CN: December 28, 2016

December 28, 2016

A look back at 2016 Learn & Play

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Comfort food

Community Voices

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By Maida J. Coleman

Submitted photos Mike Snider and other Vietnam veterans visit with Vietnamese villagers on a recent trip to Vietnam. Snider founded Veterans Return to Vietnam and started looking into other organizations that were trying to help vets by letting them go back to Vietnam.

The Community News reviews the year that was for St. Louis County Looking back, 2016 was an eventful year here in St. Louis County. Before we flip the calendar to 2017, we at the Community News thought it would be a good time to look back at what transpired over the past 12 months. We have collected the highlights and remember all of the difference-makers in our community in 2016.

saster that they’re in. It’s nice to see people helping each other,” said West Alton Pit Stop manager Kim Kenoyer.

MARCH

Moving Ferguson forward

FEBRUARY

Around Town

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Business

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Warners' Winter Warm-Up

A renewal at the Library

JANUARY

A slow recovery

The year began with a great deluge, as heavy rains swamped the area, causing extensive flooding and a slow recovery.

“It’s like trying to drain a bathtub through a straw,” said West Alton mayor Willie Richter of the flooding that lingered in the small town, an aftermath of the heavy rains that resulted in record flooding in parts of Missouri and Illinois.

Richter ordered the evacuation of the town’s residents into safety once the drastic nature of the flooding became apparent, but the flood water left West Alton almost completely cut off from surrounding areas for many days until the waters receded and cleanup began.

“This small community just tries to get together and pull each other out of the di-

Several St. Louis County Library (SLCL) branches received an extreme facelift thanks to SLCL’s capital improvement campaign, Your Library Renewed.

The projects were a result of a 2012 voter-approved $0.06 tax increase to raise money for updated facilities.

The new and renovated spaces feature new carpet, paint and furniture, vibrant areas for kids and teens, private study rooms and vending and commons areas with laptop bars. The Natural Bridge branch became the new home of SLCL’s first after-hours computer lab.

“Natural Bridge has a special element to it,” explained SLCL Director Kristen Sorth. “The branch will close at 9 p.m. and the lab will be open in the evening until 11 p.m. We’ve never had a lab that stayed open that late and we are highlighting it for that area. We think it will really benefit the area around Natural Bridge to have a computer lab open later.”

The Ferguson Forward discussion group brought residents together at Ferguson Christian Church, where each Thursday night a group of Ferguson residents and individuals seeking change could be found paving steps toward the healing of their community. At each meeting, pastor of Woven Community Church Daryl Meese would begin to facilitate discussion.

“A significant part [of Ferguson Forward] is to help people listen to one another, to feel that they are being heard, and also to develop a sense of understanding,” said Meese, founder of Ferguson Forward.

“By that I don’t mean that I know the feelings or the situations of my neighbor, but I have space for them to be different from mine, and compassion for the fact that we have life that is sometimes drastically different from our own.”

Many participants have been Ferguson or North County residents for most of their lives, and the heartache for the adversity and misunderstanding experienced in their community was felt universally throughout the attendees.

See A LOOK BACK page 2

$100,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs

Movie

Why were there 'Hidden Figures' at NASA?

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Around Town Vol. 95 No. 52

In This Issue...

Town 3 Around Black Jack Fire Protection

December 28, 2016 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

A LOOK BACK from cover APRIL

A solemn look to the past

District provides winter coats to Hazelwood students and more.

8 School Hazelwood West High

School adopts 14 families for the holidays and more.

9 Business St. Louis Auto Dealers

Association donates $100,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis and more.

10 Sports Local sports with Gary B. & Play 11 Learn Featuring recipe and crossword.

12 What’s Happening 14 Classifieds 16 Movie Why were there “Hidden Figures” at NASA?

Get your event or good news published in Community News: email your information in calendar and article formats to editor@mycnews.com.

A burial service was held under very special circumstances on April 3 at the Chevra Kadisha Cemetery in St. Louis. The service laid to rest a small bundle of human remains obtained by William Elston from Dachau Concentration Camp, which was liberated on April 29, 1945. Elston, who served in the European Theater in World War II, brought the remains back to the United States as proof of the terrible events that occurred during the Holocaust. Debra Cordy, Elston’s daughter, recovered the remains after Elson’s death and decided that the best course of action would be to entrust them to the St. Louis Holocaust Museum.

“Once the remains were brought to the museum, they were accepted to become part of our Holocaust Museum archives,” said Dan Reich, Curator and Director of Education at the St. Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center. “While we know there were other prisoners at Dachau in addition to Jewish prisoners, such as political prisoners and other victims of the Nazis, the majority were Jewish, so we were told that we could assume that the remains were those of a Jewish victim. In that case, the proper thing to do would be the same as with any other deceased Jewish human being: return them to the earth.”

MAY

Ferguson welcomes new chief

Ferguson city officials swore in Delrish Moss as the city’s new Police Chief at the Ferguson Community Center on May 9.

Moss, 51, served as a Miami law enforcement officer for the past 32 years. Moss replaced former Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson, who announced his resignation in March 2015 after the Justice Department reported racial bias in Ferguson’s criminal justice system.

Moss’ first remarks as Ferguson Chief of Police reflected his intent to ensure that the department’s protection of the community is safe and just under his command. His brief speech was met with a standing ovation.

“If you work hard, if you stay honest and committed, if you maintain respect for the community and do your job well, we will get along just fine,” Moss told his offers after taking the oath of office.

has been linked to birth defects like microcephaly and Guillian-Barre syndrome.

But what about Missouri?

The two mosquito species that carry the Zika virus (the Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus) are usually present in Missouri, but the presence of the mosquitoes does not necessarily mean they will be carrying it.

“There has been a lot of media hype but the infection is not really new, it is just being noticed on a larger scale and has grabbed a lot media with it,” Dr. Faisel Kahn, Director of St. Louis County Department of Health said.

No mosquitos in Missouri were ever found carrying the disease.

JULY

Bringing St. Louis filmmakers into focus

year to serve in Topeka, Kansas, many were concerned about how the formally unaccredited school district would function under a new superintendent. Fortunately, new superintendent Dr. Art McCoy, vowed to continue Anderson’s efforts to help each and every one of the district’s students succeed to the best of their ability.

McCoy came with an impressive track record of being the youngest individual to take on each position he’s filled throughout his career. He served in various leadership positions including vice principal, gifted director, executive director and assistant superintendent until becoming one of the youngest superintendents in the country while serving for the Ferguson-Florissant School District at the age of 33.

“I remember the president of the board calling to ask if I was interested in being their new superintendent,” said McCoy. “Because I was born in Jennings and grew up here, I said I am always open to coming back home. I told him I would come in three days to hear from the board and the rest is history. I was pleased to be asked to take the helm.”

SEPTEMBER

Painting for peace

Filmmakers and film lovers alike swarmed

to the Tivoli Theatre for Cinema St. Louis’ 16th Annual St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase from July 17-21. In a city rich in music and theater, local filmmakers fought to earn a spot at the showcase for the chance to share their hard work with an audience and open doors to even bigger opportunities in the industry.

Film topics varied and genres covered everything from documentaries, horror, drama, comedy and more. For both showcase veterans and first-timers, the benefits of being involved in the event were immeasurable.

“First and foremost, the showcase gives us an audience, and there’s so much to be learned from that,” said Vanessa Roman, director of comedy film and showcase feature “The Importance of Doubting Tom.” “You know from an audience right away whether or not you’re doing the right things with your films. It’s such a learning process to sit with an audience and see them react to everything you’re doing on screen, because filmmaking happens in kind of a bubble. It’s so valuable. Friends, family and people you don’t even know are reacting to your film. It is so worthwhile to be inspired by all of the other filmmakers in St. Louis.”

Shortly after the shooting of Michael Brown and the ensuing unrest in the Ferguson community, a group of artists and community members stepped up to paint a different picture of the St. Louis community.

Armed with paintbrushes, buckets of paint and hope for the future, professional artists from throughout the region joined community members in helping to board up and then paint storefronts damaged in the “Ferguson October” protests.

“None of this was pre-planned as we know it,” said University of Missouri St. Louis Associate Professor Dr. Jacquelyn Lewis-Harris who has helped curate an exhibit of the resulting artwork that was displayed throughout St. Louis. Outside/In Paint for Peace collected some of the approximately 250 works created at over 100 businesses throughout the Ferguson area in 2014, and presented them for display at five locations throughout the St. Louis Region.

“This is one of the few exhibits where you have so many venues participating at the same time,” said Lewis-Harris.

OCTOBER

Saving the Shrine

AUGUST

Big shoes to fill

JUNE

Swatting the mosquito threat The Zika virus was one of 2016’s hot-button topics, insomuch that it loomed large over the Summer Olympics in Brazil. The mosquito-borne virus usually causes mild symptoms, such as fevers and rashes, but it

When Dr. Tiffany Anderson left Jennings School District at the beginning of the school

The Friends of Old St. Ferdinand spearheaded a new fundraising campaign to preserve one of Florissant’s most historic landmarks.

The group worked to raise over $400,000

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • December 28, 2016

A LOOK BACK from cover for critical repairs to Old St. Ferdinand Church and its surrounding buildings.

Friends of Old St. Ferdinand President Doug Riser said the historic Catholic church has had a presence in the St. Louis area since 1791.

“This was the first Catholic Church built between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains,” he said.

“The Historic Old St. Ferdinand Shrine church and convent both are older than the Old Cathedral in St. Louis,” said Florissant Mayor Thomas P. Schneider. “The convent predates Missouri’s statehood in 1821 and may be the oldest building still standing in the Louisiana Purchase territory. I arranged for Ameren UE to illuminate the buildings to protect them and to reflect our rich history.”

you spend so much money just to send one man back?” he said. “What really abhors me is that 20 veterans a day commit suicide. Over 65 percent of them are over 50 years old, so a great many of them are Vietnam veterans.

“What is the value of a human life?” he said.

“What is the value of giving peace to someone who fought and saw men die beside him and have been suffering for many years?”

Around Town

www.MYCNEWS.com

DECEMBER

Reinvest North County celebrates success

NOVEMBER

A trip of healing

While people throughout the St. Louis metro area, and the country, took time out on Nov. 11 to honor those who have risked their lives to protect the country, one man worked to raise money to help those same veterans deal with the lifelong mental and emotional scars caused by their service.

Mike Snider, a Vietnam-era veteran who served in the Air National Guard but did not see combat, fought to raise close to $11,000 by Nov. 28 in order to help two local veterans who did serve in Vietnam return to the country to face the demons that conflict has left them with for decades.

Snider formed a nonprofit called Veterans Return to Vietnam and started looking into other organizations that were trying to help vets by letting them go back to Vietnam.

“I have had a lot of people ask ‘Why would

After two years and over $950,000 in investments in the community the Reinvest North County Fund transitioned into a more advisory role in the improvement of northern St. Louis County.

The fund, which worked closely with St. Louis Regional Business Council (RBC) and North County Incorporated (NCI), recently completed its tenth round of funding to area businesses and school districts.

“Hundreds of donors came forward to support the fund. We wanted to show the residents that St. Louis cares. Now many organizations such as the United Way, the Urban League, Better Family Life, Forward Thru Ferguson and so many others are on the ground addressing the issues that must be addressed,” said Executive Director of the St. Louis Regional Business Council Kathy Osborn. “Now as we close the Reinvest Fund we want to encourage donors to give to these organizations. I can assure you that the RBC will continue to invest our time and money in this community.” www.treesbywoody.net

Black Jack Fire Protection District provides winter coats to Hazelwood students

Photo courtesy Hazelwood School District Pictured (from left) are Chief Ken Corbin, Audrey Wittenauer, and firefighters from the Black Jack Fire Protection District as they delivered winter coats to the HSD Family Outreach Center.

Firemen from the Black Jack Fire Protection District delivered coats donated to the Hazelwood School District Family Outreach Center.

This is the second year that Chief Ken Corbin, and other first responders from the Black Jack Fire Protection District have donated coats that were purchased with money collected.

More than 50 winter coats were purchased to benefit HSD students who are in need.

www.byerlyrv.com

“We are so grateful for the generosity of our local firefighters, they use their own money to buy these coats, said Dr. Audrey Wittenauer, HSD federal programs specialist.

“The partnership that we have with the Black Jack Fire Protection District helps a countless number of students and their families in our community.”

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December 28, 2016 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Operation Food Search and Warners’ Warm-Up collect 15,000 winter coats

Submitted photo Pictured is Brenda Warner with a student from Barack Obama Elementary School who was one of the first to receive a free coat.

Operation Food Search (OFS), a hunger relief organization that provides food to the area’s hungry, recently distributed 15,000 coats collected during the 16th annual Warners’ Warm-up coat drive.

Warners’ Warm-up, a two-week coat drive held at more than 600 drop-off locations during November, encouraged Metro St. Louisans to donate new and gently-used winter coats. Operation Food Search distributed the collection to homeless shelters, schools and other social service agencies throughout the bi-state region in time for the winter months.

Former St. Louis Rams’ quarterback Kurt Warner, along with wife Brenda Warner, established the coat drive prior to a home football game in 2001. More than 200,000 coats have been collected and distributed since then.

MDC says frost flowers can be part of landscaping Frost flowers appear like magic in woods and fields when winter brings sub-freezing temperatures. But people can make them appear with the right choice of native plants in landscaping designs. The recent cold spell created icy blooms on the stems of white crownbeard, a native wildflower, at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in Kansas City. In recent years, glassy or milkwhite ribbons of ice have appeared reliably on crownbeard with the first deep freeze.

Not all plants will produce frost flowers. But white crownbeard, yellow crownbeard, yellow ironweed and dittany will produce them if soil, moisture and temperature conditions are right.

The cold freezes moisture in the stems of these plants, icy ribbons expand out in patterns that depend on how the stem splits and other factors. Perhaps the roots of those plants stay active longer and have more moisture to produce the ribbon-like patterns.

White crownbeard is a tall plant. Most gardeners will want to plant it in the back of native wildflower plots. Dittany is a smaller plant that may fit better in shaded yard plantings. They are bonus plants for gardeners, providing colorful flowers in summer and frost flowers in winter.

Native plants also benefit pollinator species such as butterflies and bees. For information on frost flowers, visit http://on.mo.gov/2hKVdzS. Infor-

Photo courtesy Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation Adding specific wildflowers to native plant gardens, or to acreage plantings friendly to pollinator insects such as butterflies, can bring both summer blooms and winter frost flowers. White crownbeard, yellow crownbeard, ironweed and dittany are Missouri natives that produce frost flowers when an early-winter freeze transforms moisture in plant stems into ice formations.

mation about using native plants in landscape gardens is available at http://grownative.org/.

COMMUNITY VOICES Missouri Public Service Commission Cold Weather Rule in effect

By Maida J. Coleman

www.MidwestBankCentre.com

Along with the holidays, the winter season also ushers in blistering cold, ice, snow and increased heating costs. Although Mother Nature can’t be tamed, some of the stress related to heating bills may be eased by the Missouri Public Service Commission’s Cold Weather Rule.

The rule prohibits disconnection of heatrelated service due to nonpayment of a utility bill. The rule is effective from Nov. 1 to March 31 on days when the temperature is forecasted to drop below 32 degrees.

The rule applies PSC regulated electric and natural gas utilities that provide heat-related services. The rule does not apply to municipal utility systems, cooperatives or propane delivery companies because these entities are not regulated by the PSC. The rule enables customers to arrange a payment plan with their utility providers. Here are some highlights of the Cold Weather Rule: • Customers must contact their utility provider and advise them of their inability to pay the bill in full.

• Customers can budget payments over 12 months.

• Customers must pay at least 50 percent of the actual bill for usage during the billing period or the level bill amount under their payment plan.

• Customers may be able to extend payment of preexisting arrearages beyond 12 months.

• No deposit is required if the payment agreement is kept.

• Customers must be notified of possible financial help in paying their bill.

• Allows customers to register with the utility if they are 65 years of age or older; disabled to the extent that they have filed with the utility a medical form submitted by a medical physi¬cian attesting that their household must

have natural gas or electric utility service provided in the home to maintain life or health; or if they have obtained a formal award letter issued from the federal government of disability benefits.

• Requires that the utility provider notify the customer by mail, with one notification attempt in person, before disconnecting service.

• Allows reconnection of service for less than the full amount owed.

• The utility provider may recover unpaid amounts from those winter months by adjusting the customer’s Cold Weather Rule pay¬ment installments after March 31.

Please contact the Missouri Public Service Commission’s Consumer Services Unit at 1-800-392-4211 for additional information regarding the Cold Weather Rule.

Commissioner Maida Coleman was appointed to the Missouri Public Service Commission by Governor Jay Nixon, effective Aug.10, 2015.

She was unanimously confirmed by the Missouri State Senate on Jan. 21. Prior to her appointment, Commissioner Coleman was the Director of the Office of Community Engagement.

From 2001 until 2009, Commissioner Coleman served first as a State Representative and then as State Senator from St. Louis, becoming the first African-American woman in state history to serve as Senate Minority Leader. Coleman has a B.A. in Journalism from Lincoln University in Jefferson City and was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis in 2008. A native of Sikeston, Missouri, Coleman lives in St. Louis.

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 • December 28, 2016

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HUD awards nearly $30 million to city of St. Louis to revitalize Near North Side neighborhood U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro announced Dec. 12 that the city of St. Louis will receive $29.5 million to redevelop severely distressed public or assisted housing and revitalize the surrounding neighborhood. During a press conference and tour of the Near North Side neighborhood in St. Louis with Mayor Francis G. Slay, Secretary Castro announced the following communities will receive grants totaling $132 million awarded through HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods Initiative: Denver; Louisville, Kentucky; Boston, Massachusetts; St. Louis; and Camden, New Jersey.

The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative is part of the administration’s drive to reinvest in neighborhoods of concentrated poverty by revitalizing distressed federally supported housing into sustainable, mixed-income housing with access to transit, better schools and jobs.

“These game-changing investments will breathe new life into distressed neighborhoods and offer real opportunities for the families who call these communities home,” Castro said. “What we do today will leverage private investment and bear fruit for generations of

Moore On Life

families looking for an opportunity to thrive in neighborhoods that are connected to the economic and social fabric of their communities.”

The city of St. Louis has been awarded a $29.5 million FY2016 Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant for the Near North Side neighborhood. Located directly north of downtown St. Louis, the Near North Side is cut off from downtown by warehouses, vacant parcels, and the distressed Preservation Square project-based Section 8 housing development.

With a FY2014 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant, the city of St. Louis, Urban Strategies, and their partners created a plan to revitalize the Near North Side. Armed with their strategic, community plan and a Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant, the city and their partners will create 695 new mixed-income housing units; repurpose historic but blighted properties into housing, retail and commercial uses; increase access to loans for small businesses and homeowners; improve access to healthy foods and offer evidencebased education and employment opportunities.

The city of St. Louis, in partnership with McCormack

By Cindy Moore

Afterthoughts According to the calendar, Christmas should already be wrapped up. Wait…wrapped up…get it? I just made myself giggle. But I wasn’t always giggling this giddily, especially after being forced to finish things up at the last possible minute.

Take for instance my ever-annoying neighbors – the Pilkinson’s (whom I dearly love in case they’re reading this)! I could have sworn they cut us off their card mailing list when I didn’t receive one. So right back in their face, I cut them off of my list. It’s the clear thing to do when stamps are 47 cents apiece.

They then caught me off guard by popping in unexpectedly on Christmas Day to deliver a chocolatey treat along with a card. The nerve!

Some unpunctual people just don’t understand the rule of the season. Get your things to me at a reasonable time so I can reciprocate in like manner! This under-the-wire trick left me desperately rummaging through the neighbor gifts piled on our kitchen counter. I quickly searched for something to re-give.

Ah-ha! Fortunately, the Murdock’s delivered a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies and some kind of strange-looking fruity cake before they ran off to Hawaii. Perfect! They’d never know. I looked at the cookies; I tasted the cookies. They were amazing. Much too yummy for the johnny-come-lately Pilkinson’s disrupting the flow of Christmas. I grabbed the fruity cake instead and tossed in some old Halloween candy to fill in the gap from the missing cookies. You know…desperate times and all that stuff.

Now what to do about a tag? I had to take one of the cards that had already been sent to us and white out our names then re-sign it.

Bah Humbug Pilkinson’s! How is it they are the last to deliver gifts, but the first to have their Christmas lights up? Oh, now I remember… maybe because they never take them down in the first place!

So we sent them merrily on their way with their fruitcake, Halloween candy and re-gifted card straight from the heart with peace on earth and all sorts of goodwill to them. I then intended to kick up my feet and catch up on the ten holiday movies I hadn’t had time to watch.

Just into the first movie my husband got a call.

“It’s Mrs. Pilkinson. She’s having company over tonight and insists on making your delicious fruitcake. She wants the ingredients ASAP!” I yelled back, “No can do! Old secret family recipe from Hawaii.”

You know…desperate measures and all that stuff.

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.

Baron Salazar and Urban Strategies, will use $29.5 million in Choice Neighborhoods funding to help the Near North Side neighborhood regain the level of stability and vibrancy it once possessed as a primary gateway to downtown St. Louis. Although adjacent to downtown, massive multi-block warehousing operations and vacant or underutilized properties fragment the neighborhood from the downtown grid. The street grid is also broken within the superblocks of the distressed Preservation Square housing complex, further isolating the community from the rest of the neighborhood and downtown.

Despite these challenges, the city, Urban Strategies Inc. and other dedicated neighborhood stakeholders have been laying the foundation for change. Through a 2014 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant residents, community stakeholders and institutional partners worked together to design robust strategies that build on assets and address the neighborhood’s most critical challenges. The resulting Transformation Plan has become a catalyst for community action and the central organizing platform.

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December 28, 2016 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Operation Food Search moves to new headquarters

OFS recently moved to its new 67,000-square-foot headquarters located at 1644 Lotsie Blvd. in Overland.

Operation Food Search (OFS), a hunger relief organization that provides food to the area’s hungry, opened the doors to its new home just in time for the holidays.

OFS recently moved to its new 67,000-squarefoot headquarters located at 1644 Lotsie Blvd. in Overland. The agency was previously located in a 25,000-square-foot building at 6282 Olive Blvd. in University City.

The building cost $2.27 million plus had a total renovation of $2.5 million. The property was a former window factory that had been vacant for years. Operation Food Search began a capital campaign in January of 2016 to raise $7 million through its “The Campaign to End Child Hunger in the St. Louis Region.” The campaign was created to support the purchase and renovation of a state-of-the-art food distribution and nutrition education center so that OFS can better respond to the region’s growing hunger needs.

The new facility incorporates best practices for efficiencies in food distribution including advanced inventory management, increased product racking capabilities, additional truck bays, and expanded refrigeration for perishable items.

The community kitchen is a new venue for hosting culinary and nutrition education classes, which complements OFS’ community-based programs. The multi-purpose spaces allow member agencies and stakeholders to convene for the purpose of creating long-term innovative solutions that efficiently utilize the organizations’ collective

Conservation commission approves changes to smallmouth and rock bass regulations

Submitted photo

resources. A volunteer room was constructed to engage more individuals and groups to give back to the community in a tangible way.

PARIC Corporation served as the project’s general contractor, and M + H Architects was the building’s architectural firm.

“The holidays are our busiest season of the year, so the move could not have happened at a better time since we can now better accommodate our communities’ needs,” said Operation Food Search Executive Director Sunny Schaefer. “This facility allows us to fulfill our mission and continue growing. It’s like a dream come true.” Schaefer added that “we are extremely fortunate to have such a wide array of resources and volunteers that help us do the best job we possibly can.”

Founded in 1981, Operation Food Search (OFS) is a hunger relief organization that provides food and nutrition education. With a strategic focus aimed at ending childhood hunger, OFS empowers families with a range of programs and services proven to reduce food insecurity and increase access to healthy and affordable food.

OFS helps feed more than 200,000 individuals on a monthly basis – one-third of which are children – through a network of 330 community partners in 31 Missouri and Illinois counties, as well as in the city of St. Louis. For every dollar donated, OFS provides $21 worth of food and nutrition services to support the area’s hungry. For more information, call 314-726-5355 or visit http://www.

OperationFoodSearch.org.

www.keevenappliance.com

At its Dec. 16 meeting in Jefferson City, the Missouri Conservation Commission voiced final approval for regulation changes recommended by the Missouri Department of Conservation related to smallmouth bass and rock bass. The regulation changes become effective on March 30, 2017.

The regulation changes create a standard 15-inch minimum length limit for smallmouth bass and a daily limit of one for all Smallmouth Bass Special Management areas. They also expand these areas on the Big Piney, Jacks Fork, Big, and Meramec rivers.

The existing minimum length limit for smallmouth bass of 12 inches and daily limit of six fish remain for Missouri streams other than those of Smallmouth Bass Special Management areas.

The regulation changes also set a statewide length limit of seven inches for rock bass (also called goggle-eye, warmouth, Ozark bass, and shadow bass) and remove the Osage Fork of the Gasconade River from the Rock Bass Special Management areas.

The regulation changes are based on extensive scientific research related to bass populations and harvest with consideration of public input received, including from nine public meetings held by the department.

For more information on bass fishing, visit huntfish.mdc. mo.gov/fishing/species.

State auditor says Pine Lawn municipal court continues to fail to meet basic operating standards Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway has released a follow up report on the Pine Lawn municipal court, located in St. Louis County. The review was conducted after a June audit raised concerns with widespread mismanagement throughout court operations. The follow-up report found little progress has been made in many areas, and the city has not paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to the state for exceeding state limits on the percentage of revenue it kept from fines associated with traffic violations.

“Despite agreeing to corrective action earlier this year, the Pine Lawn municipal court continues to fail to meet the most basic threshold of functional and productive operations,” Galloway said. “It is unclear whether the court’s inaction is due to a lack of concern or a lack of ability, but it is not acceptable for any public body to operate with so little accountability. There is an obvious disconnect between the standards people expect from a court and the activity we have identified in Pine Lawn municipal court.”

The previous report found city personnel miscalculated the amount owed to the state for excess revenues generated from traffic violations. Based on auditors’ calculations, the city generated 46 percent of its general operating revenue from traffic violations and likely owed more than $400,000 to the Department of Revenue under the law that was in effect at the time. That money has not been paid and city officials do not appear to have any plans to do so.

The report shows the court has made little progress transferring court cases into a new electronic case management system.

In August of 2015, the municipal judge ordered 11,000 warrants to be recalled with the direction that those cases would be entered into the new system and receive new court dates. The previous report noted thousands of cases had not yet been entered in the new system. This review found court staff has since made little progress entering cases into the new system.

The court has continued to neglect basic accounting functions and is not performing accurate bank account reconciliations, following up on outstanding checks or identifying bond liabilities in order to reconcile them to accounting records.

Of ten areas reviewed for the follow up report, only one had been implemented. The previous report described how court personnel lacked accurate and complete files, with some cases missing necessary basic records, including tickets, dockets or warrants. The process has been improved to ensure all documentation is included in new case files when they are created.

The Pine Lawn municipal court is a division of the 21st Judicial Circuit.

The Pine Lawn municipal court audit was conducted as part of the Municipal Courts Initiative, which expands the standard court audit process. In addition to reviewing financial transactions, accounting practices and compliance with court rules and state law, auditors also review statistical information, tickets and other penalties to identify improper activities or practices that may impair impartiality or damage the court’s credibility with citizens.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • December 28, 2016

World Wide Technology Asynchrony Labs expands offices in downtown St. Louis World Wide Technology (WWT) has announced the expansion of World Wide Technology Asynchrony Labs’ corporate offices in downtown St. Louis. The added facilities on 900 Spruce Street will accommodate more jobs and business prospects within the city’s burgeoning tech scene.

WWT Asynchrony Labs, formerly known as Asynchrony, is an information technology consulting firm who has been operating in downtown St. Louis since 2000. The company reached capacity on the sixth and seventh floors of the historical Cupples 9 building at 900 Spruce Street in St. Louis, comprising approximately 45,000 square feet. Earlier this year, they secured an additional 9,000 square feet in the Cupples 10 building at 1000 Spruce to accommodate their growth. The newly expanded office space, encompassing an additional 9,500 square feet, is located on the fifth floor of Cupples 9. WWT Asynchrony Labs will use the space to host new and existing business clients, showcase technology demonstrations, and provide its growing network of employees more quiet, intimate areas to collaborate and innovate.

“With expansion comes new opportunity to serve our employees and enterprise clients. We’ve seen over 30 percent growth in our employee base in the past 18 months, and as a result, have gotten excellent feedback from new and existing employ-

ees on how to better serve their needs in the office,” said Bob Elfanbaum, Vice President and General Manager for WWT Asynchrony Labs. “We want to encourage a creative, warm and inviting environment for our employees, as well as provide a unique experience for our guests.”

In lieu of hiring a contractor to design the new office space, WWT Asynchrony Labs turned to its own creative teams, which added such elements as a mock living room designed to provide a more authentic demonstration of an at-home user experience, as well as a dedicated interviewing room for new employee candidates. In keeping with their original office space, there are numerous writable walls, as well as a new St. Louis city scape coloring wall for employees.

“Our best ideas came from our internal software design and usability team. We have a practice within our organization comprised of usability experts and graphic designers, who coordinated an ideation brainstorm session, created a design board, shared ideas, and worked as a team to propose unique design elements for the new office,” shared Kelly White, Director of the UX/Design team for WWT Asynchrony Labs. “We’re incredibly proud of our staff and want them to have a voice in creating an environment in which they will thrive.”

STL Football U hosts their annual Junior National Elite Student Athlete Awards and Banquet

Around Town

Jamestown students raise money for Backstoppers

Photo courtesy Hazelwood School District Jessica Smogorzewski, fourth grade teacher at Jamestown presents a check to St. Louis County Officer and Jamestown School Resource Officer Darren Jeffery.

Students at Jamestown Elementary School, in the Hazelwood School District, raised more than $300 for the Backstoppers organization.

A check was presented to St. Louis County Officer and Jamestown School Resource Officer (SRO), Darren Jeffery.

“It means more to me than most will know,” said Jeffery. “It really shows the generous nature of our students.”

Jessica Smogorzewski, fourth grade teacher at Jamestown, came up with the idea to hold a school-wide, dress-down day. Students and staff participated in the day by donating a dollar or more. In all, $330 was raised for the Backstoppers.

For Smogorzewski, the money raised for Backstoppers hits close to home. Smogorzewski’s husband is a police officer for the city of Ballwin.

“I was determined to find ways to shine light on our first responders, those who are here for the community every day,” said Smogorzewski. “The ones who put their lives on the line to protect ours. The ones who kiss their spouses and kids every day as if it might be the last time. I am so thankful that we could do this for such a great organization and the fact that people put so much time and effort into supporting the cause is inspiring.”

Photo courtesy city of Florissant (From left) Michael McMillan, President and CEO of the Urban League of St. Louis, stands with Florissant Mayor Thomas P. Schneider, Major Tim Fagan and Capt. Randy Boden from the Florissant Police Department, Sterling Finney, Jr., CEO of STL Football U and Mizzou Head Football Coach Gary Odom.

Florissant Mayor Thomas P. Schneider, Florissant Police Major Tim Fagan and Captain Randy Boden were invited to attend the annual Junior National Elite Student Athlete Awards and Banquet event that was hosted by STL Football U on Dec. 4 at the Orlando’s Event & Conference Center. The guest speakers included Tyron Woodley, UFC Welterweight Champion with the American Mixed Martial Arts organization, Gary Odom, head coach from the University of Missouri and Michael McMillian, President and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. The purpose of the event was to honor the top three football players/student finalists (from sixth, seventh and eighth grade) as well as the top high school players.

According to the organization’s web site (www. stlfootballu.org), the mission of Football U is to enhance the skills and heighten the knowledge of athletes in the game of football. It is through customized instructions designed to embrace the full abilities of participants as players and citizens with the intention of excelling each individual to a high level of performance on the football field and in the community.

Football U requires its participants to maintain a high GPA (grade point average) and to participate in several community service events throughout the year.

Sterling Finney Jr., chief executive officer of STL Football U, attended Hazelwood Central

High School, where he played on the football and basketball teams. Finney was both a quarterback and defensive back on the football team, earning All-Conference honors. He was a member of Hazelwood Central’s state championship football team in 1996. He played college football at Missouri Western University and Culver Stockton College, where he was a two-time All-American player.

The Florissant Police Department strongly supports the organization, believing in fostering relationships and open dialogue with area youth.

“I am very pleased that our Florissant Police Department partners with Football U,” said Florissant Police Chief Tim Lowery. “We are always looking for ways to bridge the gap between police and young people, and to help each other in doing so by nurturing mutual respect.”

Other sponsors of Football U include Ameren Missouri, Dillard’s, Walmart, The Princeton Review, Athletic Republic, Sam’s Club, Run It Performance, the Bob Emig Foundation, STL Sports Productions and the Hazelwood School District.

“It is an honor for the Florissant Police Department and the city of Florissant to support such a worthy organization,” said Schneider. “We applaud the wonderful work done by Mr. Finney and other members of Football U in helping make today’s scholar-athletes the leaders of our community tomorrow.”

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www.aperioncare.com

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School

December 28, 2016 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Hazelwood West High School adopts 14 families for the holidays

Hazelwood Central and West students lend a hand to make a difference

Photo courtesy Hazelwood School District

For the second year, Hazelwood West High School students and staff adopted 14 families, which included 38 children for the holiday season.

Students and staff at West High collected items ranging from tablets to gift cards, depending on the family’s request. Once collected, students, teachers, and administrators wrapped the gifts and delivered them to the Hazelwood School District Family Outreach Center where they will be distributed to the families.

“I am so proud of West High for what they are doing in our community,” said Dr. Bruce Green, assistant superintendent for high school education. “It’s inspiring to see how excited both students and staff get about purchasing and wrapping gifts for others in our district. It’s wonderful to witness the generosity of our students and staff.”

PINTEREST.COM/MYCNEWS

Photo courtesy Hazelwood School District

Students who participate in several clubs at Hazelwood Central and West High schools recently spent their Sunday morning volunteering to help others during the Hot Chocolate Run in downtown St. Louis.

Over 110 Hazelwood students who are members of Tri-M, National Honor Society, Thespians Club, and the Student Council, all volunteered at the annual Hot Chocolate Run on Dec. 11. The students, along with their teachers, volunteered to distribute finisher mugs to the thousands of

runners who participated in this year’s event. All proceeds from the Hot Chocolate Run will benefit the Ronald McDonald Houses of St. Louis.

“I am proud of our students and teachers for what they are doing in our community,” said Dr. Bruce Green, assistant superintendent for high school education. “Our students are not only excelling in the classroom, but they are taking time from their schedules to help others. This effort demonstrates our students’ selfless leadership, and their commitment to social responsibility.”

HSD STEM Extravaganza showcases high-tech courses and career options for students

www.seniorshelpingseniors.com/stlouiscentral

Photo courtesy Hazelwood School District The Hazelwood School District will host its annual STEM Extravaganza on Jan. 21, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hazelwood Central High School at 15875 New Halls Ferry Road in Florissant.

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The Hazelwood School District (HSD) will host its annual STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Extravaganza on Jan. 21, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hazelwood Central High School at 15875 New Halls Ferry Road in Florissant. The event is free and open to the public.

The STEM Extravaganza is a showcase of educational opportunities for students in pre-k through 12th grade in STEM. “We encourage students, teachers, families and members of the community to attend the STEM Extravaganza to gain additional exposure to STEM activities, careers, and STEM related degree programs available,” said Matt McClellan, HSD curriculum coordinator for special areas.

“Businesses are in need of candidates with strong skills in the STEM areas. This is an ex-

cellent opportunity for our families to talk with representatives from educational institutions and businesses to learn what it takes to be successful in these areas.”

At the STEM Extravaganza, attendees will participate in demonstrations and hands-on activities for all grade levels, exhibits, robotics, speakers, college representatives and more.

Community partners scheduled to attend include: St. Louis Zoo, Boeing, Washington University, University of Missouri-Kansas City, St. Louis Science Center, St. Louis University, Project Lead the Way, HSD Math and Science, the University of Missouri-St. Louis and many more.

“The STEM Extravaganza exemplifies the district’s value of forming partnerships with parents and community members to ensure the success of all students,” said McClellan.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • December 28, 2016

New business development consultant named for SSM Health DePaul Hospital

Business

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St. Louis Auto Dealers Association donates $100,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis

Elandra Dillard has been named business development consultant for SSM Health DePaul Hospital. In her role, Elandra will be the primary liaison between the medical staff and hospital administration.

A graduate of Fontbonne University’s Master of Business Administration program, Dillard comes to DePaul Hospital from SSM Health Foundations, where she Submitted photo had extensive experience in program development and was responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with individuals, corporations and major donors.

Advertiser Profile:

Submitted photo

Submitted photo

It’s a new world of camping

By Russ Patton, owner of Byerly RV The magical mystery tours of RV travel continue to attract Americans. 2016 will be a record year for the industry. RVs are big business. Several companies are listed on the NYSE. Dealers who are looking to retire or have suffered during the recession are being consolidated into multi-lot networks. One of them has recently “gone public.” Traditional family-owned, local dealers are now competing with outside entities which mainly focus on the growing number of first-time buyers. Their selling model is quite different from the low key, soft selling of a local business.

About 40 years ago, the fathers of several local RV dealers joined in an effort to promote the RV lifestyle. The Midwest Gateway RV Dealers Association sponsors two RV shows each year. This year’s spring show will be held at the downtown St. Louis convention center from Feb. 2-5. The fall show takes place the weekend after Labor Day. It is a free outdoor show which will be at the Premier Outlet Mall in Chesterfield Valley.

National consolidators have not been able to buy out any established local dealerships. They must build their own. This is a testament to the dedication of the local, family-owned RV dealerships and their customers. Eastern Missouri cherishes local, independent business as evidenced by the predominance of local grocery companies versus national chains. The “Show Me” attitude is still alive in Missouri. Competitors are welcome, but one may notice a contrast in business models.

In our market, families are selling to families. One doesn’t have to submit their driver’s license or wait for an “escort” to browse through the selection of RVs. We don’t run your credit to determine what you qualify for. We don’t insist on your vitals so we can pepper you with emails and solicitations. There are no membership qualifications. Our prices are as low as the chains, although the perception of low prices is the primary selling tool of chains which target first-time buyers. The perception of higher prices at local dealers is nothing more than the local dealer’s commitment to offer a selection of higher-quality products because they want your repeat business. We believe that the price/ value balance is the best way to shop for an RV. We believe buying local is best for you and best for Missouri. We are Byerly, the Center of the RV World since 1948. Visit us in Eureka or check our website, www.byerlyrv.com, and follow us on Facebook.

(From left) Chris Adelmann, Executive Vice President of the St. Louis Auto Dealers Association stand with Vince Capatosta, President of the St. Louis Auto Dealers Association, Ruth Lederman, VP-Resource Development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis and Jim Butler, Owner/ President of Jim Butler Automotive Group and BGCSTL Board Member.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) humbly received a $100,000 donation from the St. Louis Auto Dealers Association to support the agency’s efforts of providing after-school, summer, teen and other youth programs in the North St. Louis County area.

In 2015, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis significantly expanded its footprint in the North County area to serve youth ages 6-18. It was already operating two clubs in the Hazelwood

School District (Southeast Middle School Club and Grannemann Elementary School Club) but have since opened two new clubs in the Ferguson/Florissant District (Ferguson Middle School and Lee Hamilton Elementary School Clubs) and the Riverview Gardens Club (Highland Elementary School Club) in Fall 2016. The opening of these clubs and this donation allows BGCSTL to serve more youth and have a greater impact in those communities.

“Best of North Co.”

2017 Presented by

Starting Wednesday, Jan. 4 - Feb. 22

Vote For Your Favorite Business in North County at our website WWW.MYCNEWS.COM Voting ballots can also be found in the All Chamber members and businesses in 63031, 63033, 63042, 63135, 63136, 63138, 63137, 63032 and 63034 are eligible. All votes must be received no later than March 1, 2017. Awards for first place winners will be presented at the March 15, 2017 Chamber Luncheon.

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10

Sports

December 28, 2016 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Sports you see with Gary B...

I will be broadcasting the “STL Health and Wellness LIVE” show every Saturday from 9-11 am on 590 The Fan and 590TheFan.com

“Community News hits all areas for all ages.”

-Reader ’s comment, 2016

Why do you read the Community News?

Pick up your copy at a newsstand today or check us out online, www.mycnews.com

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Wrestling team ends year on high note The Lindenwood wrestling team concluded its 2016 season when it competed in the 38th annual Midwest Classic hosted by the University of Indianapolis recently. Hunter Haralson and Batchka Zulkhuu highlighted the Lions’ performance at 133 and 174 pounds respectively as each placed.

Haralson, entering the tournament holding an overall record of 5-4, collected two victories in the mail event including a major decision and a tiebreaking decision to advance him to the quarterfinals. Overall, he finished third in consolation.

Zulkhuu began the tournament needing a victory to win his first round. He fell by decision in the second round, but he would then garner a hot streak of wins. First, he pinned his opponent just 1:10 into the match then followed that up with an 8-1 decision. He pulled off two more decisions to reach the semifinals of the consolation where he would fall by pin. However, Zulkhuu got the chance to take fifth place and took full advantage. The match reached the third round, but Zulkhuu found a way to pin his opponent to earn his sixth win of the event and eighth of the season.

For more information, go to www.LindenwoodLions.com * Thanks to Andrew P. Morris of Lindenwood Sports Information for the information Indoor football starts in March The River City Raiders will play in the new 16team Champions Indoor Football League starting March 11.

“We had an opportunity to look at just about every (indoor) league in existence,” said Raiders President/CEO Kenny Nowling. “The CIF seemed to be the right fit for the River City Raiders. They’re very like-minded (to us) from a business standpoint. I think their growth potential is huge. In my opinion, it’s the premier league of indoor football.”

Go to www.IndoorRaiders.com for more information. * Football in the Lou

Ambush player receives honors The St. Louis Ambush are a professional indoor soccer team that play in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) with their home games at the Family Arena in St. Charles.

St. Louis Ambush defender Richard Schmermund has been named to the Major Arena Soccer League’s Team of the Week for Week Eight of the regular season.

As a defender, he displayed great two-way ability, helping on both offense and defense in a recent loss to Cedar Rapids. From the back line, Schmermund helped to keep Cedar Rapids forward Gordy Gurson without a goal for only the second time this season. He also added a goal and an assist to his team’s efforts.

This is his fourth season with the Ambush who is a St. Louis area native who grew up in Ferguson. He played prep soccer at McCluer High School and club soccer for Scott Gallagher and Lou Fusz.

Schmermund’s collegiate career was spent at St. Louis Community College, where he was awarded First Team All Conference. Prior to joining the Ambush, Rich played professionally with the Illinois Piasa (PASL). He appeared in 14 games for the Ambush in 2013-14 where He contributed five goals and 13 blocks.

During the 2014-15 campaign, “the Schmerminator” registered seven goals and two blocks in 15 games played. Schmermund appeared in all 20 games last season (2015-16), tallying four goals, six assists and 11 blocks.

The Ambush next contest is against the crossstate rival Kansas City Comets in a New Years’ Eve matinee Saturday, Dec. 31 at 1:05 p.m.

For more information go to www.STLAmbush.com * Home town quality Gary Baute, a St. Louis native, has hosted many radio shows from Health to Sports to Baby Boomer news. He was the EMCEE of the River City Rascals and St. Louis Swarm basketball team inaugural seasons and broadcasting for the indoor football teams over a decade. Has been writing sports since 1999 for the paper.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • December 28, 2016

Recipe: Comfort food to beat the winter blues When the temperature drops, there’s nothing quite like the pleasure of simple and delicious comfort food. Instead of letting the winter chill get you down, warm your body and heart with dishes that are both comforting and delicious.

After all, there is no better time to satisfy your cravings for feel-good favorites than during the cold winter months.

These mouthwatering winter recipes will not only help warm you up, but create a loving family dining experience that everyone can enjoy. When

Learn & Play

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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.

serving up hearty winter recipes, such as a savory Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese or delectable Baked Spaghetti, there’s no better way to satisfy the craving for wholesome comfort food than with Borden Cheese and its wide range of offerings.

From mild cheddar and mozzarella to Mexican, Swiss, American and more, every chunk, slice and shred is pure, creamy goodness that transforms family recipes into something truly memorable.

For more inspiration and ideas for family dinners, visit bordencheese.com.

Baked Spaghetti Cook time: 35 minutes

Ingredients: Nonstick spray 1 package (16 ounces) spaghetti 1 tablespoon butter 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup chopped green pepper 1 pound ground beef 1 can (28 ounces) tomatoes with liquid, cut up 1 can (4 ounces) mushrooms, drained 1 can (2 1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained 2 teaspoons dried oregano 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Directions: Heat oven to 350 F. Spray 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Cook spaghetti according to package directions.

In large, nonstick skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat until hot. Saute onion and pepper until tender. Add ground beef and cook until beef has browned; drain.

See solution on page 13

Stir in tomatoes, mushrooms, olives and oregano. Bring to boil and reduce heat to medium. Simmer 10 minutes.

Place half of spaghetti in prepared baking dish. Top with half of vegetablemeat mixture. Sprinkle with half of cheddar cheese. Repeat layers.

Combine soup with water; pour over casserole. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Bake uncovered 30-35 minutes, or until thoroughly heated.

Ham and Gouda Quesadilla Cook time: 15 minutes | Servings: 1

Ingredients: 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 small onion, thinly sliced 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1 flour tortilla (10 inches) 2 slices deli ham 8 dill pickle rounds 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded gouda cheese Directions: In small, nonstick skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until hot. Stir in onions. Cook, stirring frequently, un-

til onions become tender and golden brown.

Spread mustard on one half of tortilla.

Top with ham, onions, pickles and cheese; fold uncovered part of tortilla over filling to form semi-circle.

Cook quesadilla in dry skillet over medium-high heat until browned on both sides and cheese is melted.

Cut into four pieces and serve.

Crossword Puzzle – Theme: Finish the Lyrics ACROSS 1. Face fringe 6. Go low, as in jeans 9. “Oh, my!”

13. Underway 14. Tire measurement 15. Wear away 16. Luciano Pavarotti, e.g.

17. Roman goddess of plenty 18. Previously an Oiler 19. *”...I’m ready, yes, I’m ready for you. I’m standing on my own ____ ____” 21. *”On a dark desert highway, cool wind in ____ ____” 23. It’s all the rage 24. Person, place or thing 25. PC brain 28. Bingo-like game 30. Moses’ older sister 35. Be in pain 37. Sail support 39. *”Come on, shake your body, baby, do the ____” 40. “Heat of the Moment” band 41. Single-cell protozoan 43. *Then along comes ____” 44. Great white, e.g.

46. “Goodness gracious!”

47. Commoner 48. *”Raindrops are falling on ____ ____” 50. Saharan-like 52. “Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N...” singer 53. Like Roman Empire 55. ENT’s first concern 57. *”My daddy’s sleeping and mama ain’t ____” 60. *”So put another dime in the ____” 64. *”...I’ll tell you all about it when I see you ____” 65. “____ to Joy” 67. Abomination 68. Formal dishes 69. *”So bye, bye Miss American ____” 70. *”Oh, I was only twenty four hours from ____” 71. Front-line combat vehicle 72. Credit card acr.

73. Wheel shafts DOWN 1. Quilter’s stuffing 2. Not many 3. Something that’s unacceptable 4. Disappear, like into the sunset 5. Unbroken series of events

6. See him run!

7. Cleopatra’s cause of death 8. Whatchamacallit 9. “Summertime” or “Porgy and Bess,” e.g.

10. “Laughing on the inside” in text 11. Month of Purim 12. D.C. bigwig 15. Thai or Mexican food, e.g.

20. a.k.a. dropsy 22. Delish!

24. Small bouquet 25. Geological rift 26. Aggressive 27. “Umble” Heep 29. *”I’ve got a blank space, baby, and I’ll write your ____” 31. Boisterous play 32. Collectively 33. Come to terms 34. *”...Here’s my number, so call me ____”

36. Container weight 38. Kind of ski lift 42. “Farewell” in Paris 45. V.I.P. in Hawaii 49. Draper of “Mad Men” 51. Actress Fanning 54. Parkinson’s drug 56. Updike’s “Rabbit ____” 57. Turkish honorific 58. *”All you get is pain. When I wanted sunshine I got ____” 59. Sound on Old MacDonald’s farm 60. Audience’s rejection 61. Hillary’s hubby 62. British river 63. December 25th, for short 64. Pre-college challenge 66. Party bowlful

See answers on page 13

12

What’s Happening

December 28, 2016 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

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

EVENTS Dec. 31: Support group beginning

A PFLAG chapter in North County is starting very soon, and is looking for parents and individuals interested in getting it off the ground running. If you are interested in helping start this support group for parents of GLBT individuals and the individuals themselves contact Josh Privitt at nocopflag@gmail.com or 314-521-5694.

Dec. 31: Volunteers needed

St. Louis County is now seeking volunteers for the St. Louis County Older Resident Programs’ (CORP) 2016 tax preparation. Applications are now available to begin the process and to sign up for the training. Volunteers will be VITA-certified and will begin volunteering at the CORP tax sites mid-January and continue through mid-April. Volunteers can choose where they would like to help out of eight sites, days, position as a tax counselor, appointment scheduler or customer greeter/intaker. Mileage reimbursement is available. Call today to get started with the volunteer application process. Interested individuals should contact Sheryl Trask at 314615-7430 for north of I-64 locations or Kathy Paulsen at 314-615-4021 for south county locations.

Jan. 31: Heath insurance enrollment help

The open enrollment period for the Missouri Health Insurance Marketplace began on Nov. 1, 2016 and lasts until Jan. 31, 2017. Vitendo4africa in Partnership with Bilingual International Assistant Services are helping people to sign up for the Affordable Care Act. Call 314-645-7800 or 314252-0488 to schedule an appointment today. To help bilingual Missourians understand their options for affordable health care and successfully enroll in the marketplace, make an appointment with a trained bilingual assister (navigator) who is fluent in the following languages: Bosnian, Spanish, Swahili, Vietnamese, Russian, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Albanian, Dari/ Farsi, Arabic, French, etc. You can also come into the office on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 7220 N. Lindbergh Blvd. in Hazelwood.

Jan. 31: Scholarship application deadline

The Florissant Rotary Club and Rotary District 6060 are seeking Ambassado-

rial Scholars for the 2017-2018 academic year. The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarship Program is to further international understanding and peaceful relations among people of different races, nationalities, ethnicities and religions while pursuing a program of higher education either here or abroad. Two different kinds of Rotary District Scholarships are available: The District Scholarship is available in any field, but preference is given to study in a humanitarian field.

Applicants must have earned their bachelor degree prior to applying and $25,000 is available to pay for tuition, fees, room and board and transportation. Global Scholarships are available only to applicants whose field of study is in one of six focus areas: peace and conflict resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health care, basic education and literacy, economic and community development. These scholarships provide $30,000 for tuition, fees, room and board and transportation. The deadline for applications is Jan. 31 and must be submitted to Richard Dorsey, President, Florissant Rotary Club, 1650 Shackelford Rd. #1188, Florissant, MO 63031. Applications and additional information may be found at www.rotary6060.org and then by clicking on Foundation Programs, then Educational Programs, then Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships.

Normally, no more than one District Scholarship Award and/or one Global Scholarship are awarded each year.

Jan. 31: Choral rehearsals

Love to sing? New singers are welcome to join. Auditions are not required.

Choral Arts Singers begin weekly rehearsals on Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. Please stop by rehearsal and consider joining. Rehearsal is located at Transfiguration Episcopal Church at 1860 Lake Saint Louis Blvd. in Lake St. Louis. Concerts are being planned with local high schools to be presented in late April or early May.

RECURRING EVENTS Weekdays: Food pantry volunteers needed The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry is in need of ongoing adult volunteers to sort food, stock shelves and shop with clients.

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

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: 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.

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: Lung cancer support group

The Lung Cancer Networking Group is open to anyone affected by lung cancer and meets at Christian Hospital at 11133 Dunn Rd. every second Tuesday of the month from 6 - 7:30 p.m. in Room 2100. No RSVP required.

Christian Hospital has partnered with the Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis to provide this group meeting. Drop-in to the monthly meetings to discuss, ask questions and learn how others manager side effects, symptoms and the day-to-day of cancer. Connect with other care partners who are learning about cancer and how it impacts their friends and family members. Share and hear stories from others who “get it.” Discover the power

of group support when you meet with a licensed facilitator, other people (family, friends, patients) affected by a cancer diagnosis.

Last Saturdays: Writers Workshop:

Tuesdays: TOPS (Take off pounds sensibly)

Sundays: Meat shoot

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

Every Sunday: Tours at Old St. Ferdinand Shrine

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 or Connie McConnell, 314-831-5476.

6:30pm, Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335, 800 Chambers Road in Bellefontaine Neighbors.

Those interested in membership are invited to attend.

Every Tuesday: Bingo Evening at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316

Doors at 4:30pm, games begin at 6pm, Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant. For more information, call 314.921.2316.

Wednesdays: Are you interested in losing weight?

10am - 1:30pm, Baden Liberary, 8448 Church Rd., 314.388.2400

Come and enjoy the meat shoots at American Legion Post 444 located on 17090 Old Jamestown Road between Sinks Rd and Lindbergh starting at noon until dusk every Sunday - rain or shine. Great meat prizes awarded.

#1 Rue St. Francois St., Florissant, 1 – 4pm, through October. Donations accepted. Docents needed. 314.921.7582, vicray01@aol.com

Sundays: meeting

Jennings

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.

Check out TOPS #361 Florissant group of supportive ladies. Meetings are on Wednesday mornings beginning at 9:15 am at Florissant Church of Christ, 16460 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant. If interested, please contact Shirley at 314-895-3528 for more information.

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

Every Wednesday: Bingo Morning at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316

HEALTH

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

Doors at 7:30am, games begin at 9:30am. For more information, call 314.921.2316.

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 Citizens’ Bingo Clubs: 314.839.7604.

Every 1st Wednesday of the Month: Stroke Support Group

3-4pm, Center for Senior Renewal, Detrick Building 1st floor, 11133 Dunn Rd. For more information, contact Jamie Stevens at 314.653.5331.

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.

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

CHURCH

Tuesdays from 2 - 4pm and Thursday from 6:30 - 8:30pm, 11645 Benham Rd., 314.741.3737

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.

Every Monday-Friday: Evening Front Desk Volunteers Needed 4-7pm, Christian Hospital, 1225 Graham Rd. in Florissant. For more information, please contact Lee Shields at 314.653.5032.

2nd 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.

Tuesdays: Alcohol and Drug Information Meeting

Christian Hospital Building 2, Suite 401, 6:30 – 8pm, 314.839.3171, free and open to the public.

Every third Tuesday of every month: Grief Support Group sponsored by DePaul Hospital 11:30am-1pm, Bridgeton Trails Library, 3455 McKelvey Rd. For more information, call 314.344.6873.

6:45pm, Knights of Columbus Hall, 1216 Teson Rd. in Hazelwood. For more information call 314.731.9330

Wednesdays: STEPS Schizophrenia Support Group

Every 3rd Friday of the month: Bingo

Sundays: Alcoholics Anonymous Group 109

2pm, Life Care Center of Florissant, 1201 Garden Plaza Dr. For more information, call 314.831.3752.

6:30 - 7:30pm, 314.839.3171.

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

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • December 28, 2016

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 yearround and 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, 314.653.5123.

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, 314.953.8100.

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 314822-2066 or visit WWW.NicotineAnonymous.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 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 state-of-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.

SSM.DOCS to register or for more information.

SSM DePaul Wellness Center:

Classes available on strength training, nutrition and smoking cessation, 314.344.6177

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

ONGOING SUPPORT GROUPS Sundays: Support Group for

Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse 6:30 - 8pm, 7401 Delmar Ave. in University City, 314.993.5421.

First and Third Tuesdays: Support Group for Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse 12:30 - 2pm, 320 Forsyth Blvd., Clayton, 314.968.3477.

Third Saturdays: Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group

At Delmar Gardens North, 4401 Parker Rd., Florissant, 9am, 314.355.1516, Helpline 800.272.3900

Last Saturdays: Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group:

Mother of Good Counsel Home, 6825 Natural Bridge, St. Louis, 10:30am 314.383.4765

Last Tuesdays: Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group Missouri Veterans Home, 10600 Lewis & Clark, St. Louis, 1pm, 314.340.6389

Wednesdays: Weekly Cancer Survivor’s Support Group

H.W. Koenig Medical Building at SSM St. Joseph Hospital West, 3 - 4:30pm, free, 636.755.3034

12 Step Support Group for Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Meets in 4 locations in the metro St Louis area. Information: metrostlouissia@gmail.com.

Wednesdays: New Choices NarAnon Family Group at Zion Lutheran Church

12075 Dorsett Road, Maryland Heights, 7:30 – 9pm, www.Nar-Anon. org

Thursdays: Grief Share Support Group

Church of the Nazarene, 1309 N. Elizabeth Ave., Ferguson 6:30 - 8pm, leecedra@sbcglobal.net

Mondays & Thursdays: Breathe/ for people with pulmonary disease Graham Medical Center, 1150 Graham Rd. Suite 104, 11am - 12pm, $30, 314-953-6090

Wednesdays: STEPS Schizophrenia Support Group 6:30-7:30pm, 314.839.3171.

Calcium Scoring Heart Scan Program

SSM DePaul Health Center. This program uses advanced (CT) imaging to scan the arteries around the heart and measure or score the amount of calcium present in the plaque deposits.

This screening, in combination with other heart disease risk factors (high cholesterol, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, etc.) can help determine an overall picture of your current heart health and your risk for developing heart disease. Call 314.344.6030 to learn more about the heart scan program or to schedule an appointment.

SSM St. Joseph Health Center & Hospital West Auxiliary Non profit organization assisting the hosp. by holding fund raisering activities, being of service to patients, families, employees & physicians and acting as good will ambassadors to community. We welcome new member. Call Barb Hutchinson 636.947.5466.

The Barnes St. Peters Hospital Auxiliary is looking for New Members

If you would like to become a member

please call 636.916.9664.

Call 636.625.5447 for more info.

Gateway to Hope Program

First Thurs. 10:30–11:30 a.m. Caregiver Class from BJC Home Care Services, free to public, Topics: care, stress relief, legal issues, Siteman Cancer Cntr., Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital conference rm. Info. 314575-3983.

The Gateway to Hope Program arranges care for individuals diagnosed w/breast cancer who are either uninsured or underinsured and reside in MO. Gateway to Hope serves as a breast cancer lifeline for those who do not qualify for government sponsored programs & are unable to afford treatment. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed w/breast cancer & cannot access treatment call Gateway to Hope at 314.569.1113 or www. gthstl.org.

Off

Every Sun.: 6:30 p.m. Every Mon.: 9:30 a.m. Survivors of Incest Anonymous Meetings Women only. Sundays at Holy Communion Episcopal Church, 7601 Delmar, U. City. 314.993.5421 or 636.561.1407. Mondays in Wentzville, call 636.561.1407.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 414 S. Church St., St. Peters. Weigh-ins at 8:30 a.m. Business mtg at 10 a.m.

Call 636.397.1727 or 636.272.4995 for more info.

1st Thur.: 6:30–7:30 p.m. Conquer: A Support Group for Adults with Cancer Siteman Cancer Center at BarnesJewish St. Peters Hosp, 150 Entrance Way, St. Peters. 636.916.9920.

Every Tues. 6:30–8 p.m. Chemical Dependency Mtg.

1st Thur.: 7 p.m. Parents W/O Partners, North County Chapter General Mtg, 2435 Creve Coeur Mill Rd. 314.739.0880.

Every Wednesday Take Pounds Sensibly Group

Christian Hospital. 314.839.3171.

Every Tues.: 9–10:30 a.m. TOPS Meetings

Take Off Pounds Sensibly. John F. Kennedy Community Center, 315 Howdershell Rd., Florissant. 314.921.7582.

Every Tues.: 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free Pilates Class for Cancer Patients & Families

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3rd Tues.: 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Grief & Loss Support Group—DePaul Hospital Share experiences of grief & loss w/ those who share similar feelings. Led by trained coordinators & Pastor David Boyle. Bridgeton Trails Library, Rm 2. 314.344.7356. Nurses & company. Flu shots avail. for small cost. 115 Piper Hill Dr., St. Peters.

Every Tues.: 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free Pilates Class for Cancer Patients & Families Bring own mat. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hosp., 150 Entrance Way, St. Peters.

636.921.9920.

Weekly 6:30 p.m. Survivors of Incest Anonymous Mtg. 12 Step Program for Women sexually abused in childhood. At Holy Communion Episcopal Church, 7601 Delmar, University City. Lower Level. Call 314.993.5421.

2nd Wed. 6–7:30 p.m. Talking Man to Man about Prostate Cancer Support group for men diagnosed w/ prostate cancer at any stage. Barnes St. Peters. 636.916.9947.

1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month 12:30 p.m. Survivors of Incest Anonymous Mtg. 12 Step Program for Women who were sexually Abused in Childhood. Meeting held at the Samuel United Church of Christ, 320 N. Forsyth Blvd., Clayton. Meet in Lower Level. For more information, call 314.968.3477.

SUDOKU answers from page 11

CROSSWORD answers from page 11

Bring own mat. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hosp., 150 Entrance Way, St. Peters.

636.921.9920.

4th Tuesday of each month: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Diabetes Support Group

Hear from experts on how to better manage diabetes & enjoy a healthier life. Located at the H.W. Koenig Medical Bldg., St. Joseph Hospital West.

6 2016 WINNER

Diabetes Basics:

What’s Happening

Winner of Six Awards

Missouri Press Foundation Better Newspaper Contest

Best Columnist – Humorous First Place – Joe Morice

Honorable Mention – Cindy Moore

Best Education Story First Place – Sara Hardin

Best Magazine/Alternative Publication Second Place – CrossRoads Magazine

Best News/Feature Obituary Third Place – Robert Huneke for Joe Morice Obituary

Best Military Story

Honorable Mention – Sara Hardin

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December 28, 2016 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

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December 28, 2016 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Movie

By Steve Bryan

Why were there ‘Hidden Figures’ at NASA? In the 1960’s, America raced Russia to put humans on the moon and return them to Earth. After both countries suffered horrifying disasters (Apollo 1 for the U.S. and Soyuz 1 for Russia) NASA guided Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on a historic journey to the lunar surface. It was the fulfillment of John F. Kennedy’s dream and the culmination of years of hard work.

“Hidden Figures,” an upcoming historical drama, sheds light on the invaluable contributions made by women in the space program. Taraji P. Henson stars as Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician whose calculations put John Glenn into orbit. Strapped into a capsule atop an Atlas booster, which had a tendency to explode, Glenn made it into space thanks to Johnson and her colleagues, who were not always given their due.

In the film, the always fantastic Octavia Spencer plays Dorothy Vaughan, the woman who led a team of all African-American female mathematicians. Spencer’s work in this piece already earned her Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations for Best Supporting Actress. Recording artist Janelle Monáe Robinson rounds out the cast as Mary Jackson, another member of the computational team.

Looking back on the period from a safe perch in 2016, it’s hard to understand why these women were kept out of the spotlight. Johnson helped put Friendship 7, Glenn’s capsule, into orbit, but the “Hidden Figures” trailer shows her struggling to rightfully become an engineer. NASA respected her brains, but not enough to actually promote her at first (she and her team were simply referred to as “computers”).

Johnson, Vaughan and Jackson were not the only

woman stuck in the shadows at NASA. While Glenn, Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom became Mercury astronauts, 13 very capable women had endured the same grueling tests as the men. They also had flight records that exceeded some of the male candidates. Though scientists determined woman could handle space flight better than men, they were denied their ride.

Geraldyn “Jerrie” M. Cobb, the most outspoken of the “Mercury 13” group, lobbied to be considered for the first flights, but to no avail. When John Glenn returned to space on a shuttle mission, Cobb asked to get a shuttle seat, but her request was largely ignored. Cobb had spent her life using her aviation talents for missionary work and had the “right stuff ” to go into space.

“Hidden Figures” is poised to become a big winner during awards season. Here’s hoping “The Mercury 13,” the book about Cobb and the other 12 female astronaut candidates, is adapted for the screen as well. Their story deserves to be told.

“Hidden Figures,” rated PG for thematic elements and language, opens wide in theaters Jan. 6.

“Hidden Figures” photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox

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.

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