CN: October 12, 2022

By Wendy Todd

A brightly decorated reading room with a mural by St. Louis-based artist Bill Wil liams of Black children reading books and encouraging those who enter to “believe” and “create,” now welcomes elementary students at the Barack Obama Elementary School in the Normandy School Collabo rative.

The Believe Literacy Lab was gifted by the St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature. It is the seventh literacy lab gift

ed by the organization.

The project, that was unveiled at a cere mony at the school on Sept. 29, was sup ported by community partners Nine PBS, The Noble Neighbor, Ready Readers and funded by the NIKE, Inc. Black Commu nity Commitment grant initiative. The STLBACL was chosen as a 2022 grantee and received $50,000 to support its literacy program.

Funds provided will support teacher training and a library of diverse titles. 90% of the characters or authors featured in the

reading space will be people of color.

Julius B. Anthony, president of the St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Liter ature and The Believe Projects, is grateful for the partnerships that made this project possible and what it will mean to students.

“As a proud recipient of a NIKE, Inc. Black Community Commitment grant, we’re thrilled to be part of a national move ment of transformative change,” he said. “We are especially excited to have Nike as

Photos courtesy Fatama Moorer, Parent Engagement Manager at

‘POWER’ from cover

a partner – an organization dedicated to lev eling the playing field and providing access to opportunities that allow everyone to be successful in life. Together, St. Louis Black

Authors of Children’s Literature, Nike, and Normandy Schools Collaborative can ensure all children become confident and compe tent readers by the end of third grade.”

Third grade is when children in school stop learning to read and start reading to learn.

According to the Obama Foundation, “Students who are not reading at proficient levels by the end of third grade are more like ly to struggle throughout their school years, which in turn leads to higher dropout rates and fewer students being college and career ready.”

Not reading at grade level by third grade contributes to the achievement gap. Dr. Berra Taylor, principal at Barack

Obama School, recognizes the importance of the literacy lab’s mission to support reading proficiency and provide representation.

“It gives them additional opportunities for literature,” she said. “The best component is the space is not driven by curriculum but by student interest and students are able to pre view literature that is written by authors of their culture and they can see themselves in the publications.”

The new Believe Literacy Lab is now open at Barack Obama Elementary School in the Normandy School Collaborative.

Photos courtesy Fatama Moorer, Parent Engagement Manager at Nine PBS

Riverview Gardens names new executive director of Continuous Improvement/Title IX coordinator

Riverview Gar dens School Dis trict announced the appointment of Barbara Sharp as executive direc tor of Continuous Improvement/Ti tle IX coordinator.

Sharp will work collaboratively with the district’s turnaround ven dor, administra tors, school-based leadership teams, teachers and the community to facilitate the implementation of turn around processes at the district and school levels.

She will also work with the turnaround vendor, District/building-level leadership on recommenda tions regarding culture, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, digital tools and other meth ods of teaching and learning.

Prior to this appointment, Sharpe served as pro fessional development coordinator beginning in 2014. In that role, Sharp was responsible for the su pervision of the instructional coach program, plan ning and coordinating the teacher mentoring pro gram, professional development for certified staff and more.

Sharp also served as principal of Vashon High School, a middle and high school principal in the Normandy School District and held several teaching and instructional support positions in her illustrious career in education.

“Barbara Sharp is a talented and proven leader in education,” stated RGSD Superintendent Joylynn Pruitt-Adams, Ed.D. “She has a wealth of knowledge and experi ence that prove benefi cial in her new role as the executive director of Continuous Improve ment.

Sharp earned a bach elor’s degree in second ary education and a master’s degree in ad ministration and super vision from Southern Illinois University - Ed wardsville. She is cur rently working towards her doctorate in educa tional leadership.

Largest indoor entertainment venue in St. Louis sets opening day

The beginning of something big is coming to St. Louis. Led by the entertainment and hospitality ex perts at Brick + Bev, as an affiliate with Green Street Real Estate Ventures, the historic landmark the Ar mory is being revitalized as a multi-venue entertain ment destination in Midtown, St. Louis, with the first phase opening to the public on Dec. 9.

The Armory has a deeply-rooted and eclectic his tory in the community. Originally built and designed for the 138th Infantry of the Missouri National Guard, the Armory has had a multitude of transformations over the decades, including serving as a multi-sports complex and a concert venue. This year, the Armory’s final evolution will be as a regional destination packed with experiential entertainment.

With nearly six acres of flexible indoor space to gather, play, eat, drink and discover, the Armory boasts a 60-foot stage to host live entertainment every weekend and monthly national and regional touring acts; six bars; more than 70 tap handles; over 40 inter active games; a two-story slide; dozens of TV screens; VIP event spaces; and so much more.

“Our goal with the Armory is to create the Mid west’s most industry-altering entertainment space, a place unlike anything we have in St. Louis,” said Ali Lamb, Director of Marketing at the Armory. “The Ar mory was designed to be the perfect day-to-day hang out space, transform into the ultimate location for festivals and live music, host cause-based community events, and more, all in one day or week! The possibil ities are excitingly endless, and each experience could be entirely unique.”

After the first phase opens in December, there are an additional five venues within the Armory open ing throughout the spring of 2023. The Armory will also be the future home of the St. Louis Tennis Hall of Fame, honoring St. Louis’ most historically impactful tennis players and contributors such as Dwight Davis and Butch Buchholz, and Wimbledon champions Ar thur Ashe, Jimmy Conners, Ken Flach and more.

More details about the additional entertainment venues and St. Louis Tennis Hall of Fame will be an nounced over the next few months.

In addition to bringing 250,000 square feet of fun to Midtown, the Armory will create approximately 400 new jobs for St. Louis residents and hiring will begin at the end of this month.

“I have been a part of a number of large-scale venue openings and operations, and this is the one I’m most excited about,” said Jimmy Smith, Director of Oper ations at the Armory. “We are here to be great stew ards of the community and are invested in creating a person-first culture and work environment for our employees. We expect the Armory to be an amazing space to enjoy and an incredible place to work.”

To learn more about all open positions contact ca reers@armorystl.com. Learn more about the Armory and what’s coming at www.armorystl.com.

Photo courtesy Riverview Gardens School District

Still In This Together:

Long live Mr. Bones

Last year, I was worried that Halloween might need to be toned down a bit, since John couldn’t go up and down stairs yet due to his knee replacement surgery.

We honestly have more Halloween decorations than Christmas decorations: seven plastic bins filled with specifically Halloween things, a couple of hang ing goodies, a few yard decorations, and some light-up ceramic Halloween houses, a haunted barn and a couple of scary midway car nival attractions.

Everyone knows I have a passion for Halloween, and there are usu ally several gifts added to my collec tion each year on occasions of my birthday, Christmas, Mother’s Day, or really good sales that just seem too good to pass up (by me).

I decided a few years ago to get everything situated where I wanted it and take pictures of the arrangement with my phone so it makes the whole decorating process easier. And I was ever so thankful I’d done that last year. Because even though I figured I’d just bring up a couple of bins of Halloween decora tions, little by little every one of them came upstairs. Nothing was too heavy for me to handle by myself, I counted it as exercise, and how could I have ever slept at night if a decoration was slighted?

I didn’t make a big deal out of it…things just magi cally appeared when John was napping or at a physical therapy appointment, or I was going downstairs any way to do a load of wash. And I didn’t always carry an entire plastic bin; sometimes it was just a random dec oration that I remembered would make a room look more complete, or that I felt sorry for having left out of the chosen favorites. It just didn’t seem right to have to judge which of the ghosts and goblins, signs and win dow light-ups should be left in the basement while the rest were being enjoyed. I’m just not good at favoritism or selective culling.

But last year, as every year, the very first piece out of the bins was the eight-foot used-to-glow-in-the-dark jointed cardboard skeleton that is over fifty years old, aptly named Mr. Bones. It was a staple in my parents’ house for Halloween. I delighted in moving his arms and legs, hands and feet into ridiculous poses every night when my sisters were sleeping, and even added a witch’s hat or a black cat at his feet once in a while just for fun.

When John and I married, Mr. Bones mysteriously found his way into the very overloaded trunk of our Camaro for the ride to our first little off-base home in Florida to keep me company on my very first Hallow

By Vicki Bahr

een away from home, and he’s been part of our family ever since, welcoming each of our babies home from the hospital…two in September, one in very seasonal late October and one while sporting a jaunty Christmas hat as we came home in a snowstorm the week before Christmas. He was a member of the family, after all.

Mr. Bones has taken his share of lumps over the years, but the fact that he’s missing a foot, has so much tape on one of his arms that the joints no longer move, and has only a few inches of his bony self that actually still glow in the dark doesn’t seem to bother him, or any of the nineteen of

Now 16-year-old Makena was the only one of the grandkids that was ever frightened of him, though a few in-laws have glanced a time or two in wonderment when he presented himself in unusu al places, poses, or untimely months of the year.

September/October spot is on the hall closet door between the living room and family room, and I used to have to stand in front of him when ever Makena was coming or going because he ‘scaried’

Mr. Bones very neatly tucks his appendages under and over each other so he will fit perfectly in the top of the dark green bin in his customary spot, weathered and ripped, thick with the yellowed tape of all the years he’s been with us. It gives him a certain legitimacy as a skeleton to be a bit battered and war-torn, but he still maintains a pleasant smile and an empty skull filled with memories.

Mr. Bones’ hands can still wave and his legs still bend into a jig. He’s very agreeable for the most part, even with the years and abuse and ignominy that have been heaped upon him. I have a feeling he wouldn’t have it any other way.

If only he could relive the years for us, I’m pretty sure he would agree it’s been a wonderful association with the family. And there’s not an end in sight.

Long live Mr. Bones!!

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

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

What’s Happening Events

Oct. 15: Fall festival fundraiser

A fall festival fundraiser to help support the Meals On Wheels program takes place at the O’Fallon Senior Center 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 information call 636-272-4180.

Nov. 5: Rummage sale

The rummage sale is on at Calvary 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.

Recipe: Add savory spice to game day celebrations

Powering up for a successful game day starts with a pregame spread, and no tailgate or homegate is complete without a spicy dip that brings the heat.

This Game Day Buffalo Chicken Dip is a perfect solution for firing up your crowd as it requires little preparation so you save precious time before kick off. Whether you bake shortly before the game begins or make it ahead of time for a parking lot party, simply keep it warm and serve with chips or veggie sticks for a quick, shareable ap petizer.

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded chicken

8 ounces cream cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

1 1/2 cups sharp

cheddar cheese, plus additional for topping, divided

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 heavy pinach dried dill

1/2 cup hot sauce

2 green onions, chopped blue cheese crumbles chips

vegetable sticks

Game Day Buffalo Chicken Dip

Directions:

Heat oven to 400 F.

In bowl, mix shredded chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese, onion powder, garlic powder and dried dill until combined. Add hot sauce; mix until combined.

Transfer mixture from bowl to oven-safe

dish. Top with additional shredded cheese, to taste.

Bake until cheese is melted, approximately 15 minutes.

Top with blue cheese crumbles and chopped green onion.

Serve warm with chips and vegetable sticks.

‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ will arrive 13 years after original film

Patience,

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.

as the old saying goes, is a vir tue, but director James Cameron made fans of “Avatar” wait for 13 years to see “Way of the Water,” the sequel to his wildly popular film about Pandora, a moon in the Alpha Centauri star system. After his brother was killed by a thief, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a dis abled Marine, agreed to take his sibling’s place on Pandora and become part of the Avatar project that would allow him to walk again. As the pilot of an Ava tar, Jake learned the ways of the indigenous Na’vi and fell in love with Neytiri (Zoe Sal dana), the daughter of the clan leaders.

Cameron kept fans waiting a long time, but not as long as fans of Disney’s “Bambi.” The original 1942 animated film followed Bambi, a newborn deer exploring his sur roundings. Along the way, he made friends with a gray rabbit named Thumper and a skunk named Flower. In 2006, “Bambi II,” the sequel, arrived on home video, but some countries released the film in theaters. “Picard” star Patrick Stewart lent his voice to the Great Prince who has been tasked to care for Bambi after his mother was killed.

In 2004, years before Robert Downey, Jr. first said “I am Iron Man,” Pixar released “The Incredibles,” an animated adventure about the Parr family, who were superheroes in hiding due to government regulations. After years working in an office, Bob Parr (Craig T. Nelson) wanted to go back to fight ing crime and would do anything for some action. In “Incredibles 2,” Helen Parr (Holly Hunter), Bob’s wife, was asked to perform super deeds to regain the public’s trust and help other superheroes come out of hiding.

1983’s “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” closed out George Lucas’ original outer space trilogy, which had been labeled “Ep isodes 4, 5 and 6.” Sixteen years later, Lucas explored the backstory of Darth Vader in

“The Phantom Menace,” which showed a very young Anakin Skywalk er (Jake Lloyd). “Attack of the Clones” arrived in 2002 with Hayden Christensen playing an older version of Anakin. In 2005’s “Revenge of the Sith,” Anakin, af ter a brutal battle with Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), was rescued and placed in the black armor that would save his life.

No one can keep a good adventurer/ar chaeologist down for long, especially one with a fedora and bullwhip. 1989’s “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” was an amaz ing adventure that featured Sean Connery as Henry Walton Jones, Sr., father to Hen ry Jones, Jr. (Harrison Ford). Jones, Jr. pre ferred the name “Indiana” even though that was the name of the family dog. Jones Sr. had been searching for the legendary Holy Grail and was now very close to finding it. Sequels can be planned or pop up as a sur prise for fans after years of waiting. The lat est Indiana Jones film, for instance, should arrive in theaters in 2023, 15 years after Indy’s last adventure. With Harrison Ford reprising his classic role, that should be one heck of an adventure.

20th Century Studios

Photo

TO

PET CEMETERY

Dannegger Brothers

It’s never too early to plan ahead, especially when you are expecting guests in your home. Your family and friends know and might love your style, but it can be important to spice things up now and again to impress your visi tors. Factors such as lights, music and food can affect your guests experience in your home.

To remain stylish and keep your party going, consider these tips for fun and festive home entertaining.

Back to basics: Staying organized is key while en tertaining guests in your home. Try to plan out every detail before the big event, which can allow things to go more smoothly on the big day. As you think out your plan ahead of time, making lists can be a helpful way to stay organized and ensure you get everything done. List out your guests, what needs to be picked up from the store and possible decorations you might need to buy or craft yourself. The possibilities can seem endless, but it’s important to have a plan in place before you start putting things together.

Think about theme: There are numerous ways your style can be shown while entertaining. One way is to pick a theme or theme-related food dishes. One way to show your theme is through decorations. Placing them throughout your home can give the party some life and

I’m not one for food-making. The kitchen isn’t my favorite place to be. Its tight little quarters, which confine me to hard labor and isolation from society, give off a death row vibe.

Oh sure, I have one favorite thing that typically finds me in the kitchen; it’s my specialty called, DBD. Three minutes in the microwave and bada-bing, bada-bang my Doggie Bag Deluxe is ready to eat.

But I’ll be a sport and try out new recipes. I usually find them in the mailbox. Yup, that’s where the restau rant coupons are; you know the fancy places with the drive-in windows.

Around dinnertime, I checked my coupon pile. Gasp, they had all expired. The mailman wouldn’t deliver a fresh batch until tomorrow afternoon. That was much too late. By then my husband would have such hun ger pangs he’d run off with the fry cook at McBurger Queen’s. That woman could whip up a mean batch of fried potatoes.

So, I quickly pulled out my phone and urgently yelled into the voice control, “Newest recipe trending online.”

One popped up; coincidentally a recipe that was on all the TV shows as well.

I dashed to the store and soon had the ingredients and my dinner bubbling away on the stove.

My husband was quite impressed with my culinary skills. I dished up my creation and placed it before him.

He sliced off a hunk and began to chew then turned greenish-gray and began to gag and cough.

I raced to his side to begin the Heimlich, but was quickly pushed away.

help guests get into the overall theme of the party.

Light up the party: Transforming your home can be made simpler by changing the lighting. It’s typical for lights to be dimmed for parties to set a more relaxed mood. Other ideas include us ing candles, lamps or even hanging lanterns if you are entertaining out side. Make sure it’s bright enough so everyone can see, but dimmed enough to set the mood for the evening’s events.

Set the mood with music: Pick music that matches your theme and inspires that same feel throughout the house. If you’re going for a fun, energetic atmosphere, try something with a quick tempo, such as pop. If you’re wanting to relax, go for subtler, soothing tones. Try making your playlist before you entertain and lis ten to it a few times through, that way you can know what to expect and how guests will react to your music selections.

Enjoy it: Through all the anxiety and stress of enter tainment planning, make sure you take time to enjoy yourself during the time guests are in your home. Some guests will notice if you’re not having a good time. Smile and remember to be present in the moment.

Find more entertainment tips at eLivingToday.com.

By Cindy Moore

“Water,” he gasped pointing to his throat.

He downed an entire glass before he could speak. “What the heck have you laced this meat with?! Are you trying to get a gig on one of those murder shows?”

“Hmph,” I said insulted. “This recipe is trending on line everywhere and it’s even on every TV news show. I guess you just have no taste.”

“That’s because my taste buds have been burned off. What are the ingredients?”

“Simple, Nyquil and chicken.”

“What?! Are you kidding? That’s not a recipe. It’s a warning about dumb kids experimenting with stupid taste challenges!”

“Hmm, maybe I should have listened to the entire news segment. Well at least the next course is safe. It’s pumpkin spice mashed potatoes.”

Thank goodness for fall.

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 Humor ist: someone who unearths ab surdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recent ly, 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.