Neidorff Chamber Concert Series, playing at the E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall on Mondays at 7:30 p.m.:

• On Oct. 3, the season opens with “Some Roy al Noise,” a celebration of music by and for the crowned heads.

• Oct. 24, CMSSL presents “Without Borders,” a con cert featuring music from a variety of countries.

• November brings Maestro Leonard Slatkin on Nov. 7 leading CMSSL musicians in music by Dvořák, Gounod and Stravinsky as “The Winds Blow Back.”

• Some chamber music favorites are offered on “Play ing Favorites” on Nov. 28

• On Dec. 6, Beethoven’s birthday is celebrated with “Write on Ludwig,” a program of music inked by Beethoven and one work by a student of his.

• “A Visit to Vienna” on Jan. 23 offers music composed by composers who called this music capital home.

• “Lovefest Goes to The Movies” on Feb. 13 with CMSSL’s annual salute to romance through music that includes CMSSL musicians playing the music to a screening of the Buster Keaton silent movie “One Week.”

• Feb. 20 brings back our musical game show “Guess

Who - The Return” where the au dience vies for prizes by guessing the composers.

• Renowned British conductor and St. Louis favorite, Nicholas McGegan, returns to CMSSL for his annual visit on March 6 with a journey “From Baroque to Clas sical” featuring cellist Bjorn Ranheim in Haydn’s C Major Cello Concerto with music by Vivaldi, C.P.E. Bach and a Mozart symphony made famous in a movie.

• CMSSL string players welcome spring April 24 with “Spring String Fling.”

• May 8 is “Jazzing Up the Day for Mom” celebrat ing moms with a jazzy fun work about cuisine and the jazz piano duo of Stephanie Trick and Paolo Al derighi.

• The season closer on May 22, 2023 “All About You Again” a program of repertoire chosen by voting from CMSSL and Classic 107.3 listeners.

To learn more about the Michael F. Neidorff Cham ber Concert Series, visit chambermusicstl.org/concerts. Subscriptions and single tickets are on sale now and information is available online or by phone at 314941-6309.

CMSSL performances are also part of the Concert Pass Collaborative program providing free admission for students.

The 2022-23 CMSSL season also holds a number of events featuring students from CMSSL education pro grams, the fourth year of the Pillsbury Cookie Con cert series at the 560 Music Center as well as educa tion outreach concerts and the 12th year of the Master Class Series. This series of eight classes serves more than 30 St. Louis area schools and is free to students as well as the public to observe.

In addition to performances, CMSSL hosts pro grams to further educate area musicians. The Master Class Series offers students the chance to prepare and perform solo and chamber works, guided by a CMSSL artist. The CMSSL and The Community Music School of Webster University’s Preparatory Program have partnered for the Young Artists Chamber Program, which nurtures the next generation of chamber mu sic ensembles. Both programs are open to St. Louis area students and are free to qualified students. Visit chambermusicstl.org for more information.

City of Florissant and the Knights of Columbus Duchesne Council# 2951 co-sponsor food truck event

The East-West Gateway Council of Government Board of Directors has approved the modification of the FY 2023 – 2026 Transportation Improvement Pro gram (TIP) at their meeting in late August.

The city of Florissant was approved for the full amount for vehicles and operating assistance that was requested. The city will be awarded $162,328 to replace two senior buses and $95,159 for one year of operating assistance.

The grant application process was started in Septem ber of 2021.

MoDOT defines Future64 study’s purpose and need

The Federal Highway Administration (FWHA) has accepted the Purpose and Need statement for the Fu ture64 study.

This statement, developed by the Missouri Depart ment of Transportation (MoDOT) in conjunction with local, state and federal partners is one of the first big steps in the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) process. MoDOT is evaluating I-64 between Kingshighway and Jefferson where improvements are due in the corridor. Many of the interchanges are out dated and difficult to navigate, the bridges need reha bilitation and maintenance to ensure the corridor stays operational for the foreseeable future and to meet cur rent highway standards.

As a part of this study, the department is working with partners and stakeholders to look at all modes of transportation, since transit is currently present and plans for other bike and pedestrian trails are in the works. MoDOT’s intent is to reduce the role the inter state plays as a barrier to movement in the community as future transportation plan continue to be refined.

MoDOT has made data available to the public for in teractive exploration through the Future64.com web

Florissant enjoys successful Mayor’s Senior Town Hall meeting

On Sept. 15, Florissant Mayor Tim Low ery hosted the Mayor’s Senior Town Hall meeting at the James J. Eagan Center for seniors to be informed about progress in Florissant and to get an opportunity to speak with the city admin istration, city council members and other outside organizations.

Over 175 seniors were in attendance. The St. Catherine Retirement Community and DeSmet Retirement Community sponsored the break fast, Catering to You for catered the breakfast and Monsignor Mark Ullrich gave the invocation.

Numerous organizations provided valuable information to the seniors including: Christian Hospital, Gateway Disposal, Aging Ahead, Great er North County Chamber of Commerce, MO DOT, County Older Resident Program, Florissant Valley Fire Protection, district, St. Louis County Library, Missouri veterans Commission and Fer guson-Florissant School District.

Peggy Hogan, her Senior Office along with members of the Senior Commission organized the town hall meeting. Department heads and some of their staff from every department were on hand and stayed to answer questions.

For other upcoming senior events please con tact the Senior Office at 314-839-7604.

site using the “Interactive Map Tool” found under the Documents tab. Users can explore several categories of data about the area such as existing safety and traffic conditions, community characteristics, and environ mental data by turning on and off layers on the maps. The maps offer users the ability to examine the corridor holistically.

Based on early feedback from key stakeholders, ad visory groups, and the community, the Purpose and Need statement guides the vision for the study. The project’s needs and goals are intended to shape the alternatives to be considered in future transportation planning. MoDOT will now begin developing and evaluating conceptual alternatives for the corridor, a process that will require continued public participation and input later this fall.

MoDOT is partnering with the city of St. Louis, EastWest Gateway Council of Governments, Metro, and Great Rivers Greenway to conduct the Future64 study, which will end in early 2023.

Visit Future64.com to read the Purpose and Need Flyer and view other reports, technical memos and ex plore the Interactive Maps tool.

By Scott ShyCONCERT REVIEW:

Music at the Intersection brought two days of groovy fun to St. Louis

Music at the Intersection, billed as 50-plus artists on four stages over two days was truly a smorgasbord of sights and sounds in the Grand Center Arts District, Sept. 10 – 11.

There was something for every music fan, from witnessing established legends like Buddy Guy, John Scofield and Booker T. Jones along with an amazing spectrum of current artists and future greats like The Kasimu-Tet, The Motet and, a personal favorite, South ern Avenue.

This band brought their own flavor of funk flavored jams with their amazing stage presence. Headliners for

the weekend were Erykah Badu (Saturday) and Gary Clark Jr. (Sunday) on the Washington Street Stage. St. Louis acts filled out much of the event with local fan favorites.

One band the “Saint Boogie Brass Band,” literally performed right in the intersection outside the Big Top, which also featured a live stage for the event.

People enjoyed the beautiful weather and the com munity vibe while feasting on a variety of food truck fare. By the looks on many faces this was just what the doctor ordered!

The city of Florissant has been awarded a grant to purchase two brand new senior buses

Photo by Scott Shy

Photos by Scott Shy

Photo courtesy city of Florissant

STLCC holds line on tuition for 2022-23

At a time when most families are concerned about the rising cost of gas, groceries, health care, loans, and many essentials, add the cost of college tuition to the list.

Inside Higher Education points out that after two years of flat or no tuition increases due to the corona virus pandemic, many colleges and universities across the country are pushing tuition up for academic year 2022-23. It also reports that community colleges na tionwide, including nearly all in Missouri, have upped tuition increases this year to offset flat or declining en rollment, budget shortfalls and rising inflation.

St. Louis Community College is the exception to that list among Missouri two-year institutions. STLCC’s tu ition remains unchanged for 2022-23, and continues to be an affordable option for college-bound students,

those seeking a career change or skills upgrade, or sim ply to learn something new.

STLCC’s tuition for fall 2022 is $122 per credit hour for district residents, $171 per credit hour for in-state and other Missouri residents, $233 for out-of-state res idents, and $243 for international students. STLCC has partnered with the Midwest Student Exchange Pro gram (MSEP) to offer Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Min nesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin residents in-state tuition rates.

North Central College is the only other Missouri community college that did not increase tuition for in-district residents, but did up out-of-district and outof-state tuition.

Jacob Nickerson now attends STLCC-Wildwood after rethinking his education options during the pan

demic in 2020. Then a student at the University of Kan sas, Nickerson chose not to return to Lawrence, Kansas, since courses would be online. He opted to take courses at STLCC to save money.

“With everything online anyway, I decided to focus on earning an associate degree in network engineer ing,” he said. “After a couple of classes, I was engaged in the coursework and enjoying the fact that I was saving money while learning a lot.”

The college’s financial situation improved with the passage of Proposition R in 2021, an eight-cent tax levy increase that provides funds that allow STLCC to keep pace with essential facility and program enhancements, as well as keep programs affordable for students.

I was a month shy of my ninth birthday, and we had planned our once-or-twice-a-year long road trip with our good friends the McDonalds for the most wonder ful fried chicken in the world at the big white one-sto ried Southern looking building right off the highway in what might have been Wright City.

My younger sister, Gail, and I were busily practic ing our dance moves in our bedroom on the porta ble wooden tap board Dad had made for us because our dance recital was coming up the next week. Our beautifully sequined costumes had been sewn by a lady named Miss Olive, who I recall had a living room full of patterns cut from newspaper pieces and a mouth per petually filled with straight pins.

And then, suddenly, there was a flurry of activity, my dad was on the phone that sat on the little table in the hallway outside our bedroom, and we were being hurried out the door to go to our grandparents’ house. Wasn’t it exciting? Our mom was going to the hospital to have our baby brother or sister.

“No, not today,” I reminded my mother very patient ly. “Don’t you remember? We’re going to have fried chicken with the McDonalds today.”

“You’re going to Grandma and Grandpa’s,” my moth er said. “It seems our new baby has decided to come today.”

“But can’t you just wait until after we have dinner?” I begged my mom.

I’m sure there was a lot of smiling between my par ents at my naivete as they rushed us out the door, but those were different days, I was only eight, and there was very little information to be gleaned about the par ticulars of baby getting.

And thus began my lifelong concern that I will never be able to catch up with the amount of fried chicken I should have eaten in my lifetime.

My grandmother did an exemplary job of putting the finishing touches on our dance costumes, patiently coloring the tiny pieces of elastic that went across my shoulders with a pink crayon to make them appear flesh-colored, and my five-year-old sister Gail and I were able to tap dance on the sidewalk under my moth er’s hospital room in full makeup and costume, since Mom wouldn’t be able to come to our recital.

Grandma poured us grape juice in Howdy Doody glasses that once held jelly, and bathed us in the claw

foot tub with a bar of Ivory soap floating on the sur face. She curled our hair each day, practicing for the recital and cooked us hamburgers in gravy for dinner and bologna and scrambled eggs for breakfast. She and Grandpa let us sleep in their enormous, comfy, ironedsheeted bed and they slept in twin beds for the nights we were there, and Grandpa held checkers lessons each afternoon for us.

The last day we were there, Dad surprised us by pick ing up Mom and our new baby sister, Donna, from the hospital and bringing them to our grandparents’ house. Grandma made fried chicken for our celebration din ner and it was wonderful.

Donna has more than made it up to me over the years for being the reason we missed our chicken dinner that longago Sunday afternoon. Every Christmas, since we’ve been adults, there has been a gift card to some fast-food chicken restaurant tucked inside my present to make me smile.

And when we sisters celebrated Donna’s six ty-something birthday with lunch a few weeks ago, she quietly pulled the waitress aside while I was in the middle of some long story or other, and my salad was mys teriously delivered with four beautifully fried chicken strips sitting on top.

The smile on my baby sister’s face meant the world to me.

Vicki Bahr is an inveterate word lover and story sharer, a published author in mag azine, 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

By Vicki Bahr to miss our Sunday afternoon fried chicken for this?

Home Builders Association donates $15,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis

On behalf of the Home Builders Charitable Founda tion (HBCF), 2022 HBA President Jeremy Roth (Elite Development Services/McBride Homes) (left) and HBA Executive Vice President Celeste Rueter (right) presented a $15,000 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis’ president Dan Harbaugh.

The donation will be used to help fund the organi zation’s Let’s Make Room capital campaign to go to ward the building of a new house between St. Louis Children’s Hospital and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. The new house will replace two ag ing houses, reduce the wait list and serve more families in need each year. Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis provides a home-away-from-home for outof-town families with hospitalized children. The shel ter enables families to stay close to the hospital and involved in their child’s care without having to take on the incredible financial burden of hotel stays and food costs.

The HBA is a local trade association of nearly 600 member firms representing the residential construc tion industry. The Home Builders Charitable Foun dation, the HBA’s charitable arm, is a non-profit orga nization dedicated to providing housing assistance to people or organizations with special shelter needs.

Ameren Missouri launches new solar energy projects

Ameren Missouri’s next two solar energy generation sites include its first large-scale solar installations in north St. Louis city and Jefferson County. The announce ment comes shortly after Ameren Missouri an nounced plans to acquire its largest-ever solar facil ity.

“These next two sites were chosen for the posi tive impact they’ll provide for decades to come,” said Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Mis souri. “In addition to pro ducing clean energy, they will also provide jobs and im portant apprenticeships for underserved communities to learn about the ever-expanding field of clean energy installation.”

Cumulatively, Ameren Missouri’s two new solar en ergy canopies will utilize nearly 1,200 solar panels and span an area approximately the size of approximately two football fields. These two installations, which are the latest locations in the company’s Neighborhood So lar program, will utilize diverse suppliers for design and construction, creating more than a dozen jobs. Several pre-apprentices from diverse local communities will be involved in construction, giving them hands-on expe rience in the growing solar installation industry.

Ameren Missouri anticipates these solar energy sites will begin generating enough clean energy to power ap proximately 55 homes by the end of 2023. The north St. Louis site will be at Interstate 70 and Union Boulevard at Ameren Missouri’s North Metro Operating Center. The Jefferson County site will be at the Ameren Mis souri’s Jefferson District Operating Center in House Springs.

As part of its Neighborhood Solar program, Ameren

Missouri is partnering with organizations across the state to install and maintain solar arrays on their park ing lots, enabling organizations to participate in gener ating clean energy without any cost to them. These lo cations are helping Ameren Missouri grow clean ener gy generation across the state as part of the company’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2045.

Increased solar generation is a pillar in Ameren Mis souri’s Smart Energy Plan to deliver clean, reliable en ergy. The Smart Energy Plan includes investments in new power lines, stronger poles, upgraded substations and more smart technology to minimize outages and reduce the duration when an outage does occur. To date, Ameren Missouri has completed more than 2,000 Smart Energy Plan projects.

“Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan is enhancing reliability and providing smarter energy infrastruc ture throughout the state,” added Birk. “We are already hearing from customers that our investments in clean and reliable energy, along with a competitive economic development incentive, are boosting economic devel opment because businesses can operate more efficient ly and expand more rapidly.”

Submitted photo

Ameren Missouri’s north St. Louis solar site will be at Interstate 70 and Union Boulevard at Ameren Missouri’s North Metro Operating Center.

Submitted photo

Did you know that September is Childhood Can cer Awareness Month? Every year, about 15,000 chil dren are diagnosed with cancer, but you can help. Blood is medicine and keeps kids in the fight. There is no substitute for human blood. Donate blood to beat childhood cancer.

One of those children was Brianne, a St. Louis girl who was diagnosed in 2019 with acute myeloid leu kemia.

She spent 146 days in the hospital (can you list hospital name), where she received 34 blood trans fusions, 29 platelet transfusions and four bone mar row biopsies. Thanks to generous blood donors, Bri currently is in remission. She wants to let the world know how much donors matter to patients like her.

“If you are on the fence about donating, there are sick kids that need platelets. Just a small little poke in the arm and you will save a lot of kids,” explained Brianne.

Here’s how your blood donation helps Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which carry oxygen throughout the body. A blood transfusion gives cancer patients more energy, to help them tol erate chemotherapy.

Platelets are tiny cells that help blood clot, con stantly fixing tears in the circulatory system. Che motherapy often damages bone marrow, which pro duces platelets. A platelet transfusion gives cancer patients the platelets they need to prevent life-threat ening bleeding.

A great support system helped keep Brianne’s spir

its high during her time in the hospital. After getting out, Brianne and her family knew that they wanted to give back.

“We decided to do a blood drive for Bri,” explained Abby, Brianne’s mom. “It was our way of helping anybody who needed a transfusion as well.”

They have now hosted two drives with ImpactLife and more than 70 pints of lifesaving blood have been collected.

Blood donors are always needed. You can help oth er children like Brianne fight cancer by donating or hosting a drive at one of our local ImpactLife donor centers.

Nationwide, 71% of individuals releasing from pris on back to their community are rearrested within the first five years. There are many reasons for this cycle of reincarceration, including the prevalence of child hood trauma, mental and behavioral health disorders and substance use disorders. The cycle of reincarcer ation disproportionately impacts Black and Hispanic communities nationwide. Our team at Concordance, a St. Louis-based nonprofit, is working to end the re incarceration crisis.

Successful reentry is a complicated process that requires a significant number of resources. The Con cordance Reentry Model is a holistic, healing-first program, providing 12 integrated services focused on behavioral health and wellness, education and em ployment, and community and life skills. Providing services since 2016, Concordance has lowered the rate of reincarceration by 56% among its participants who have released from prison in the past three years.

Concordance’s success is only possible because of our talented, dedicated team and our community partnerships. Team members provide substance use and mental health treatment, education and job readi ness training, and case coordination. Well-established relationships within the community ensure partici pants have access to any additional resources needed:

• Federally qualified health centers provide access to physicians, optometrists, dentists and prescription medicine. Research has shown that having a prima ry care doctor helps lower the number of non-emer gency visits individuals make to the emergency room.

• Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner provides pro bono legal services to participants pre- and post-release, including the clearing of warrants and acquisition of birth certificates and other relevant documenta tion needed for employment.

• The Concordance Employment Agency partners with retail, food service and light industrial com panies to place participants in part- and full-time employment. These Concordance Hiring Partners offer quality positions, potential for progression, and a stable career path.

• Low-income housing partners throughout the re gion provide long-term affordable housing oppor tunities.

Concordance has received generous support from individuals and members of the business community who believe in creating a safer, more equitable place for everyone. Together, we are empowering our par ticipants to make real transformations in their life, re unite with their families, and find stable employment. Their success has a ripple effect on their family, their workplace, and the community.

While not everyone can have a clean slate, we be lieve that everyone deserves a real first chance at suc cess. By partnering together as a community, we can move the region forward, together. To learn how you can join the effort, please visit www.Concordance.org.

Jill Lewin is Senior VP, Senior Director of Marketing, Communications & Development at Concordance.

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

Crestwood Donor Center 980 Watson Rd. Crestwood, MO 63126 314-966-6800

St. Peters Donor Center 4891 Mexico Rd., Suite 100 St. Peters, MO 63376 314-291-4741

Fairview Heights Donor Center

10900B Lincoln Trail Midway Plaza Fairview Heights, IL 62208 800-747-5401

To help save lives, please call 800-747-5401, schedule online at www.bloodcenter.org, or by using the blood center’s mobile app (www.bloodcenter.org/app).

Find us @impactlifeblood on Facebook, Twitter, Ins tagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn and Snapchat.

Jason Kempen is the Community Development Advocate for Impact Life Blood Center in Earth City. He promotes the mission of the blood center through community events and media engagement and leads an Associate Board of volunteers from the St. Louis area. For more information on how to get involved with the blood center, go to blood center.org or email Jason at jkemp en@impactlife.org.

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 Jason Kempen

Northwest Views: Working together to end the cycle of reincarceration

By Jill Lewin

Submitted

EVENTS

Oct. 1: Trivia night

Trivia night takes place at St. Mark’s Methodist Church at 315 Graham Road in Floris sant. Doors open at 6 p.m., trivia begins promptly at 7 p.m. Cost is $10 per person/ up to 10 people per table. Snacks and soda provided. To play or reserve a table call Amber in the church office at 314-837-9404 or Shirley at 314-731-3409, or email deansa1@aol.com.

Oct. 2: Food drive

Atonement Lutheran Church at 1285 North New Florissant Road is collecting for TEAM (The Emergency Assistance Ministry), from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Donate nonperishable food or personal items. Items requested: green beans, corn, mixed vegetables, pasta, tuna, snacks, tuna helper, hamburger helper. Drivethru drop off that day.

Oct. 8: Gospel benefit concert

The Praise and Worship Gos pel Benefit Concert will take place at 4 p.m. at Lighthouse Baptist Church at 3025 N. Lindbergh in St. Ann. Do nations will be accepted to benefit the church’s Christian nonprofit organization Re prieve Spiritual Wellness.

Oct. 8: Trivia night

Florissant Presbyterian Church at 660 Charbonier will be having a trivia night. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., play begins at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $20 per person includes popcorn and soda. You are welcome to bring your own snacks. Max imum eight people per table. Call 314-837-8555 for table or individual reservation.

Oct. 15: Fall festival fund raiser

A fall festival fundraiser to help support the Meals On Wheels program takes place at the O’Fallon Senior Cen ter at 106 N. Main Street in O’Fallon behind city hall from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Baked, craft and resale items will be for sale, cash only. Venders are welcome, limited table space is available for $25. For more in formation call 636-272-4180.

Nov. 5: Rummage sale

The rummage sale is on at Cal vary United Church of Christ at 2501 Hartland Avenue in Sycamore Hills. Hours of operation will be from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. For everyone’s safety, the church is encouraging the wearing of masks.

RECURRING EVENTS

Weekdays: Food pantry volunteers needed

The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry is in need of on going adult volunteers to sort food, stock shelves and shop with clients. Two-to-four hour shifts are available, Mon day-Friday 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m. To learn more or to join this fun group, contact Chelsey Banaskavich at 314-513-1674 or cbanaskavich@jfcs-stl.org.

Mondays: Choral Arts Group meetings

Choral Arts Group practices every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Connection Christian Church at 1332 Feise Rd. in O’Fallon. Auditions not re quired. Ages high school and older are invited to join. There will be spring and fall public concerts. For more informa tion call Marty at 636-5799227, or email concertartsa@ gmail.com.

Mondays: City council meetings

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

Mondays: A cappella singers

All men who like to sing are invited to come sing with us, The Men of Harmony. We practice every Monday night at 7 p.m. at 5500 Parker Raoad which is the first house on Uthe Lane. We sing four-part harmony a capella (without accompaniment). We sing some traditional songs, as well as show tunes and more con temporary music. We do per form 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 cor dially invited to a meeting of Chapter 4, North County Korean War Veterans Associ ation. 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 mem bership for new members.

Mondays-Thursdays: Vol unteers 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 avail able. If you are interested, please contact Cheryl Piece at 314-446-4440 or cpiece@ caastlc.org for additional in formation.

Tuesdays: Bingo

Florissant Elks Bingo takes place at 16400 New Halls Ferry every Tuesday. Doors open at 4 p.m., bingo starts at 6 p.m. No outside food or drinks allowed per St. Louis County. Food and drinks available for purchase. Max imum 150 players. Must wear mask to enter. Social distan cing followed.

Tuesdays: A cappella singers

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

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

Tuesdays: Celebrate Re covery

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 Floris sant. For more information visit www.lifepointministries. church/celebrate-recovery or call (men) Steve D. at 636634-6582 or (women) Denise W. at 530-417-6151.

Tuesdays: Choir rehears als

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

What’s Happening

Tuesdays: TOPS (Take off pounds sensibly)

From 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. lo cated at John F. Kennedy Center/Henry Koch Ctr., Howdershell Rd. at Char bonier Rd., Florissant. For more info contact Paul Mc Connell, 314-831-5476.

2nd Tuesday Sept.-June: Show-me Stitchers: Show-me Stitchers is the lo cal chapter of the Embroid erers’ Guild of America. We meet on the second Tuesday, Sept.-June at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 14088 Clayton Road, Ches terfield, MO. Learn needle point, embroidery, cross stitch, and more.

Every 4th Tuesday of the month: Fort Bellefon taine Memorial Amer ican Legion Post 335 meeting 6:30pm, Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335, at the Bellefontaine Neighbors Community Cen ter at 9669 Bellefontaine Rd. Those interested in member ship are invited to attend.

Wednesdays: Bingo Bingo takes place every Wed nesday at American Legion Post 338 at 9655 Midland Blvd. in Overland. Doors open at 5 p.m. For more in formation 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 con tact 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 314921-2316.

Bridgeton Trails Library Branch Programs: 3455 McKelvey Rd., St. Louis, 314-994-3300. Story Time: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. 9 months to 2 yrs. Room 1 (Lap Time); Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. Ages 3–5. Room 2; Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Ages 3–5. Room 1.

Florissant Senior Cit izens’ Bingo Clubs: 314839-7604.

Every 1st Wednesday of the Month: Stroke Sup port Group 3-4 p.m., Center for Senior Renewal, Detrick Building 1st floor, 11133 Dunn Rd. For more information, contact Ja

mie 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. in the old school at the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine, 1 Rue St. Francois, Florissant.

Thursdays: Blood pres sure checks

Free blood pressure checks monthly at Life Care Center of Florissant at 1201 Garden Plaza Dr. (off Parker Rd.) in Florissant every third Thurs day of the month. Call 8313752 for more information.

Thursdays: Women’s cho rus meeting

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. Mem bers come from the entire bistate region. Call Marcia at 636-274-0723 for more infor mation or visit www.cityvoic eschorus.org.

Fridays: Fish fry St. Ferdinand Fish Fry at 1765 Charbonier Rd. in Florissant, has resumed every Friday from 3 - 7 p.m.

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 in formation contact Chair man Ed Hilleman at 314660-1813.

Every Friday: Our Lady of Fatima #4429 Knights of Columbus Bingo 6:45 p.m., Knights of Co lumbus Hall, 1216 Teson Rd. in Hazelwood. For more in formation 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 informa tion, call 314-831-3752.

Saturdays: Yoga Yoga returns to Calvary UCC at 2501 Hartland Av enue, on Saturdays from 10:30-11:30. Masks and so cial distancing are required in the building and partici pants should bring hand sanitizer with them. For further information call An gela at 314-801-8594.

Saturdays: Toastmasters meeting

Everyone is welcome to at tend 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 314-402-7025.

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 cloth ing and shoes, some house hold 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 Wil liams Blvd. in Hazelwood, 1/4 mile south of Hwy 270 off Florissant Rd. There are a variety of topics month ly. You are not alone. Come help your heart heal with others. For more informa tion call 314-605-3949.

CROSSWORD answers from page

SUDOKU answers from page

Sports you see with Gary B...

Football team at Lindenwood moved to two wins on the young season playing at home Lindenwood University’s football team earned a 37-3 win over Keiser recently from Hunter Stadium in St. Charles.

The much-anticipated home opener brought in more than 4,000 fans on Family Day. Payton Rose started the scoring with a 33-yard touchdown reception from the arm of Cade Brister. It marked the 71st career touchdown pass by Brister, setting program record. The Se ahawks answered with a 32-yard field goal, but the defense played flawless throughout the remainder of the game.

Kobe Smith made a statement in his first home game as a Lion, hauling in a touch down pass at the 12:08 mark of the second quarter. Less than six minutes later, Brister found Smith again on a 78-yard bomb to make it a 21-3 lead. On the ensuing drive for Keiser, the Lions were flying around on defense, as Tayvian Weary secured a sack to help force a punt. After a short punt, the Lions went six plays for a total of 52 yards before Andrew Martin bulled his way in for a short touchdown run. Lind enwood took a 28-3 lead into the half with the help of three scores in the second quarter alone.

The second half started slow for both teams, as each team had a short first drive to start the third frame. Keiser put together a 15-play drive, but the Linden wood defense stood strong and forced a turnover on downs. The Lions added three points to their total at the 12:34 mark of the fourth quarter, after Logan Seibert knocked in a 32-yard field goal.

The Seahawks had the ball for just three plays be fore Darion Mullins laid a big hit on the quarterback, allowing Jaden Patrick to recover the fumble to give the Lions possession. It took the Lions just five plays before Justin Williams scored on a 16-yard scamper for the 37-3 lead. Keiser again put together a long drive, but the defense stood strong yet again to close out the game with the 34-point victory in the home opener.

Brister compiled 377 yards through the air, as Rose (180) and Smith (111) each eclipsed 100 yards receiv ing. Smith hauled in two touchdown passes and 104 yards after the catch. Lindenwood put up 126 yards on the ground to total 521 yards of total offense. The Lions tallied 24 first downs, and converted on all four red zone trips, including three touchdowns.

Tyrone Griffin led the defense with 11 total tackles, and added one tackle behind the line of scrim mage. Tra Ranson laid a handful of big hits, as he and Chase Giorgi each posted seven tackles. Sterlin Williams has provided a quality rush from the edge early in the sea son, as the Zephyrhills, Fla. native posted 2.0 sacks and one forced fumble. As a team, the Lions posted 3.0 sacks, 7.0 tackles for loss, and six pass breakups in the game.

“This was a big test for us,” said head coach Jed Stu gart. “We came off a huge road win last week and we have a tough conference opponent next week, so we had to keep our focus and not overlook a quality op ponent at in a different division. We did just that and felt like we played a consistent four quarters.”

Stat leaders:

• Cade Brister (19-for-32, 377 yards, 3 TD, 30 rush yards)

• Payton Rose (9 catches, 180 yards, 1 TD)

• Kobe Smith (8 catches, 111 yards, 2 TD, 104 YAC)

* Great home win

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 activi ties. 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 splendid smoothie

If you ever find yourself craving something healthy and easy to make, you’re not alone. Maybe you are constantly on the go, chasing after little ones or just started a new job. Whether you’re on the move or relax ing at home, smoothies are a simple way to add nutritious ingredients to your diet.

From strawberries and mangos to blueberries and more, there are almost limitless smoothie options. You can use different combinations of greens and textures or even add something savory like peanut or al mond butter.

This Blueberry Banana Smoothie is simple with just a couple basic di rections and gives you the energy you need to finish out your day strong.

It has 1 cup of spinach, which is full of iron and vitamins, frozen ba nanas and blueberries to fill up your fruit intake for the day and berry yo gurt to add a hint of dairy and some sweetness to your drink.

Garnish your finished product with fresh blueberries for some ex tra flair. With chia seeds for added texture, this smoothie is perfect for breakfast or even an afternoon snack.

Blueberry Banana Smoothie

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

1 cup spinach

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar blend

1 tablespoon almond butter

1/2 cup bananas, frozen

1/2 cup blueberries, frozen

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon minced ginger

1/2 cup berry yogurt

fresh blueberries, for garnish (optional)

Directions: Preheat oven to 375 F.

In blender, blend spinach, water, apple cider vinegar, almond butter, frozen bananas, frozen blueberries, chia seeds, cinnamon, ginger and yogurt until smooth.

Pour into two glasses and garnish with fresh blueberries, if desired.

Movie:

By Steve Bryan

After months or years of shoot

ing a movie, studios, directors and cast typically look forward to seeing their hard work on the big screen. However, some motion pictures never make it to theater screens for one reason or another.

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.

For instance, I’ve written piec es about the late, lamented 1994 “Fantastic Four” movie directed by Roger Corman to preserve the movie rights. The late Stan “The Man” Lee promoted the film and expressed his love of the “Thing” costume created for the film. Though it never had a theatrical re lease, fans bought bootleg copies of the film at comic book shows over the years.

What happens, though, when a highly an ticipated film is placed on the shelf during post-production? That’s the dilemma fac ing “Batgirl,” a superhero adventure starring Leslie Grace as Barbara Gordon, daughter of Gotham City Police Commissioner James Gordon (J.K. Simmons). Barbara becomes a vigilante and also runs into Michael Keaton’s Batman as they battle crime in the dark of night. David Zaslav, the head of Warner Bros. Discovery, recently announced that the stu dio would take a tax write-off on the project,

whose budget was estimated at $90 million.

Taking a potentially lucrative film like “Batgirl” and relegating it to reported “fu neral screenings” on the Warner Bros. lot is not good business. Barbara Gordon and her masked alter ego have a large fan base, es pecially on the free broadcast station MeTV.

In its original 1960’s run, Batgirl didn’t show up until the last season and she made quite an impression on fans decades ago and found new fans on MeTV. The publicity sur rounding this film has been enough to war rant screenings for fans. It could also find a

home on some streaming services.

The talented Ezra Miller makes a fantastic and funny superhero, but his off-screen, violent behavior has been cause for concern. Prior to that, he turned in an amazing per formance as Barry Allen, a young man gifted with super speed, in 2017’s “Justice League.” Barry, who said he has only “pushed peo ple” and then run away thus far, received some basic, down-toearth superhero moves from Ben Affleck’s Batman: “Save one per son.” After that, Batman said he would know what to do. Barry also played a key role in reviving Super man later in the film.

Originally slated for a June 3, re lease, “The Flash” has since been rescheduled for June 23, 2023. The plot has Barry going back in time to prevent his mother from being killed. Changing that timeline changed other things as well and that will cause problems for Barry.

Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck are both on hand as Batman (Batmen?) while Michael Shannon returns as General Zod. In this film, actress Sasha Calle has been cast as Su pergirl. The plot and casting sound fantastic, but Miller’s difficulties with the law may de lay this DC project for a while.

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.

‘Batgirl’ and ‘The Flash’ may not arrive in theaters

Ugh! I was at the store trying on a shirt and took a look at myself in the mirror; and no, it was not a typical mirror from the chest up. Instead, it was one of those tell-the-truthnothing-but-thetruth full-length things that refuse to help out a poor soul in need of a good lie.

I looked a little droopy in the upper areas, a lot saggy in the lower areas and my face was creased and had lost its shape and firmness. It had the ap pearance of a candle that had been left too long in a hot car.

I was in desperate need of a plan B – a make over. I had a feeling that would be cheaper than my plan A – an emergency body transplant.

I dashed around the teen section of the de partment store and picked up some items sure to shake some dust off from this old corpse of mine.

First, I grabbed a pair of blue jeans, the kind that have so many holes that it looks like they’ve been slashed by a Weedwacker. Then I bought a pair of fake eyelashes. All the girls are wearing them. They’re thick and black and very bold and daring. And to top off my new look, I snagged a teeny tiny midriff shirt.

I came home and changed into my new things. My husband would be pleased to have a new lady in his life.

I met him at the door.

“Hi Sweetie. Notice anything different about me?” I asked.

He took one look and shrieked like a little school girl. “Where does it hurt? Can you breathe? How

many fingers am I holding up?!” he shouted.

“What are you talking about?”

“Your clothes! Your shirt’s been ripped in half and your pants are in shreds! I can tell you’ve been mauled by a griz zly. Stay where you’re at! I’ll get my gun!”

“Calm down,” I said. “It’s my new outfit. Don’t you think it takes years off my life?”

“Your life?! You nearly gave me a heart attack and took the remaining years off of mine!”

“Nonsense,” I said batting my massive eye lash es at him. “What do you think…honestly?”

“Honestly, I think you need to spray your face with Raid. You’ve got caterpillars growing on your forehead.”

Hmph, if I wanted that kind of truth I’d look into a full-length mirror.

Cindy Moore is the moth er of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nif ty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hi larity in strange and unusu al places including public restrooms, the lint fil ter, and church meet ings. Most recently, she excavated a find in 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.

By Cindy Moore the