August 2nd, 2018 Edition

Wesley Bell for county prosecutor, Mark Mantovani for county executive.

Gas Mart fires workers who kicked woman

Owners will support Kelli Adams’ recovery

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

The two Gas Mart employees who assaulted a black woman have been terminated, one of the gas station owners said in a press conference on Tuesday, July 31, and the store, located at Goodfellow and Delmar, will be closed indefinitely.

“We are closed for the community to heal right now,” said Tafany Jabbar, operations manager for Gas Mart. “This previous week was the worst operational week in Gas Mart history. We are horrified by the actions two of our former employees, who took it upon themselves to act out

Tafany Jabbar, operations manager for Gas Mart, said in a press conference on Tuesday, July 31 that the company will support Kelli Adams “through behavioral, emotional, and physical health services” after firing the two employees who kicked her last week.

Wesley Bell canvassed in Ferguson on Tuesday, July 31. He is the only challenger to incumbent St. Louis County

Prosecutor Bob McCulloch in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, August 7. Absentee voting is underway. Polls are open on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Michael Butler challenges Sharon Carpenter

Race for recorder of deeds goes to the ballot August 7

By Ashley Jones

For The St. Louis American

“I believe in 2018 you shouldn’t have to go to City Hall to access your city government,” said Michael Butler, a candidate for recorder of deeds on the August 7 ballot in the city. “You should be able to go online and apply for your birth, marriage, and death certificates, and then get that mailed to you in 30 to 90 days.” Butler is the sitting District 79 state representative Minority Caucus chair in the Missouri House of Representatives with six years of experience in politics in the state Legislature. He is not term-limited and could have run again for state representative.

“I think I can be more effective in City Hall,” Butler said. “I have been fairly effective in Jefferson City. I’ve gotten a couple pieces of legislation passed, but I feel like I can use my education and my experience better improving processes of City Hall and improving online services at City Hall.”

Why Hazel Erby supports Mantovani for county executive

By Councilwoman Hazel Erby

Someone asked me if I think Mark Mantovani will really support the issues that are important and critical to our community if elected St. Louis County executive. My response: The majority of African-American elected officials, many community leaders in North County and I have

n “I say give someone else the opportunity to do what’s right for the citizens of St. Louis County.”

– Councilwoman Hazel Erby

with

Mantovani many times over the last 18 months. We believe he shares our concerns. He has made a commitment to work with us to address issues that are important to us and the people we represent. I didn’t support Steve Stenger when he ran for county executive because I had a working relationship with him on the St. Louis County Council and I knew better. However, there are people who supported him because he gave them his word that he would work with them. He did not! Many of those people are now supporting Mantovani.

FebruAry 19, 1934 –JuLy 20 2018

Queen Dunlop Fowler

For The St. Louis American

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Wiley Price

Wesley Bell challenging McCulloch

Queen Bey has control over September ‘Vogue’ cover, makes history by hiring black photographer

Thanks to Beyonce, the cover of the upcoming issue of Vogue magazine will reportedly be shot by a black photographer for the first time in the publication’s 126-year history.

The HuffPost was first to report that Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour has given the music superstar unprecedented control over next month’s issue, which features their fall fashion campaign and is considered the most influential edition of any magazine within the style industry.

“The publication is contractually obligated to give Beyoncé full control over the cover, the photos of her inside the magazine and the captions, which she has written herself and are in long-form, according to two sources who are familiar with the agreement between Vogue and Beyoncé but aren’t

authorized to speak to the press,” The HuffPost said.

Sources familiar with the agreement between the magazine and Beyoncé regarding the upcoming issue told HuffPost that she reportedly selected 23-year-old photographer Tyler Mitchell to shoot the cover.

“I depict black people and people of color in a really real and pure way,” Mitchell, told the New York Times last year. “There is an honest gaze to my photos.”

He has shot for Marc Jacobs and Givenchy campaigns.

A source close to the matter told HuffPost that “the reason a 23-year-old black photographer is photographing Beyoncé for the cover of Vogue is because Beyoncé used her power and influence to get him that

Rapper Talib Kweli outraged by new R. Kelly track

Outspoken rapper and activist Talib took to Twitter to voice his disgust in response R. Kelly’s new song “I Admit

In a thread of tweets, Kweli lit into the “Bump and Grind” singer. “I just read the lyrics to R. Kelly’s new 19-minute song. His lack of self-awareness

is atrocious,” Kweli said. “There are several lyrics I take offense to. The one I will address is ‘I’m just a man.’ I am also a man. I would never use that to defend this behavior. He didn’t admit [expletive]. He blamed the victims [and] called them [expletive].

He blamed their parents. He bragged about [expletive] in his Benz, said we just mad he has girlfriends and regaled us with tales of how he likes to spank and pull hair. That was the worst apology/admission ever.”

Duane Martin said to be seeking spousal support from Tisha Campbell-Martin

divorce is ongoing.

Kim K. questions Tyson Beckford’s sexuality following botched surgery remark

Back in February, actress Tisha Campbell-Martin filed for divorce from her husband actor Duane Martin after 21-years of marriage and requested spousal support. According to The Blast, Duane Martin is now asking that his ex-wife pay him spousal support.

Tyson Beckford

As part of her complaint, Tisha accused Duane of hiding and misappropriating money. In his response, Duane describes the allegations as “patently false.”

Since splitting, the couple has been accused of hiding $50,000 from the trustee in their bankruptcy, who demanded they both be sanctioned

The couple were awarded joint custody of their two sons, Ezekiel, 8, and Xen, 16 and the

Super model Tyson Beckford got messy on an Instagram post where Amirah Dyme puts heart emojis below a picture of Kim Kardashian West in a skin-tight bodysuit.

“She is not real,” Beckford said in the comments. “Dr. [expletive] up on her right hip. Sorry, I don’t care for it, personally.”

After his comments showed up on popular urban celebrity blog The Shade Room, Mrs. West took it upon herself to clap back.

“Sis, we all know why you don’t care for it,” West said with a tea, Kermit the Frog emoji behind her comment. Beckford hasn’t responded to West’s comment – though he did double down on his own remarks. “My opinion on plastic surgery stays the same, not for me,” Beckford said. “I personally don’t care for it! Done end of story!”

Sources: TMZ.com, Huffpost, The New York Times, The Hill, The Blast and The Shade Room.

Talib Kweli

Ethical Society of Police expands to St. Louis County

Town hall in Jennings with black police leaders is ‘a conversation with us’

By Sophie Hurwitz

For The St. Louis American

The Ethical Society of Police, which was founded in 1972 by black police officers to address race-based discrimination in the community and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, has now expanded its membership to include officers from St. Louis County. It now has about 280 members, including police officers, park rangers, and civilian employees in the city and the county. While membership is mostly AfricanAmerican, the group welcomes members of all races, genders, sexual orientations, and religions.

The Ethical Society of Police (ESOP) held a town hall meeting at Jennings High School on Thursday, July 26 to welcome its expansion into the county and to discuss the future of community policing in the region. Panelists included ESOP President Sergeant Heather Taylor, Jennings Mayor Yolanda Austin, St. Louis County Councilwoman Rochelle Walton Gray, Lieutenant Colonel Troy Doyle of the St. Louis County Police Department, St. Louis County Police Officer P.O. Shanette Hall, and Redditt Hudson, vice president of Civil Rights and Advocacy at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and a former police officer. Reverend Daryl Gray, ESOP community liaison and a veteran protestor, moderated the panel. He reminded the panelists of a question that young protestors he mentors often chant to police: “Who do you protect? Who do you serve?”

Many St. Louis-area elected officials attended the panel, alongside members of the public and candidates for elected office, including congressional candidate Cori Bush, U.S. Senate candidate Coffee Wright, and state Senate candidate Sharon

Case. Wesley Bell, candidate for St. Louis County Prosecutor, opened the panel with remarks; current County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch was also sent an official invitation, along with County Executive Steve Stenger, but neither came.

“As many of you know, I’m a big advocate of community policing,” Bell said. “That’s something that I don’t think I’ve gone one single speech without addressing the need for. We’ve seen that in places like Ferguson, we’ve seen that in places like Jennings. When you get officers into the street and they get to know the individuals, it’s just a different type of policing that you get when it’s someone that you know, and someone that you’ve connected with. When the only time that I’ve seen you is when you’re pulling me over, that’s not going to foster the kind of relationships that build trust.”

The theme of trust – how it can be built between police and communities, and how it is often broken – continued throughout the evening. Many panelists emphasized the need to

diversify police departments as a way of building trust.

Sgt. Heather Taylor said that, as a black woman who works in the Homicide Division of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department – often as the only black woman on her team – she is able to communicate with victims’ families in a way her white coworkers cannot.

n

“There’s things that I have to explain: ‘This is what this means.’ Diversity is important from that standpoint.”

–

Sergeant Heather Taylor

“There is language that I can understand,” she said. “I work nights in Homicide, and most of my team of detectives, at one point, were all

white. And there was some times when our victims would identify with me. Number one, because I’m a female, and number two, because I’m African-American. And sometimes, when I’m working nights, I have to supervise this whole scene, but then at times, I have to speak to witnesses, surviving victims. And it’s a lot. It’s overwhelming.”

In addition, she sometimes has to translate for her coworkers.

“Sometimes, I have to tell my detectives what something means, because we have our language, we have our culture,” she said. “And there’s things that I have to explain: ‘This is what this means.’ Diversity is important from that standpoint.” Diversity on its own, though, is not enough to build trust. ESOP, along with creating community service opportunities for its officers, has been lobbying to fulfill the recommendations of the Ferguson Commission report and equip every St. Louis County Police officer with body cameras to boost accountability.

Now, according to Lt. Col. Troy

Sergeant Heather Taylor of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Jennings Mayor Yolanda Austin and Redditt Hudson, vice president of Civil Rights and Advocacy at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, participated in a panel discussion of police/ community relations organized by the Ethical Society of Police at Jennings High School on Thursday, July 26.

Photo by Wiley Price

Doyle, the department is working on a contract for the body cameras. “It has now become somewhat political, as to these vendors who are going to get paid for these body cameras,” said Doyle.

ESOP also advocates for accountability among police officers and encourages a willingness to call out other officers out when they abuse their power.

“I can tell you one thing: I snitch,” said Taylor. “And I encourage others to tell the truth. And officers, we’re not perfect, we already know. So it’s important that we stand up and tell the truth if we see something wrong. I’m not going to allow that to happen in front of me, and I’m going to lead by example.”

A community member stood up from the audience and told Officer Hall that she remembered seeing Hall while she and her sister were being beaten during Ferguson protests in 2014, and asked where her accountability was then. “Who did you tell?” she asked. Demands for accountability continued throughout the evening.

Now, by expanding into St. Louis County, ESOP hopes to continue having these conversations and finding ways to create more community accountability.

“The main thing we wanted to do was to show you that these folks are us,” Rev. Gray said in closing. “They’re us. And we wanted to have this conversation with us.”

The St. Louis American Endorses

Wesley Bell for St. Louis County prosecutor Mark Mantovani for St. Louis County executive

If you ask residents of St. Louis County who is the most important or powerful county official, most would probably say the county executive, but they would be wrong. This is because there are two sentences that can instantly change your life. The first is “you’re under arrest,” and the second sentence, which trumps the first, is “the warrant is refused.” When a prosecutor refuses a police officer’s request for a warrant, the prosecutor nullifies the arrest. The power to decide who gets charged and for what crime rests exclusively with prosecutors. It’s this prosecutorial discretion that makes prosecutors more powerful than county executives, mayors or chiefs of police. It’s this prosecutorial discretion, not judges and juries, that plays the largest role in determining who goes to prison, for what and for how long.

Of course, for black people, these questions are paramount because of how we experience criminal justice. If you are white and rich, America has a criminal justice system; if you’re black or poor, America has a justice system that’s criminal. As a community, we tend to focus on the police, but in reality the war on black people – especially, black men – that produced an epidemic of mass incarceration has been waged as much by prosecutors, and they have been ruthlessly effective, resulting in the decimation of the black community. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, blacks represent 12 percent of Missouri’s population but 39 percent of the prison population. Incumbent St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch has played his role in creating this racial disparity. According to the ACLU of Missouri, which has been researching McCulloch’s record in advance of the August 7 Democratic primary, blacks represent only 24 percent of St. Louis County’s population, yet make up 67 percent of the jail population.

These racial disparities are not accidental; they are a direct result of how prosecutors use their prosecutorial discretion. These are almost always white prosecutors making these decisions that

disproportionately impact black people; in 2015 the Center for Technology and Civic Life reported that 95 percent of elected prosecutors in the U.S. were white. The vast majority of all criminal cases don’t go to trial; they’re plea-bargained. In most cases, the prosecutor decides on the charge, determines the guilt and recommends the sentence, reducing the judge to a clerk who processes the transaction.

Bob McCulloch is the prototypical white prosecutor who dominates these offices. Since he was first elected in 1991 – before his Democratic primary challenger, Wesley Bell, was even old enough to vote – he has been reflexively pro-police and anti-black. For decades he has been one of the most reviled public figures in the black community. His handling of the Darren Wilson case in Ferguson brought McCulloch national notoriety and revulsion, and the nation has not forgotten it, as Bell’s campaign is receiving national support. Democracy For America, the progressive organization founded by Howard Dean, endorsed him, and Color Of Change PAC, the political action committee of the nation’s largest online racial justice group, launched ad buys for Bell.

Closer to home, the ACLU of Missouri, while not endorsing Bell, is waging a public education campaign about McCulloch’s job performance, especially in terms of cash bail for misdemeanor offenses (which McCulloch loves) and diversion programs (where McCulloch is failing). For example, since 2012, 2,775 people being prosecuted by McCulloch faced cash bail for misdemeanors, with an average amount of $445; and in that same time frame, 5,536 people prosecuted by McCulloch faced pre-trial detention of one to five days for a misdemeanor. As for diversion programs, only 99 people have been enrolled in the pre-charge, alternative drug court program McCulloch started in 2014, and only 36 people – on average, only nine people per year – have completed the program. The candidate being championed by progressives, both local and national, does

not have the ideal legal resume in terms of experience. Bell’s experience as a prosecutor is limited to municipal courts that hear low-level cases, and as Velda City municipal judge he ran the sort of predatory court that contributed to the Ferguson unrest. He admits to participating in the predatory system but now knows that it’s wrong; he told The American he was “converted” to cash bail reform as a way to diminish mass incarceration. And given that he was elected to the Ferguson City Council while the city’s consent decree with the Department of Justice was being negotiated and then implemented, he has direct experience of participating in progressive reforms. Admittedly, Bell’s experience in making court reforms, in Velda City and Ferguson, were both done under court order, so his progressive champions may need to pressure him, if he is elected, and demand that he be proactive in cleaning up McCulloch’s court. A template is ready at hand in Philadelphia, where a new prosecutor, Larry Krasner, made clear in a memo to staff what is top priorities are: “to end mass incarceration and bring balance back to sentencing.”

Whatever his limitations may be, for many of us Bell has the most important qualification for St. Louis County prosecutor: He’s not Bob McCulloch. Also, he is black, in a criminal justice system where criminally few black prosecutors are making charging decisions about a disproportionate number of black people. We believe if Bell is elected that black county residents can have greater confidence in being treated fairly if they become involved in the criminal justice system, and that police misconduct will have a greater chance of being prosecuted. If you’re a black voter with any regard for your liberty and well-being – and those of your family, friends and neighbors – you have only one choice. If you’re any voter who believes in greater racial equity in criminal justice, you too have only one choice. The St. Louis American strongly endorses Wesley Bell for st. louis county Prosecutor.

There are two important factors to consider when considering a person’s fitness to represent you in public office: their experience and their character. Experience can be an indicator that the person has the requisite competence to perform the duties of public office, but it’s character that’s most important, because it’s the character of the person that will determine how he or she will perform those duties once elected. It’s by examining the records of candidates for public office that we judge whether they have the competence and character to be trusted with our public welfare. The American can say very little in support of retaining incumbent County Executive Steve Stenger. He did make one crafty move in trying to mandate and enforce higher countywide police standards by interpreting bad policing as a public health issue, which indeed it is, but this was seen as a power grab by many county municipalities, who defeated Stenger in court. Indeed, Stenger has seen a great deal of political defeat since winning this office in 2014, especially in his power struggles with the County Council, which has formed a decisive 6-1 bipartisan majority against the beleaguered county executive. The county executive cannot function without the support of the County Council, and their relationship has come to define dysfunction and even open conflict. The council is investigating the ethics and legality of Stenger’s personal negotiations for county leases for campaign donors – in the absence of any interest or action from the county prosecutor, Bob McCulloch, who accused Charlie Dooley of corruption in a Stenger campaign ad last election cycle, without providing any evidence.

Stenger’s unsuitability for this office is self-evident, even to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, which operated almost as a campaign organ in Stenger’s successful bid against Dooley four years ago. Stenger’s dubious moves in favor of campaign donors and his lack of transparency – he even declined to report on his private meeting with new Gov. Mike Parson when asked during a public meeting of the County Council – have irreversibly violated the public trust in a way that makes it impossible for him to effectively function as a public official. This feeling runs particularly strong in the black community, where Stenger’s collusion with McCulloch and the Post to falsely paint Dooley as corrupt has not been forgotten.

given that he donated to Eric Greitens’ campaign for governor, which he said he now regrets. But Mantovani also donated to Hillary Clinton’s most recent presidential campaign and said he voted for her over Trump.

Politics is a profession and, as with all professions, relevant experience is of great value. Nobody wants to endure a surgeon’s first operation, but when the operation is inevitable, how do you decide between an unethical, unqualified surgeon and an inexperienced one? One way is to examine whether the inexperienced surgeon has the qualities needed to be successful.

We believe there are three qualities that are foundational to public office, and you either have them or you don’t; you can’t acquire them once you assume the office. They are intelligence, integrity and imagination.

Mark Mantovani unquestionably possesses superior intelligence. This not a function of his considerable academic credentials, nor the year he spent as a fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School immersed in the study local government prior to deciding to run for county executive. What has impressed us most has been his growth as a candidate. Too many people who run for public office are, unfortunately, the same people at the end of the campaign as they were at the beginning. We have seen Mantovani, at first blush a prototypical retired business CEO, go from a superficially informed political neophyte to a nuanced thinker on public policy who can now speak to the complexities and complications of governing in a challenging urban environment. It has benefitted him greatly, in this regard, to actually listen to the County Council members whom Stenger evades and ignores, such as Councilwoman Hazel Erby, who enthusiastically endorsed Mantovani. We have seen him engage with communities he didn’t know and who didn’t know him. He not only listened to them, he heard them and learned from them.

several changes in ownership, he maintained and grew both employment and revenues. He left the company, its owners and employees stronger and more prosperous than he found them.

“Some men see things as they are and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not.” With these words, Robert Kennedy defined the political imagination that is required to produce a political vision that can be the aspiration for a community or a people. It’s been clear from the beginning that Mantovani’s campaign was not the product of political ambition, but rather driven by the desire to answer the question: Why can’t the St. Louis region be a place where people flock to rather than flee? Why can’t all the people of St Louis – regardless of zip code, race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation – see this region as the place where they have the opportunity to succeed and thrive?

It is because of Mantovani’s possession of these qualities that are foundational for successful political leadership, paired with the many failures of Stenger during his first term, that we believe Mantovani deserves a chance to lead the county. Unhampered by political baggage like his opponent, he will be able to focus on more forward-looking and inclusive economic, jobs and health care priorities. A strong black turnout for Mantovani could be the difference in bringing change to St. Louis County. The St. Louis American strongly endorses MarK Mantovani for st. louis county

tive

The American endorses We have long advocated for consolidation of St. Louis government services by, among other things, making a number of citywide offices that currently are independently elected into appointed positions. There is no valid reason why recorder of deeds and license collector, for example, need to be elected positions with independent administrations. But they remain elected positions, and both are being contested in the August 7 primary.

Michael Butler is challenging the incumbent Sharon Carpenter as recorder of deeds. (Jimmie Matthews, a perennial candidate, also filed.) While we believe that Butler, currently a state representative, has more political potential than this administrative office holds, we commend him for thinking strategically and not contributing to a conflict between a number of credible black candidates for Missouri’s 5th Senatorial District when Jamilah Nasheed is termlimited in 2020. Carpenter was

first appointed to the seat in 1980 – that was six years before Butler was born. She resigned over a nepotism charge in 2014, yet still managed to win both primary and general elections to take back the office that year. This will be her first challenge by a serious black candidate for what traditionally had been considered a “white office” (St. Louis politics is always a special kind of racialized crazy). Though, again, we would prefer to see Butler serving the public in a more meaningful office, we have no doubt that he will be a much more energetic, professional, forward-thinking, inclusive and hard-working recorder of deeds than the incumbent. We strongly endorse Michael Butler for recorder of deeds.

Dana Kelly-Franks is among an emerging group of young progressive Democrats who are challenging the mediocre, often-backwards status quo in St. Louis politics. For example, for a black candidate to challenge a black incumbent for a traditionally “black office”

like license collector would have been a no-no for pretty much all of our political history before now, but Kelly-Franks believes she can do better than the incumbent – and we are convinced. (We also agree with the incumbent, Mavis Thompson, when she says that imagining improvements and updates to a city office is much easier than actually implementing them, considering downtown’s stressed power grid and City Hall’s outdated computer system.) We are especially impressed by KellyFranks’ grit, business acumen and success, and passion for her community, which she serves by teaching badly needed financial literacy as a volunteer. We also want to encourage her generation as they seek to transform their passion and activism into electoral politics, a development that gives us hope that this region might finally set a new path and start to move forward. We strongly endorses dana KellyfranKs for license collector

But a case against Stenger is not an argument for his replacement, which brings us to Stenger’s challenger in the August 7 Democratic primary, political newcomer Mark Mantovani. Mantovani is so new to electoral politics that Stenger has questioned whether his opponent is even a Democrat,

Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. It also has a second meaning of being whole and undivided. To understand integrity in the political sense you have to combine the two meanings. It’s not enough to be a person of high moral principle; you must also be a whole or complete person. That’s where moral consistency comes from, and without moral consistency you can’t have principled leadership. In America’s merciless, rapacious business culture, Mantovani’s tenure at Ansira speaks to his integrity. During his 14 years as CEO he grew a local family-owned marketing company with 50 employees into a national firm that employs over 800. Through

Jokes and bigotry

When it comes to politics and representing the people, it is very easy to become lost in identity politics. The comments made by a particular candidate running to represent a district that has not only black people but represents white as well should be viewed not only distasteful but also extremely bigoted and divisive. To have a reputable newspaper that is mainly for the representation of this city’s black community to not only print those divisive and bigoted words but also openly endorse a candidate that would spew such words is a

very clear indicator as to what the author of that piece really thinks and feels about unity. The message that is and was sent by this particular voice of the community was that it does not support the process of election, does not condone a message of unity, insists that bigoted behavior and divisive tones from such candidates who claim to represent the people are to be considered a “joke.” In short it is an egregious misrepresentation of the voice of the community by one of its own members.

Reginald Garth St. Louis

Masked readers

SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Helen Davis Center staff got preschoolers to make masks of their favorite animal in Eric Carle’s “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” Staff from left to right: Jacqueline Young, Bernadette Lucas, Avonjana Moore-Thomas, Jacqueline Hannah, Dana Young and Shantay Dotson.

School supply drive for Hazelwood Schools

State Rep. Alan Green, D-Florissant and the Real Talk with Demingo Foundation will sponsor a school supply drive to benefit Hazelwood School District teachers (K-12). Donations can be made through Wednesday, August 8 until 4:30 p.m. at the Black Jack Fire Protection District. The collected items will be distributed during a “Back 2 School Giveaway for Teachers” on Thursday, August 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Garden Villas North. For more information, contact Green’s office (Alan.Green@house.mo.gov or 573-751-2135) or the Real Talk with Demingo Foundation (RealTalkWithDemingo@gmail.com).

Greater Mound City Stamp Club to host Stampfest

The Greater Mound City Stamp Club will host Stampfest 2018 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, August 18 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, in the gymnasium at Parkway Central High School, 369 N. Woodsmill Road in Chesterfield. Admission to Stampfest is free and the event is open to the public.

Local and national dealers will take part in the two-day show that includes stamps, postal covers, supplies and much more. There will be an auction featuring a variety of interesting and unique items. In addition, there will also be hourly door prizes, children’s grab bags and a snack bar. Dealers and members of the Greater Mound City Stamp Club will also answer questions about collecting and give general evaluations of collections.

Learn more about Stampfest 2018 at http://stampfest.greatermoundcity.org/. Learn more about the Greater Mound City Stamp Club at http://greatermoundcity.org/.

Bill McClellan and ‘black kids’

By Dorothy Dempsey For The St. Louis American

Post-Dispatch columnist Bill McClellan responded to the dine-and-dash incident at the IHOP in Clayton by asking, “What were the cops supposed to do?”

McClellan talked about a stabbing in the mall and a friend of his who wouldn’t stay in this nice hotel with good food and a nice gym, all because of “black kids.”

I am a senior citizen, and I don’t read your articles, Mr. McClellan. My daughter, who worked security and hospitality during her college years, brought your article to my attention. She knows how all races of people act in hotels. There is no racial distinction in how people act. The one thing that got me stirred up was your emphasis on the words “black kids.” Everything out of your mouth, everything that goes wrong: “black kids.”

What if it had been white youth?

Please don’t tell me restaurant owners don’t have white youth dine and dash. You stated there were 40 dine-and-dash incidents at the IHOP. Were they all “black kids”? In this case, the black youth were innocent. The store manager said they were innocent, but you, Mr. McClellan, felt the need to question the why of it. The outcry of people who called out the injustice of the police picking these kids up and bringing them back to the IHOP, only to be told that they were not the suspects, seemed to be over the top for you. And so the question for you: “What were the cops supposed to do?”

You are an older white man who needs to understand the plight of a black person in its entirety before you write stuff like this in the newspaper. A black youth is just one wrong move away from death in any given situation with the police. This is not just something that just happens like some made-up story. Some had their receipts; some didn’t. If they had been white youth, more than likely, end of story. You would not have had anything to write about.

What world are you living in that you do not know what is going on around you?

We have a dysfunctional president, and we are living in an ungodly world. The dysfunction in this region is its racism and bigotry.

I am sick and tired of the news painting black people in such a negative light. If a white person commits a horrific crime, you hear all about the crime before you learn about the color of their skin – and that is what offends me about your article, Mr. McClellan. We have many outstanding black youth, and you do a disservice to them when you write articles such as this.

Dorothy Dempsey

BUTLER

The Recorder of Deeds Office handles all of the land deeds to the city, marriage certificates, birth certificates, and death certificates, as well as all the archives of the city.

Sharon Carpenter currently holds the office and has held it for 38 years. She resigned in 2014 after admitting to nepotism, but still managed to win primary and general elections that year to return to office.

If elected, Butler would be the first African American to hold the position and the first millennial elected to any citywide office.

Butler said he was won 20 out of the 28 ward endorsements, knocked on over 80 percent of frequent voters’ doors and outraised his opponent. Butler has raised about $70,000 throughout the election cycle, whereas Carpenter has raised about $15,000 with $6,000 of that being her own money.

n “I am the first viable challenger for Sharon Carpenter in over 30 years.”

“There is a Sharon Carpenter myth that she can’t be beat, and the truth is she actually resigned in June of 2014 after the Democratic primary candidate filing was over,” Butler said, meaning she did not have a serious primary challenge. “I am the first viable challenger for Sharon Carpenter in over 30 years. She has never had an opponent who had represented as many people as I have before.”

GAS MART

Continued from A1

Continued from A1 through an isolated action Gas Mart does not condone.”

– Michael Butler

On Tuesday, July 24, two Gas Mart employees, later identified as Jehad Motan and Ahmed Qandeel, were seen on video kicking a black woman, Kelli Adams, who some describe as homeless, in front of the convenience store. Protests ensued shortly after the footage was posted on Facebook that same day, and protestors demanded that the police arrest the two men. More protests took place the following day after community members saw store employees attempt to reopen the store, though promises were made to

Butler’s first course of action if elected would be to improve the office website and online accessibility.

“If you have been on the website for the Recorder of Deeds Office, it’s circa 1997,” Butler said. “I’m going to improve that website within 90 days of being in office. I want to improve online access to documents, after 12 to 24 months. That gives us time to try to improve our grid.”

Butler wants the office to provide online access so people

keep it closed.

“Words cannot express how truly sorry we are for the action, frustration and disrespect Miss Kelly Adams has experienced,” Jabbar said.

“We have begun implementing immediate steps to take corrective action to help heal the community.”

Gas Mart leaders stood with Alderman Frank Williamson (D-Ward 26) and state Rep. Karla May (D-St. Louis), along with members of the community and some protestors. They explained that they will remain closed indefinitely at that location, which is among 40 others that they own throughout the region. They also made several other commitments, which came out of meetings with elected officials and

Photo by Wiley Price

Michael Butler goes over campaign strategy with canvasser Arnez Butler and assistant Robin Davis at his campaign office on South Grand. Currently a state representative, Butler is challenging Sharon Carpenter for recorder of deeds in the August 7 Democratic primary.

can apply for licenses and certificates online and receive them in the mail.

Butler also wants to preserve the city’s archives. Right now, all of St. Louis’ vital documents and history are sitting in the basement

community members this past week.

of City Hall. Butler wants to partner with local organizations like the Missouri History Museum, where he serves on a board, to better preserve those documents.

Butler graduated from Parkway North High School

and went to Alabama A&M University on a full academic scholarship. There he became the student government president and helped to lead a protest for a health and wellness center building being built. He majored in Business

Management with a minor in Entrepreneurship, graduating in 2008.

“With the economic downturn there was no funding for loans for a 22-year-old,” Butler said. “It was very difficult to start a business, let alone get a job. He ended up working for Wal-Mart, where he met his wife, Erin Butler. They now have a three-year-old daughter named Kimber Elise Butler.

After Wal-Mart, Butler applied for graduate school and obtained a Master’s in Public Administration on a full scholarship at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Not having to pay tuition, Butler started interning at the state House his first year, then became a legislative aide for two years before running for state rep and winning in 2012.

“Literally in six years I went from an intern to the Democratic Caucus chair,” Butler said. Now he faces a new electoral challenge.

“This election is about a new face,” Butler said, “and a new day in City Hall, and about improving services.”

“We will be supporting Miss Adams through behavioral, emotional, and physical health services,” Jabbar said.

All of our employees will be put through racial equity and cultural training.”

n

“We are closed for the community to heal right now.”

“We will continue to invest in the community through donating to community organizations as we have for the past two decades. We will also be hiring qualified candidates within the community for different positions of employment. We will be implementing stricter security measures prohibiting any loitering on store premises.

– Tafany Jabbar, operations manager for

Gas Mart

However, some members of the protest community did not stand in unity with the group.

Rev. Darryl Gray, a protest leader who participated in the meetings after the incident, said he commends the elected officials for taking the initiative to facilitate conversations with the owners.

“But there is another reality,” Gray said. “This isn’t new. This has been happening in this store and others throughout the region. The drug paraphernalia being sold. The drug activity on the lots.

The disrespect.” Gray went head to head with owner Mike Jabbar after the press conference ended. Gray asked Mike if the owners planned on removing all drug paraphernalia from all of their stores. Gray specified that the bongs, scales and drugs like Dormin (a sleeping aid that heroin addicts use to cut heroin) all had to go.

Mike said, “Yes,” and that he didn’t realize those things were being sold. He said that the managers have full authority to buy the items sold at each store.

Gray questioned the statistic that 53 percent of Gas Mart’s employees are AfricanAmerican.

Mike couldn’t name the company that will do the racial equity training, after being asked by Gray. But Mike said that he will look to the community to help make that decision.

During the press conference, May said that the surrounding community has many programs that the owners can invest in.

“It is my hope that these owners will answer the call from the people because what happened up here was egregious and I don’t want to ever forget that,” May said.

“I’m outraged, but I know we have to continue to have a conversation in order for us to resolve whatever issues.”

See the livestream of the press conference at: https:// tinyurl.com/y7h2s43m.

“In what capacity?” he asked. “We aren’t talking about people who clean your lot. What about cashiers? What about managers? What about supervisors?”

ERBY

Continued from A1

All you have is a person‘s word that they will do the right thing. If you find that they don’t, you replace them. It’s as simple as that. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that Stenger has not done anything for our community.

Stenger never supported fairness in awarding contracts or minority inclusion in St. Louis County, but is running an ad taking credit for passing minority inclusion legislation. Not true! He closed the Office of Diversity and fired the African-American director of Diversity the minute he became county executive. He has chipped away at health services – dental services, in particular – for the last four years. He has

FOWLER

Continued from A1

civic and social organizations with which she was affiliated. In short order, her innovations and resources helped return the ailing system to academic viability. In the end, she successfully brought her unique touch to education for than 40 years.

“Dr. Fowler dedicated her entire life to the field of education,” Henry Givens Jr., then president of HarrisStowe State University, told The St. Louis American. Givens knew firsthand about her dedication. The two had been classmates as they pursued their PhDs. at Saint Louis University. In 1987, when Givens was called upon to rescue financially strapped Lincoln University in Jefferson City, he called on Fowler. She joined Lincoln’s board of curators and helped Givens put the historically black college back on sound financial footing.

Several years earlier, she had performed an educational rescue of her own. In 1980, a year after Fowler became superintendent, the Wellston School District lost its state accreditation. She set about getting it back by implementing the Wellston School Improvement Project. By 1982, the system had regained state accreditation, was preparing to participate in the area-wide desegregation plan, and the teaching staff had undergone a major reorganization. The school

fired most of the African Americans who worked in his administration. The list goes on. So, we know what he will and will not do. So, it’s time for a change. I say give someone else the opportunity to do what’s right for the citizens of St. Louis County and, if they don’t keep their word, next! Plain and simple. By the way, Mantovani knows how I feel and he respects my opinion. Mark Mantovani faces Steve Stenger for the Democratic nomination for St. Louis County executive on the Tuesday, August 7 ballot. Two Republican (Paul Berry III and Daniel Sampson) candidates, a Libertarian candidate (Nicholas Kasoff) and a Constitution candidate (Andrew Ostrowski) also filed. Absentee voting is underway.

district “was beginning to see progress,” she modestly told the St. Louis PostDispatch.

Fowler was especially concerned about helping and educating people who were “poor or disenfranchised,” said her son Darnell Fowler.

During her tenure in Wellston, she co-authored a peer counselor training manual for high school students. She remained with the Wellston School District until 1984, when she became executive director of pupil personnel services for the Saint Louis Public Schools.

As head of the largest department in the school system, she provided oversight of psychologists, counselors, social workers and special projects. Few projects were more special than the time in 1988 when students witnessed their music teacher collapse from a heart attack before they were to perform at Kiel Auditorium. The teacher survived but the students were traumatized. Fowler said her team was prepared for such emergencies. The team faced an even greater challenge in 1995 when Mark Twain Elementary School’s former principal was charged with molesting students in his school office.

Fowler, stressing the importance of making the children feel safe, marshaled a 10-member crisis team of counselors, social workers and a psychologist who provided support to students and some parents.

A ‘Queen’s’ reign

Queen Esther Dunlap Fowler was born February 19, 1934, in North St. Louis, the daughter of Othur Dunlap, a store and restaurant owner, and Mary Alice Roberts, a homemaker.

After graduating from Vashon High School, Fowler earned a bachelor’s degree from Harris Teachers College (now Harris-Stowe State University) and a master’s and doctorate in education and counseling psychology from Saint Louis University.

She began her career in education in 1960, teaching second- and third-graders at Euclid Elementary School.

For 10 years prior to leading the Wellston School District, Fowler held a variety of educational positions at Washington University, including serving as a part-time professor and counselor in the Graduate School of Psychology and University College divisions.

After retiring from Saint

Louis Public Schools, she formed Fowler and Associates Consultant Services and she continued her numerous civic commitments. She devoted countless hours to local, regional and national community-based organizations, including the United Way of Greater St. Louis, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, Hawthorn Children’s Psychiatric Hospital, YWCA Metro St. Louis, the Mayor’s Minority Health Committee Task Force and Dance St. Louis.

She was the first graduate of Harris-Stowe to serve on the school’s Board of Regents, a position to which she was appointed by thenGovernor Bob Holden in 2003.

She was a former president of the Gateway Chapter of the Links and the St. Louis Top Ladies of Distinction, president emeritus of the St. Louis Coalition of 100 Black Women, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

In 2005, she received

the St. Louis American Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement in Education Award. In announcing the honor, the newspaper wrote, “A ‘Queen’ shall reign …” Fowler called the award “exciting” and “a humbling experience,” and gave credit to her many supports through the years.

Other honors included being named one of the local NAACP’s “100 Most Inspirational St. Louisans” in 2009, the Dollars & Sense magazine America’s Top 100 Black Business and Professional Women’s Award, and the National Council of Negro Women’s Bertha Black Rhoda Leadership Award.

Her favorite pastime was dancing.

“She loved to dance and was a very good dancer,” said her son. “The older she got, the more she danced.”

In addition to her parents, Fowler was preceded in death by two brothers, Otis Dunlap and Ernie Dunlap; two sisters, Paula Jean Dunlap and Vera

Dunlap Lisenby; and her former husband, Leroy Fowler Jr. In addition to her son and his wife, Angela

of

by

of

and

of Chicago, and

of Maryland; and three grandchildren, Damon Fowler, Dorian Fowler and Donita Fowler Daniels. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, August 2, in the Layne Renaissance Chapel, 7302 Austin A. Layne Jr. Way (West Florissant), in St. Louis.

An additional visitation will be held at 9 a.m., Friday, August 3, with services immediately following at 10 a.m. at St. Alphonsus “Rock” Liguori Church, 1118 North Grand Boulevard, in St. Louis. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

Caine-Fowler

St. Louis, she is survived

four brothers, Fred Dunlap

St. Louis, Carlos Dunlap

Lee Arthur Dunlap, both

Lari Dunlap

St. Louis County Councilwoman Hazel Erby visited with Mark Mantovani, Democratic candidate for St. Louis County executive, at his campaign headquarters on May 5.

Photo by Wiley Price

Lisa Clancy for st. Louis County Council

Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay has been criticized, at least since Ferguson, as a largely absentee congressman who is strong on official letters and fearless, biting quotes, but weak on personal presence in his district when needed. We feel that Clay has missed several opportunities to lead locally when his leadership

Wm. Lacy Clay

The AmericAn endorses

Brian Williams for 14th District missouri senate

Three credible candidates with substantial political experience filed as Democrats to replace termed-out Maria Chappelle-Nadal in the Missouri Senate’s 14 District, which includes municipalities from Clayton and University City to Ferguson, Bridgeton and Hazelwood. Sharon L. Pace is a former state representative, and Joe Adams currently is a state representative as well as former U. City mayor. While we believe either would provide able representation in the state Senate, we would like to encourage a newcomer to the state Legislature with experience as a congressional staffer, Brian Williams. He worked in the St. Louis district

office of U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay, where he honed skills in strategic planning, helped to organize Clay’s popular annual career fair and served as congressional coordinator for the rollout of the Affordable Care Act during the administration of President Barack Obama. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers. His educational background – a

master’s in public policy and legal studies from Washington University and an undergraduate degree in criminal justice from Southeast Missouri State University –also helped to prepare him as a legislator, and he grew up in a strong labor family. We believe Williams would bring fresh, progressive energy, professionalism and an understanding of both community needs and how government works to this position. While there is no bad choice for this seat on the August 7 ballot, we endorse Brian Williams for 14th District missouri senate

Karla may for state senate 4th District

The progressive movement that is emerging in St. Louis politics thus far is overlooking an important Democratic primary election where a progressive challenger is taking on an incumbent who holds his seat because of two generations of old-school insider trading in the Democratic Party, precisely of the sort that the new generation of progressives prides itself on challenging at every opportunity. Jake Hummel is state senator in the 4th District thanks to an insider party process largely managed by the man he replaced, Joe Keaveny, who himself took the seat through a similar process that was much worse, marred by corruption that was one cooperating witness (a committeeman threatened with loss of his city job by a Keaveny advocate) away from criminal charges. Hummel is being challenged by Karla May, a term-limited state representative and, as she says herself, “unapologetically black” woman who is a rare mix of savvy legislator,

inside fighter, and grassroots representative from the block. May has a track record of passing bills, attaching amendments and securing urban budget priorities in a Republican-dominated legislature, such as funding for HarrisStowe State University and adolescent behavioral health (both of which Governor Parson cut from the budget). She knows the black community and its issues as well as anyone in St. Louis or Jefferson City, yet prides herself in representing all of her constituents; in a diverse 4th Senate District she has been attending every public meeting, including those where she is the only black person present. Hummel – who himself has done some good work as a state

legislator – has the muscle of mainstream labor behind him and will be difficult to beat in a primary with a major labor ballot issue, Proposition A. However, May is herself a proven pro-labor legislator and union member who deserves the union vote every bit as much as Hummel, which is not to say that labor is playing fair in this primary. If you’re a progressive in St. Louis who champions candidates who are willing to challenge the status quo and Democratic Party insider trading and you are sleeping on the 4th District Senate race, then you need to wake up and take a good look at Karla May. She is one of the strongest candidates for any office on the August 7 ballot and a strong black woman whose outspoken perspectives of race and gender are badly needed in elected office and especially in Jefferson City. We strongly endorse Karla may for state senate 4th District.

nicole Galloway for state auditor

Perhaps the most encouraging space on the August 7 ballot is the space devoted to Democratic candidates for state auditor because there is only one candidate, the incumbent state Auditor Nicole Galloway. We are deeply pleased that this incredibly accomplished and diligent public servant did not face the nuisance or expense of a primary challenge in a year when she will be the only Democrat incumbent on the general election ballot in November. Galloway’s

audits and investigations have produced major headlines and criminal investigations throughout her tenure since she was appointed by then-Gov. Jay Nixon after the tragic suicide of Thomas Schweich. In what will be remembered

as one of the most dire periods in our public life in terms of corruption and obfuscation, Galloway is a piercing light of integrity and transparency. We are pleased that she doesn’t need your vote in August, but it’s time to get in the habit of voting for her since she will need your vote in November. We strongly endorse nicole GalloWay for state auDitor.

steve roberts Jr. for the 77th District state representative

Steve Roberts Jr. has impressed many of his colleagues in the Missouri Legislature as an extremely bright, articulate young attorney with progressive policy stands and an unusually keen grasp of the law. He has shown an ability to advocate for urban issues with the Republicans who dominate the Legislature in lucid, convincing terms that see his amendments get attached to bills where many Democrats fail. He has emerged as an essential part of the St. Louis delegation in the Legislature, an energetic

and effective compliment – as an attorney who understands the minutia of the law – to a representative like Bruce Franks Jr., who brings the urgency and common sense of the streets. We are, of course, aware that Roberts was accused of sexual assault by a colleague. However, Roberts

claimed innocence, there was insufficient evidence of a crime for the prosecutor to bring charges, and Roberts countered with a defamation suit. In our democracy, we are all innocent until proven guilty; not only does Roberts remain innocent of this charge, he was not even charged with a crime. We believe he is an energetic, effective representative for urban priorities in the state Legislature, and we strongly endorse steve roBerts Jr. for 77th District state representative.

Brian Williams

Nicole Galloway

Steve Roberts Jr.

Karla May

Sickle cell summer camp

Camp Crescent brings summer fun to kids with painful blood disease

By Sandra Jordan

Of The St. Louis American

Dozens of children will return to school in the coming weeks with special stories on what they did at Camp Crescent this summer. This camp – held July 16-19 at YMCA Trout Lodge, in Potosi, Missouri – is run St. Louis Children’s Hospital exclusively for children ages 8-12 with sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder. Sickle cell is the most common genetic disease among African Americans, affecting about one in 400 newborns. Normally round blood cells take on a sickle or crescent shape in sickle cell disease. These sickle-shaped cells can clog the bloodstream, creating

n “It’s fun and you get to hang out with other kids your age and you get to learn about sickle cell.”

– Leroy Griffin Jr., 12

obstructions that result in episodes or crises of extreme pain and severe medical complications.

Having your child who lives with a medical condition stay overnight for a few days in the Ozarks can understandably cause anxiety for parents who send their youngster

to camp for the first time. However, this camp is equipped with medical personnel to address any special considerations or health emergencies that may arise with the youngsters.

“They are more prone to get dehydrated, so we have to make sure they drink lots and lots and lots of water. Many of them take a lot of medications every day, so we have to have people on staff who understand the medications and can dispense them,” said Monica Hulbert, MD, director of the Sickle Cell Disease Program at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

“Children can have unpredictable pain that

See CAMP, A11

By Robert Lawrence Salter For The St. Louis American

Betty and Henry are two patients who have experienced long-term hip pain and are both candidates for total hip replacement surgery.

Betty’s physician refers her to a local hospital near her home, which has favorable patient experience reports. Unfortunately, that hospital has high readmission rates and does not post patient-reported post-surgery mobility data.

Henry and his physician, consult the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM), an international organization that compares hip replacement outcome data across hospitals worldwide. Together they find a regional hospital an hour away from Henry’s home. This hospital has low readmission rates and ranks high with patientreported, post-surgery mobility data.

During her preoperative assessment, Betty can’t remember the full list of medications she takes.

Obtaining her medical history causes a week’s delay in scheduling surgery. Henry, however, simply gives his physician permission to access his electronic medical record for obtaining his list of medications, as Henry’s regional hospital is linked with other hospitals through an integrated technology platform. Betty’s surgeon chooses a prosthesis he always uses. Henry’s surgeon, however, chooses a prosthesis recommended by a team that includes himself, a geriatrician and a physiotherapist. The team discusses Henry’s mobility goals. Using a decision support tool – and noting that Henry is a devoted cyclist – the team recommends a prosthesis that will get Henry back on the road ASAP. Henry’s physician then schedules the surgery with a colleague, who has outstanding mobility outcomes with the prosthesis the team recommended.

n It’s time to stop competing on volume and compete on results that matter to patients.

Unfortunately, after their surgeries, both Betty and Henry develop infections at the surgical site and have to undergo additional surgeries. Because Betty’s local hospital operates under a traditional fee-for-service plan, she pays an additional $4000 co-pay. Her case coordinator at the local hospital assumed that the scheduled rehabilitation bed in another facility would remain available after the delayed discharge. But unfortunately, the bed was given to another patient. So, Betty’s physician authorized one more recuperation day in the hospital. Soon after returning home, Betty faints. She returns to the ER and is readmitted for 5 more days.

People’s to host Community Resource

Health

Fair on August 18

Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers, located at 5701 Delmar Blvd., will host a Community Resource Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 18. The purpose of the fair – presented by People’s Community Action Corporation, in partnership with Betty Jean Kerr’s People’s Health Centers and Amanda Luckett Murphy Hopewell Center – is to provide the community with a host of vital health screenings and resources. Activities include dental and eye exams, a school supply giveaway, mammograms, and free haircuts. Live entertainment will feature Pieces of the Family, performing from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Also, there will be a live DJ, free food, a basketball shootout contest, a jump house, a 34-foot obstacle course for kids, fire truck sprinklers, raffles for bikes, and a limited number of shoe certificates. Free parking will be available at St. Louis ConnectCare (5535 Delmar Blvd.), Pilgrim Congressional (826 Union Blvd.), and Crossroads School (500 DeBaliviere Ave.). A shuttle pickup will be available at the Delmar Metro Link parking lot. For more information about People’s Community Action Corporation (PCAC) visit www.pcacstl.org For information about Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers visit www.phcenters.org. For information about Amanda Luckett Murphy Hopewell Centers visit www.hopewellcenter.com.

Alternatively, Henry’s second surgery at the regional hospital was included as part of a bundled payment. Henry’s medical team and his surgeon, incentivized through the bundled all-inclusive payment, manage both clinical and financial outcomes. Accordingly, all interventions associated with his hip replacement, including the second operation, are covered under the full cycle of care bundled payment “service warranty.” After successful rehab, which was included in the bundled payment, Henry was able to resume cycling – his most desired outcome – just six weeks post-surgery. Unfortunately, Betty’s experience, while

Screenshot courtesy of St. Louis Children’s Hospital

CAMP

Continued from A10

can happen in the course of the camp, so we’re prepared to treat their pain with whatever pain medicines they would normally have at home. We have them bring those and, if they have severe pain, we give them pain medicine at camp, try to get them through it so they can get back to the camp activities.”

Vanessa Jones of Collinsville, Illinois found out about Camp Crescent at last year’s Sickle Cell Stroll. She was “excited, but nervous” for her daughter, 8-year-old Samiya Augustus. “I was a Girl Scout my whole life, and I’ve been camping and I wanted her to have that same experience –in a safety bubble,” Jones said. Samiya was eager to take in the experience as a first-time camper.

“We get to go swimming,” Samiya said. “We get to make S’mores. I packed my medicine and I packed my bug spray, clothes, my pajamas, and my swimsuit and my poncho and my rain boots.”

Camp Crescent activities are like other summer youth camps, which include zip lining, campfires, games, archery, swimming (with a lifeguard monitored), field trips, nature hikes through the forest, singing, dancing and arts and crafts. Children develop social skills, build self-esteem and meet new friends – boys and girls who, like them, live with a painful chronic illness.

Hulbert, another physician, two nurse practitioners and a nurse made up the medical team at Camp Crescent. For any medical issues beyond

what can be treated onsite, children are sent to a local hospital or to St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

As a 12-year-old, this was the fourth and final year as a camper for Leroy Griffin Jr.

“It’s fun and you get to hang out with other kids your age

American staff

Missouri public housing residents will be protected from the dangers of secondhand smoke through a new smokefree housing rule from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that went into effect Monday, July 30.

In November 2016, HUD announced a rule requiring all federally-owned public housing to become smokefree by July 30, 2018. The smoke-free policy extends “to all outdoor areas up to 25 feet from the public housing and administrative office buildings,” according to the rule.. This rule will protect close

SURGERIES

Continued from A10

not a routine situation, happens all too often in the legacy feefor-service, cost-reimbursement protocol at the local hospital. However, Henry’s better experience at the regional hospital was the result of a coordinated value-based healthcare delivery system. Utilizing worldwide outcomes transparency, best practices, and elimination of wasteful spending, valuebased delivery systems work synergistically to create a new paradigm of healthcare delivery centered around quality outcomes that matter to patients. Now skeptics may ask, “Why the concern about quality outcomes that matter to the patient? And haven’t we always been concerned about quality outcomes? So, what’s the big deal?”

First, let’s accept that our current legacy system of fee for

and you get to learn about sickle cell,” Leroy said. “Our blood cells are different and they clog up and cause pain.”

“The first year was a little scary, because we hadn’t been separated before,” said Kendra Houston, Leroy’s mother. “It was more me the first year,

but the second year, he talked about it the whole year about how he couldn’t wait to get back to Camp Crescent, and he’s been like that since he was 8. He loves it and he’s never had any problems.”

Leroy is eligible to be a counselor at age 18, Houston

said, “but that’s a long six years.” Parents and children are hoping they will expand the age-range to include older children.

Children with sickle cell disease who are not treated at Children’s Hospital can also

Public housing goes smoke-free

HUD implements new rule, effective July 30

to two million Americans nationwide from being exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes, including 690,000 children. In Missouri, it means protections for more than 31,000 residents in local public housing agencies. The no-smoking policy will be included in the terms of tenant leases and enforced like other lease conditions. “Termination of assistance for a single incident of smoking, in violation of a smoke-free policy, is not grounds for eviction,” HUD noted. HUD recommended but did not mandate a “graduated enforcement approach” for punishing those who smoke, which can include fines.

n “There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.”

– Plesetta Clayton, American Lung Association

Secondhand smoke exposure poses serious health threats to both children and adults, according to the American Lung Association. Damaging health effects in children and adults include lung cancer, respiratory infections, worsened asthma symptoms, heart attacks and stroke. For residents of multi-

unit housing (e.g., apartment buildings and condominiums), secondhand smoke can be a major concern even if people don’t smoke in your unit, as smoke can migrate from other units and common areas and travel through doorways, cracks in walls, electrical lines, plumbing, and ventilation systems.

“Secondhand smoke is a serious health threat, and can linger in rooms and even travel between homes in multiunit housing,” said Plesetta Clayton, director of health promotions for the American Lung Association in Missouri. “There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.”

The Lung Association advocated for the passage of the rule for more than a decade.

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy life, and ensuring homes are free from the risks of secondhand smoke is a critical step for the health of residents,” said Clayton.

“This is especially true for

service and cost reimbursement is broken. According to Michael Porter of Harvard Business School, “Health care leaders and policy makers have tried countless incremental fixes – but none have had lasting impact.” So, I say let’s move away from a supply-driven health

care system organized around what providers do for patients, like Betty, and move toward a value-based system organized around what patients need, like Henry. Then, we shift the focus away from volume of services provided, physician visits, hospitalizations, procedures, and tests and towards value,

centered on patient outcomes, desired and achieved.

And while we’re at it, let’s revisit the legacy delivery system like Betty experienced, where every local provider offers a full range of services and instead aspire to a valuebased system like Henry experienced, where services

attend Camp Crescent. Camp attendance is free of charge, through donations to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. To donate or to find out more about Camp Crescent, visit its Facebook page or go to https://bit. ly/2K1wgh6.

children and those who are more vulnerable to the impact of secondhand smoke, such as those living with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.” In Missouri, the Lung Association is sharing best practices to implement smoke-free housing policies with public housing authorities and providing free smoking cessation support to residents. This is part of the new Smokefree Public Housing Initiative, funded by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation. For more information, visit Lung.org/smokefreehousing.

SSM breaks ground on pediatric health center in Ferguson

Local school children from All Saints Academy at St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Parish in Florissant joined SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and Sansone Group when they broke ground on the first and only pediatric health care specialty center in North County. This 15,000-square-foot facility, located at 3878 Pershall Rd. in Ferguson, will be home to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Pediatric Specialty Services and an office of SSM Health Medical Group Pediatrics. The new center will offer several specialty services including gastroenterology, otolaryngology, orthopedics, pulmonology, neurology and endocrinology.

for medical conditions are concentrated in a specialized regional health delivery system with facilities positioned in the right location, the latest technology, sufficient capacity, expertise and competency. Value-based healthcare proves that high value to patients significantly and consistently lowers healthcare cost. It’s time to stop competing on volume and compete on results that matter to patients.

Camp Crescent is four days of summer camp, run by St. Louis Children’s Hospital at YMCA Trout Lodge in Potosi exclusively for children ages 8-12 with sickle cell disease. Shown are: Demarrion Morton, Tyler Lampkin, Xavier Canada, Shylee Robinson, and Jamyra Williams.

Photo by St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Robert Lawrence Salter teaches healthcare management at Washington University in St. Louis.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

the st. Louis American endorses Propositions 2, 3, and 4

For the past year the most impressive and important political and policy work in the St. Louis region has been performed by the St. Louis County Council. The council assumed its rightful place as an coequal branch of county government and in doing so provided transparency and a much-needed check on a dubious county executive. Three proposed amendments (Propositions 2, 3 and 4) to the County Charter on the August 7 ballot will ensure the progress made in the last year can be sustained.

Proposition 2 empowers the County Council to hire its own attorney, a role currently played by the county counselor, who is appointed by the county executive. Allowing the County Council to hire its own attorney ensures that it can function like the coequal branch of government it is intended to be. Proposition 3 updates the County Charter so that County Council members could work as independent contractors for other public entities – a proposition required to address County Executive Steve Stenger’s attacks on

Councilman Ernie Trakas, who works as an attorney for school districts outside St. Louis County. Proposition 4 would impose much-needed campaign contribution limits and institute other similar reforms that promote accountability. (A court recently ruled that Proposition 4 is invalid, after a Stenger-linked lawyer challenged it, but a vote for the proposition will still send a signal that accountability reforms are needed in the county. The St. Louis American strongly endorses a “yes” vote on ProPositions 2, 3, ANd 4

Alan Gray for 75th district state representative

Alan Gray is the incumbent Democrat who represents Missouri’s 75th House District, which includes parts of Black Jack, Castle Point, Dellwood, Ferguson, Jennings, Moline Acres and unincorporated North St. Louis County. Gray serves on the Ways and Means and the Veterans committees, along with the Special Committee on Innovation and Technology. He has sponsored or supported bills that offer common sense protections for state workers, community policing, safer streets, and modified fees on traffic offenses. Gray was first elected in 2016 when he ran for the office his wife, Rochelle Walton Gray, served until term-limited. In that primary he defeated his current Democratic challenger, Teona McGhawBoure’, by more than 1,200 votes, and in this primary he has endorsements from North County Labor as well as the Ferguson, Spanish Lake, St. Ferdinand and Norwood townships. We can see why he enjoys such widespread support, given that he and his wife (who now serves on the St. Louis

County Council) have been engaged with the community, presenting minority inclusion and economic development forums, town halls, annual community fairs, and backto-school events. We believe he is an effective legislator and committed public servant who deserves another term to continue his work. The St. Louis American strongly endorses ALAN GRAY FOR 75tH dISTRICT STATE rePresentAtive.

McCaskill introduces bill to prohibit and penalize voter disinformation

American staff

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) introduced legislation that would prohibit and penalize the knowing spreading of misinformation, such as incorrect polling locations, times, or the necessary forms of identification in order to suppress voter turnout, on Thursday, July 26.

“At a time when voting rights are being attacked and chipped away – from state legislatures to the Supreme Court – we’ve got to redouble our efforts to protect every Missourian’s right to vote,” McCaskill said. “Misinformation campaigns intended only to suppress the vote and disenfranchise Missourians are crimes that run counter to our democratic values, and the punishment for those actions should fit the crime.”

McCaskill’s bill, the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act, which she introduced with U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Doug Jones (D-AL), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) would prohibit and penalize intentionally and knowingly spreading misinformation to

Senator Claire McCaskill

voters that are intended to suppress the vote, including the time and place of an election and restrictions on voter eligibility. The penalty for engaging in these deceptive acts would be a fine up to $100,000 and/or up to five years imprisonment.

McCaskill has been a longtime advocate for voting rights and has spoken out strongly against efforts to disenfranchise voters through voter photo ID laws that respond to know documented pattern of voter fraud, yet have the effect of making it harder for some populations –particularly minorities, seniors and youth – to vote.

“One out of five African American seniors in this country do not have the documentation because their mothers were not allow to deliver them in a hospital,” McCaskill said in 2008.

“Now really, do we really want to make these men and women whose parents were not allowed to give birth hospital because of the color of their skin, do we really want to make it harder for them to go and cast their vote in this grand and glorious democracy?”

In 2016, McCaskill expressed her outrage at an illegitimate change to federal voter registration forms in three states that could strip voting rights from tens of thousands of Americans by illegally requiring proof-of-citizenship documents.

McCaskill also supported the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2017, a bill that aims to restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – which was gutted by the 2013 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder, which led to several states passing sweeping voter suppression laws, disproportionately affecting minorities, the elderly, and youth.

We must defeat Bob McCulloch

The defeat of St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch is long overdue. As the highest-paid elected county official, McCulloch has used this office and taxpayers’ money to abuse his authority and avenge his father’s death. This prosecutor is an absolute barrier to achieving any meaningful reforms that project fairness for all citizens and restoring confidence in system that ultimately impacts all our lives.

McCulloch’s father was killed in the line of duty as a St. Louis cop by a black man. As county prosecutor, McCulloch has taken his vengeance out on literally every African American coming through county courts with harsher sentences and an abundant use of the death penalty. He comes from a family of cops; his words and actions make it clear that he will always side with police, regardless of the evidence against them.

The role of a prosecutor is not only to find someone to prosecute for a crime. Prosecutors have extraordinary discretion to choose what gets prosecuted and how. They should really be truth seekers and embrace the truth however it prevails. We know from the hundreds of exoneration cases in the U.S. that prosecutorial criminality is pervasive. Like police departments, prosecutors

are incapable of self-correction. The world got a glimpse of McCulloch’s racism and incompetence with the handling of the grand jury in the case of the Michael Brown police killing. Local justiceseeking folks such as the Don’t Shoot Coalition questioned whether the prosecutor could be fair and called on thenGovernor Jay Nixon to appoint a special prosecutor. Legal eagles across the country took exception to how McCulloch handled the grand jury process, from witnesses to evidence. Typically, grand jury members are told the charges the prosecutor is seeking, but McCulloch’s office left the charges open-ended for the

n The August 7 election for the next county prosecutor is a referendum on the region’s commitment to racial justice.

jury to decide. Neither did the office wait for the police and FBI investigations to be completed before turning the case over to the grand jury, as is customary. Grand Juror Doe is still challenging the courts to expose what went on behind closed doors.

As we approach the fourth anniversary of the Ferguson Uprising, this is a continuing reflection on all the combustible issues that captured the world’s attention in 2014. It’s also a marker to review any progress made

since the killing of Michael Brown by Ferguson cop Darren Wilson. The August 7 election for the next county prosecutor is a referendum on the region’s commitment to racial justice – an ever-festering sore of the historic, racist cancer in this country. Changing of the guard could be a real step towards judicial progress.

Wesley Bell is the only candidate running against the incumbent in the Democratic primary, and he is a worthy opponent. He is an attorney, former prosecutor and current Ferguson councilperson. Bell has a keen awareness of the court’s impact of the lives of people who find themselves facing the jaws of justice.

The election of Bell is one legitimate way to write a new chapter of justice in St. Louis County courts in the postFerguson Uprising period. And beyond.

“Forward Through Ferguson” is the commanding report that come out of a region-wide community engagement in the aftermath of the Ferguson Uprising. Several recommendations were made for court reform and police accountability. Based upon his actions since then, it’s doubtful if McCulloch thought any were worth pursuing.

The Ferguson Commission called upon us to be “unflinching” in our approach to swift implementation of the initiatives. When we vote on August 7, let’s not flinch when we choose new leadership for St. Louis County prosecutor. Let’s assert that black lives still matter and swiftly vote for Wesley Bell.

Are we really voting slackers?

Tuesday, November 6 is general elections day in Missouri. Federal offices that are up for election during the midterms are members of the United States Congress, including all 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives, and the full terms for 33 or 34 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate. These include U.S. Senator Clair McCaskill and U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay, if they win their primary races on August 7. I will leave the endorsements to The St. Louis American editorial board. There are many other races also that should be scrutinized and selected.

My question is: Will you, your friends and members of your family exercise your right? Have you done your homework on the issues and parties that are seeking office or asking to be reelected? Are you well informed and not influenced by the series of negative commercials?

We are bombarded with biases in some reporting. Do we understand the significance of truth for the everyday world of human communication? We as the electorate should investigate and seek the truth from politicians and journalists. There are many different prejudices of some news outlets, which lead them to misrepresent or even ignore

facts as experienced by any number of African Americans. It is another form of voter suppression, and apparently it is effective.

According to an NPR report, black voter turnout fell seven percentage points in the last election, plummeting from 66.6 percent in 2012 to 59.6 percent in 2016, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Many analysts say a natural dropoff was expected in the postBarack Obama era. But the 2016 voter turnout for African Americans was not just lower than the Obama years; it was even slightly lower than the 2004 election between George W. Bush and John Kerry.

Chryl Laird of Bowdoin College said some have attributed the decline in black turnout to voter suppression tactics made

n Have you done your homework on the issues and parties that are seeking office or asking to be reelected?

possible by the 2013 Shelby v. Holder decision that rescinded key protections from the Voting Rights Act. But black turnout saw similar declines in states where no new voter laws were implemented after the Shelby decision.

The Library of Congress

notes: “Many brave and impassioned Americans protested, marched, were arrested and even died working toward voting equality. In 1963 and 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. brought hundreds of black people to the courthouse in Selma, Alabama to register. When they were turned away, Dr. King organized and led protests that finally turned the tide of American political opinion. In 1964 the Twentyfourth Amendment prohibited the use of poll taxes. In 1965, the Voting Rights Act directed the Attorney General to enforce the right to vote for African Americans.” The 1965 Voting Rights Act created a significant change in the status of African Americans throughout the South. The Voting Rights Act prohibited the states from using literacy tests and other methods of excluding African Americans from voting. Prior to this, only an estimated twenty-three percent of voting-age blacks were registered nationally, but by 1969 the number had jumped to sixty-one percent. I say again, if you are one seeking to ensure equality and justice for all, I hope that you will do your research and that you will vote. Please don’t be a slacker! Please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday night at 10 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 5:30 p.m. on NLEC-TV Ch. 24.2. I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-

Columnist Bernie Hayes

Columnist Jamala Rogers

The facts on

Bob McCulloch and cash bail

There’s a meme going around for Proposition A (the Right to Work proposition) leading up to the August 7 primary. It’s something like, “Do you own a helicopter? If so, vote for Prop A. If not, then don’t.”

That could easily apply to the St. Louis County prosecuting attorney race as well. Do you own a helicopter? If so, then vote for incumbent Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch. If not, then don’t.

Because somehow McCulloch has deluded himself into thinking that cash bail is not currently taking place in St. Louis County under his watch.

Last week, McCulloch said on St. Louis Public Radio’s Political Speaking podcast, “We don’t seek warrants or cash bail, or any kind of bail, on misdemeanors, and haven’t for decades.”

It’s a statement that he’s made consistently throughout his campaign for re-election, where he is being challenged by Ferguson city councilman and attorney Wesley Bell in the Democratic primary.

As the Ferguson movement revealed, people with money can almost always buy their way to freedom, regardless of the charges against them, under the cash bail model. Yet people without access to cash too often end up in jail simply because they cannot afford bail, or alternatively they must take out loans from bail companies that charge exorbitant fees, several civil rights organizations have argued.

Although individuals are presumed innocent in the eyes of the law, if they can’t afford cash bail, they will end up in jail for weeks or months. This wealth-based incarceration disproportionately punishes and targets black people and other people of color, as well as people from economically disadvantaged communities. Those trapped by this system often lose their families, jobs, and homes.

Last week, the ACLU of Missouri rolled out an online interactive tool that shows the use of cash bail and how long people stayed in the St. Louis County Jail while awaiting trial. The data analysis debunks McCulloch’s claim that his hands are clean.

These data sets were obtained from the St. Louis County jail system by the Justice Collaborative through an open records request and reflect criminal bookings in the county from 2010-2017.

The website allows people to search through the county’s jail stays for felonies, misdemeanors and citations, but an ACLU representative said that the best way to pinpoint decisions McCulloch has made is to look at misdemeanors.

According to the ACLU’s press release, the numbers show that in 2017, 419 people faced cash bail for misdemeanors, including 65 people receiving received cash bail for speeding offenses.

Since 2012, 2,775 people faced cash bail for misdemeanors. The average amount was $445.

From 2012-2017, 5,536 people faced pre-trial detention of one to five days for a misdemeanor. 683 people spent more than 20 days in jail with a misdemeanor charge pre-trial over the same time period.

And in 2017, 899 people sat behind bars for one to five days charged with a misdemeanor – comparatively, 1,836 people did not spend a day in jail during that same time period.

The St. Louis American asked McCulloch to comment on the ACLU’s numbers but did not receive a response.

In his formal response to an ACLU questionnaire, McCulloch basically states that he is the picture of perfect. He explains that misdemeanors or low-level felonies, including most drug charges, are issued on a summons and no bail or bond.

“When a cash bond is requested and authorized by a judge, the amount is appropriate to the charge, defendant’s history and individual circumstances, including the defendant’s financial situation,” he states.

In an interview with the Riverfront Times, Justice Collaborative senior legal counsel Jennifer Soble said that the numbers and her direct experience in the county’s courtrooms paint a different picture than McCulloch’s statements.

Hundreds of people who have been charged with misdemeanors in St. Louis County are sitting in jail today, Soble told the RFT. The jail data show that about 85 percent of those given a bond are released after spending an average of 39 days, she said.

“What happens during those intervening 39 days is they figure out if this person can scrape together the cash to get released,” Soble said. “After 39 days, everyone agrees they’re not going to pull it together financially – and then they get out.”

She added, “All of those people were literally sitting in jail for 39 days because they didn’t have money.”

While technically a judge sets the bond amount, McCulloch’s office and his assistant prosecutors exert significant influence, Soble told the RFT

“Bond is set by a judge in an open hearing, one that the prosecutor participates in,” she said. “I’ve watched numerous hearings. The prosecutors have input on who gets held and who gets released, just like the prosecutor has input on any decision the judge makes.”

Jeffrey Mittman, ACLU of Missouri executive director, said the organization launched the tool to educate voters in this race.

“Voters deserve to know that their elected prosecuting attorney has not ended cash bail or effectively used the alternative drug court system,” Mittman said. “We strongly encourage both candidates to end the system of cash bail, which punishes those who can’t afford to buy their freedom and lets rich people walk free.”

Wesley Bell’s been ‘converted’

Bell said he will freely admit that his thinking on cash bail has been an “evolution.”

“When I came into being an attorney 17 years ago, I only knew the cash bail system,” Bell told The American. “That’s the culture. But what I’m proud of is that now that we are starting to be aware of mass incarceration and the effects that cash bail has on that.”

Once he started doing some research, he said it was quickly

apparent that this system doesn’t work.

“I think that as an elected official and leader in general, we have to be open to data and research and what actually works,” Bell said. “And I’ll say that wholeheartedly. Once I did my research and got more information, hey, I am part of the converted.”

Bell said that the county can’t continue to punish poverty. While judges have the ultimate power to make these decisions, Bell said a prosecutor’s influence carries a lot of weight. People facing serious crimes are able to walk free because they can afford it, he said. But the nonviolent drug abuser who can’t afford to make a $1,500 bond faces lengthy jail time and losing a job.

“From a criminal justice standpoint, that makes us less safe,” Bell said. “That individual is more likely to re-offend.”

Alternative courts

Through a separate open

records request, the ACLU of Missouri also found that since McCulloch started his pre-charge, alternative drug court program in 2014, only 99 people have been enrolled. Only 36 people have completed the program, according to the ACLU. That averages to nine people per year.

Alternative Treatment Courts keep nonviolent drug- and alcohol-addicted individuals in treatment for long periods of time, and supervise them closely, according to county budget documents.

Part of this court includes the Veteran’s Treatment Court and according to the budget document, only 18 people have participated in the program between 2014 to 2016 – which was when numbers were available.

Cops say vote No on Prop A

Gary Wiegert – former St. Louis Police Officers Association president and the only member to have been

expelled in its 50-year history – got hit with a cease and desist letter from the police union for appearing in a pro-Right To Work commercial. Copies of the letter were also sent to the out-of-state Super PAC funding the TV spots as well as all of the St. Louis area TV stations carrying the commercial. The SLPOA said it will ask its parent organization, The Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, to disseminate the letter to other TV stations around the state that are airing the misleading commercial. Both local and state police unions voted to officially oppose Proposition A on the August 7 ballot. Prop A is the ballot initiative that would enact the anti-worker Right To Work bill into law in Missouri. Both unions encourage their members and police supporters to vote No on Prop A and “to ignore the deceptive ads featuring their disgraced former member that attempts to mislead voters into believing that cops support Right To Work and Prop A,” according to a

Photo by Wiley Price

Business

RBC connects entrepreneurs with mentors

Arch Grants, Brazen St. Louis and Cultivation Capital partner in initiative

By Ashley Jones For The St.

Louis

American

The Regional Business Council has matched 15 member organizations with 15 entrepreneurs for a year of mentoring and guidance. This year the Entrepreneur Connector Initiative has teamed up with Arch Grants, Brazen St. Louis, and Cultivation Capital to assist with identifying and hand-picking promising start-up leaders.

“The Regional Business Council is a consortium of hundreds of CEOs of large companies, and what we want to do is really help the entrepreneurial sector,” Kathy Osborn, president and CEO of the Regional Business Council (RBC), said at a recent reception at Washington University’s Knight Center. “So what we’ve done today is brought some of our

n “You never know when that introduction or that advice that seems so normal to a person with grey hair could change the trajectory of a company.”

– Brian Matthews, Cultivation Capital CEO

CEOs together with a group of our entrepreneurs that are matched and they are going to be working together over the next year.”

Participating entrepreneurs benefit not only from direct coaching with CEOs but also from

the chance to grow their professional networks among RBC’s business community.

“What we hope is to help to encourage the new entrepreneurs,” Osborn said. “Also, if there are some skills that we have that we might be able to impart, we certainly want to do that and learn more about these companies and hope to help them grow.”

The RBC, founded in 2000, is a consortium of presidents and chief executive officers of midto large-sized companies in St. Louis. These companies collectively employ over 120,000 people and generate over $65 billion in revenue annually.

The mission of the RBC is to unite and engage members to act on high-impact business,

See RBC, B2

Regions Bank opens HOPE Inside office in Metro East

Belleville branch hosts financial counselor, but he also will travel to other locations

Leroy Abrahams joined Regions Bank as executive vice president and head of Community Affairs, a new department that brings together the Regions Financial Corporation Foundation with the company’s Community Relations, Community Development, Philanthropy, and Corporate Social Responsibility areas. Previously he served as area president in North Central Alabama. He joined Regions in 2013 as head of Strategic and Corporate Planning.

Hana S. Sharif joined the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis as its new artistic director. Sharif is currently the associate artistic director at Baltimore Center Stage. Her theatre career includes roles as an artistic leader, director, playwright and producer. She will replace longtime Artistic Director Steven Woolf, who will retire at the end of the 2018-2019 season.

Gerald Jones joined Lutheran High School North as its head varsity boys basketball coach. Jones most recently coached at Northwest Academy of Law High School, where he won the Class 3 Boys State Championship Title in 2017 and took fourth in the state championship this year. Prior to coaching at Northwest, Jones served as the boys head coach at McCluer South Berkeley High School.

Lisa Potts joined the St. Louis Mental Health Board as project director of the Community Mental Health Fund. With more than 20 years of experience, and a master’s degree in Public Administration, Potts brings expertise in the areas of community partnerships, poverty alleviation, financial stability, case management, homeless services, prevention, and workforce and youth development.

Bryce Goodloe was named to the Rising Leaders of Color Program by Theatre Communications Group, which provides professional development and networking opportunities to early-career leaders. He is an interdisciplinary artist focusing on the African diaspora, LGBTQ identity, and community activism. He currently works as the Analytics and Engagement assistant for Shakespeare Festival Saint Louis.

American staff

Regions Bank and Operation HOPE are opening a HOPE Inside financial empowerment office based at Regions’ branch at 4800 W. Main in Belleville to provide free financial education, as well as credit and money management counseling, to individuals, families and business owners in the Metro East. The announcement was made at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center in East St. Louis during an event hosted by Regions and featuring East St. Louis Mayor Emeka Jackson-Hicks. Regions maintains a branch presence in East St. Louis. “This partnership between Operation HOPE and Regions Bank is about leveling the playing field for people who are working to improve their credit, reduce their debt, manage their finances, and reach their long-term goals,”

Regions Bank and Operation HOPE are opening a HOPE Inside financial empowerment office based at Regions’ branch at 4800 W. Main in Belleville. Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer John Hope Bryant has family connections to the Metro East; his mother grew up in East St. Louis.

April Mickens Jolly joined the Board of Directors of The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis. She is director of strategic planning for St. Louis Regional Health Commission and has worked in health care administration for 11 years, most recently at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. The Scholarship Foundation provides access to postsecondary education to members of our community who otherwise would not have the financial means to fulfill their educational goals.

Leroy Abrahams

Gerald Jones

April Mickens Jolly Bryce Goodloe

Hana S. Sharif

Lisa Potts

Shayba Muhammad (second from right), the designer and founder of Mahnal Jewelry, is one of 15 local entrepreneurs paired with one of 15 Regional Business Council member organizations for a year of mentoring and guidance in its Entrepreneur Connector Initiative.

Photo by Wiley Price

Midwest BankCentre honored nationally for community service

Operates full-service branches in Pagedale, at Friendly Temple and on North Broadway

American staff

Midwest BankCentre was selected as a national award recipient by the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) for the 2018 National Community Bank Service Awards.

ICBA selected Midwest BankCentre from among more than 100 nominations for its high-impact service and economic empowerment programs that have brought mainstream banking services to more than 1,200 previously unbanked or underbanked families in the St. Louis metro area. Bank employees contributed more than 4,700 volunteer hours in 2017 to help hundreds of immigrants, minorities and economically disadvantaged citizens gain access to financial services, and spur community redevelopment and reinvestment.

“Midwest BankCentre’s outreach initiative was inspired in part by a 2009 FDIC survey ranking the St. Louis metro area as the third highest city for unbanked African-American households in the nation,” said Alex Fennoy, executive vice president of community and economic development at Midwest BankCentre.

“We are honored that ICBA has recognized our comprehensive effort to serve as agents of positive change. Through the spirit of inclusivity, we are making a difference and improving the overall economic welfare of our community.”

Photo by Wiley Price

Midwest BankCentre was recognized by the Independent Community Bankers of America in its 2018 National Community Bank Service Awards for making significant investments in facilities and staff to support re-emerging African-American majority neighborhoods, such as opening a branch at Friendly Temple in the Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood in April 2017.

Among Midwest BankCentre’s notable collaborative initiatives are its significant investments in facilities and staff to support re-emerging African-American majority neighborhoods. The bank operates full-service branches in Pagedale, at Friendly Temple in the WellsGoodfellow neighborhood, and on North Broadway in the near north riverfront area north of downtown St. Louis. The award also recognized Midwest BankCentre’s

embrace of St. Louis’ Bosnian community, with Bosnianspeaking employees at four of its 19 branches. In March 2018, the bank received the Bosnia Memory Project Community Leader Award for its long-term support of the Bosnia Memory Project at Fontbonne University which is working to create an enduring record of Bosnian genocide survivors.

Midwest BankCentre’s

outreach to the local Hispanic and Latino community has included a special mortgage product for immigrants with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) but no social security number.

Jim Watson, chairman and CEO of Midwest BankCentre, was recently honored with the Chairman’s Award by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for lifting up the

RBC

continued from page B1 civic and philanthropic affairs for the betterment of the St. Louis region. With the Entrepreneur Connector Initiative, the RBC encourages the healthy growth of new businesses and supports the future of St. Louis’s new economy.

“Kathy and I were discussing how can the RBC help startup communities,” said Brian Matthews, founder of the Initiative and CEO of its partner Cultivation Capital.

“We thought of a mentorship program where we connect the larger companies to these earlier-stage companies to help them grow their business and make business decisions by introducing them to other companies, customers, or potential employees.”

Cultivation Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in accelerator programs and establishes seed funds for startups, like the Spirit of St. Louis

Hispanic community of metro St. Louis.

ICBA also noted the bank’s diversification of its legal board in recent years and its 2012 formation of an advisory board composed of local educators, public servants, clergy and business owners to ensure newly developed products and services meet customers’ needs.

“Community service and

Fund 1, which they helped establish in 2017.

“It’s a very serendipitous thing,” Matthews said.

“You never know when that introduction or that advice that seems so normal to a person with gray hair could change the trajectory of a company.”

Cultivation Capital and Arch Grants both invest in the

n “What we hope is to help to encourage the new entrepreneurs.”

– Kathy Osborn, president and CEO of the Regional Business Council (RBC)

futures of St. Louis start-ups.

Arch Grants offers $50,000 equity-free grants and other professional support to earlystage entrepreneurs.

“For us the key to that is making sure the entrepreneurial community and the established business communities are not only interacting and know each other, but they are

n “Midwest BankCentre’s outreach initiative was inspired in part by a 2009 FDIC survey ranking the St. Louis metro area as the third highest city for unbanked AfricanAmerican households in the nation.”

– Alex Fennoy

volunteerism are hallmarks of community banking,” said ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey. “We commend and thank Midwest BankCentre and its employees for their unwavering dedication and commitment to ensuring the vitality of their communities and the financial health of local residents who call it home.”

actively working to build one another and particularly for the business community to help to build the startups and the new companies that are coming here,” said Emily Lohse-Busch, executive director of Arch Grants. The initiative’s partners have selected a variety of start-ups, ranging from new clean-energy technologies to fashionable swimwear designers. For example, Shayba Muhammad is the designer and founder of Mahnal Jewelry. She recently won the Brazen St. Louis pitch competition and was recommended for the program by Brazen.

“I’m just hoping I can make some valuable connections and learn a lot and take it with me to grow and scale my business,” Muhammad said, “but also everything that I learn will fall back into the makers program and offering it back to other people.” For more information on the RBC and its initiatives, visit http://stlrbc.org, email rbcadmin@stlrbc.org, or call 314-225-2100.

n “Kobe coming back I heard...You heard it here first.”

— Shaquille O’Neal

Sports

St. Louis Surge goes after national title

The St. Louis Surge are on the road this weekend in search of their third Women’s Blue Chip Basketball League National title.

The top eight teams in the WBCBL are in Charlotte, North Carolina for the national tournament, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday. The Surge received the No. 3 seed after winning the Midwest regional championship last week at Washington University. They will face the No. 6 seed Virginia Lady Warriors on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Should the Surge defeat the Warriors, they will face either, the No. 2 seed, Dallas Diesel or the No. 7 seed, Phoenix Elite, in the semifinals at 6 p.m. The championship game is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. (St. Louis time).

The Atlanta Monarchs received the No. 1 seed for the national tournament. The Surge and Monarchs have split two meetings during the regular season. Atlanta won the first meeting 107-99 in Atlanta on June 17. The Surge returned the favor the following week in St. Louis with a 98-81 victory.

The Surge have won national titles in 2014 and 2016. They narrowly missed a third national title last season when they were edged by the Georgia Soul in the championship game by one point.

Hurst, Arps help lead Chaos softball to national title

Congratulations to the St.

LeBron James may have taken his talents and his family to Los Angeles this offseason, but he left a colossal legacy back in his home state of Ohio. Sure, James will forever be considered an Ohio legend for bringing the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise its first NBA championship in 2016. However, with Monday’s launch of his I Promise School, he has now made a lasting, monumental impact for the future of Akron, his hometown. What’s remarkable about I Promise is that it’s not a private or charter school with James’ name simply splattered across the building. It is a public school, housed within the Akron Public Schools district. It is the result of collaboration between the district and the LeBron James Family Foundation.

“…We want [the kids] to be successful not only in the school, but successful in life,” James told Theresa Cotton of the Akron BeaconJournal. “We’re gonna give ’em everything that they need and give them criteria that they all can meet, depending on the individual.”

James did not exaggerate when he said the school will provide the children with everything. Students of the tuition-free school will receive the following items at no charge: uniforms, a bicycle and helmet, meals, snacks and transportation within two miles.

The school will also feature free services for the students’ families, including a food pantry, GED and job placement services for parents. If that wasn’t enough, all graduating students will qualify to receive full, guaranteed tuition to the University of Akron.

Just like James’ do-it-all skillset helped evolve the game of basketball, the all-encompassing approach for I Promise was developed in hopes of evolving public education, specifically in urban areas.

Earl Austin Jr.

See INSIDE, B5

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

St. Louis Surge guard Rebecca Harris (13) brings the ball up the floor against the Music City Icons as the Surge’s Jaleesa Butler (30) trails the play on Saturday, July 15, 2018 at the Washington University Athletic Complex. The Surge went on to defeat the Icons 123-44.

LeBron James speaks at the grand opening of the

Promise School in Akron, Ohio.

Photo by Wiley Price

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Dallas’ Prescott, Elliott under fire for anthem comments

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said at the start of his team’s training camp in Oxnard, California, that his players would have “toe on the line” during the national anthem. Peaceful protest or remaining in the locker room is not an option for Jones’ players. His son and second-in-command, Stephen Jones, hinted in an interview that any protest would lead to a player being released.

Folks, the Cowboys’ season is over before it even begins. I foresee a disaster because the owner has emasculated his black players and any of the white ones that have a conscience.

In response, quarterback Dak Prescott explained why he will stand during the anthem – and it was met with disgust by many Cowboys fans – including me.

“I’d never protest during anthem, and I don’t think that’s the time or the venue to do so,” Prescott said after Jones shot off his mouth on the anthem.

“I think this whole kneeling, and all of that, was all about just raising awareness, and the fact that we’re still talking about social injustice years later, I think we’ve gotten to that point. I think we’ve proved it. We know about social injustice. I’m up for taking a next step, whatever that step may be for action and not just kneeling.” I’ll bet Prescott never thought he would be called a “lemonade-serving house Negro,” but that was one of many negative responses he received via social media and in comment sections. Certainly, there were those who supported him.

Los Angeles Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead said Prescott is more concerned with money than equality and justice in America. Tahir said via Twitter, “Sounds like Dak don’t want to lose that Campbell’s Chunky Soup deal!” Running back Ezekiel Elliott, who served a six-game suspension last season because the NFL determined he physically abused a woman in 2016, said, “We’re the Dallas football Cowboys. America’s Team. We stand for the national anthem.”

Among the comments that greeted Elliott in the Dallas Morning News was “Massa Jones really got these losers shook.” Another included a video of Daffy Duck tap dancing. That one made me laugh, I admit. Several fans said Jones’ “toe on the line,” comment has made them give up on the team

they have followed their entire lives. I also heard Prescott and Elliott called “America’s Toms.”

Ouch.

The NFL and NFLPA are discussing how to properly handle anthem protests. San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman called the first meeting “encouraging, open and amicable.” When asked about Jones’ comment, Sherman said, “The owner of the Dallas Cowboys, with the old plantation mentality. What did you expect?” Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins called Jones “a bully,” and took the stance that many of us hope at least one Cowboy has the guts to consider.

“I’m glad I’m not a Dallas Cowboy,” he said, adding that he “feels for (black players on Dallas’ roster).”

Last week, Jenkins eloquently explained to NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt why

the protests (and there are few) should be tolerated.

“We can talk about social issues and still have a great game,” he said.

“We talked about domestic violence for a whole year ... We talk about breast cancer for a whole month every year; you wear pink on the field ... no issues with that. We start talking about black issues and issues of race, now all of a sudden, we just want football. We don’t want all that extra stuff, we just want to watch the game.”

After Jones’ “toe on the line” tirade, the national anthem was played before the team’s Saturday practice session.

Dale Hansen, a sports anchor for Dallas’ ABC affiliate, witnessed and described the scene.

“Jones loves and respects the national anthem so much, that when it was being played before the start of practice

Saturday, he left his cap on. And when he was told about the mistake he was making, he still left his cap on,” Hansen said.

“He who makes the rules, apparently doesn’t have to follow them.”

The NFL has reportedly told Jones to drop the anthem subject, which led to another embarrassing moment for America’s Team.

Mike Doocy, a sports reporter for Dallas’ Fox affiliate, cancelled his annual oneone-one interview with Jones on Sunday night when told the owner would not speak on the anthem controversy.

“As it turns out, tonight at the last second before we were getting ready to record our interview, we were told by Jerry and his public relations staff that the national anthem issue would be off limits,” Doocy told viewers.

“The fact we were told that at the last minute and that conditions were put on the interview in that way, I just didn’t feel comfortable going on with it.”

He said he didn’t “want to make a bigger deal out of this than it is,” and he appreciates

how Jones interacted with the media.

His action could cost him his job. As a result, Doocy showed more character than Prescott and Elliott did last weekend.

Jones has put a target on his players’ backs that will be hard to miss. This will be a season filled with his black players facing on-field taunts and borderline late hits. Other teams and other towns have always despised the Cowboys. The hatred will be over-the-top this season because Jones “toe on the line” was a big middle finger toward black Cowboys fans and black people throughout America.

While Jones sits comfortably in his palatial owner suite, Prescott, Elliott and his other black players will face a backlash of unimaginable proportion.

They better be prepared for some of the black power the Cowboys’ owner refuses to acknowledge.

NFL boasts six black coaches

Entering the 2018 season, the NFL will have six African-

American head coaches among its 32 teams. They are: Todd Bowles, New York Jets, fourth season; Hue Jackson, Cleveland Browns, third season; Vance Joseph Denver Broncos, second season; Marvin Lewis Cincinnati Bengals, 15th season; Anthony Lynn, Los Angeles Chargers, second season; and Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers, 11th season.

All African-American head coaches are in the AFC, following the dismissal of Jim Caldwell at Detroit following last season. The NFC does have Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera who is of Latino descent.

The Baltimore Ravens, with head coach John Harbaugh, is the lone team in the AFC Central without a black head coach. Jackson, Lewis and Tomlin are the other head coaches in that division. Joseph is on the hot seat in Denver heading into his second season and needs a solid campaign to hold on to his job.

Lewis is the dean of black coaches with 14 years at the helm. People wonder how he keeps his job with no playoff wins. Things would be worse without

last year, the Chargers finished 9-7 and almost made the playoffs. The Reid Roundup

The Cardinals aren’t as colorful today (pun intended). Tommy Pham, who blasted the St. Louis Cardinals front office in a Sports Illustrated article before the season, was traded to Tampa for three prospects… If Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez gets hurt as soon as he gets off the DL, why does he come off the DL so soon?... Led by Brandon Rush’s 46 points, a KU alumni team beat a Mizzou alumni squad 109-101 last Saturday at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena in Independence… I said months ago I wanted Tampa pitcher Chris Archer in St. Louis. The talk of that happening picked up before the Tuesday deadline but no deal was reached… The odds are 16-1 for Tiger Woods to win the 100th PGA Championship Tournament next week at Bellerive Country Club

Alvin A. Reid

Dallas Cowboys star players quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott say they are on the same page as team owner Jerry Jones when it comes to standing for the national anthem.

Police play softball with Ferguson youth

‘The main goal was to humanize each group’

By Ashley Jones

St. Louis American

For The

St. Louis County Police

officers recently took the field for a softball game with a Ferguson community youth baseball team, the Ferguson Regulators, in Forestwood Park in Ferguson.

“That was something that we’d been trying to work on for about a year,” said Jevon Kincaid, founder and coach of the Ferguson Regulators.

“It started one day at a baseball game last year, and I was telling a couple of my players growing up in North St. Louis that before we would go back to school, the police department would always have a softball game against the neighborhood. Everybody would go over to the park to play this game, and that was something that disappeared around here.”

Kincaid and community organizer Jeffrey Lyes started looking for police officers to partner with. Then Kincaid

CLUTCH

Continued from C5

port. True family integration and true compassion.”

Much of James’ inspiration for the school came from his personal experience as a student in Akron Public Schools. James said that as a fourth-grader, he missed 83 days of school. The absences were due to an unstable home life, as he and his mother bounced around Akron. They stayed with relatives and friends, sometimes for just days or weeks at a time.

That’s why the I Promise School isn’t catered to high-achieving youth. It’s catered directly to underperforming kids from at-risk environments. The district identified students who will be entering

Continued from C5

Louis Chaos girls’ softball team on winning the USA Softball Junior Olympics Cup, which was held last week in Chesterfield. The Chaos defeated the Ohio Hawk 2-0 in the championship game. Two of the key players on the team were St. Louis American Players of the Year in softball. Makayla Hurst of Wentzville Timberland was our Player of the Year in 2017 and Micah Arps of Incarnate Word was The American’s Player of the Year in 2018.

Hurst is a power hitting first baseman who is headed to the University of Utah on a softball scholarship. After missing her senior high school season with injuries, she came back to have a strong year on the club circuit. Hurst had a .446 batting

saw Captain Norman Mann of the St. Louis County Police Department talk on local television about the renovation of the baseball field in Dellwood with the help of the St. Louis County Police Athletic League. The league donated money and effort to

third- and fourth-grade who were one or two years behind in reading. Those students were then entered into a lottery to determine which students would attend the new school as its inaugural class of third- and fourth-grade students. Next year, the school will expand to add second and fifth grades. By 2022, it will cover grades one through eight.

“This means everything,” James told The Associated Press in an interview before the public opening of the school. “I think this is the greatest accomplishment for me because it’s not just me. A championship is for a team, that’s for an organization and a city. But these kids, this is for generation after generation after generation and it’s for these kids, so it means everything.”

In the NBA, James has been oft-criticized for ring chasing. He’s caught plenty of flack

average with 15 home runs, 39 runs batted in, 39 runs scored and a slugging percentage of .739 with the Chaos.

Arps is a speedy outfielder who led Incarnate Word to a Final Four berth in the Class 3 state tournament, hitting two home runs with 33 RBI and 24 stolen bases for the Red Knights. Another key contributor for the Chaos was outfielder Rylea Smith, who will be a senior at Parkway North. She hit .524 and was among the St. Louis area’s leaders with 40 stolen bases during her junior season. She has already committed to the University of Kentucky.

Robinson takes silver at USATF Junior Olympics

Hazelwood West junior track standout Justin Robinson took home a silver medal in the 400-meter dash at the USATF Junior Olympics in

bring the park up to playing condition. Kincaid contacted Mann, and they began organizing a softball game between Kincaid’s youth and Mann’s police officers.

“He shared my passion about bringing baseball back to the North County community,”

over the years, including from this columnist, for teaming up with All-Stars and helping the “super team” trend continue. It is quite ironic now that James is bring praised and lauded for bringing together a “super team” of educators, businesses and community service providers to help the children of Akron thrive.

His investments into Akron could help identify, educate and inspire the next LeBron James on the basketball court. More importantly, it could help identify, educate and inspire the next LeBron James of medicine, law, engineering, business or technology.

When it comes to giving back to the community, there’s no question that James is the real MVP.

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ishcreates.

Greensboro, North Carolina.

Running for Gateway City United in the 15-16 age division, Robinson turned in a time of 46.2 seconds, coming in second to Sean Burrell, who won the race in 46.03 seconds.

Miller breaks another national record

Many of the St. Louis area’s top track athletes are in Des Moines, Iowa this week at the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics. John Burroughs star Brandon Miller is already making his mark again as he easily won the title in the 1,500-meter run in the 15-16 age division. Running for the Ultimate Speed Academy, Miller won the race in 3 minutes 58.10 seconds, which was a national record in the age group. It was his seventh national title and sixth national record in the 1,500meter run alone for Miller, who is also a young phenom

St. Louis County Police officers recently took the field for a softball game with a Ferguson community youth baseball team, the Ferguson Regulators, in Forestwood Park in Ferguson.

n “The police won, but they had fun. Everybody enjoyed their selves and enjoyed their company.” – Jeffrey Lyes, community organizer

The social interaction started a dialogue and created positive experiences between the youth and police officers.

“It really went well as far as the participation of the youth, which they were excited because they had never really intermingled with police officers before. The police were excited to do anything to improve community relations. They did the barbequing; they brought the pit and everything. All we did was provide the youth,” Lyes said.

Mann said.

The community softball game also was a step toward improving community relationships between youth and police officers.

“The police won, but they had fun,” Lyes said.

“Everybody enjoyed their

selves and enjoyed their company. The main highlight to me was at the end, we gathered them all together, and then we all had prayer because one of the coaches was a minister. I think that was a big highlight, doing something like that.”

“The main goal was to humanize each group. Also, we wanted to show the youth that police officers are fathers, brothers, uncles, cousins; they are not just men in uniform.” For more information on the St. Louis County Police Athletic League, call 314-4585186 or visit www.stlouiscopal. org.

Team Missouri wins Battle of the Boro Championship

Congratulations to the Team Missouri

pionship of the

The

are

the

South-Berkeley), Amya

North), Kaylynn Hayden (Lutheran North), Marschaun Bostic (Gateway STEM). (Front Row) Aniah Johnson (McCluer), Raevyn Ferguson (Lutheran North), Zoey Little (St. Joseph’s Academy), Amoni White (Jennings), Jordan White (Lutheran North). Not pictured (Dejah Robinson (Fort Zumwalt North) and Coach Frank Davis.

in the 800-meter run. We will chronicle the further exploits of Miller and the other top area athletes in next week’s paper. Stay tuned.

Azubuike commits to Arkansas State Lutheran North football standout Isaiah Azubuike has given a commitment to Arkansas State University. The 5’11,” 220-pound senior linebacker has been a stalwart on the Crusaders’ defense for the

past two seasons. As a junior in 2018, Azubuike had 77 tackles, five sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He also rushed for 221 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in limited duty as a running back. He also scored nine running backs as a sophomore.

Pat McCaw Pro-Am playoffs conclude this week

The inaugural season of the Patrick McCaw St. Louis Pro-Am Basketball League will conclude this week with its playoffs at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy (4588 Parkview Place). The first round games were held on Wednesday and Thursday nights with Ball So Hard vs. D. Row, 200 Proof vs. Tru Talent, YLie vs. Wellston and FTC vs. STL Stars. The semifinals will be held on Friday night at 5:45 and 7 p.m. The championship game is set for Saturday at 1:45 p.m.

girls basketball team on winning the cham-

Battle of

Boro Tournament recently in Louisville, Kentucky.

team members

(Back row, left to right) Coach Lathon Ferguson, Kyra Jones (McCluer

Earls (Lutheran

REGIONS

continued from page B1

Jackson-Hicks said.

“Counselors from HOPE Inside connect with people oneon-one. They identify with you. They understand how difficult financial challenges can be. And they have the experience needed to help you go from where you are today – to where you want to be in the future.”

Regions’ opened its first Midwest HOPE Inside office in St. Louis in 2015.

“And since then, we have seen lives changed,” said Mike Hart, Midwest Market executive for Regions Bank.

“I am confident the benefits we have seen in Missouri and elsewhere will also be seen in the Metro East as local families and business owners are given the insights, advice and guidance they need to grow and prosper financially.”

Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer John Hope Bryant has family connections to the Metro East; his mother grew up in East St. Louis.

Wells

Through a partnership with United Way of Greater St. Louis, Wells Fargo Advisors recently invested $200,000 in youth workforce development grants and an additional $25,000 to help young people in the St. Louis region get to and from their jobs.

The partnership awarded the funding to three local nonprofits – STL Youth Jobs, Better Family Life and Covenant House – to provide skills training, financial education and work

“Imagine the difference this will make when people improve their credit scores by 100 points or more,” Bryant said.

Ryan Moore, a certified financial wellbeing coach from Operation HOPE, will also deliver financial education

n “HOPE Inside helps people learn how to make sound financial decisions and create a personalized roadmap toward achieving their dreams.”

– Ryan Moore

at other Metro East locations based on client and community needs.

“HOPE Inside helps people learn how to make sound financial decisions and create a personalized roadmap toward achieving their dreams,” Moore said. “Further, this program is here to help prospective business owners turn their ideas for a new company into reality.

And we’re here to help existing business owners navigate the financial challenges a small company might face.”

Moore’s areas of focus include helping people improve their credit scores, understand and use credit wisely, strengthen their overall financial management skills, and become better prepared to achieve homeownership, avoid foreclosure or reach other financial goals. For small-business owners, HOPE Inside offers entrepreneurial training covering issues ranging from accounting and financial management to marketing, business plan development and more.

Services are available to people regardless of whether they are Regions customers. The program is also available to people who have no bank account at all.

People who are interested in HOPE counseling in the Metro East can contact Ryan Moore at 618-250-1412 or at ryan. moore@operationhope.org.

For more information on Operation HOPE, visitwww. OperationHOPE.org.

experiences for local youth. The investment will allow the organizations to place 110 additional youth, primarily ages 16-19, in summer and fall job opportunities.

In addition, Wells Fargo Advisors gave $25,000 to the St. Louis Regional Youth Employment Council for Gateway Go Cards through Bi-State Development and Metro Transit to provide free transportation for two months so that 435 young people can have reliable transportation to

their summer jobs.

According to a 2015 U.S. Census Bureau report, unemployment rates for men and women ages 22-24 in the St. Louis region were 9.1 percent and 11.2 percent, respectively. According to the Brookings Institution, the national employment rate for teens fell from 43 percent in 2000 to 26 percent in 2014, and for young adults ages 20 to 24, it fell from 70 to 62 percent.

Financial Focus

By Lucien C. Blackwell

How can you help your kids pay for college?

It’s still summer, but we’re getting close to a new school year. One day, though, “backto-school” will mean “off to college” for your children. Will you be financially prepared to help your kids cope with the costs of higher education? Your first step, of course, is to know what you’re up against, so here are some numbers: For the 2017-18 academic year, college costs (tuition, fees, room and board) were, on average, nearly $21,000 for in-state students at four-year, public schools and nearly $47,000 for students attending private colleges or universities, according to the College Board. And you can probably expect even bigger price tags in the years to come. To help prepare for these costs, you might want to consider putting your money in a vehicle specifically designed to help build assets for college, such as a 529 education savings plan. All withdrawals from 529 plans are free from federal income taxes as long as the beneficiary you’ve named uses the money for qualified college, trade school or graduate school expenses. Withdrawals for expenses other than qualified education expenditures may be subject to federal, state and penalty

taxes on the earnings portion of your plan. (However, tax issues for 529 savings plans can be complex, so please consult your tax advisor before investing.) You can generally invest in

‘Jenny from the block in Kinloch’

Jennifer Lewis delights during

STL

stop of ‘The Mother of Black Hollywood’ tour

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“St. Louis is in the house,” Jenifer Lewis yelled from the top of her lungs as she greeted the crowd on the campus – and the very stage – where she received her undergraduate degree nearly 40 years ago. As she had hoped, The Loretto-Hilton was packed Saturday afternoon for her first trip home since the release of her memoir, “The Mother of Black Hollywood.”

Rap legend

Rakim moved the crowd

“How many of you read the book?” Lewis asked the crowd. The crowd roared with applause. “Well then you already know I’m a damn fool.”

Plenty of them knew it before they read the book. Several watched her cut up during the show that was a mix of expletive-laced standup comedy, inspirational self-help speech, social activism and one-woman stage drama. They were

LEWIS, C4

It’s been nearly 35 years since Rakim came on the hip-hop scene and created a new standard with his signature rhyme style hits like “Paid In Full,” “Don’t Sweat The Technique” and “Move The Crowd.” He showed St. Louis exactly why he’s regarded as one of the most influential and skillful lyricists in rap history when he came to the Pageant Saturday night along with hip-hop veteran Biz Markie.

‘Peace through Pyramids’

Local youth circus helps bring joy to Puerto Rico a year after Maria

By Sophie Hurwitz For the St. Louis American

Ariana Rubi Ruíz lives next door to a circus tent. When the 14-year-old resident of Dorado, Puerto Rico, was 6, she watched the tent being built in the backyard next door. Day-by-day, she remembers, she would watch through the fence separating her backyard from the big top. Then, eventually, the circus teachers asked if she wanted to join, and offered her a scholarship to make that possible.

That was at the beginning of the National Circus School of Puerto Rico, which is part of the social circus movement – a growing group of schools around the world that teach circus arts to at-risk young people to help them build selfconfidence and be a force for social good. Ariana spent years with the circus, along with dozens of other students. Then, last fall, Hurricane Maria came, bringing 155 mph winds and widespread flooding. It crippled the roadway system and knocked out most of the electrical grid. The government’s official death toll is 64, though a Harvard University study from last

month says that the actual number of people who died after Maria was close to 5,000. Many of the National Circus School students lost their homes, and all lost power and had limited access to food for months. Some of the students’ homes, like that of Coralys Vásquez, still have not been reconstructed completely.

Embodying ‘BlacKkKlansman’

John David Washington dishes on diving into title role of latest Spike Lee Joint

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“A wise man told me once that there are no such thing as small parts, only small actors,” John David Washington said. “I feel like it’s just as significant playing Ron Stallworth as it was playing kid number 12 in ‘Malcolm X’ some years ago.”

It was a joke – and a pretty funny one.

He was one of many in a classroom full of children who shouted, “I am Malcolm X” as an epilogue to acclaimed director Spike Lee’s biographical film about the slain AfricanAmerican icon. The film starred his father, screen legend Denzel Washington.

More than 25 years later, John David Washington plays the title character in a Spike Lee joint of his own, “BlacKkKlansman,” which opens in theatres nationwide next Friday (August 10).

n “Historically, this film is a great reminder of how far we’ve come –and how far we have to go.”

Nine circus students from St. Louis, who ranged in age from 13 to 23, joined with ten of the Puerto Rican circus performers to become what they called “Revolution for Harmony Circus.”

“I still can’t believe all of this is happening,” he said as he takes the buzz that began with the 10-minute standing ovation the film – which was produced by Academy Award-winning director Jordan Peele – at this year’s Cannes Film Festival earlier this spring.

The full circle moment was set in motion when as a child, John David saw his father perform in Shakespeare in the Park in New York. At 5 years old, he knew he wanted to be an actor. A couple of years later, he memorized every line in “Glory” – the film that earned his dad his first Academy Award. He talked movies with his mother Pauletta Washington, who he proudly mentioned sacrificed her own career as a classically trained musician and performer for the sake of her family. John David had a passion for the craft, but he didn’t want to achieve it by emerging from the shadows of his father. So, he pursued athletics. He earned a football scholarship to Morehouse College. After graduation, he came to St. Louis as a member of the then St. Louis Rams.

“The hurricane is not the worst thing. It’s after the hurricane,” said San Juan resident and circus coach Jafet Irizarry. Leslynette Ramos Irizarry, Jafet’s sister and

Brown’s ‘Heartbreak’

Brown’s

“Earth City was my home for a couple years,” Washington said. His football career was derailed by injury, but the experiences on and off the field were a part of a divinely ordained path that led him to his first love of acting. He landed a co-starring role alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on the HBO hit

Actress and author Jenifer Lewis brought the house down during a twohour stage experience as part of the St. Louis stop of her “The Mother of Black Hollywood” book tour Saturday afternoon at The Loretto-Hilton on the campus of her alma mater Webster University. Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

How to place a calendar listing

1. Email your listing to calendar@stlamerican. com OR

2. Visit the calendar section on stlamerican.com and place your listing

Calendar listings are free of charge, are edited for space and run on a space-available basis.

back-toschool events

Sat., Aug. 11, 10 a.m., Craig Blac Community Cuts for Kids, Mary E. Brown Community Center, 606 S. 15th St. East St. Louis, IL. For more information, visit thecraigshieldsfoundation. org or email craigblac@gmail. com

Aug. 11 – 12, Urban Expo – Back to School & Community Festival with special guest gospel legend Fred Hammond, America’s Center Convention Complex, 701 Convention Plaza, 63101. For more information, visit www.ulstl.org.

Sun., Aug. 12, 2 p.m., Craig Blac Community Cuts for Kids, 4343 W. Florissant Ave. For more information, visit thecraigshieldsfoundation. org or email craigblac@gmail. com

Sun., Aug. 12, 1 p.m., Made Moguls presents The 2018 Back 2 School Youth Summit. Open to all students ages 11 – 17. Guest speakers, panels, giveaways, and more. Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

concerts

Fri., Aug. 3, 6 p.m., Gateway Arch Park Foundation and the National Blues Museum present Blues at the Arch Feat. Little Dylan. 100 Washington Ave., 63102. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sat., Aug. 4, 7 p.m., Josh Royal & Friends Live in Concert. Feat. Morgan Taylor, Dakota Pagan, Yzthasinger, and Joule. The Ready Room, 4195 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.

eventbrite.com.

Sun., Aug. 5, 6 p.m., The Ambassador presents Joe 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Fri., Aug. 10, 7 p.m., American Idol: Live! 2018. Feat. Cade, Caleb, Catie, Gabby, Jurnee, Maddie and Michael plus Season 8 winner, Kris Allen. Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Fri., Aug. 17, 8 p.m., Ideal Barbershop and Five Star Empire present R. Kelly: The Memory Lane Tour. Family Arena, 2002 Arena Pkwy., 63303. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sat., Aug. 18, 7:30 p.m., The Alton Little Theatre Performers present A Magical Night of Disney –Concert Celebration. Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater, 1 Henry St., Alton, IL. 62002. For more information, visit www.metrtotix.com.

Wed., Aug. 22, 8 p.m., Live Nation presents Lil Baby –Harder Than Ever Tour. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Fri., Aug. 24, 8 p.m., Stifel Theatre welcomes Earth, Wind & Fire., 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Wed., Aug. 29, 8 p.m., .Zack presents Sy Smith 3224 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Aug. 31 – Sept. 2, 23rd Annual Big Muddy Blues Festival. Performances by Marquise Knox, Roland Johnson, Kingdom Brothers, Skeet Rodgers & The InnerCity Blues Band, and more. Laclede’s Landing, 710 N. 2nd St., 63102. For more

The Guide

information, visit www. bigmuddybluesfestival.com.

local gigs

Fri., Aug. 3, 6 p.m., Gateway Arch Park Foundation and the National Blues Museum present Blues at the Arch Feat. Little Dylan. 100 Washington Ave., 63102. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Thur., Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m., Fairy Tales Can Come True Concert and Event. Proceeds benefit University City Children’s Center’s tuition assistance program. Bissingers Chocolate Factory, 1600 N. Broadway, 63102. For more information, visit www.uccc. org.

Fri., Aug. 10, 7 p.m., Nexcore hosts the Bring a Bag Concert. Featuring live music, food and drinks, a school supply drive, and a performance by C-Sharp. 2631 Gravois Ave., 63118. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Aug. 11, 7 p.m., Fermata Entertainment & TLT Productions presents Marvin F. Cockrell & Focus: 24K Gold. 3610 Grandel Sq.,

63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Mon., Aug. 13, 10 p.m., Get Money Stop Hatin’ Midwest Tour with Cory Gunz. Feat. Jess J. Jones, Jayali, Rambo, Boss P, Keyz Boston, and more. The Monocle, 4510 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. getmoneystophatin.com.

Sat., Aug. 25, 7 p.m., A Tribute to Kem and Chrisette Michele. Voce, 212 S. Tucker Blvd., 63102. For more information, visit www. PurplePass.com.

special events

Fri., Aug. 3, 8 p.m., STL Stands with Immigrants: Benefit for International Institute. The heavy Anchor, 5226 Gravois Ave., 63116. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Through Aug. 4, The ShowMe Tap Festival. Sheraton Hotel, 7730 Bonhomme Ave., 63105. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Sat., Aug. 4, 10 a.m., St.

Sat., Aug. 18, 1 p.m., 5th Annual St. Louis African American Artifacts Festival and Bazaar. Enjoy children’s activities, health and wellness information, prizes, vendors, and more. Crown Square Plaza, 14th St. & St. Louis Ave., 63106. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Tues., Aug. 21, 4:30 p.m., YWCA St. Louis presents the 6th Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. An international men’s march to speak out against rape, sexual assault and gender violence. Missouri Athletic Club, 405 Washington Ave., 63102. For more information, visit www. ywcastlouis.org.

Thur., Aug. 23, 11:30 a.m., The 15th Annual Kwame Foundation Golf Tournament. Norman K. Probstein Golf Course, Forest Park, 6141 Lagoon Dr, St. Louis, MO 63112. For more information, visit www. kwamefoundation.org.

Louis Howard University Alumni 11th Annual Scholarship Benefit Jazz Brunch. Frankie Muse Freeman & Wayman F. Smith, III Scholarship Fund. Ameren Corporation, 1901 Chouteau Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. brownpapertickets.com.

Fri., Aug. 10, 6 p.m., All-N1 Entertainment presents a Shop-Paint & Party Event Mandarin Banquet Hall, 8008 Olive Blvd., 63130. For more information, call (314) 6903660.

Fri., Aug. 10, 7 p.m., Nexcore hosts the Bring a Bag Concert. Featuring live music, food and drinks, a school supply drive, and a performance by C-Sharp. 2631 Gravois Ave., 63118. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Aug. 11, 9 a.m., Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis presents the Save Our Sisters Women’s Empowerment Summit. America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza, 63101. For more information, visit www. ulstl.com.

Sat., Aug. 11, 4 p.m., The 5th Annual Miss Divine Destiny Pageant. For girls in grades K-5. SLU, Center for Global Citizenship Auditorium, 3672 West Pine Mall, 63108. For more information, visit www. thequeensguidetolife.com.

Aug. 15 – 25, St. Lou Fringe Festival. A performing arts festival showcasing theatre and dance, storytelling and spoken word, burlesque and acrobatics, visual art and. For more information, visit www. stlouisfringe.com.

Sat., Aug. 18, 7 p.m., Mathews-Dickey Awards & Benefit Concert Cameo, Doug E. Fresh, and Love Jones in the Soul Funk Fest, hosted by Darius Bradford. Fabulous Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Thur., Aug. 23, 5 p.m., 28th Annual St. Louis Crisis Nursery Celebrity Waiters Night. West County Center, 80 W County Center Dr., 63130. For more information, visit crisisnurserykids.org/events. Sat., Aug. 25, 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. doors) Kut-Nup Productions presents Sync or Swim Lip Sync competition Neosoul and R&B edition, Kappa League, 500 N. Vandeventer. For more information, call (314) 5657961.

Aug. 25 – 26, International Institute’s Festival of Nations. Featuring over 40 ethnic food booths, arts and crafts, and an international shopping bazaar. Tower Grove Park, 4256 Magnolia Ave., 63116.

Aug. 26, 5 p.m., East St. Louis Heritage Festival, hosted by legendary Olympic champion Jackie JoynerKersee, Joyner-Kersee Center, East St. Louis, IL.

comedy

Thurs., Aug. 2 – Sat., Aug. 4, The Laugh Lounge STL presents Kountry Wayne, 11208 West Florissant. For more information, visit www. laughloungestl.com.

Aug. 3 – 5, Helium Comedy Club presents D.L. Hughley 1151 St. Louis Galleria, 63117. Aug. 9 – 11, Helium Comedy Club presents John Witherspoon.

Sat., Aug. 25, 8 p.m., Fox Theatre presents Bill Maher 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Thur., Aug. 2, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Alexis Clark, author of Enemies in Love: A German POW, a Black Nurse, and an Unlikely Romance. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. Mon., Aug. 6, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library hosts author Dr. Eboni January author of Educational Athlete:

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Zack presents Sy Smith. See CONCERTS for details.

Why Every Successful Student Needs a Coach. St. Louis County Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, visit www.slcl.org.

Sat., Aug. 11, 2 p.m., Kirkwood Public Library hosts author Jim Merkel, author of The Making of an Icon: The Dreamers, the Schemers, and the Hard Hats Who Built the Gateway Arch 140 E. Jefferson Ave., 63122. For more information, visit www.kirkwoodpubliclibrary. org.

Mon., Aug., 13, Ethical Society of St. Louis hosts author Jason Kander, author of Outside the Wire: Ten Lessons I’ve Learned in Everyday Courage. Left Bank Books, 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Thur., Aug. 16, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Michael Kench, author of Between Hope and Fear: A History of Vaccines and Human Immunity. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Thur., Aug. 23, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Robert Horsey, author of Gifted. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

theatre

Aug. 9 – 12, JPEK Creative Works Theatre presents Meeting at the Elder’s Circle. Kranzberg Theatre, 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63106. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com

Aug. 17 – 25, Union Avenue Opera presents Lost in the Stars. The story of a black man who kills his white neighbor in 1940s apartheid South Africa. 733 Union Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.unionavenueopera. secure.force.com.

Sat., Aug 18, 4:30 p.m., Gordon’s Entertainment presents “Over The Rainbow Part II,” James Eagan Theatre (inside the Florissant Civic Center), For more information, visit www.florissantmo.com

Fri., Aug. 31, 7 p.m., St. Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective presents Pick the City Up. Featuring hip hop, spoken word and story magic on public health issues St. Louis cares about including gun violence. .Zack, 3224 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., Sept. 1, 7:30 p.m., The

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Kranzberg Arts Foundation Resident Benefit Showcase: Labor of Love 2018. A unique evening of dance, theatre, music, and more to support rising stars and old favorites. Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

art

Through August 19, Contemporary Art Museum 2018 Great Rivers Biennial Featuring artists Addoley Dzegede, Sarah Paulsen, and Jacob Stanley, Amy Sherald, and Claudia Comte. On view through August 19. 3750 Washington Blvd., 63108.

Through September 3, Color-ism by Work/Play Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. kranzbergartscenter.org.

Through September 30, Let’s Play Ball! Field House Museum, 634 S. Broadway, 63102. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

lectures and workshops

Sat., Aug. 11, 1 p.m.,

Panelist Discussion with Black Bloggers of St. Louis. panelists include AK + Diamond, Vera Jeanae, Psyche Southwell, Ebbie Nicole and Winnie Caldwell. Covo STL, 401 Pine St., 63102. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., Aug. 25, 10 a.m., The Pink Angels Foundation presents the I’m Every Woman Leadership Conference. Bernnadette Stanis, Tina Landon, Olga Korbut, and Jasmine Guy share the stage. Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. pinkangelsfoundation.org.

health

Sat., Aug. 4, 7 a.m., The Lupus Foundation of America, Heartland Chapter hosts the Lupus WolfRide Charity Cycling Event Lions Park, 340 Bald Hill Rd., 63025. For more information, visit www.chapters.lupus.org/ wolfride2018.

Wed., Aug. 15, 11 a.m., The Office of St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green will host its semiannual American Red Cross Blood Drive. St. Louis City Hall, 1200 Market St., 63103. For more information or to register, visit www.

redcrossblood.org.

Sat., Aug. 18, 10 a.m., People’s Health Center Community Resource and Health Fair, 5701 Delmar Blvd.

spiritual

Sat., Aug. 4, 7 p.m., Eastern Missouri 1st Jurisdiction Department of Women presents a State’s Women Convention Pre-musical: Gospel Music Praise. Christ Community Temple Church of God in Christ, 3500 Norwood Ave., 63115. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sat., Aug. 4, 7 p.m., Families United Community Benefit Megafest 2018. Renaissance St. Louis Airport, 9801 Natural

Bridge Rd., 63134. For more information, visit www. healthyrelationshipstl.com.

Aug. 8 – 11, Black Jack Baptist Church’s Vacation Bible School. 4906 Meuse Dr., 63033. For more information, call (314) 210-4272.

Aug. 10 – 12, New Salem Missionary Baptist Church hosts Phenomenal Woman Service & New Salem Women’s Day. 1905 Arlington Ave., 63112. For more information, call (314) 240-5725.

Sun., Aug. 12, 3 p.m., North Park United Methodist Church presents Many Faces of Fashion. A celebration of diverse cultural influences on fashion trends in America. 1525 Orchid Ave., 63147. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Aug. 12 – 17, The Union Missionary Baptist District Association Annual Session. Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, 2854 Abner Pl., 63120. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sat., Aug. 18, 7 p.m., Faith Miracle Temple Church presents A Night of Poetry Feat. Preston Perry, Cheneta Jones, Chris Webb, and Jackie Hill-Perry. 870 Pershall Rd., 63137. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., Aug. 25, Temple of Praise Ministries presents Empowerment Day. O Fallon Park, 4322 W. Florissant Ave., 63115. For more information, visit www.topministriesstl.org.

Aug. 20 – 24, James Lee Ward, Sr. District, Eastern Missouri First Jurisdiction presents the Auxiliaries in Ministry C.O.G.I.C. Convention: Pressing Toward the Mark. Nazareth Temple COGIC, 3300 Marshall Ave., 63114. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Fri., Aug. 31, 7 p.m., Faith Miracle Temple Church presents Marvin Sapp. 870 Pershall Rd., 63137. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Friday, Aug. 9, BlacKkKlansman starring John David Washington opens in theatres nationwide.

Sat., Aug. 4, 7 p.m., KIPP St. Louis presents Summer Movie Night in the Park: Black Panther. Desoto Park, 1217 N. 20th St., 63106. For more information, call (314) 380-5477.

Thur., Aug. 23, 6 p.m., Major! Film Screening and Q&A. A documentary that explores the life and campaigns of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a formerly incarcerated Black

Stifel Theatre welcomes Earth, Wind & Fire. For more information, see CONCERTS.

quick to let her know it from the very beginning, too.

“We love you Jenifer,” a woman shouted out. “Aw, I love you too,” Lewis responded with deep sincerity. “Now shut the hell up. This is my [expletive] show!”

It was an unscripted delight that included songs, jokes, tender moments followed up by her signature clap backs. It was clear she had been waiting her entire life for this moment.

“I’ll admit to you that I was nervous,” Lewis told the crowd. “I wanted to do well in St. Louis.” If she hadn’t said so, no one ever would have known.

But St. Louis, more specifically Kinloch, is where it all began for Lewis, who currently co-stars on the Emmy nominated ABC hit “black-ish.”

She reflected on the time her mother “rolled up” on her on Webster’s campus when she contemplated quitting college during her freshman year.

“She said, ‘I scrubbed those white people’s toilets and did everything I could for the seven of you to be educated and be decent citizens,’” Lewis

reflected. “And she said, ‘Now you are going to stay here for three more years and you are going to get your degree.’ And I did.”

There was an abundance of laughter – but there were also serious moments as she talked about her experience traveling to promote her memoir.

“I want you guys to know that this is not just a book tour,” Lewis said. “I’m in the trenches. Twenty-five percent of my life is show business. But 75 percent is now the resistance.”

She performed a song she wrote regarding the water crisis in Flint, Michigan entitled “Flint Ain’t Fixed” – and went to visit the people of Flint during the Detroit stop of her book tour.

“The mayor of Flint thanked me, because that song got 20 million views on YouTube,” Lewis said. “See, a little colored girl from Kinloch, Missouri gets 20 million views now.”

Lewis never allowed things to get too heavy – and always knew exactly when to lighten things up by inserting comedy in moments of raw emotion or more serious subject matter. Most of the comedy came at the expense of the audience.

“Obviously, she didn’t get

the memo,” Lewis shouted out as a woman headed to the restroom. “You don’t get to get up and go to the bathroom when you come to see me. The memo said, you wear Depends.”

The jab segued into another hilarious moment that was

the resident psychologist of the National Circus School, remembers the lack of resources after the hurricane.

“Everybody got anxious, like, lining up to get gasoline, people spent eight hours in line for gasoline. We didn’t even bother trying to get gas until about the fourth week, because the lines were so long. And the line in the supermarket? It was like, okay, you can only buy 10 things, and only these certain things. This is what people do when they don’t have food.”

A Facebook post soliciting donations to help the National Circus School restore their big top tent inspired Jessica Hentoff, the director of Circus Harmony to act. Based in St. Louis, Circus Harmony is also a social circus group. Like the National Circus School of Puerto Rico, Circus Harmony uses the teaching and performance of circus skills to build community, and build confidence and social skills in its students, many of whom come from marginalized communities. They have previously created circus partnerships under the name “Peace through Pyramids” in Israel, working with Jewish and Arab students, as well as in Ferguson, working

with students across racial and socioeconomic categories. This, however, was their first time trying to use their circus skills to bring help to Puerto Rico. Aside from donating to help restore the National Circus School’s big top tent, Hentoff chose to bring the St. Louis Arches – the elite youth circus troupe that performs as part of Circus Harmony – to Puerto Rico. The Arches joined up with the National Circus School to create a touring act together, with the purpose of creating intercultural connections and bringing hope to the communities that are still hurting from the hurricane, almost a year later. The Peace through Pyramids Puerto Rico program

Thursday August 9, 2018 at 1:30pm Great Rivers Greenway office 6178 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112

What:

Pre-bid conference to learn more about the bidding opportunity and network with other likely bidders for the construction of the next phase of the Gravois Greenway: Grant’s Trail. (Bids due 8/23/2018)

Who:

All interested companies, prime contractors and subcontractors are encouraged to attend. Minority-owned and disadvantaged companies are especially encouraged to attend.

Questions?

Call Great Rivers Greenway at 314-436-7009

Bid & Project details available at https://greatriversgreenway.org/jobs-bids/ and BidExpress.com

Jennifer Lewis’ show was an unscripted

Photo by Wiley Price

to that woman who stole that astronaut from her. Now that’s rage.”

Most of the material was drawn from her experiences growing up. As she shouted out her siblings, she lovingly teased them for mistreating her.

“My brothers and sisters couldn’t stand me,” Lewis said. “I had one that wouldn’t even claim me. Stand yo’ [expletive] up and show yourself Jackie! She is claiming’ my [expletive] now!”

inspired by the headlines.

“Remember that astronaut woman who wore depends to drive across the country to beat somebody’s [expletive],” Lewis said. “That [expletive] drove across country and wore Depends, because she didn’t want to have to stop to get

was born.

The nine circus students from St. Louis, who ranged in age from 13 to 23, joined with ten of the Puerto Rican circus performers to become what they called “Revolution for Harmony Circus” –even though most of them could not speak each other’s languages. That, Hentoff said, would not be a problem, since circus is a universal language. By the end of their first day together, the kids from St. Louis and Dorado were laughing together, picking up each other’s slang, and dancing salsa together.

The students trained together and became one team: Revolution for Harmony Circus. Then, they went on a whirlwind tour of Puerto Rico, visiting the towns of Adjuntas, Comerio, Yabucoa, and Dorado, along with the old city of San Juan and the island of Vieques. In each place, they connected with community organizers who helped spread the word about the circus coming to town.

Before they began their tour, psychologist Leslynette Irizarry gave the group a tutorial in what to say and what not to say to people who have been through traumatic events like

Lewis was overwhelmed by the show of support as her memory lane manifested through the familiar faces that sat beaming with pride between the moments of gut-busting laughter.

She was particularly touched by three of her former educators who came to see her.

Her elementary school teacher Mrs. Jackson, her high school counselor, Mrs. Butler and her

Hurricane Maria.

Each town was in some way still affected by the hurricane.

“Edgardo Larregui Rodriguez, an activist and artist in the town of Comerío, believes that public art experiences like this are a necessary part of building community and healing Puerto Rico.

“Art is what unites us in our community,” he said. “It is an activation of the abandoned spaces. It’s an action of reclaiming community,” said Rodriguez. “It’s not just drawing, or painting, or making sculptures, but a vision of community, of uniting people to make public spaces better, or to imagine the possibilities of an abandoned space to encourage people to become active, to get away from their houses, to get away from their television.”

In addition, the group provided more concrete help, distributing gifts and toys to the children in Comerío and Yabucoa, holding juggling and tumbling classes in Adjuntas and Dorado, and traveling alongside a group of doctors to the island of Vieques, which still does not have a functioning hospital.

“Doing shows like this, where you’re going to places that don’t get entertainment –

college advisor, Shirley LeFlore were all on hand. As she made her way from the stage to Mrs. Jackson, Lewis saw another familiar face.

“Mary Price,” Lewis said. “Oh, come here, honey.” The two shared an extended embrace. “Mary used to do my homework. Mary was so [expletive] smart – and I was so damn dumb. Y’all know I wasn’t paying no attention. I was the class clown. Hello!” Lewis then saw Broderick Washington, who she grew up singing with in the church choir, and the two performed an impromptu rendition of “His Eye is on The Sparrow.”

“Listen very carefully, the woman I’m about to introduce you to saved my life,” Lewis said as she made her way to where LeFlore was seated. “She saw that I had a passion and she wanted me to live it.”

As the finale, the audience was invited to sing along to “In These Streets,” Lewis’ original tune sang along with R&B star Brandy that became an internet sensation. They were overjoyed to oblige.

“Look at St. Louis,” Lewis said. “I’ve been all over the United States with the book, but you know there is nothing like coming home.”

just that you would show up there and do anything was so beloved by the people, and so appreciated,” Hentoff said.

“They don’t realize how appreciated they are by the people who are seeing them,” she said. “And not because of the tricks – just because they showed up. To the kids, we’re just doing another show. I wonder if they realize how much it means to them, that someone from outside the town came.”

Now, the Puerto Rican performers hope to visit St. Louis and continue the cultural exchange. A grant of $5,000, from all-star Cardinals baseball player (and Dorado native) Yadier Molina has helped them jump-start their fundraising for the trip, though that will not be enough to take them all the way there. However, all of the students who had the opportunity to train under the Big Top in a backyard in Dorado are inspired to stay in the circus, and to keep spreading joy.

“I just love the environment, and what it makes you do as a person,” said National Circus School of Puerto Rico student Ricardo Martinez Lopez. “And how it pushes you to be a better person.”

The Splendor of Egypt brings large crowds to Art Museum

The Saint Louis Art Museum is proud to be the first North American venue for its current exhibition, Sunken Cities: Egypt’s Lost Worlds. This extraordinary exhibition tells the story of two African cities and their many ancient treasures that were lost in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea for more than 1,200 years. Leading scholars actually wondered if the cities ever existed or if they were merely legends. Today, after many years of research and excavation, we know that the two cities that lay on the bottom of the sea were, in fact, two magnificent cities named Thonis-Heracleion and Canopus. Before sinking into the ocean, these two great cities were built on a series of small islands surrounded by canals and harbor basins in the marshy delta where the Nile River meets the Mediterranean Sea.

Sunken Cities: Egypt’s Lost Worlds, which has traveled to Paris, Zurich, and London, features 280 artifacts ranging from small amulets that measure less than one-and-a-half inches to a statue of the god Hapy standing more than 17 feet. All of the objects are authentic, not replicas, and they range from colossal granite sculptures like Hapy, the Pharaoh, and Queen to tiny, delicate perfume holders and pieces of jewelry. Visitors will also see gold jewelry, coins, religious artifacts, and household items. Objects in the exhibition from ThonisHeracleion and Canopus were discovered by a team of divers led by marine archaeologist Franck Goddio. Their research continues, and Goddio believes only a tiny fraction of cities’ treasures has been discovered..

One of the splendid objects in the exhibition is a black slab stone called a stele, which dates from 328-362 BC with an inscription that proved Thonis and Heracleion were, in fact, the same city. The Egyptians called it Thonis and the Greeks renamed the city Heracleion—mystery solved. Thonis-Heracleion, a very cosmopolitan city shaped by cultural, religious and economic diversity, was Egypt’s main

The stele of Thonis-Heracleion being raised out of the waters of the Bay Aboukir, Thonis-Heracleion, Aboukir Bay, Egypt; National Museum, Alexandria (SCA 277), IEASM Excavations;

port and center for commerce with the rest of the world. All ships entering Egypt had to go through Thonis-Heracleion.

In addition to the objects that were excavated from the sea, the exhibition also features ancient Egyptian artifacts from museums in Cairo and Alexandria. Before this exhibition, many of these works of art have never traveled outside of Egypt. The exhibition is curated by archeologist Franck Goddio and co-curated by

Lisa Çakmak, associate curator of ancient art at the Saint Louis Art Museum. The exhibition will be open through September 9. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 students/seniors, $8 for children 6-12 and free for children under 6. Sunken Cities: Egypt’s Lost Cities and all main exhibition are always free on Fridays at the Saint Louis Art Museum. For full visitor information, please visit slam.org.

Continued from C1

“Ballers,” which is set to begin its fourth season, where he plays an NFL star.

“I’m so blessed and thankful that things happened the way that they did,” Washington said. “Oh, and I’m nothing like the Ricky character, by the way.”

“BlacKkKlansman” is the first of several upcoming films for Washington this year as he transitions to the big screen. In it he plays Ron Stallworth, a black Colorado Springs detective who fooled the Ku Klux Klan into granting him membership through a series of phone conversations in the 1970s.

“If this script was in somebody else’s hands other than Peele and Spike, I don’t know that I would have wanted to be involved,” Washington said.

“This is a very delicate piece of history. And if it were in irresponsible hands, it would be a major missed opportunity for such a great historical American moment.”

The film is based on Stallworth’s autobiography “Black Klansman” and costars Adam Driver and Topher Grace.

“It was a beautiful experience to tell his story,” Washington said. “Historically, this film is a great reminder of how far we’ve come – and how far we have to go.”

Hate doesn’t take a day off. Hate has a language. Hate has a rhythm. Hate has momentum –it pulsates. Just when you think that you’ve covered it up or

handled it, here comes another form of it.”

Lee proves Washington’s words true by flowing in actual footage from the recent events in Charlottesville.

The film was a learning experience for Washington, particularly when it came to his ideas and opinions regarding police.

“I was of sort of ignorant to what a thankless job cops and detectives do – they truly serve their community,” Washington said. “We often base our idea of them based on the headlines and, as a man of a certain hue, what we experience from the bad cops.

Playing Ron Stallworth gave me him a whole new perspective.

“I generalized. I felt bad that I did after experiencing this role and after I got to know police officers who were doing their jobs,” Washington said. “I have

a better and deeper respect for the men and women doing it the right way – especially the ones who look like me.”

Just as the role did for him, he feels that the film will give viewers new insight on the anatomy of hate. He says people should see “BlacKkKlansman” once to be moved – and see it twice to “be able to communicate what they saw.”

“I hope that people feel something. I felt embarrassed for my country a little bit – and I hope that happens for others too,” Washington said. “I hope we can get people coming together who believe the same thing – that aren’t into this hate thing – and that it can spark conversations.

“BlacKkKlansman” opens in theatres nationwide on Friday, August 10. The film is rated R with a running time of 135 minutes.

Photo: Christoph Gerigk © Franck Goddio/Hilti Foundation

Adam Driver and John David Washington and in a scene from “BlacKkKlansman.”

Religion

Why participate in the St. Ann Novena? When Satan knocks

Through His grace I turned my struggles into strength

By Alice M Prince For The St. Louis American

Many people asked me why I participated in the St. Ann Novena last year and what I hoped to gain from going. Honestly, I had no preconceived expectations the first time I participated in the St. Ann Novena. I came because I wanted to always give my best to my church, St. Nicholas Catholic Church. I wanted to support the event happening at St. Nicholas. As I looked back and internalized the “support the event” part, I thought how shallow am I? How ungrateful am I? How vain I must be? How self-centered am I? The St. Ann Novena does not need me to come and “support the event” similarly to how I support events such as concerts, BBQs, graduations, and baby showers. Sheesh …

n The St. Ann Novena does not need me to come and “support the event” similarly to how I support events such as concerts, BBQs, graduations, and baby showers.

love for Jesus. I needed to be evangelized with a renewed spirit.

This past year, my divine journey has been truly amazing. The Novena gave me the confidence to drink from my own spiritual well when I was thirsty. I left the Novena last year with a remarkable compass rose that provided me the guidance and direction I needed and used throughout the year. Finally, it gave me the life support I needed to continue to do His work and accept His will.

Do I have expectations this year unlike last year? No, I don’t. Although, I do not have any preconceived expectations, I know I will leave better than how I came in.

Right before he was about to be installed as the new pastor of his own church, he said, “When Satan knocks at the door, let Jesus answer it.” I found the thought behind this saying absolutely awesome. I try to imagine actually being able to do this.

Can you imagine if you really could? What if you knew for a fact every time the devil was responsible for the temptation, the trial, the sinful suggestions, the weaknesses of flesh and spirit. You would see the devil coming from miles away and, no matter how slick or innocent the approach, you could never be fooled again.

Would you really do as Jesus did in the desert? Would you renounce the promise of riches, fame, and power? For you, would it be as easy as “Away from me Satan!” Matthew 4:10.

According to scripture, after three times, the devil left and the angels came to attend to Jesus and soon thereafter He began to preach. In today’s world, I’m simply asking if you knew where damnation was coming from, would you still live a damned life?

Do you know Jesus well enough to ask Him to answer your front door? When life and the devil deal you a bad hand, can you get the Lord to sit at the table and play it for you? Is your relationship to the Almighty current enough, casual enough, familiar and habitual enough to take His presence in your life for granted? In times of great anxiety, do you need to whisper to God to take over or are you screaming at the top of your lungs hoping He’ll hear your plight?

The truth is the St. Ann Novena gave me the life support I needed to make it through this past year. This year has been an amazing journey. I had my share of gutwrenching pains and witnessed multiple wonderful miracles. Through His grace I turned my pain into pillars of power and prosperity. Through His grace I turned my struggles into strength. And through His grace I will continue to let the light of Christ burn in my soul. Praying and taking part of the 9 days of praying was amazing experience. St. Ann Novena allowed my spirit to rest in the bosom of Jesus’s grandmother. The rest was like a peacefulness I had never felt. It’s hard to explain, but it was a divine, pure, soft, and angelic rest.

to fall in love with love. I love to love.

Also, the Novena nourished my heart with what I call a superpower of love. My superpower of love allowed me

Lastly, the Novena evangelized my soul. The evangelization of my soul was epic and important to my journey. I needed to proclaim the good news of the Lord in a deeper more meaningful way. I needed to reclaim my hope, my voice, my power, and my

Believers Temple cuts ribbon on senior center

Believers Temple Word Fellowship, located at 2115 Chambers Rd. in North St. Louis County, was awarded a $9.8 million grant to build a St. Louis County senior housing project and held a ribboncutting ceremony on July 26. Bishop Calvin Scott is pastor. For more information, visit http://www.btwf.net or call 314-388-0801.

I don’t get the impression that Jesus was screaming at the devil in the desert trying to keep His courage up in the face of temptation, the likes of which most of us will never see, let alone experience firsthand. At every turn, it was the devil who was way out of his league because when he came calling, Jesus merely let His father answer the door.

“Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord … Do not put the Lord your God to the test…Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” Matthew 4:4-11.

I can only imagine because I’m not there yet (I’m working on it) what it’s like to be able to call upon Jesus so regularly that His presence in my daily life is second nature. I must admit there are times when I recognize that the turmoil in my life has been or is being manufactured by pure evil. That recognition allows me the privilege to simply tell the devil to back up because I don’t really have time.

It’s okay to ask Jesus to handle the situation because your time is better spent trying to do the work He would be proud of. When you’re that busy, I truly believe Jesus doesn’t mind getting the door.

Columnist James Washington

Alice M Prince and Rosalind Mack talked about making peace with God’s will on Friday, July 20.

Celebrations

Engagement

Congratulations to Jasmine Keys and Daniel Jones, who got engaged on a recent trip to New Orleans with family and friends. The former high school sweethearts rekindled their relationship in 2017. The wedding is planned for October 19, 2019 at Vue 17 in Brentwood, Missouri.

Reunions

All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Beaumont High Class of 1973 will celebrate its 45th reunion, Aug. 10-12, 2018! To register contact: Dr. Liz Franklin at, mychoice2succeed@yahoo. com or (636)293-9553. Also, check out the BHS Facebook page.

Beaumont Class of 1978

40th Reunion Extravaganza

Save the Date: October 5-7, 2018. Call or text Marietta

Shegog Shelby at 314-7995296 for further details.

East St. Louis Sr. High School Class of 1968 will celebrate its 50 year reunion on Friday, October 12, 2018 at the Main Street Brewing Center, 6435 West Main Street, Belleville, IL. 62223. For more information contact Linda Ward Spencer (618) 830-8221 or laws50@ aol.com.

Hadley Teach classes of 1962-1963 will host their Annual Picnic on Saturday, Aug. 18 at Marvin’s Park, 4003 Camellia. Hot dogs, soda and water provided. Bring your basket, chairs, family and friends! For more information, contact: Virdell Robinson Stennis 314-7738177, Ora Scott Roberts 314-222-3662, Wilhelmina Gibson Baker 314-630-9647

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to Karen “Mickey” Cherry-King who turned 80 years old on July 29. We love you very much! Your Family

Benjamin Shelton will celebrate his 2nd birthday on August 3. We love you, baby boy! From your proud parents (Destinee and Gerald) and grandma.

Karen “Mickey” CherryKing

FREE OF CHARGE

or Marvin Young 314-4225757.

Northwest Class of 1979 is planning on cruising for our 40th class reunion and would love for you to join us! Date to sail is set for July 20, 2019 and you can feel free to contact: Duane Daniels at 314-568-2057 or Howard Day at 414-6984261 for further information. Please don’t miss the boat!

O’Fallon Tech will be celebrating its “50th” Class Reunion on Nov. 2-3, 2018 at Hollywood Casino, 777 Casino Center Dr. Maryland Heights, MO 63043. Class of 1969 and others are invited. To RSVP for the head count, so please contact: Joann Durham Harris 314-363-4260, Donnell Jackson 314-4944807, Gloria Houston King

Benjamin Shelton

314-591-7306 or Kelvin Murphy 314-616-1007.

St. Rose of Lima (Goodfellow & Etzel, closed 1977) will host an all-class reunion on Saturday, Sept. 8, Jewel Center, 407 Dunn Rd. See www.strosereunion.com for details.

Sumner Class of 1979 will hold its “Bulldogs Rock the Boat” BIG 4-0 Reunion Cruise, June 22-27, 2019. For further information, email your contact information to sumner1979@ymail.com or call 314-406-4309. Join our Facebook group at Sumner High Class of ‘79. Vashon High School Class of 1973 will celebrate its 45th reunion on Saturday, August 11, 2018 in St. Louis. We’re still in the

process of rounding up all of our graduates and would love for you all to contact us. Please email us at tpjgramells@aol.com for additional information. You may also RSVP and pay by going to VashonHigh1973. myevent.com. For those not on the internet, please call Terri (Bell) Johnson 314-3132113.

McKinley High Class of 1978 40-year reunion will take place July 27-29, 2018 at the Embassy Suites-Airport Hotel in St. Louis. Classmates from all McKinley H.S. classes are invited. Registration is required. To register, contact Barbara Lindsey, Barbara_ Lindsey@icloud.com or Marvin Woods, mwoods@ projectcontrolsgroup.com or (314) 647-0707.

Do you have a celebration you’re proud of? If so we would like to share your good news with our readers. Whether it’s a birth, wedding, engagement announcement, anniversary, retirement or birthday, send your photos and a brief announcement (50 words or less) to us and we may include it in our paper and website – AT NO COST – as space is available Photos will not be returned. Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to:

St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO 63103

Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us! However, notices may also be sent by mail to: Kate Daniel, 2315 Pine St., St. Louis, MO 63103

Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@ stlamerican.com

Chris Brown after dark. Listen, I know he been singing about grown folks’ business out the gate with “Run It,” but I didn’t realize Chris Brown was doggone mannish until I caught his Heartbreak on a Full Moon Tour Sunday night at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. Maybe because I hadn’t heard the songs all together at the same time. He has regressed from “Excuse me, Miss” in his early days to Sunday’s “lay down on the ground so I can get you because I don’t think I can wait until we get in the bed.” It really should have been called the Skinemax tour – especially with his back up dancers twerking in thongs and carryin’ on. Now I would be lying if I didn’t catch a groove as he got down to those songs made for mature audiences – and you know Breezy puts on a whole show. He got plenty of help from pre-recorded vocals, but he got a pass from me because of how he hopped around all three tiers of that set of his – working in black flips and homage to Michael Jackson with the dance moves from hello. I loved how his set started, but it ended so abruptly. He called it quicker than the piano player at the juke joint in “The Color Purple.” I can’t say I was mad with it though. I had a good little time with the opening acts too – especially H.E.R. I was so glad she got the attention she deserved – as opposed to being virtually ignored despite giving life when she warmed the stage for Post Malone and 21 Savage last month. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen an audience so unbothered by a featured performer. Real talk, a group of Justin Bieber look alikes were engaged in a makeshift game of hacky sack as she sang her heart out. I think she found some new fans in the just about sold-out crowd. I can’t say the same for Jacquees, who gave a talent-show winning caliber show that he didn’t changing out of his travel clothes for. 6lack gave a solid set. Does anybody know why Rich The Kid was MIA?

Laughing out loud with Jenifer Lewis. Since I already mentioned the word mature, I might as well let y’all know that for the second Saturday in two weeks, a grown woman of a certain age in bite-sized heels brought my heart to a state of bliss. Last week it was Auntie Anita Baker. And this week it was “The Mother of Black Hollywood” herself, Kinloch’s own Jenifer Lewis. Listen, I’ve sat through entire urban comedy revues with half of twenty folks on the bill and not had the belly laughter Ms. Lewis served up all by herself Saturday afternoon at the Loretto-Hilton. Imagine having a family reunion where you rent out a theatre and let your famous, and famously funny, cousin act a plum fool for a few hours. It was seriously like a Kinloch community day up on Webster’s campus. And she would gloriously go from raw emotion, to reading folks for filth in a matter of seconds. She probably traumatized some folks into getting their lives together with respect to punctuality and cell phone etiquette. Can you imagine showing up causally late to a show and the star says out of nowhere, “Now what time did your ticket say?” I’ve decided that she needs to do a full-fledged comedy tour when she releases the sequel to “The Mother of Black Hollywood.” Because there are people who can fill arenas but can’t have folks hollering like Ms. Jenifer did. Especially when she was having a tender moment about her daughter and then told everybody that she made sure she fixed her teeth when she took Charmaine in as a little girl. “Show everybody the pretty teeth I bought you,” Lewis said. Charmaine, and everybody else up in there couldn’t do a thing but holler and shake our heads.

Rockin’ with Rakim and The Biz. I must admit that going into the show, I was still bitter with Biz Markie because he was such a bust when we hired him to spin at our Salute to Excellence in Education after party several years back. I’m not going to go so far as to say all is forgiven, but I did enjoy his set more than I had planned to Saturday night at The Pageant. And, he was an absolute joy with everyone he engaged with backstage. I really loved the fan boy moment when he ran into hip-hop legend Rakim, just before he rocked the microphone at show presented by Rockhouse Ent. Listen, Rakim told us thirty something years ago that he came to move the crowd. He’s been keeping his word after all this time –and Saturday night was no different! He proved why he’s your favorite rappper’s favorite rapper with nothing more than a microphone and somebody spinning on the wheels of steel. His outfit was straight out of 1993 (and was it me, or did his jeans looked starched like we used to wear them back then, too) but his show was as classic and timeless as the rhymes he created that forever raised the bar in the rap game.

2D.E.F’s party for a purpose with Doug E. Fresh. It must have the unofficial Old School hip-hop day in St. Louis, because after I left Biz and Rakim, I scooted over to the Old Rock House to catch the original hype man and beat box pioneer Doug E. Fresh turn the party out at 2D.E.F.’s All White Party. It wasn’t as packed as I know they had hoped it would be, but that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t all the way live. I couldn’t go from one side of the club to the next without getting flung up into somebody’s slide or makeshift Soul Train line. And I’m convinced that a person could be in the lobby of an Urgent Care center feeling like death and not be able to resist the urge to turn up when Doug E. Fresh is on the microphone. The whole thing was quite cute – even cuter when you consider that proceeds of the event benefit domestic violence survivors.

Too late for Hey Luv. Because I figured the Doug E. Fresh set would end first, I made my way there instead of stopping by the July edition of Hey Luv, the monthly set presented by Shadzilla, DJ JMo and DJ Reminisce. They outgrew Lucha a few months back. This time they held it at the Bronson House over near Compton and Washington. I got there not too long after midnight – just in time see the folks give their goodnights. Even though it was over, the place was still packed.

It was a Kinloch thing as Tandra and Sabrina caught Jenifer Lewis’ book celebration Saturday

@ The Loretto-Hilton

Television and radio personality J-Nicks was back home to catch Chris Brown with Asia and Beth Sunday night @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

Cora Faith Walker and Raychel Proudie came through to catch Jenifer Lewis Saturday afternoon @ Loretto-Hilton

Rashud and Chy were excited to see Chris Brown do his thing for the Heartbreak on a Full Moon tour Sunday night @ Hollywood Casino

It was a family affair as DJ Reminisce, Felicia and Jerome helped Andre Holman celebrate the big 5-0 Saturday night @ The Bronson House

Jenny and Jovan chopped it up as Hey Luv was winding down Saturday night @ The Bronson House

Brea and Jasmine were just a couple of the sophisticated ladies @ Sauce Saturday night @ The Marquee

Orlando Watson of RockHouse Ent. with rap legends Rakim and Biz Markie following their show Saturday night at The Pageant

Kayla and Gidget got an earful as Jenifer Lewis gave the show of all shows Saturday @ The Loretto-Hilton

Timia and Anthony checking out Chris Brown Sunday night @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

Tef Poe, T-Luv, Abe and Phil Assets chopped it up with the one and only Biz Markie following his set Saturday night at The Pageant.

ASSISTANT – BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS

TheAssistant – Business Development - Operations provides administrative support to the sales, operations, events, and management team.

To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/.

LPT CLAIMS EXAMINER

Responsible for handling assigned claims from initial assignment to closure as well as provide assistance in various administrative functions associated with the Loss Portfolio Transfer (LPT) LOB.

To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/.

MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR

Dominium is seeking a full-time Maintenance Supervisor for Homer G Phillips, a 220-unit apartment community in St. Louis, MO. Qualifications: Basic electrical, plumbing, painting, EPAand advanced HVAC experience required.Ability to work evenings and weekends and on-call as needed. Must provide own tools. We offer a competitive salary, incentive bonus program and comp. benefits package.Apply online at dominiumapartments.com/ careers. EOE/DFWP

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER

For a complete job description visit our website at: www.stlcountycourts.com

SALARY: $4343/month + State of MO benefits.

DEADLINE: Submit application by Friday,August 10, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. to: St. Louis County Circuit Court, Human Resources Department, Room 151, 105 South CentralAve., Clayton, MO 63105 or apply on-line. EOE

MINOR HOME REPAIR CLIENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR

Local Nonprofit seeking full-time client services administrator to manage the internal office duties for a home repair program serving seniors in the city of St. Louis.

Responsibilities include managing client applications and approvals, overseeing billing and invoicing for work orders, and tracking and reporting data and outcomes. Applicants should possess at minimum an associate’s degree and at least 1 year related experience. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to todd. martin@missionstl.org, by August 17, 2018.

Mission: St. Louis is an EOE

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

in litigation or lit. support & working on eDiscovery projects. Undergrad degree preferred. For more details and to complete our online application, visit www.thompsoncoburncareers.com Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

Point Solutions in an effort to support the IT Technology Plan. The District is proposing single source procurement for this service because it does not have the internal expertise to fulfill this Information Technology role. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District

Notice

does not have the internal expertise to fulfill this Information Technology role. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on August 29th, 2018 to contract with a company for: House Lateral CCTV Inspections & Cleaning Services. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9498 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on August 9th, 2018 to contract with a company for: Minority Advertising Services. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9460 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Small church looking for an administrative assistant. If interested please call Heavenly Bread Missionary Baptist Church (314)381-7691 MonFri 9:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. Only called in appointments will be interviewed. Please no drop by.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on August 30, 2018 to contract with a company for: GAS-COMPRESSED. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9492 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314-768-6254 to request a copy of this bid.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

role. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

At St. Louis Lambert International Airport Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in

208 City Hall, 1200 Market

Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 then publicly

and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies). ). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at 10:00 AM in the Ozark Conference Room at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044.

All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stl-bps.org (Announcements).

MWBE/DBE PreBid Meeting Notice

The SITE Improvement Association is hosting a Prebid meeting for Qualified and Certified MWBE contractors to discuss working on MSD’s Dammert and Broadway Sanitary Relief (SKME-551) Part 2 Contract Letting No. 11155-015.2

This meeting is being held on behalf of the following SITE contractor members:

Fred M. Luth & Sons, Inc. 4516 McRee Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110 314/771-3892

The meeting will take place at 10:00 a.m.

August 16, 2018 SITE Improvement Association 0ffice, 2071 Exchange Drive St. Charles, MO 63303

Project plans are available from MSD. For questions regarding this prebid meeting, Contact the SITE Improvement Association office at 314/966-2950.

Notice To Small (SBE), Disadvantaged (DBE), Minority (MBE), Women’s (WBE), Service Disabled Veteran Owned (SDVOB) & Veteran Owned (VOB) Businesses Advertisement River City Construction, L.L.C., 6640 American Setter Drive, Ashland, Missouri 65010, (573) 657-7380 (Phone) (573) 657-7381 (Fax) Is Seeking Qualified Small, Disadvantaged, Minority, Women’s, Service Disabled Veteran Owned & Veteran Owned Businesses For The University of Missouri Patient Care Tower –3rd & 4th Floor Fitout And AHU Modifications University Of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri:Project NumberS: CP150752, CP150753, CP150754e: for subcontracting opportunities in the following areas: demolition, masonry, metals, rough carpentry, roofing, doors, glazing, painting, drywall, flooring, specialties, furnishings, fire suppression, integrated automation, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, communications, electronic security. All interested and qualified SBE, DBE, WBE, SDVOB, AND VOB businesses should contact, in writing, (certified letter, return receipt requested) Josh Sanders or Joe Seymour to discuss the subcontracting opportunities. All negotiations must be completed prior to the bid opening date of 8/02/2018@ 1:30 PM. Proposals will be evaluated in order on the basis of low responsive bid received. CERTIFICATION OF DBE/WBE/MBE/SDVOB/VOB STATUS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH BID. BID DOCUMENTS MAY BE OBTAINED BY:

1) Email your company name, contact name and phone number, as well as the project you are interested in to bid@rccllc.com 2) You will then receive an email invitation for that project with a link to our SmartBidNet system.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

GRAVOIS TRUNK SANITARY STORAGE FACILITY (PARDEE LN AND PARDEE

RD)

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Gravois Trunk Sanitary Sewer Storage Facility (Pardee Ln and Pardee Rd) under Letting No. 12569-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on September 13, 2018

A general description of the work to be done under these contract documents can be found in Section01 11 00 – Summary of Work of Part 5 – Specifications of the Bidding Documents.

At 8645 Pardee Ln in Crestwood, Missouri 63126, construct two 4.0 million gallon wire-wound, prestressed concrete tanks, a pump station and cistern, a diversion chamber, a control building, odor control system, relocated sanitary sewer, consolidation sewers, appurtenances, and associated site work, as described in the bidding documents. Offsite conduits for primary and secondary power supply as required by Ameren and a monitoring manhole is also to be constructed as shown in the bidding documents. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: Building Construction

Nondiscrimination in Employment:

Bidders on this work will be required to comply with the president’s Executive Order Number 11246, which requires the Contractor to take steps to meet aggregate work force goals of 14.7 percent for minority participation and 6.9 percent for female participation. Requirements for bidders and contractors under this order are explained in the specifications.

Funding:

The project is being financed through the Missouri State Revolving Fund, established by the sale of Missouri Water Pollution Control bonds and federal Capitalization Grants to Missouri.

Any bidder or equipment supplier whose firm or affiliate is listed on the General Services Administration (GSA) publication entitled “Lists of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement or Nonprocured Programs” will be prohibited form the bidding process. Anyone submitting a bid who is so listed will be determined to be a nonresponsive bidder in accordance with 40 CFR 32.

A contractor’s Suspension/Debarment Certification will be contained in the specifications; however, this certification should not preclude any interested party from ascertaining whether the certifying firm or person is actually on the list. To determine a person’s and/ or firm’s eligibility for award in accordance with the Debarment, Suspension, and Voluntarily Excluded Regulation 40 CFR 52.500(b), contact the grantee’s authorized representative.

Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available forviewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1710 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

A mandatory Pre-Bid conference will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at 9245 Whitecliff Park Lane, Crestwood, Missouri 63126 in the Crestwood Community Center Gymnasium. Following the Pre-Bid conference, a Diversity Fair will be held from 11:00 A-2 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the same date and in the same location as the Pre-bid conference. Following the Diversity Fair, a Site Visit to the project site at 8645 Pardee Lane, Crestwood, Missouri 63126, will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the same date as the Pre-bid conference.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (the “Partnership”) is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to analyze and suggest amendments for land-use regulations along the West Florissant Avenue commercial corridor between Interstate 270 and Lucas and Hunt Road in St. Louis County, Missouri. To be considered, proposals must be received no later than 3:00 PM CST on Thursday, August 23, 2018. Proposals should be sent by e-mail to hbean@stlpartnership.com, or to St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, ATTN: Howl Bean II, 7733 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 2200, St. Louis, Missouri 63105. DBE, MBE, and WBE firms are encouraged to bid, and a proposal discount may be available to certified MBE firms.

The Request for Proposals may be obtained from the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership’s web site at www.stlpartnership.com. The Partnership reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive informalities therein. Any questions should be directed to Howl Bean II at

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON LOCATION AND DESIGN OF THE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE SOUTHWEST AND COLUMBIA BRIDGES OVER UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD

Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that an open house public hearing will be held at the St. Louis Activity Center, 5602 Arsenal Street, St. Louis, MO 63139 on Tuesday, August 14, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time. Handicap access is available. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning their views on the location and design of the Replacement of the Southwest and Columbia Bridges over UPRR with reference to the economic and social effects of such location and design, its impact of the environment and its consistency with the goals and objectives of the community. The presently contemplated improvement is as follows:

The existing Southwest Ave and Columbia Ave bridges over Union Pacific Railroad, located between Marconi and Kingshighway, will be demolished and replaced with a single bridge. Columbia Ave will be re-routed to intersect with Southwest Ave east of the new bridge.

Maps, plats, environmental documentation, and other detail information prepared by the City of St. Louis and their consultant will be available for public inspection and copying at the office of the City of St. Louis, Board of Public Service, Room 301 City Hall. Written statements and exhibits as well as oral statements will be received at the hearing. Written statements and exhibits will be made a part of the public hearing transcript if received within ten days after the date of the hearing.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: 3 (Three) New 2018 VACTOR Truck Model 2110 Plus-16 on New 2019 Freightliner Chassis Model 114SD. The District is proposing single source procurement to COE Equipment for this purchase because COE Equipment is the exclusive distributor of VACTOR models and parts in the Metro Region. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Tentative schedules for right of way acquisition and construction will be discussed at the hearing.

If you are disabled and require special services at the public hearing, please notify the City of St. Louis Office of the Disabled by August 3, 2018 at (314) 622-3686 so that arrangements for those services can be made.

Relocation advisory assistance will be available for all persons displaced as a result of this improvement. Information on relocation assistance programs will be provided, if applicable.

For information prior to the hearing, please contact (314) 589-6616.

CITY OF ST. LOUIS

BY Kevin Trapp, P.E. Asst. Chief of Design Board of Public Service

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

WELLSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY

ANNOUCES A PUBLIC HEARING

DATE: September 10, 2018

TIME: 3:00 PM PLACE: 6203 Cote Brilliante Ave.

The purpose of the hearing is to obtain input from the city residents in reference to the 2019 Annual and Five Year Plan Submission, Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy Revisions, Flat Rent Rates and Utility Allowances. Submission to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for fiscal year 2019. Total funds being allocated for this year are estimated at $714,264 for Operating Funds and, $380,629 for Capital Funds. All residents are

Request for Bids

The Great Rivers Greenway District is soliciting sealed

for Federal Project Number TAP & STP 9901 (632), Gravois Greenway: Orlando’s to River des Peres Greenway – Phase 2 (118A). DBE goal of 20% on the project. Check https://greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids/ and submit by August 23, 2018

Request for Bids

The Great Rivers Greenway District is requesting proposals from professional firms for inspection and materials testing services in connection with the Gravois Greenway: Orlando’s to River des Peres Greenway (#118A). Check https://greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids/ and submit by August 16, 2018.

The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (the “Partnership”) is soliciting proposals from qualified architectural and engineering design firms to provide architectural planning, design, and construction management services as part of the construction of 40,000 square feet of additional space at the Helix Center, located at 1100 Corporate Square Drive, in St. Louis County, Missouri. To be considered, proposals must be received no later than 3:00 PM CST on Thursday, August 23, 2018. Proposals should be sent by email to hbean@stlpartnership.com, or to St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, ATTN: Howl Bean II, 7733 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 2200, St. Louis, Missouri 63105. DBE, MBE, and WBE firms are encouraged to bid.

The Request for Proposals may be obtained from the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership’s web site at www.stlpartnership.com. The Partnership reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive informalities therein. Any questions should be directed to Howl Bean II at (314) 615-7663 or hbean@stlpartnership.com.

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

BIDS

SAINT LOUIS ZOO PATHWAY ASPHALT OVERLAY RFP

The project scope of work consists of some milling of areas, installation of some utility risers such as manholes, and overlaying of 2 inches of asphalt.

MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING & SITE INSPECTION:

On August 8, 2018 at 9:00am in The Living World building on Government Drive in Forest Park, lower level. Sealed bids marked with project name will be accepted on or before August 22, 2018 at 1:00PM and opened immediately after, in The Facility Management Conference Room. Documents can be found at: https://www.stlzoo.org/about/contact/ vendoropportunities/

SEALED BIDS

for Construction ServicesHVAC, Central Region, State of Missouri, Project No. ZASIDIQ-8013, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, Thursday, August 30, 2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

for DFAC Building 430 Renovation, Missouri National Guard - Camp Clark Nevada, Missouri, Project No. T171601 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 8/23/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

for Construction Services, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, P

. ZASIDIQ-8012, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, Thursday, August 30, 2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

I/I Reduction (St. Charles Rock Rd. and Ashby Rd.) Contract Letting No. 12125-015.1

A pre-bid meeting is being held on behalf of the following SITE contractor members: Fred M. Luth & Sons, Inc. J.M. Marschuetz Construction Co. 4516 McRee Ave 15 Truitt Drive St. Louis, MO Eureka, MO 63025 314/771-3892 636/938-3600

The meeting will take place at 10:00 a.m. August 9, 2018 SITE Improvement Association Office, 2071 Exchange Drive St. Charles, MO 63303

Project plans are available from MSD. For questions regarding this prebid meeting, Contact the SITE Improvement Association office at 314/966-2950.

SEALED BIDS

for Replace Single-Ply Roofing System, Missouri National Guard Readiness C e n t e r , C a p e Girardeau, Missouri, Project No. T180201 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 8/30/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

Saint Louis Zoo Hippo Pool Restoration RFP

The project scope of work consists of removal of waterproof coating from indoor hippo pool using high pressure water blasting process, and re-coat as per detailed specifications found in the specification document. MANDATORY

PRE-BID MEETING & SITE INSPECTION: On August 7, 2018 at 11:00AM at The Living World building on Government Drive in Forest Park, lower level. Sealed bids marked with project name will be accepted on or before August 16, 2018 at 2:00PM and opened immediately after in The Facility Management Conference Room. Documents can be found at: https://www. stlzoo.org/about/contact/ vendoropportunities/

SEALED BIDS for Owl Creek Dam, R e c l a m a t i o n Project, St. Francois County, Missouri, Project No. Y170201 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 8/30/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

BIDS for Replace Roofs, Multiple Buildings, B o o n v i l l e Correctional Center, Boonville, Missouri, Project No. C1807-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 8/30/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

NOTICE OF ELECTION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Primary Election will be held at the designated polling place for each precinct in the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, on Tuesday, August 7, 2018. The polls will be open between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. for the purpose of nominating candidates for United States Senator, State Auditor, United States Representative District 1, State Senator District 4, State Representative Districts 66, 76-84, 91 and 93, Collector of Revenue, License Collector, and Recorder of Deeds.

The last day the Board of Election Commissioners can accept an application to vote an absentee ballot by mail in the August 7, 2018 Primary Election is 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday, August 1, 2018. Absentee voting in person will conclude at 5:00 P.M. on Monday, August 6, 2018. The office of the Board of Elections will be open on Saturday, August 4, 2018, from 9:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M.

THE OFFICIAL BALLOT WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FOLLOWING FORM:

INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS: In today’s election, you have your choice of using either an electronic, touch-screen voting machine or an optical scan voting machine to cast your ballot.

IF YOU USE THE OPTICAL SCAN VOTING MACHINE to cast your ballot, to vote for a candidate darken the oval to the left of the name of the candidate of your choice. To vote on a proposition, if you are in favor of the proposition darken the oval to the left of the word “YES.” If you are against the proposition darken the oval to the left of the word “NO.” Do not try to punch through the ballot. Use only a pencil or blue or black ink to mark your ballot. If you tear, deface or make a mistake and incorrectly mark your ballot, return it to the Election Judges and obtain a new ballot.

IF YOU USE THE ELECTRONIC, TOUCH-SCREEN VOTING MACHINE to cast your ballot, follow the directions on the screen. For each candidate, touch the box on the screen to the left of the name of the candidate of your choice. To vote on a proposition, if you are in favor of the proposition touch the box on the screen to the left of the word “YES.” If you are against the proposition touch the box on the screen to the left of the word “NO.” If you need assistance in using the machine, please ask the Election Judges to help you.

NOTICE OF ELECTION OFFICIAL BALLOT

PRIMARY ELECTION

CITY OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2018

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

REPUBLICAN PARTY CANDIDATES

FOR U.S. SENATOR (VoteforOne)

TonyMonetti AustinPetersen JoshHawley FredRyman ChristinaSmith KristiNichols BradleyKrembs KenPatterson

BrianG.Hagg CourtlandSykes PeterPfeifer

FOR STATE AUDITOR (VoteforOne)

KevinM.Roach

DavidWasinger PaulCurtman SaundraMcDowell

FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 1 (VoteforOne)

CamilleLombardi-Olive

RobertVroman

EdwardL.VanDeventer,Jr.

FOR STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 4 (VoteforOne)

RobertJ.Crump

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 82 (VoteforOne)

ErikShelquist

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 91 (VoteforOne)

JenniferBird

FOR LICENSE COLLECTOR (VoteforOne)

ZacharyM.Syberg

DEMOCRATIC PARTY CANDIDATES FOR U.S. SENATOR (VoteforOne)

Carla(Coffee)Wright AngelicaEarl

LeonardJosephSteinmanII

JohnHogan TravisGonzalez DavidFaust ClaireMcCaskill

FOR STATE AUDITOR (VoteforOne) NicoleGalloway

FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 1 (VoteforOne)

CoriBush DeMarcoK.Davidson JoshuaShipp LacyClay

FOR STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 4 (VoteforOne)

KarlaMay

JacobW.Hummel

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 66 (VoteforOne)

KhalilAbdulMumin TommiePierson,Jr.

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 76 (VoteforOne)

CydneyE.Johnson DamonHaymer

MarissaBrown

ChrisCarter

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 77 (VoteforOne)

SteveRoberts

Kimberly-AnnCollins

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 78 (VoteforOne)

BruceFranks,Jr.

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 79 (VoteforOne)

LaKeyShaBosley

J.P.Johnson

ReignHarris

MaxineJohnson

DISTRICT 80 (VoteforOne)

PeterMerideth MarianVandiver FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

DISTRICT 81 (VoteforOne)

SteveButz

TravisEstes

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

DISTRICT 82 (VoteforOne)

DonnaM.C.Baringer

FredKratky

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

DISTRICT 83 (VoteforOne)

GinaMitten

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

DISTRICT 84 (VoteforOne)

WileyPriceIV BradBakker FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

DISTRICT 91 (VoteforOne)

SarahUnsicker

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

DISTRICT 93 (VoteforOne)

BobBurns FOR COLLECTOR OF REVENUE (VoteforOne)

GregoryF.X.Daly FOR LICENSE COLLECTOR (VoteforOne)

Mavis“Tessa”Thompson DanaKelly-Franks FOR RECORDER OF DEEDS (VoteforOne)

MichaelButler

SharonQuigleyCarpenter

JimmieMatthews

LIBERTARIAN PARTY CANDIDATES FOR U.S. SENATOR (VoteforOne)

JaphethCampbell FOR STATE AUDITOR (VoteforOne)

SeanO’Toole

FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 1 (VoteforOne)

RobbCunningham FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

DISTRICT 79 (VoteforOne)

DanElder

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 83 (VoteforOne)

AndrewBolin FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 91 (VoteforOne)

JamesScariot

GREEN PARTY CANDIDATES FOR U.S. SENATOR (VoteforOne)

JoCrain

JeromeBauer FOR STATE AUDITOR (VoteforOne)

DonFitz

CONSTITUTION PARTY CANDIDATES FOR STATE AUDITOR (VoteforOne)

JacobLuetkemeyer

PROPOSITION A

(Referendum Ordered by Petition)

DothepeopleofthestateofMissouriwanttoadoptSenateBill19 (“Right-to-Work”)aspassedbythegeneralassemblyin2017,which prohibitsasaconditionofemploymenttheforcedmembershipinalabor organization(union)orforcedpaymentsofduesinfullorpro-rata(fairshare);makeanyactivitywhichviolatesemployees’rightsillegaland ineffective;allowlegalremediesforanyoneinjuredasaresultofanother personviolatingorthreateningtoviolateemployees’rights;andwhich shallnotapplytounionagreementsenteredintobeforetheeffectivedate ofSenateBill19?

Stateandlocalgovernmententitiesexpectnocostsorsavings. Yes–FortheProposition No--AgainsttheProposition

PROPOSITION 1

Shall the following be adopted: PropositiontoissuebondsoftheCityofSt.Louis,Missouriinan amountnottoexceedFiftyMillionDollars($50,000,000)forthepurposeofplanning,purchasing,replacing,improvingandmaintaining thebuildings,bridges,computersoftware/hardware,andequipmentof theCityofSt.Louis,including(1)acquiringfiretrucks,ambulances, andotherfire-fightingapparatusfortheSt.LouisFireDepartment,(2) acquiringradioequipmentforthePoliceDepartment,(3)providing matchsharefundstorepair,renovate,andreplacebridges,(4)renovating buildingsandfacilitiesownedbytheCityofSt.Louisincludingcourthouses,correctionalfacilities,CityHallandotherCitybuildings;and(5) forexpensesassociatedwiththeissuanceofthebonds.Ifthispropositionisapproved,thepropertytaxlevyisestimatedtoremainunchanged. Yes–FortheProposition No–AgainsttheProposition

OFFICIAL BALLOT SPECIAL ELECTION CITY OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI AUGUST 7, 2018 WARD 15, PRECINCTS 1, 4, 5 AND 6 PROPOSITION

(Tower Grove South Concerned Citizens SBD Reauthorization) Shallataxnottoexceedeighty-fivecents($.85)per$100.00valuation beimposedforthetaxyears,2019,2020,2021,2022,2023,2024,2025, 2026,2027,2028,2029,2030,2031,2032and2033onallrealproperty locatedintheTowerGroveSouthConcernedCitizensSpecialBusiness DistrictasdefinedinOrdinanceNo.70769,approvedMay29,2018, (BoardBillNo.46)forthepurposesassetforthinsaidOrdinance? Yes–FortheProposition No–AgainsttheProposition

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, theundersigned,comprisingtheBoard ofElectionCommissionersfortheCityofSt.Louis,StateofMissouri, havecausedthisnoticetobesignedandtheofficialsealoftheofficeto beaffixedattheofficeoftheBoardofElectionCommissionersinSt. Louis,Missouri,this20thdayofJuly,2018.

BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS FOR THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS

JERRY M. HUNTER Chairman/Member

GERALDINE M. KRAEMER GENE R. TODD Member Member

(Seal) Attest: JOSEPH A. BARBAGLIA Secretary/Member