December 5th, 2013 edition

Troupe’s ‘Pearl’

St. Louis author co-writes Earl Monroe’s autobiography

By Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Like an exhilarating jazz interlude, Earl Monroe dazzled NBA fans on the court with his improvisational style of play. Before LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson or even Julius Irving, there was Earl “the Pearl.” Ask those who saw Monroe play and they will tell you he was poetry in motion, brilliance on the basketball court, music in the flesh. So there should have been no surprise that when Monroe finally decided to tell his story he enlisted the services of celebrated St. Louis poet and author Quincy Troupe,

Christopher Reiter – son of Paul Reiter, longtime circulation manager for The St. Louis American – shows his cousin, Caleb Schoene, 11, one of the new bookhouses in his father’s memory that have been established in the Dutchtown neighborhood where Paul Reiter lived and was killed in 2011.

Co-authors Quincy Troupe and Earl Monroe with Margaret Porter Troupe holding up a copy of their book “Earl the Pearl: My Story.”

Reiter’s family donates bookhouses

Police support effort to empower children

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

“It’s about

– Police Capt. Dan Howard

Expert: feds should clean up landfill

Radioactive waste makes West Lake federal problem, says Alvarez

By Bridjes O’Neil Of The St. Louis American

International nuclear waste expert Robert Alvarez says the Environmental Protection Agency “erred” in its 2008 decision to leave “highly radiotoxic”

“Convince your elected officials of the absolute necessity of putting this facility under the control of the federal government.”

– Robert Alvarez

A6

Of The St. Louis American

Photo by Wiley Price

NeNe talk show coming to the small screen

After using social media to profess her boredom with “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” NeNe Leakes hinted that she will be foraying into a new television format. Leakes tweeted she was “bored to tears” with the newest episode of “Real House-wives of Atlanta” - one which she barely made an appearance. She then used Twitter to break the news that she's branching out.

change the face of R&B. Well, according to reports the group is on the verge of breaking up.

After a fan suggested that she try her hand at having her own talk show, Leakes responded “it's coming.”

Is Tyrese on his last leg with TGT?

Last year Tyrese, Ginuwine and Tank formed the R&B super group TGTand vowed to

Hollywood Street King says Tank and Ginuwine are fed up with Tyrese's cocky behavior and him bragging that he doesn't need the other Tand G to eat.

Sources told HSK that tensions have gotten so bad that Joe has been filling in for Tyrese on tour dates.

Kanye throws tantrum in Tampa

Rapper Kanye West stormed off stage in Tampa because the lighting wasn't just right.

According to reports Kanye West stopped his concert Saturday night and screamed at the lighting guy

He then reportedly complained that “Laura' didn't give him his deep voice microphone” before dropping a few

THE STUFF THAT HAS PEOPLE TALKING

curse words and storming off stage in the middle of his third song.

Yeezy came back in about five minutes and continued his show without a hitch.

Rita Ora goes 'Grey'

Deadline.com is reporting that Roc Nation artist Rita Ora confirmed for erotic thriller “50 Shades of Grey.”

Although her music has yet to break through in the U.S., her acting career is geared up to take off thanks to the high profile role.

The British singer-songwriter who had a cameo in Fast & Furious 6 will play Mia, the outgoing adopted sister of billionaire Christian

Grey, in Universal's adaptation of E L James' mega-selling novel Fifty Shades Of Grey

Gucci Mane may get 20 years

The recent series of erratic behavior exhibited by Gucci Mane over the past few months may come to a disheartening end. Gucci Mane was charged in federal court on Tuesday (December 3rd) with two counts of possessing a firearm as a felon and is facing up to 20 years in prison for two separate counts of felony firearm possession.

According to the federal prosecutor's news release, Gucci Mane is being charged for two separate gun posses-

sion incidents involving him making threats towards the police and his own lawyer in September. Coincidentally, these events occurred days after the Atlanta rapper was reportedly dropped from Atlantic Records:

On September 12, 2013, Davis, who was a felon at the time, was found in possession of a firearm. Then, just two days later, on September 14th, he again possessed a firearm different from the earlier gun. On both occasions, Davis displayed the loaded firearm, acted erratically, and made threats to individuals, including police and his attorney Each felony gun possession charge carries a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. This is the second time Gucci Mane has been arrested for gun-related issues, with the first stemming from a shooting death of Henry Lee Clark III he committed in 2005.

Did Kris tap Lamar's phone for the sake of the show?

Back in September

Mane

there were rumors that Kris Jenner was planning to set up Lamar Odom by secretly recording his phone calls to estranged wife Khloe Kardashian to boost the ratings of their reality show. The preview for the next season of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” all but proves the rumors were true. In the super trailer for the ninth season of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” Lamar Odom can be heard on the phone begging the Kardashian's to forgive him saying, “I would do anything to be accepted back by you guys. You guys are all I've got.”

Sources: Deadline.com, Diary of AHollywood Street King, Twitter.com, Allhiphop.com

NeNe

Gucci

Timberly

SLPS names Reading Teacher of the Year

Walton of Lexington Elementary honored

American staff

St. Louis Public Schools

has presented the 2013

Dolores B. Malcolm 1st–5th Grade Classroom Reading Teacher of the Year Award to an energetic educator who has helped her students achieve considerable academic growth during her time at Lexington Elementary.

Timberly Walton, a fifth grade teacher at Lexington Elementary, has been recognized as the St. Louis Public School District’s

Dolores B. Malcolm 1st–5th Grade Classroom Reading Teacher of the Year for implementing a variety of teaching strategies to optimize and enhance her students’ reading abilities.

“There are not enough instructional hours in a day that can amount to the time Timberly spends with her students,” said Myra Pendleton, principal of Lexington Elementary.

“She gives up planning and personal time to counsel, encourage and congratulate.”

In 2005, Walton joined Lexington Elementary as a student teacher and was quickly hired as a third grade teacher – a position she held until 2009, when she moved to Georgia. In

2011, Walton returned to St. Louis and Lexington Elementary. She now

n “Ms. Walton

teaches fifth grade. “Ms. Walton is very successful with struggling readers and has strongly contributed to Lexington achieving academic success,” said Lana TurnerWilson, the school’s academic instructional coach.

“Ms. Walton’s

instructional expertise contributed to Lexington achieving Adequate Yearly

Timberly

The Dolores B. Malcolm 1st–5th Grade Classroom Reading Teacher of the Year was honored with an awards reception and presented with a $1,000 award from Follett School Solutions. She also received a trophy, a plaque, and a $500 award for related education materials through the Parsons Blewett Memorial Fund.

– Lana Turner-Wilson,

Progress (AYP) in 2005, 2008, and 2009. Upon her return to Lexington, 5th grade Reading and English Language Arts scores have steadily increased on State and District assessments. Lexington Elementary School has achieved full accreditation for the 2013 state assessment.”

To earn the Dolores B. Malcolm 1st–5th Grade Classroom Reading Teacher of the Year Award, nominees must explain their teaching philosophy and approach to teaching; be recommended by an administrator and a professional colleague; and complete an interview process. This award bears the name of Dolores B. Malcolm, a retired SLPS administrator, who was the first Missourian elected to the International Reading Association (IRA) Board of Directors and the first Missourian to serve as the IRA’s president.

IL judge and trustee plead guilty

Comedians have been having a ball for the past two weeks making light of Toronto’s crack-smoking mayor, Rob Ford, comparing him to former Washington, D.C. Mayor Marion Barry and describing him as a crack-puffing, Chris Farley looka-like. Funny stuff.

However, on the East Side of the Mississippi, a not-so-funny spectacle took place, recently, as disgraced former St. Clair County judge Michael Cook pleaded guilty to heroin possession and being a drug user in possession of a firearm –make that 45 firearms, to be exact, including 16 rifles, 17 shotguns and 12 handguns, which all must be forfeited, according to his plea deal.

influence his rich father, Belleville attorney Bruce Cook. Darron Suggs, after serving as much as 10 years in prison, will exit prison without the pedigree of Michael Cook and will probably be done politically.

And almost bumping into Cook, at the same federal courthouse in East St. Louis, was Washington Park Trustee Darron Suggs, who also pleaded guilty to a scheme to defraud the federal government of Medicaid funds by claiming hours of undelivered personal assistant services.

I can’t speak for Toronto, Canada, but these are precisely the reasons voters on the IL side of river (and elsewhere) are so skeptical, pessimistic and apathetic when it comes to participating in the electoral process.

Here we have an ex-judge who epitomized hypocrisy and poor judgment as a drug-addicted jurist who presided over and judged others and an untrustworthy trustee who sucked the blood of the poor through fraudulent activities.

It doesn’t get much lower than that, folks.

Michael Cook just re-emerged from an exclusive drug rehab facility in Minnesota just in time to make his plea arrangement and will probably resurface in some cushy job as the result of the considerable

What seems to be a constant, unfortunately, is that whether it’s Belleville, Washington Park, Alorton or East St. Louis, the political elite and their sycophants never seem to learn the lesson that crime doesn’t pay. And why should they? As long as the political godfathers and the wellconnected continue to hook up these political vultures and hypocrites with appointments, jobs and golden parachutes no sooner than they remove their prison garb, there is no incentive for them to reform. I reflect on the number of mayors, police chiefs, crooked cops, appointed officials and other political operatives whose guilt I’ve written about over the last two decades, and I become nauseated at the gall, the temerity and just sheer ignorance of these characters, as well as the amnesia of the voters who allow it to happen.

Do I have a solution? Of course I do, the same solution that I have preached, written and ranted about over these same number of years: accountability.

But if the voters, the taxpayers and the casual observers of politics continue treating political corruption and malfeasance as if it were some spectator sport, then we will continue to be appalled every time we watch the news, read the newspapers or simply wonder why our government remains perpetually broken.

Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo. com; Twitter@JamesTIngram.

James Ingram

Ourshining black princes

The community’s angry response to Superintendent Art McCoy Jr.’s abrupt suspension by the Ferguson-Florissant school board reveals something very basic about this community. This community needs leaders, especially young leaders, and we know that we need these leaders. We also have enduring memories and very deeply felt wounds about losing our leaders in their prime. The birth of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is now celebrated as a national holiday, part of our national culture, but many of us dwell more painfully on his death and the circumstances surrounding his murder. We also have not forgotten Ossie Davis’ tribute to the slain ElHajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X) as “our own shining black prince.” These words speak to our strong feeling that we need leaders, especially young leaders, and without being in any way chauvinistic, we feel the need most particularly for young black men who can lead us.

There are others emerging, and we advise these young men, with love, respect and concern, to be wary of every choice they make and every word they say in a world where shining black princes shed light that is unwelcome to many.

We are speaking about the real psychic needs of a community, not intending any comparison of McCoy to these transformative historic figures. At the same time, there is no need to diminish the up-and-coming young leaders of today by saying they are “no Dr. King.” The St. Louis American Foundation honored McCoy with our 2013 Stellar Performer in Education Award precisely because he has the belief, commitment and energy that convince people that great things are possible. When the leadership of such a promising person is very publicly throttled as the result of a closed door meeting held by people who – because of poor voter participation –do not truly represent the community McCoy serves, our community grieves and gets angry. We need more “shining black princes” and were certain that in Art McCoy Jr. one had emerged.

On Tuesday Orvin Kimbrough, the young new president and CEO of the United Way of Greater St. Louis, convened the year’s final First Tuesday meeting of the United Way’s de Tocqueville Society, a group of the most generous individual donors to the United Way. Kimbrough is a young leader with an interest in the perspectives of other young leaders, and he challenged a small panel of his peers to address this distinguished group and outline for them one big idea to transform this region for the better. In an impressive group that was diverse by gender and race, the Rev. Starsky Wilson, the young president of the Deaconess Foundation, stood out as another of our promising, shining black princes. Our community needs these young, black men to help lead us. And while we should protect them, they also are compelled to be their own best selves at all times.

That is why we are so dismayed by news such as the downfall of state Rep. Steve Webb, a skilled politician and former chairman of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus. It may not be uncommon in Jefferson City for $3,000 to end up in the wrong bank account, but if you are an assertive young black man in public life you can expect someone to catch and broadcast any mistake and misdeed. And finally, that is why we are so sorely disappointed in the self-absorbed officeholders who have been put in the position to lead us, yet too seldom look out for anyone but themselves.

CORRECTION

An item in Political EYE on Nov. 21, 2013 claimed that Rex Sinquefield is behind a new ballot initiative to create an Education Tax Credit in Missouri. In fact, the initiative was filed by Barbara Swanson of Jefferson City working closely with the Missouri Catholic Conference. Counsel

at the Missouri Catholic Conference said the group hoped Sinquefield would fund their effort but at this time he has not funded the effort. Our reporting was in error on this point, and we regret the error

The largest weekly newspaper in Missouri

Art McCoy Jr.

Amvets support Sweet Potato Project

The members of Amvets (or American Veterans) Post #67, at 5022 San Francisco Ave. in North St. Louis,

products that they market. Left to right: Herman Noah, NACDC board member; James McKay, commander of Amvets Post #67; James Whitfield, 1st vice commander of Amvets Post #67.

UAPO collecting books forGhana

The Universal African Peoples Organization, (UAPO) is leading an effort to gather books and other educational materials to be shipped to Ghana. You can support this effort by donating books, becoming an active participant or by making a financial donation. Drop off books at Legacy Bookstore, 5249 Delmar, after 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; or at Afroworld, 7276 Natural Bridge Road, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call 314-454-9005 or 314-477-4629. Make checks payable to: UAPO, P.O. Box 9226, St. Louis, MO 63117.

Human Rights

Celebration on Dec. 10

The 17th annual Human Rights Celebration will be held 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 10 at the Missouri History Museum. The Trayvon Martin case and other incidents of racial and gender profiling have escalated fears and concerns for young people about their safety and security in our society The coalition hopes to provide an opportunity for students and adults to deepen their understanding about the rights and responsibilities regarding personal security In addition to recognizing our essay winner, the mini panel discussion will address the same theme. Panelists include Mustafa Abdullah (American Civil Liberties Union), Jelani Brown (Organization for Black Struggle), David Flores (Missouri Immigrant and Refugee Advocates) and Angela Roffle (Human Resources, St. Louis Community College). The program is free and open to the public.

Deny and obstruct

By Gloria J. Browne-Marshall Guest Columnist

Even before President Barack Obama entered the White House, Rush Limbaugh, a conservative radio personality, hoped the president would fail. Like clockwork, conservatives in Congress have blocked the president at nearly every turn. Frustrated, Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) has chosen a “Nuclear Option.”

This is not an actual war involving weapons of mass destruction. However, it is a war-like power struggle with collateral damage. Their weapon is obstruction. African Americans and women are among those blocked from getting judgeships and government jobs by Tea Party conservatives, a vocal minority within the Republican Party.

Those blocked nominees include Robert L. Wilkins, a Federal District Court judge in Washington, whom the president nominated to the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and Congressman Melvin Watt (DNC), who was nominated to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Born in Indiana, Robert Wilkins, a Harvard graduate, is known for his early stand against racial profiling in Maryland. His successful lawsuit, Wilkins v. Maryland State Police, stems from an unlawful stop and search of his car by police there. His case led to national changes in law enforcement.

Republicans have not criticized the qualifications of Wilkins or Watt. But, conservative senators are using the filibuster to obstruct their progress. A congressional vote is required when the president nominates a person for a high government office. Congress was given this authority in Article II, Section 2, of the U.S. Constitution. The President must seek the advice and consent of Congress.

“The Republican Caucus has turned ‘advise and consent’ into ‘deny and obstruct,’said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. “In addition to filibustering a nominee for Secretary of Defense for the first time in history, Senate Republicans also blocked a sitting member of Congress from an administration position for the first time since 1843,” said Reid.

Then, Reid chose the “Nuclear Option.” He changed the rules in a Senate deeply rooted in tradition. Reid said he had little choice. “Only 23 district court nominees [for judge] have been filibustered in the entire history of this country,” said Reid. “Twenty of them were nominated by President Obama.”

Since federal judges sit for life, this war within Congress is a power struggle with far-reaching consequences. Aseat on the D.C. Court of Appeals places Robert Wilkins within a hairsbreadth of reaching the U.S. Supreme Court. Aposition on any Court of Appeals is significant. But, the D.C. Circuit court is known as the second most powerful court in the nation.

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy nominated civil rights attorney Thurgood Marshall to a position on the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. His nomination was blocked by conservative senators in the South. Yet, Judge Marshall would eventually take his place on that court before becoming the first black justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967.

Although this 113th Congress wasted an unprecedented amount of time on partisan obstruction, Reid’s “Nuclear Option” has made it possible for highly qualified candidates like Judge Robert Wilkins to receive justice in Congress. It was one hard fought battle in a political war that is far from over Gloria J. Browne-Marshall is an associate professor of constitutional law at John Jay College and a legal correspondent covering the U.S. Supreme Court.

Gloria J. BrowneMarshall

voted to donate $1,000 to the Sweet Potato Project. Post member Jay Hudson is also on the board of the North Area Community Development Corporation (NACDC), the agency that operates the Sweet Potato Project. The program that teaches at-risk youth entrepreneurial skills by growing produce on vacant lots and developing food-based

LANDFILL

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secured, fenced area.”

Alvarez said that is inaccurate. He classifies West Lake Landfill as a “de facto nuclear waste disposal site” that contains biologically harmful material. This material can cause damage to human cells, genetic mutations, cancer, and “a host of other diseases,” he said.

He spent a great deal of time discussing thorium-230. According to the National Academy of Sciences, thorium230 is 20 times more carcinogenic than x-rays. More of this radioactive isotope exists at West Lake “than any other nuclear weapons disposal site,” he said.

Although these particles aren’t powerful enough to penetrate tissue like an x-ray or gamma ray, he said, a person should avoid breathing or ingesting them. To better explain, he compared them to different guns.

“X-rays would be like bb guns or .22 calibers,” he said. “These [particles] are like .44 magnum bullets hitting the internal cells.”

A1990 public health report by the U.S. Public Health Service and EPAstates, “We

PEARL

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the man who helped pen the autobiography of jazz legend Miles Davis.

In their book Earl the Pearl: My Story, Monroe and Troupe transport the reader to the streets of Philadelphia, where Monroe’s game was born. In Philly, the man commercially known as “The Pearl” earned nearly as many nicknames on the court as he had moves. Chants of “Thomas Edison” (for his inventive moves), “Black Magic” and “Black Jesus” rang out through the

know very little about specific exposure levels of thorium that result in harmful effects in people or animals.”

Brooks of the EPAhas publicly reassured residents that their drinking water is safe because it did not come from “groundwater at the West Lake Landfill.” The site lies on the Mississippi River alluvial floodplain, which is about 1.2 miles from the Missouri River, Alvarez said.

Radioactive wastes at West Lake Landfill have the potential to migrate off-site through comingled solvents and groundwater fluctuations, he said. This confirmed a longheld suspicion of Kay Drey, co-founder of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment. Paul Berry, of Maryland Heights, inquired whether or not there was a likelihood of natural disasters, like earthquakes, causing the off-site migration of radioactive wastes.

There are “geologic risks,” Alvarez responded.

During the Q&A session, Berry’s zealous remarks garnered him a hearty round of applause and even a standing ovation when he said that West Lake Landfill should be a top political priority

“Politicians today seem to have lost their grit when it comes to issues,” Berry said.

Philly gyms and courts whenever Monroe had the ball in his hands.

The book chronicles Monroe’s fast growth from being introduced to the game of basketball as a 14-year-old through the relentless hard work, dedication and grit of his extraordinary career. Still, this isn’t just a basketball book. Troupe helped capture the dramatic backdrop to Monroe’s athletic success. Tales of neighborhood violence, racism, the Civil Rights Movement, family struggle, women, partying, setbacks, struggles, death and his trademark pride are all chronicled. Monroe’s tale gives a stunning look at the life of

“When politicians get angry, that’s when change happens. Without that passion, there’s not going to be any change and it’s going to sit on their desk as it has for 40 years.”

West Lake Landfill is located in the margins of Missouri’s 1st and 2nd congressional districts represented, respectively, by U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay, a Democrat, and U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner, a Republican. It lies narrowly within Wagner’s district, though the residents most immediately effected by the site span both districts.

Missouri’s U.S. senators, who represent residents throughout the state, are U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, and U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, a Republican.

The site will become more radioactive over time, Alvarez said. He cited a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) report conducted in 1988 stating that the hazards of the waste likely warranted its removal. The NRC, which had regulatory jurisdiction over the site at the time, recommended placing the radioactive wastes in some long-term isolation.

Alvarez agrees. He recommends that congressional representatives seek to remove these radioactive wastes and “ensure long-term stewardship responsibilities under the FUSRAP

one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players.

“The main thing in telling story was trying to tell people exactly who I was,” Monroe told The American. “I wanted to let people get to see me up close and understand why things happened the way that they did – that it’s all a part of learning, growing and understanding.”

by

Life saver

program.”

FUSRAP, or Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program, is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of Energy. FUSRAPwas specifi-

“He was an artist on the court.”

– Quincy Troupe, on Earl Monroe

right, playing on the collegiate level and in the U.S. Army. When Monroe reached out to Troupe to discuss the book, he was surprised to find out they lived in the same apartment complex in New York.

Monroe’s pairing with Troupe seems as perfect as one of Black Jesus’ precision, nolook, behind-the-back passes. Troupe was an accomplished basketball player in his own

Troupe’s intimate knowledge of the game sparked a bond and helped him to capture the essence of Monroe’s basketball skills. Also, as a poet, Troupe captured the rhythm of Monroe’s game and story.

“Earl changed the game of basketball with his spin move and razzle dazzle,” Troupe said.

cally created to address nuclear weapons radioactive wastes.

“This is a decision that can only be made by the president of the United States with the approval of the United States Congress,” Alvarez said. “It’s

“He brought street ball, the playground game, to the NBA and made people love it. He was an artist on the court.”

The spin moves, betweenthe-legs dribbling, doubleclutch layups and flair shown on SportsCenter on a nightly basis was almost non-existent in the professional game before Monroe suited up for the Bullets and Knicks. While some attribute such wizardry to “Pistol” Pete Maravich or Bob Cousy, “Black Jesus” entered the league walking on water and tantalized fans three years before Maravich arrived. He racked up a Rookie of the Year award as well as an All-Star appearance while Maravich was still in college.

“Cousy wasn’t anywhere near Earl Monroe,” Troupe stated flatly. “People paid to see Earl. People started screaming. He had magic. When he walked in the room, people stopped what they were doing.

That’s the type of presence he had.”

CWAH

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need of twin beds mattresses and box springs, sofa, table, chairs, clothing, shoes, coats, bus tickets and educational toys. The oldest child is an avid reader.

Case 10 – Ms. O. is a mother of three, ages 6, 4 and 3. In 2009 she went to live with her ailing mother to help care for her after her father passed away. At that time she gave birth to a son who was born with multiple health problems and had to stop working to care for him. He is unable to walk without a leg brace, unable to speak and subsists on a feeding tube. She has a BAin marketing and an MBA. Due to her son’s condition, she decided to go to nursing school and is working toward completing this goal. Depression is even harder during this time of year, especially when caring for your children and an ill parent. Let’s lift this family up with utility assistance, clothing, educational games, books and gift cards.

Case 11- Ms. P. was recently homeless, and now this mother of four, ages 12, 9, 7 and 4, is staying in an apartment with very poor insulation and her gas is currently shut off. She is in need of utility assistance, clothing, household items, books and educational toys. The 12-year-old has a learning disability and would greatly benefit from items that stimulate his potential growth and development.

Case 12 – Ms. Q. is a single, homeless mother of four, ages 10, 6, 5 and 3months, currently living with her mother and three younger

Monroe doesn’t think today’s generation of players truly have an appreciation for his contributions to the game. Looking at grainy footage on the internet or a DVD isn’t quite the same as watching him live and witnessing his impact on the game firsthand. Still, he takes satisfaction in seeing his influence on the NBA.

“Today’s game is my game,” Monroe stated. “It’s about being good and entertaining.”

While the gratification is nice, it’s not the reason for My Story. The timing of the book was designed to help commemorate the 40th anniversary of the New York Knicks’1973 world championship. That title helped Monroe gain his legitimacy as an all-time great.

“I always felt winning was the only thing,” Monroe said. “I didn’t do this to be recognized. I did this for the love of the game.”

siblings working a minimumwage job. The family needs utility assistance, food, clothing, boots, coats, shoes and educational toys.

Case 13 – Ms. R. is an unemployed single parent with one child, age 2. She lives with a friend of her deceased mother. She suffers from chronic depression and bi-polar tendencies while looking for employment and a stable living environment for family. She could use a job opportunity, clothing, food and games for her son.

Case 14 – Ms. S. is a single mother of four, ages 8, 7, 3 and 4 months. She was laid off from a job, but just recently gained new employment and is excited about moving forward. Her children are extremely polite and bright. This family could benefit from clothing, shoes, boots, coats and educational toys.

Case 15 – Ms. O. is a single mother of two, ages 14 and 3. There are many health concerns in this family, and getting medications alone is a big concern. They recently moved into a two- bedroom home and are in need of beds, bedding, refrigerator, household items, clothing, towels and food.

Case 16 – Ms. P. is a single mother of two, ages 10 and 7. She currently is unemployed due to layoffs and is seeking employment. She also would like to start her own business and is working toward that goal. Her family is in need of a washer and dryer, winter coats, clothing, boots, shoes and educational toys.

Please send all donations

Photo

Wiley Price

incumbent on you to try and convince your elected officials at the federal level of the absolute necessity of putting this facility under the control of the federal government.”

Jesse Dixon, a third grader at Highland Elementary School, plays with the fire truck his principal Jeannie Roberts gave him for his valor in saving his uncle’s life during a fire at their home. The boy’s uncle was found asleep while the house was filling with smoke.

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Reiter’s family hopes that the libraries send a message to the children in the neighborhood that many people care about them, said Marty Wofford, Reiter’s sister.

“We wanted you to have these books because you are important to us,” Wofford said. “Great things come in small packages, and that’s what children are. They are so full of wonder and imagination.”

On May 9, 2011, Reiter, 58, was shot and killed in the backyard of his Dutchtown home while trying to call the police to prevent the burglary occurring at his neighborhood’s house next door.

The idea for the bookhouses came just after the fate of Rico Paul, Reiter’s murderer, was finally decided on Sept. 17, 2013. Reiter’s family clung together in the courtroom as Paul was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole.

After they exited the courtroom, Reiter’s sisters and brothers immediately got to work. They talked with Ursula Rudolf, a longtime Dutchtown resident and neighborhood advocate, about doing something for children to keep them out of the path to crime.

The family was saddened that Rico Paul, 20, would spend his life in prison and wanted to reach out to youth.

“I felt so sad for Rico Paul – to be so young,” Wofford said. “The choices we make can affect our whole lives. We always have a choice. Hopefully these books will give children the opportunity to see different choices – to see how important they are. You can be important in a good way or a negative way The choice is yours.”

Rudolf had just read an article about a man who commemorated his mother’s life as a schoolteacher by building a bookhouse. Now, the man’s idea has sprouted in communities worldwide as an official nonprofit named Little Free Libraries. Rudolf thought the

bookhouses would be perfect in Dutchtown because the two closest libraries are not within walking distance for most Dutchtown children.

Dutchtown has about 4,300 kids and a 15,700 population, according to the 2010 Census. Alittle more than 50 percent of the population is AfricanAmerican. “That’s a lot of kids,” Rudolf said. Rudolf contacted Laura Novara, juvenile project grant director for the police department’s first district, which includes Dutchtown. Novara’s job is to help youth to stay in school and stay away from crime. Novara loved the idea of the libraries, especially as someone who gives away

many books to children throughout the year. She contacted Police Capt. Dan Howard, who oversees the first district.

“It’s always worth a chance for the captain,” Novara said. “Whatever the need is, the kids get it. He is never one to say no.” They decided to go one step beyond stocking and maintaining the bookhouses. Police officers will also hand-deliver gift certificates to children who submit book reports in the boxes. The gift certificates were donated by local businesses that want to help in the effort, including Ted Drewes and Merbs Candies. They named the program “Cops Care

Libraries.”

“This gives us a chance to reach out to some kids,” Howard said. “If kids can walk down to the end of their blocks and grab a book, that’s great. It’s about showing that we care and showing we are not going to forget Paul Reiter.”

The program is also about changing the perception of Dutchtown as a “violent place,” he said.

Dutchtown is the city’s most densely populated neighborhood with the most crime, according to police statistics. Howard said he’s aware that the neighborhood has its prob-

lems with crime, but it also has a lot of great residents and thriving businesses.

“I’m not going to sit here and say crime is not a challenge in Dutchtown, but the perception is not in line with reality,” he said. Police Chief Sam Dotson attended the ceremony and said the libraries will help police officers build a stronger relationship with children in the neighborhood.

Christopher Reiter – son of Paul Reiter, longtime circulation manager for The St. Louis American – shows his cousin, Kody Schoene, one of the new bookhouses in his father’s memory that have been established in the Dutchtown neighborhood where Paul Reiter lived and was killed in 2011.

More than anything, the libraries are a great reflection of the person Paul Reiter was, Wofford said. He always loved being around children and would support them in any way he could. Reiter’s son, Christopher, recalled his father helping one African-American neighborhood family with seven children.

“It was hard for them to catch the bus, so he would take them to school and bring them home every day for about five years,” Christopher said. His father even sheltered four of them for a time.

“All the children loved their Uncle Paul because he could be a kid with them,” Wofford said. “He was up for anything. They knew they always had a friend in Paul.”

Photo by Wiley Price

Charles James Shanklin, Sr.

Charles James Shanklin, Sr. 73, formerly of East St. Louis, ILpassed on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 in Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL. Charles was born in Columbus, Mississippi on June 10, 1940 to the union of Ambus and Lizzie Mae Cox Shanklin.

Charles attended Attucks Elementary School and graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School in June of 1959. Charles served his country in the United States Army and was stationed in Alaska. He received many letters of commendation for his outstanding service.

Charles earned an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Lincoln Land Community College and a Bachelor and Master Degree in Business and Public Administration from Sangamon State University in Springfield, Illinois.

Charles’career in government administration ended with his retirement from the State of Illinois on June 28, 2002. Charles was preceded in

death by his parents, a brother Byron Jerome Shanklin; and a half-sister, Carrie Moses. Charles leaves to mourn his passing his devoted wife of 38 years, Edna Ward Shanklin; one daughter, Charlyne Joelle Shanklin of Springfield, IL who lovingly helped care for him during his lengthy illness; one son, Charles James (Chandra) Shanklin, Jr.; one grandson, Gavin Shanklin all of Chandler, AZ; two brothers, Ambus Shanklin (Joyce) of

Edward James Tinch Jr.

Edward “Big Ed” James Tinch Jr. February 20, 1933November 23, 2013 You were a strong, hardworking, dedicated, loving, honest and straight 100 man, you were the best dad anyone could ask for. Dad you will always be in my heart and very much missed. I will love you now and forever R.I.P. my father, my dad, my best friend and my angel. Love Always, Your son “Andrew Tinch”

Charles James Shanklin, Sr. 73, attended Attucks Elementary School and graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School in June of 1959.

Sumiko Merritt

Sumiko Merritt, age 86, mother of Pastor Miki Merritt, New Cote Brilliante Church of God, St. Louis, MO, and a resident of Ferguson, Missouri, passed on Tuesday, November 5, 2013. Mrs. Merritt leaves to mourn and cherish her memory: her children, Jacqueline Leslie, James Merritt, Nettie Merritt, Mary Ann Merritt, Michael Merritt, Reverend Miki Merritt, Tony Merritt, and Matsumi Merritt; a host of other relatives and friends.

East St. Louis, IL and John Shanklin of Springfield, IL; two sisters-in-law, Janet Shanklin of St. Louis, MO and Manila Spiller of Belleville, IL; three brothersin-law, Charles Ward, Elwood (Patricia) Ward and Lionel Ward of St. Louis, MO; several nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. Charles was buried in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with full Military Honors.

Local fixerin the shooting gallery

The St. Louis County police board follies continues.

You’ll recall that St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley has some police commissioner seats to fill in the wake of a subcontractor scandal pushed by his opponent-to-be County Councilman Steve Stenger, D-Affton (who seems to have a Batphone to the newsroom at the PostDispatch third only to Jeff Rainford and Richard Callow), and followed aggressively by the Post.

Dooley couldn’t get two previous appointments – Dave Spence, whom Dooley should never have asked, and the Rev. Freddie J. Clark, who never should have even considered stepping into this shooting gallery – to stick it out long enough for the County Council to confirm (or reject) them. The next ducks to wobble across the shooting gallery are Robert Baer, 76, and T.R. Carr. They would fill vacancies caused by the resignations of Greg Sansone (the subcontractor flap guy) and Floyd Warmann (who got out while the getting was good).

Carr is the director of the master of public administration program at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and a former mayor of Hazelwood (2000 to 2009). He hasn’t been seen in politics since he lost a state rep bid in 2008 (running as a Republican against now state Rep. Margo McNeil, a Democrat) and his reelection bid as mayor in 2009. No one has opened fire on him yet. It’s another story altogether for Baer, a sort of Jack of All Trades in the civic leadership department. He ran Unigroup and is the former CEO and president of Metro, which he ran in the 1970s. He has

served on the boards of the Metropolitan Sewer District Board, the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority, and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The Post editorial board greeted Baer’s appointment with a Bronx cheer. After razzing him as “ol’reliable” for all the stickers on his civic leader luggage, the Post squeezed off a kill shot:

“Back in 2010, when Mr. Baer was running Metro, the transit agency agreed to pay developer Don Musick $5.9 million for his share of a parking garage at the Brentwood Metro station. Metro already had a $14 million share in the building. Now it owns an underused $20 million garage,” the Post editorial board writes.

“Aformer Metro engineer had claimed the deal was a bailout for Mr. Musick, a political supporter of Mr Dooley. Mr. Baer called it a ‘great deal’for Metro. The County Council, which must confirm the nominations, should ask him to explain.”

The EYE is sure the Post’s BFF in Affton, Councilman Stenger, is ready to throw Baer on the grill and flip him a few times. The EYE knows a few people who will enjoy that show. In his most recent civic leader gig, Baer did not keep some commitments he made during the campaign to increase St. Louis County’s transportation tax in 2012. There are a few people who scratched Baer’s back but still have their itches.

Your move, Stenger! You’ll certainly be hearing from veteran Metro hater Tom Sullivan, quoted by The Beacon saying at a public meeting, “Bob Baer has long been one of this area’s leading fixers.”

POLITICAL EYE

Congratulations: Judge Edwards honored at U.S. Supreme Court

United States Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. recently presented St. Louis Circuit Judge JimmieEdwards with the 2013 William H. Rehnquist Award for Edwards’ work founding the Innovative Concept Academy.The award – one of the nation’s highest judicial honors – is presented annually to a state court judge who exemplifies the highest level of judicial excellence, integrity, fairness and professional ethics. The 2013 award honoring Judge Edwards was presented during a ceremony at the United States Supreme Court attended by many of his family members, personal friends and colleagues.

Even if both Carr and Baer survive the Stenger/Post shooting gallery, which the EYE doubts, Dooley would still have another police board vacancy left by Republican member Ray Wagner, another refugee from this troubled

guru John Temporiti, who appears in Post news stories and editorials as a knuckledragging grease ball with a freshly whacked corpse in his trunk. But Dooley is not without some early supporters on the red team.

The Beacon reported that former state House Speaker Steve Tilley, R-Perryville, and prominent St. Louis businessman Doug Albrecht were among the top Republicans who headlined a recent campaign fundraiser in Clayton for Dooley.

Tilley told The Beacon that the Republican fundraiser signals that “a lot of us on the Republican side think Charlie’s done a good job, and … there’s no need to go out and find somebody to run against him.”

So far, the only announced GOP rival is Green Park Alderman Tony Pousosa, who isn’t scaring anybody. He made an unsuccessful bid in 2012 to oust Stenger from the County Council.

The highly respected retired Washington University chancellor Bill Danforth and former McDonnell-Douglas Corp. chief John McDonnell also cohosted a recent fundraising event for Dooley. Billionaire political investor Rex Sinquefield also has been donating to Dooley for years.

advisory body. It’s getting to be like President Barack Obama trying to appoint a federal judge out there.

Charlie’s Republican friends

With his campaign office all but renting space in the Post newsroom, Stenger must like his chances against Dooley and his chief of staff/campaign

“Some of the GOPbusiness support also may signal an acknowledgement that St. Louis County – once a bastion of Republican votes – is now reliably Democratic, because of population shifts over the last 20 years,” The Beacon notes. “Dooley’s success in winning re-election in 2010, amid an otherwise huge Republican wave statewide and nationally, have added to that perception.”

Of course, the Republicans also might want Charlie to stick it out long enough to ensure a bloody and expensive Democratic primary against the Stenger/Post ticket.

Webb punts

State Rep. Steve Webb finally punted, some weeks after being charged with misappropriating a $3,000 donation from Community Loans of America to the Missouri State Legislative Black Caucus for his own use (as well as five misdemeanor charges, all pertaining to mishandling sums of money not worth sullying your political career over). On Monday evening, he issued a statement saying he had resigned from office “effective immediately.”

“I strongly believe that the allegations against me will work themselves out,” Webb stated. “It’s only right and fair that my family, the people and my colleagues not be negatively be impacted by the distractions these legal challenges present.”

Note to Webb: Criminal charges do not “work themselves out.” Lawyers work them out. Lawyer, juries and judges. Good luck.

Payback for Wessels

Mayor Francis G. Slay must be really grateful that Alderman Fred Wessels did not split the white vote by running against him for mayor last year, as Wessels reportedly threatened to do when Slay was dallying before making an endorsement in the crowded treasurer’s race that Tishaura O. Jones eventually won, with no direct help from Slay On Tuesday Slay appointed Wessels director of the City’s Community Development Administration, replacing Jill Claybour, who retired. Wessels has represented the 13th Ward as alderman for 28 years. He is also Mr Gloria Wessels, the Zoo-Museum District Cassandra who ran decorated Missouri History Museum president Bob Archibald out of St. Louis with the help of the Post

Photo courtesy of the National Center for State Courts

Judge Shaw publishes memoir

Bill Clay calls it ‘an easy read, but seriously provocative’

American staff

Federal Judge Charles A. Shaw has just published his judicial memoirs, Watch Everything: AJudicial Memoir with a Point of View Shaw, a United States district judge for the Eastern District of Missouri, grew up in a segregated AfricanAmerican neighborhood in St. Louis. His tight-knit community supported him, and he worked his way up to federal prosecutor and state judge before he was appointed to the federal bench.

Shaw quickly became dismayed by the inequality and severity of mandatory U.S. sentencing guidelines and how they affected young African-

American men. He sought to impose fair sentences and never wavered in seeking to promote equality and curb the destruction of African-American families.

This insightful and at times humorous narrative demonstrates Shaw’s love for family, hard work and God. Including an insider’s view of an often unjust legal system and tales of working alongside some of the best legal minds in the country, Watch Everything offers a rare glimpse into the professional life of an unconventional federal judge.

“

Watch Everything reflects a respected jurist’s great enthusiasm for protecting the rights, privileges and obligations of citizens accused of crimes

while preserving the fundamental precept of the American system of justice: those guilty must be adequately punished,” said former Congressman Bill Clay.

Watch Everything is an easy read but a seriously provocative, insightful introspective review of the judicial system. I recommend it to those concerned about fairness, justice and equity in our judicial system.”

Edward L. Dowd Jr., lawyer and former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, said the book is a “fascinating, funny inside look at our justice system and an indictment of the process that can deprive people of their right to trial, where non-vio-

lent offenders are sentenced too harshly and where prosecutors have more power than presidentially-appointed judges.”

Ronnie L. White, retired judge for the Supreme Court of Missouri and recent appointee to the federal bench, said, “Watch Everything is a true story about the struggle to succeed. Shaw paved his own way, through determination, perseverance and a relentless desire to survive. This is a must read.”

The book is available online at: iUniverse.com, Amazon.com, and BarnesandNoble.com.

Federal Judge Charles A. Shaw with his new book

Everything: AJudicial Memoir with a Point of View”

Photo by Erica M. Brooks

Alderman Sam Moore provided 280 Thanksgiving meals to citizens from Homer G. Phillips, James Home, Gillispe House and The Greater Ville on Saturday, Nov. 23.

BUSINESS

Local MBE advocate leaves national group

STLMinority Supplier Diversity Council partners with Chicago affiliate on grant

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

The St. Louis Minority Supplier Diversity Council recently “stepped away” from its national affiliate because of a difference in how they serve minority business enterprises (MBEs), said James Webb, president and CEO of the council.

“The national affiliation wants to focus on larger MBEs who have a national and international scope,” he said, “and our focus is on local and regional MBEs.” The national organization –the National Minority Supplier

PEOPLEON THE MOVE

Development Council – provided about 10 percent of the local council’s $1 million budget, and the rest was covered by local corporations, he said. Now these local corporations will fund the council completely St. Louis’40-year-old council provides financial support, and training and education for its corporate members and MBEs.

“We will continue without

the national affiliation because we are a St. Louisbased and St. Louis-focused organization,” he said.

Despite this, the council recently made a move to push its members towards national opportunities.

On Nov. 26, Webb announced that the council is now working with the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council (CMSDC) to help local MBEs

compete on a “global scale.”

The Chicago council received a $900,000 grant to operate a federal business center at the St. Louis Minority Supplier Diversity Council for three years. The federal Minority Business Development Agency’s business center will assist minority entrepreneurs and business owners with consulting services, contract and financing opportunities, bonding services, building business-to-business alliances and executive training. St. Louis was one of six

See GRANT, B6

Pagedale bank celebrates anniversary

On Nov. 19, Midwest BankCentre celebrated the one-year anniversary of its new Pagedale bank. Residents Earline

Plain

with Sheila Williams, a member of the Normandy School District Board and the 24:1 Community Council.

Midwest Bank Centre completes first year in underserved community

By Bridjes O’Neil

Of The St. Louis American

Pagedale residents recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of the city’s first-ever fullservice bank, Midwest Bank Centre. The bank, located at the Rosie Shields Manor Senior Living Facility at 6810 Page Ave., saw nearly $6 million in deposits and approximately $2.5 million in loans, surpassing its one-year benchmark.

“Over the years, the banking industry has erroneously made the conclusion that there wasn’t a profit to be made in lowincome and minority communities,” Chris Krehmeyer, president and CEO of Beyond Housing, said last year at the bank’s

“The banking industry has erroneously made the conclusion that there wasn’t a profit to be made in low-income and minority communities.”

– Chris Krehmeyer, Beyond Housing

unveiling. The bank serves businesses and residents in a previously unbanked and underserved area, where previously the only financial options in the community for most residents were payday loans and check-cashing facilities. Banking officials developed financial services tailored to meet neighborhood needs, advised by community partners

such as Beyond Housing, Better Family Life, Habitat for Humanity, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Justine Petersen, Mount Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, the City of Pagedale, the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing Opportunity Council and the Metro St. Louis Coalition for Inclusion and Equity. Midwest Bank Centre (MBC)

Vice President of Business Banking John Shivers said he has reached out to more than 100 businesses, churches and non-profit organizations. Approximately 70 percent of the outreach has been to minorityor women-owned enterprises, Shivers said. The Pagedale branch offers affordable home improvement loans to improve and stabilize low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. This year, it has closed 70 home improvement loans. Other services include Confidence Checking, a low-cost checking account; low-interest loans to support homeownership

See PAGEDALE, B2

Alexis Moore

Alexis Moore recently was recognized with an Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award. She is a Special School District countywide teacher of the visually impaired who works at Rose Acres Elementary School in the Pattonville School District. The Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award is given through one of the St. Louis area’s most prestigious teacher recognition programs.

Rance Thomas was presented with the 2013 Paul F. Detrick Legacy Leadership Award by Christian Hospital Foundation. Thomas is president and cofounder of North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice (NCCU). He has organized health fairs and a youth task force and served on the North County Incorporated Board and the North County Healthcare Task Force, among others.

Brenda Youngblood has achieved Master Certification in the Missouri School Boards’ Association certified board member program. She is treasurer of the Hazelwood School District Board of Education. The program helps local school board members master the knowledge and skills they need to function as effective educational leaders in their communities. She served as a principal in the district for 22 years

Punit K. Jain has been named to the 2013 class of LEED Fellows by the U.S. Green Building Council. Jain is vice president at Cannon Design. The LEED Fellow Program recognizes exceptional contributions to sustainable design and significant professional achievement. Jain is associated with 24 LEED-registered and -certified projects around the country, including both renovation and new construction.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

U.S. Bank gives $70K to International Institute lending program

Last week U.S. Bank announced today a $70,000 contribution to the International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis to help expand its small business lending activities to immigrants and refugees in the St. Louis area.

U.S. Bank’s contribution of $70,000 will support the International Institute Community Development Corporation (IICDC), a subsidiary of the International Institute, which makes micro-enterprise loans of up to $35,000 to low- and moderate-income foreign born Americans, immigrants and refugees for existing and start-up businesses.

To date, the IICDC has financed or supported 516 businesses, retained and created 730 jobs, and, according to the Regional Chamber and Growth Association, generated more than $130 million in economic impact for the St. Louis region.

Obamacare saved MO consumers $178M on prescription drugs

Seniors and people with disabilities with Medicare prescription drug plan coverage saved $8.9 billion to date on their prescription drugs thanks to the Affordable Care Act, according to new data released last week by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

In Missouri, 70,088 seniors and people with disabilities saved $54,618,523, or an average of $779 per beneficiary, during the first 10 months of 2013. Seniors in Missouri have saved $178,072,556 since passage of the Affordable Care Act.

These seniors will be free to use more of their Social Security benefit cost of living adjustment on what they choose because the Medicare Part B premium will not increase in 2014, thanks to the health care law’s successful efforts to keep cost growth low.

Emerson donates $100K to American Red Cross fortyphoon relief

In response to the typhoon that claimed tens of thousands of lives in the Philippines, Emerson has donated $100,000 to the American Red Cross.

“The Philippines is home to thousands of Emerson employees, and our thoughts are with their fellow citizens affected by Typhoon Haiyan,” said Patrick J. Sly, Emerson executive vice president. So far, the American Red Cross has committed a total of $11 million to the response for Typhoon Haiyan. To donate, call 1-800-733-2767 or mail donations to the American Red Cross, 10195 Corporate Square Drive, 63132.

Rance Thomas

Brenda Youngblood

Punit K. Jain

Stewart and Judy

chatted

James Webb Sheila Morgan

Watch out forpotholes in yourcarinsurance

By Jason Alderman

Would you be surprised to learn that if your laptop gets stolen during a car break-in, your automobile insurance probably won’t reimburse you for the loss? Don’t be.

Many people have only a vague idea of things like: what their car insurance does and doesn’t cover; how they might accidentally void their coverage; or that even if an accident isn’t their fault, their own insurance may not pay for damages if they don’t have the right kind of coverage. Common car insurance exclusions include: Named driver exclusion. This is an agreement between you and your insurance company to exclude a specific person from coverage for liability or physical damage caused when driving a car you insure. You might choose it if, for example, the insurer is threatening to cancel your policy because a family member has an unsafe driving record or a suspended license. Such drivers should never be allowed to drive cars from which they’ve been excluded; it’s the same as driving uninsured and you both could be held personally liable for any damages. Interestingly, some policies will cover friends and/or family members when they drive your car, provided they don’t live in your household. Coverage levels in such situations may be less, so check your policy carefully for details.

City employees

honor JoAnn

Williams

JoAnn Williams, longtime business representative for the Carpenters’Union, was honored Friday, November 22 by the St. Louis Board of Aldermen.For more than 20 years Williams had been a fixture at City Hall representing building inspectors, nurses, corrections officers, parks and forestry employees and many other city workers. Surrounded by Carpenters’ Union officials, Williams accepted a resolution honoring her for her long career negotiating on behalf of city employees. Back row:Kevin Byrne, Dan Neiswander, Brian Doerr, Keith Taylor. Front row:Jeff Haantz, JoAnn Williams, Alderwoman Sharon Tyus, Scott Byrne.

GRANT

PERSONAL FINANCE

Car rental insurance. Car rental agencies offer their own collision, liability, theft and other insurance coverage. Conventional wisdom says you should avoid buying it if your own insurance –

your car that are not permanently installed (like built-in sound systems). These

might include cellphones, computers, wallets, luggage, etc. However, homeowners or renters insurance generally covers your personal property, no matter from where it’s stolen.

Business use restrictions. You must maintain a business car insurance policy if you use your personal vehicle for business purposes, whether you deliver pizzas part-time, participate in a ride-sharing service (like Lyft or Sidecar), or even run business errands for your boss. Otherwise, you may not be covered in an accident or theft and may even void your coverage. Ask whether your employer’s policy covers you;

if not, add business use to your own policy or use a company car. Other coverage shortfalls to watch out for:

• If your car is stolen or damaged, most insurers cap payments for a loaner car

Continued from B1 cities selected to receive the federal grant, and Webb said that money will be spent in St. Louis, though the money is funneled through the Chicago council. Webb said the federal program will give local MBEs the support they need to land national opportunities.

“Our goals are to create and retain jobs and award contracts to St. Louis-based minority businesses.”

The council chose Chicago as a partner because they have been successful in working with the federal government, he said.

–

Sheila Morgan, Chicago Minority Supplier Diversity Council

“Partnering with the Chicago MSDC helps us to grow the reach of MBEs in St. Louis faster and create more jobs to help our region prosper, while expanding various programs,” Webb said. “By helping our MBEs we also address the issue of employment. Our collective MBEs

currently hire 10,000 people.” Chicago’s council is also headed by St. Louis-native Sheila Morgan, who is sensitive to the local MBE marketplace, Webb said.

“Our goals with this grant are to create and retain jobs and award contracts to St. Louisbased minority businesses,” said Morgan, president and CEO of Chicago MSDC.

Minority Business Development Agency is the only federal agency created specifically to foster full participation of MBEs in the national economy, said David A. Hinson, national director of the agency

“This new center in St. Louis will expand the number of front-line business experts we have providing strategic consulting services to minority-owned businesses to help grow both the local and the U.S. economy,” Hinson said.

Regarding the council’s new independence from the national affiliate, Webb insists that 98 percent of the St. Louis council’s members will not be

affected because “they are MBEs doing local and regional work.” For those who are doing national work, they may align with the national affiliate through the Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council in Indianapolis. The national council links 3,500 corporate members and 16,000 MBEs nationwide.

Webb said the council is still aiming to reach its Billion Dollar Impact goal, a program which connects MBEs to corporations in St. Louis to generate more than a billion dollars in additional MBE spending by July 2014. He believes the new federal business center will help them do that. He said, “Those are federal dollars that will help support the growth of our minority businesses.”

“This is pretty sweet.”

– Missouri quarterback James Franklin, after the Tigers defeated Texas A&M to win the SEC East title and advance to Saturday’s SEC Championship Game

Devon defends title

By Earl Austin Jr.

Of The St. Louis American

St. Louisan Devon Alexander will defend his International Boxing Federation Welterweight title against undefeated Shawn Porter on Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

The 12-round championship bout will be featured live on Showtime’s Championship Boxing, beginning at 8 p.m. Central time. It will be a co-feature along with another welterweight bout pitting Zab Judah against Paul Malignaggi in a battle of Brooklyn natives. Alexander (25-1, 14 knockouts) will be

The 12-round championship bout will be featured live on Showtime’s Championship Boxing, beginning at 8 p.m. Central time.

making his second title defense. He defeated Lee Purdy on May 18 in Atlantic City in his first defense. Alexander won the championship in Brooklyn on Oct. 20, 2012 when he defeated veteran Randall Bailey. Porter comes into Saturday’s fight with a

Prep hoops season underway

with Maryville.

Sean Clancey (Cardinal Ritter): Strong 6’3” swingman with a dangerous midrange game.

Arlando Cook (Madison Prep): Strong 6’8” senior who will lead Bears’bid for another state title.

Armon Fletcher (Edwardsville): Senior 6’6” forward who has signed with Southern Illinois.

Donovan Franklin (O’Fallon): Junior 6’6” forward who led Panthers to regional title as a sophomore.

Gerard Fuller (Normandy): Strong 6’0”

guard who returns to lead Class 4 state runners-up.

Austin Gillmann (Oakville): Senior 6’11” center who has signed with Saint Louis University.

Chaz Glotta (Fort Zumwalt North): The area’s leading scorer in 2013. Signed with Southern Illinois.

Jordan Goodwin (Althoff): Talented 6’2” freshman who is already making an impact this season.

Brandon Hollins (Jennings): Talented 6’5” wing player who averaged 18 points as a junior

record of 22-0-1 with 14 knockouts. He is trained by his father, Kenny Porter. Alexander and Porter actually fought once before as amateurs, with Alexander winning that fight.

Alexander s manager and trainer Kevin Cunningham foresees a similar outcome as Devon continues to make his way at 147 pounds.

“Shawn Porter is a good, tough, young, strong fighter,” he said. “But Shawn Porter is going to find out that’s he’s way out of his league. And that they bit off more than they could chew. That’s going to be crystal clear on Dec. 7.”

IN THE CLUTCH

With Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Brawl in Brooklyn

As IBF Welterweight Champion Devon Alexander “The Great” (25-1, 14KO) puts on the finishing touches of preparation for his bout, his trainer Kevin Cunningham looks on with a watchful eye. The stereo blares bass-heavy music from Rick Ross, and the

Beaded perspiration clings

to

“His skills are limited, and you can’t beat me with limited skills.”

– Devon Alexander

brow until a flurry of punches to his trainer’s mitts sends them flying. With each punch, the champ releases a familiar grunt. The speed, quickness and precision are all present and in championship form. Still, the champ seems a bit on edge. He’s more than ready to put training camp to bed and get into the ring and hit somebody That opponent, Shawn Porter of Akron, Ohio, isn’t the man Alexander and most fans expected to see standing across the ring in his next bout. His next opponent was supposed to be a British import. Both Kell Brook and Amir Khan danced with Alexander at the negotiating table, but neither showed up to the prom. The Brook bout fell through due to a series of pre-fight injuries. The Khan bout? The self-proclaimed “King” and his court management team decided to bypass Alexander in hopes of landing a lucrative bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. “We were ready. We were in camp,” Alexander told The American regarding the

See CLUTCH, B4

Photo by Wiley Price

Earl Austin Jr.

CBC’s Jordan Barnett and Chaminade’s Jayson Tatum return as two of the top players in the St. Louis metro area. Barnett has signed with Texas while Tatum is ranked as one of the nation’s top players.

St. Louisan Devon Alexander will defend his International Boxing Federation Welterweight title against undefeated Shawn Porter on Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Not long ago I wrote that I thought Missouri would be improved from last season and that they would have more than a solid year. You know, the usual 8- or 9-win season, a pat-on-the-head bowl game and all would be good in Columbia. Never did I imagine it would come down to this weekend with the Tigers in the SEC championship game. Then again, why not? Gary Pinkel told me that if he could keep his offensive line healthy the Tigers would be really good. He knew what he was talking about, as the other components were there in a big, physical group of receivers, a quick running game and a veteran quarterback (with another good QB in Matty Mauck waiting in the wings). The key for this team has also been the defense that has shown up every Saturday, forced a turnover and carried out the game plan. Good things happen to teams that do that.

I have no idea what to expect on Saturday when the Tigers play Auburn. After all, Alabama was scheduled to provide the opposition. Auburn,

CLUTCH

Continued from B3

now-defunct matchup against Amir Khan. “There are a lot of rumors around where he might be fighting Floyd and [Khan] said ‘forget it’I’m too much of a risk.” So instead, Alexander will face Porter on Showtime

M-I-Z-Z-O-U, y’all

like Missouri, deserves to be there, though many in the nation have yet to take Mizzou seriously. The excuses keep coming in like those on election night in November, and yet most of their games, even on the road, have not been close. You can wager something valuable that if the Tigers beat Auburn, someone will stand up and say they are still not deserving to play for the national championship. Let me get this straight. You play in the best conference in the country, you beat the team that beat the reigning national champions and some joker will tell you Ohio State, if they go undefeated, should be deserving to play in the championship game? Sorry, Buckeye fans, not this year

I hope Missouri does not give their best impression of Notre Dame in this year’s championship game and bow to a blowout shortly after the national anthem. Avoid the embarrassment on the national stage, at all costs.

NFL: flat-out bad

Is the pro level of football this year a bit watered down? Running games are non-existent due to everyone being pass-happy. I guess if I were coaching and saw how poorly

Championship Boxing in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Though he may not be a household name, Porter is certainly no slouch. The young, undefeated fighter is 22-0-1 (14 KO) and is ready for his first world title shot.

“I’m going to do whatever it takes to win this fight,” Porter told the media on a recent conference call. “If that’s making him quit, if that’s

teams tackle and cover these days, I would throw as soon as we got off the bus. The NFL is no longer a game that is the best of the best. It is a sport that is living on reputation and nothing else. It is living off the names of

making him sit down and not get up, if that’s knocking him down and him not getting up, if that’s taking this fight 12 rounds and winning the decision, I’m prepared.”

Porter may not be prepared for the bright lights and the jump in competition level that the champion represents. Porter’s only world-class opponent to date was Julio “Kidd” Diaz, whom he defeated via

yesteryear as we try and sift through the Romos, Cutlers, and RGIIIs, bad running games and worse coaches. Everyone has an excuse on why they are just flat-out bad. More excuses than results these days.

That’s just on the field. The

decision in September and dueled to a draw in December 2012. On the other hand, Alexander’s recent resume is like a Who’s Who of the 140 lb. and 147 lb. divisions with victories over Marcos Maidana, Randall Bailey, Lucas Matthysse and Junior Witter. His sole loss was to the undefeated Timothy Bradley Jr., whose name is etched on everybody’s pound-for-pound

off-field antics are even more scary. Thank goodness for the college game. Maybe they are not as physically polished, but it is a more entertaining game these days that offers more emotion.

Bark and bite

On the subject of emotion, the bark does not match up to the bite with these St. Louis Rams. Alot of huffing and puffing takes place each week with inconsistent results.

The 49er game last week was classic, as they wanted to put on a pre-game show of jawing then failed to back it up when the whistle blew. A common practice these days, followed by dumb penalties, dropped passes (six on Sunday) and poor pass coverage and tackling.

Lack of discipline and selfishness normally do the Rams in these days when they lose. Perhaps some time on the sidelines or in street clothes on a Sunday would send a message. It is time for this young team to grow up and grow up quickly.

Winter shopping

You knew after the Cardinals’ offense collapsed in the World Series, things would

list. Alexander intends to add his name to that vaunted list in the near future, but knows he must first dispatch the nemesis he’s known since childhood. Alexander and Porter squared off as nine-year-old amateurs long ago at a state fair boxing tournament. That state fair is a far cry from the bright lights of the Barclays Center. While plenty of time has passed, the results of yesteryear’s fight may have given the normally reserved champion a boost of confidence going into the bout.

“I beat him,” Alexander said. “Nothing is going to change December 7th. His skills are limited, and you can’t beat me with limited skills.”

Bika packs punch on undercard

change in St. Louis. General Manager John Mozeliak wasted little time as he went out and got a centerfielder in PeterBorjous and a shortstop in Jhonny Peralta The Cardinals did not have to give up any of its prizes when it came to pitching to make these moves, which is remarkable. It also means that competition for spots after Adam Wainwright and Michael Wacha will be quite heated.

The other challenge at the upcoming winter meetings will be shopping for bench components. St. Louis was dreadful in that area most of the season. It almost did them in late in the year. Finding guys who will not cost a lot and still have skills is not as easy as one may think. Playing time could be limited and you still have to stay sharp when called upon, and it does not hurt to be a character guy as well as play multiple positions. If the season started tomorrow, the Cardinals would be favored to win the division, if not the league, as none of the other teams have done much so far to improve themselves. There is time, but I am not sure if there are enough quality players to go around. St. Louis will needs to find their people soon and let everyone else scramble for scraps.

Versus Dirrell, Bika finds himself matched up with a similar power-punching opponent in a bout sure to be a fan-friendly affair. Dirrell is a fighter who was groomed to be a champion, but like Porter, has yet to prove his mettle against toplevel competition. Bika is confident he can handle whatever Dirrell brings.

“I’ve been in there with the best fighters in the world,” Bika said. “I’ve fought Joe Calzage, I fought [Lucean] Bute, I fought Andre Ward. He’s never been 12 rounds. He’s coming to take my belt. It’ll never happen.”

Tune in to Showtime Championship Boxing, Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. to view all the fights, headlined by Zab Judah vs Paulie Malignaggi and featuring Alexander vs Porter, Bika vs Dirrell and Erislandy Lara vs Austin Trout. Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @IshmaelSistrunk and on Google+. Tune in to his weekly boxing show In the Clench and fight-related videos at www.youtube.com/stlameri-

Also on the card is Cunningham’s other worldchampion charge, Sakio Bika. The 34-year-old Bika is a Cameroon-born Australian national who has traveled all around the world throughout his boxing career, but now trains in St. Louis under Cunningham’s tutelage. Bika doesn’t have the style typically associated with Cunninghamtrained fighters. He’s not as fast as Alexander or as slick as former undisputed champion Cory Spinks, but Bika can crack and loves to come forward in the ring. In the gym, it’s impossible to ignore the dense, thudding punches Bika lands with every shot. The gym walls rattle and the heavy bag whimpers at the focused assault by the determined champion. The former “Contender” champion now holds a legitimate strap as the WBC super-middleweight champion, which he won via majority decision in his last bout versus undefeated Marco Antonio Periban. He will defend that belt Saturday versus Anthony Dirrell (26-0, 22 KO).

Mike Claiborne

University of Missouri Head Coach Gary Pinkel

RAMS ROUNDUP

With Palmer L. Alexander III

The otherRams

So the St. Louis Rams’other personality showed up in the 23-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday

You know who and what I’m referring to. The other personality of the St. Louis Rams that plays undisciplined football. The Rams got flagged for 11 penalties for 105 yards. Then, you have the dropped passes that killed drives. And no, I was not surprised that tight end Jared Cook dropped two passes.

What’s going on with Chris Givens? I’m really surprised with him having a case of the drops. One thing for sure, I bet that ink pen used to sign those generous contracts was not dropped.

third and long conversions and ended up spending a lot of time on the football field.

The Rams secondary is up and down. Trumaine Johnson let 49ers wideout Michael Crabtree get past him for a 60 yard gain. But I think Johnson is coming along well and is going to be a solid player for years to come.

Janoris Jenkins hasn’t made as many big plays this year as he did his rookie season. He got hurdled by Vernon Davis as he put the icing on the cake for a 49ers victory. It’s hard to imagine him not leading the leagues in interceptions. Why?

That Rams pass rush is the real deal.

This shouldn’t be happening. There is no excuse for it. The calendar is now on the month on December, and this is the seventh loss of the season. The Rams should be 8-4. Nevertheless, in this game against the 49ers, the Rams got behind and were forced to throw the football. And Kellen Clemens threw the ball a lot. Where the ball landed, nobody knows.

He got great protection from a makeshift offensive line. But, the great touch he showed off against the Indianapolis Colts eluded him like a politician running from Elliot Davis on Fox 2. In his defense, the Rams dropped a total of six passes. Again, you have to do better than that. This game was still one to be won.

The Rams still ran the ball well, gaining a respectable 4.4 yards per carry. It didn’t really look impressive, and the 49ers weren’t budging at all at the line of scrimmage.

The defense gave up a couple of

PREP

Continued from B3

Cornell Johnston (Ladue): The 5’7” senior is one of the top point guards in the state of Missouri.

Rashad Lindsey (McCluerNorth): Senior guard who led Stars to the Class 5 state quarterfinals.

Darreon Reddick (Belleville East): Strong 6’3” guard who returns for his senior year

C.J. Rivers (Cahokia): Talented 6’3” senior point guard who has signed with Drake.

Josh Robinson (St. Mary’s): High-scoring 6’3”

The Rams sacked Colin Kaepernick four times, hit him hard and blitzed the dual-threat quarterback. Rookie Alec Ogletree led the team in tackles and forced a fumble on Frank Gore with the 49ers knocking on the doorstep for a score.

The front four allows the Rams to rush four and drop seven in coverage. It shows the faith that Jeff Fisher has in them to get to the quarterback. However, the drawback is if there is no pressure on the opposing quarterback, you leave yourself vulnerable to giving up a crucial third down or touchdown.

I like the fake punt idea. I would rather see it on fourth down and 1 instead of fourth and eight. It probably wouldn’t have mattered anyway.

The Rams hit them up for two trick plays last year They were ready for anything the Rams may have tried. As Al Sharpton says on his show, “Nice try, but I got ya!”

So which Rams personality will we see this weekend? Your guess is as good as mine.

senior guard who has signed with Austin Peay

Shawn Roundtree (Edwardsville): Excellent senior point guard who guided Tigers to third-place finish in state tournament.

Ronnie Suggs (Washington): Smooth 6’6” senior guard who has committed to Mizzou.

Jayson Tatum (Chaminade): The 6’7” sophomore has already emerged as one of the nation’s top players.

Robin Thompson (MICDS): Athletic 6’6” combo forward who has signed with Missouri State.

Jeremiah Tillman (East St. Louis): Talented 6’9” freshman who will be one to

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

McCluer North wins Borgia Tournament

The McCluer North Stars won the Blue Division Championship of the St. Francis Borgia Thanksgiving Tournament last weekend in Washington, Mo. McCluer North defeated Cardinal Ritter 72-70 in overtime to win the title.mThe team members are (in alphabetical order): Harry Ballard, Jordan Boone, Caleb Clemons, Brandon Dunlap, Dominick Erby, Dorian Holland, Jerimiah Jackson, Rashad Lindsey, Zeke Moore, DeMonte Morris, B.J. Myles, Demarco Owens, Elijah Patterson, Garion Washington. McCluer North is coached by Trevor Laney.

watch for the future.

Patrick Triplett (Bayless): Strong 6’3” senior guard who has signed with Brown.

Preston Whitfield (Fort Zumwalt South): Talented 6’1” junior guard who averaged 20 points last season.

Teams to Watch

Missouri

Class 5: Chaminade, McCluer North, CBC, Webster Groves, Ladue, Kirkwood, Fort Zumwalt North, Fort Zumwalt South, Hazelwood Central, SLUH, Lafayette

Class 4: Normandy Duchesne, St. Charles, Bayless, Jennings, Gateway STEM, Borgia, Miller Career Academy, Festus, Pacific, Soldan, MICDS, Lutheran

Prep Athletes of the Week

Rashad Lindsey

McCluer North – Boys Basketball

The 5’11” senior guard was the Most Valuable Player of the St. Francis Borgia Thanksgiving Tournament last week.

Lindsey averaged 25 points a game in leading the Stars to the Blue Division Championship. He scored 24 points in the Stars’72-70 victory over Cardinal Ritter in the championship game, including the game-winning four-point play with 20 seconds left in the overtime period.

Lindsey also scored 24 points in the Stars’first round victory over Rockwood Summit and 26 points in North’s victory over Carnahan in the semifinals.

As a junior, Lindsey averaged 21 points a game to lead the Stars to a berth in the Missouri Class 5 state quarterfinals. He was an AllState selection as a junior.

Armon Fletcher

Edwardsville – Boys Basketball

The 6’5” senior forward enjoyed an excellent week in leading the Tigers to the championship of the Waterloo Tournament.

In four games, Fletcher averaged 21 points, 14 rebounds and 4.2 steals. His best performance came against Gateway STEM where he had 30 points and 17 rebounds in the Tigers’82-69 victory.

Fletcher also had 22 points and 15 rebounds in a 67-37 victory over Mater Dei and 19 points, 16 rebounds and four steals in a 60-36 victory over Highland.

As a junior, Fletcher averaged 10 points in helping the Tigers to a third-place finish in the IHSAClass 4Astate tournament. He signed with Southern Illinois.

South

Class 3: Cardinal Ritter, Madison Prep, Whitfield, Maplewood, Lutheran North, Lutheran (St. Charles), North

Tech, Carnahan, Northwest Academy, Lift for Life Illinois Edwardsville, Cahokia, Alton, East St. Louis, Belleville East, Althoff, Carlyle, Nashville, Breese Central, Madison

Palmer L. Alexander

Financial Focus

By Courtney D. Bonds

Plan your total 2013 RRSP contribution and project your 2014 monthly RRSP payments.

can also talk to you about whether it may be beneficial to sell any non-registered investments before year-end to realize capital gains or losses.

Urban League receives $55K from Bank of

America

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. recently received a $55,000 donation from Bank of America for housing counseling and general operating support. “We are thankful for our ongoing partnership and increased support from Bank of America,” said Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. The Urban League is certified by the Better Business Bureau and a proud member of the United Way.

by working in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity and the Northside Community Housing; and financial empowerment through financial literacy workshops.

MBC Community Development Officer David Noble, who chairs the Metropolitan St. Louis Community Reinvestment Act Association, has conducted approximately 40 financial literacy workshops this year on topics like budgeting, credit management and home ownership. These workshops were held at MBC branches and other locations throughout the community.

Bad habits, generational mistrust of banks and a lack of understanding of how banks work are some reasons why people have fallen into financial traps, Shivers said.

“No matter what level of

income, people are vulnerable to making bad financial decisions,” Noble said. “The only difference with those at lowerlevel incomes is that they have a margin of error that’s slim to none.”

MBC Senior Vice President and Director of Community Development Alex Fennoy cochairs the St. Louis Regional Unbanked Task Force and its “Bank On Save Up” initiative launched in February 2013 with a goal of engaging 20,000 households in mainstream banking over the next two years.

“Outreach has been extremely important to us,” said Jim Watson, president and CEO of MBC. “Our staff has been highly engaged in supporting efforts to improve the lives of our customers. The healthier our neighborhoods are, the more successful we’ll be as a bank.”

Shivers chairs the MBC 24:1 Community Council. The council is comprised of local government officials,

clergy, bank staff and business representatives dedicated to advancing Beyond Housing’s mission of stabilizing and improving neighborhoods. The initiatives name, 24:1, refers to the 24 municipalities that send students to the Normandy School District; Pagedale is one of those municipalities.

“Midwest BankCentre developed the most thoughtful approach in setting up the bank to succeed,” Krehmeyer said.

“This is an important step towards assuring a brighter economic future for Pagedale and the 24:1 community.” Since 2001, MBC - which is headquartered in Lemay and operates five other area banking facilities in Clayton, WingHaven, Fenton, Oakville and Arnold – has consistently achieved the Bauer Financial 5-Star Superior financial rating, the highest ranking for strength and stability awarded by Bauer Financial.

Elba does justice to Mandela

Walk to Freedom.”

British actor nails performance of iconic South African leader in new film

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” doesn’t open in theatres nationwide until Christmas, but St. Louis audiences were afforded a sneak preview of what will most certainly be a defining moment in the career of actor Idris Elba last week, thanks to the St. Louis International Film Festival, produced by Cinema St. Louis. A towering figure, Elba couldn’t look any less like Mandela and they share absolutely nothing in common physically. At first sight, the film and television star would not make the short list to portray the iconic man credited with moving South Africa beyond Apartheid’s painful shadows. But in Justin Chadwick’s film –based on Mandela’s autobiography of the same title – Elba audaciously rises to the occasion. His Mandela will stand alongside Daniel Day Lewis’ Lincoln, Denzel Washington’s Malcolm X and Jamie Foxx’s Ray Charles.

Elba is charged with capturing half a century of Mandela’s life in the epic “Long Walk to Freedom.” He must convey his early days as a successful South African lawyer, his introduction to the civil rights/political party African National Congress, the 27 years he spent behind bars as

Starks style Starks style

By Danie Rae, Stylebroker

G. Randolph

Dana Reed, Bettye Reed. Stacy Reed Mevs and bride-to-be Michelle K. Reed

Photo by Dana Grace

Idris Elba stars in Justin Chadwick’s film “Mandela:

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.

holiday haps

Thurs., Dec. 5, 7 p.m., Stray Dog Theater presents The Butterfingers Angel, Mary and Joseph, Herod the Nut and The Slaughter of 12 Hit Carols in APearTree. 2348 Tennessee Ave., 63104. Call (314) 865-1995 or visit www.straydogtheatre.org, for more information.

Thurs., Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m., The FoxTheater presents AChristmas Carol. 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Fri., Dec. 6, 7 p.m., Dimensions Dance Center Presents the Nutcracker In its 13th season, Dimensions Dance Center enthusiastically announces their latest production of The Nutcracker edited to present a complete story in a time format suitable for all ages. Clayton High School Auditorium, #1 Mark Twain Circle, 63105. For more information, call (314) 432-5581.

Sat., Dec. 7, 9 a.m., TowerGrove Park host Ugly SweaterRun. A5K and Kids Reindeer Shuffle, which will benefit Living Well Foundation, a non-profit organization with the mission to create healthier individuals and families though experiential learning across the life cycle. 4256 Magnolia Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.LivingWellVillage.org.

Sat., Dec. 7, 10 a.m., St. Louis Community College presents Holiday Party 2013. Open to the community and its children. Join us for a happy start to the holiday season! Food, games, crafts, and free photos with Santa Claus. Entry fee: One canned food item to be donated to local food pantries. Florissant Valley Campus, 3400 Pershall Rd., 63135.

Sat., Dec. 7, 6 p.m., FourSeasons Hotel hosts Arthritis Foundation Silver Ball. The Silver Ball is one of the most elegant black-tie galas in St. Louis and the largest annual fundraising event for the local Arthritis Foundation. Guests enjoy fine dining, exciting silent and live auctions, energized music and generous dance time. 999 N. Second St., 63160. For more information, call (314) 9919333 or visit www.AFSilverballSTL.org.

Sat., Dec. 7, 5:30 p.m., Walnut Park Church presents A Night of Elegance. Dinner & Theater event feat. Angie G, “The Everything Skit,” WP Praise Dancers, and Singers & Drama Team. Four Seas Banquet Center, 1901 Serbian, 63103. For more information, call (314) 3828075.

Sat., Dec. 7, 7 p.m., Platinum Group presents Networking Christmas Party with special guest DJ Kut from Old School 95.5. 1413 N. 20th St., 63106. For more information or to RSVP, call (314) 660-9610.

Sun., Dec. 8, 5 p.m., The Peabody Opera House presents Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker. 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www.peabodyoperahouse.com.

Sat., Dec. 8, 8 p.m. doors, Le Syndicate presents A Holiday Jubilee and Toy Drive featuring KC “The 4th Son, Admission: $5.00 or A New Unwrapped Toy, Jazz On Broadway, 554 East Broadway, Alton IL 62002. For tickets call Corey at 618.381.2829; Erica at 314.669.1702 or Miguel at 314.732.9955.

Sun., Dec. 8., 3 p.m., Powell Symphony Hall presents St. Louis Children’s Choirs Holiday Concert 2013. Enjoy a St. Louis family tradition for the

CALENDAR

holiday season! See all six ensembles of talented young singers of the communitybased St. Louis Children’s Choirs performing holiday favorites and works by master composers. This concert is recommended by music teachers, musicians, and families. 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit http://www.slccsing.org/

Sun., Dec. 8, 5 p.m., The Peabody Opera House presents Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker. 1400 Market St., 63103.For more information, visit www.peabodyoperahouse.com.

Tues., Dec. 10 & Wed., Dec. 11, 10 a.m., The Sheldon presents Charles Glenn Holiday Concert Vocalist Charles Glenn is a fixture on the St. Louis music scene, from opening for national acts such as Smokey Robinson to performing the National Anthem at major sporting events. Glenn will perform a heartwarming blend of holiday favorites and jazz standards, perfect for the season. Enjoy complimentary coffee and pastries at before the concert. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com. Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648

Washington BLVD. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1111 or (314) 5339900.

Tues., Dec. 10, 6 p.m., Brentwood High School Small Gym hosts Ozzie Smith’s Sports Academy Holiday Basketball Clinic. Aslam-dunk of a holiday basketball clinic. Collegiate athletes, from the Ozzie Smith’s Sports Academy, will teach the “Big 5 Skills” of basketball - dribbling, passing, shooting, rebounding and defense. The instructors make their best shot, assuring that you have fun learning basketball skills. 2221 High School Dr., 63144. For more information, call (314) 963-8689.

Wed., Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m., Jazz St. Louis Big Band presents ELLINGTON’S NUTCRACKER SUITE, Jazz at The Bistro, 3536 Washington. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1111.

Thurs., Dec. 12, 6 p.m., Saint Louis University Black Alumni Association presents their Annual Holiday Bash. Meet and mingle with fellow alumni

The Holiday Jam starring Kem, Faith Evans and After 7. See HOLIDAY HAPS for details.

over food and drinks. Raffle prizes will be given out throughout the evening. Il Monastero 3050 Olive St., 63103. For more information, and to RSVPto the event, visit http://alumni.slu.edu/baaholidaybash13.

Sat., Dec. 14, 11 a.m., Old North Saint Louis Restoration Group hosts Holiday Festival and Craft Market. Vendors will be selling crafts and merchandise, hot beverages and snacks, Mi Hungry food truck (Jamaican BBQ), FREE Pictures with Santa, face painting and children’s activities by the Magic House. If you are able, bring a toy to donate to a needy child. 2700 N 14th St., 63106. For more information, visit www.onsl.org.

Sat., Dec. 14, 7 p.m., St. Louis Symphony presents Mannheim SteamrollerChristmas. The modern symphonic arrangements of Christmas songs made famous by Chip Davis include favorites like “Carol of the Bells,” “Silent Night,” “Deck the Halls” and more. 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.stlsymphony.org

Dec. 17 – 29, The Fox

Theater presents ELF the Musical. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner ELF. 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Fri., Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m., Missouri Ballet Theater presents The Nutcracker Washington University’s Edison Theater. 6445 Forsyth Blvd., 63105. For more information, call (314) 621-3182 or visit www.missouriballettheatre.org.

Fri., Dec. 20, 7 p.m., Powell Symphony Hall presents Holiday Celebration. Enjoy your favorite carols, a visit from Santa and holiday music performed by the St. Louis Symphony and Holiday Festival Chorus inside a splendidly decorated Powell Hall. See why more than 10,000 St. Louisans make this a holiday tradition. 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, call (314) 534-1700.

Through Dec. 22, The Black Rep presents Black Nativity: AHoliday Celebration. Emerson Performance Center, Harris Stowe State University, 3101 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 5343810.

Tues., Dec. 24, 7 p.m., Epworth Children and Family Services hosts Adopt a Youth orFamily for Christmas! For nearly 150 years, Epworth Children & Family Services has provided the St. Louis community with essential youth development services that have helped thousands of children overcome severe emotional and behavioral challenges caused by abuse or neglect. 110 N. Elm Ave., 63376. For more information, call (314) 918-3321 or visit www.epworth.org.

Through Jan. 4, Missouri Botanical Gardens presents Garden Glow Visitors will have the opportunity to stroll through the Garden at night surrounded by a spectacle of unique light installations for the Garden’s first-ever winter light display. 4344 Shaw Blvd., 63110. For more information, visit www.mobot.org/glow

concerts

Sun., Dec. 8, 7 p.m., The Old Rock House pres-

ents Young Money artist Chanel, Chanel can be seen on the MTVhit shows Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory and Ridiculousness, but she’s got a lot more up her sleeve than quick wit on-camera. 700 South 7th St., 63104. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Wed., Dec. 11, 7 p.m., Drake: Would You Like a Tour with special guest Miguel, Scottrade Center. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com

Sat., Dec. 14, 8 p.m., The Mrs. CarterWorld Tourstarring Beyoncé, Scottrade Center. For more information, visit www.livenation.com

Fri., Dec. 27 – Sat., Dec. 28, Jazz St. Louis welcomes Good 4 The Soul, Jazz at The Bistro, 3536 Washington. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1111.

Fri., Jan. 3, 7:30 p.m., Jazz St. Louis presents New Orleans New Year with The Funky Butt Brass Band. Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

local gigs

Fri., Dec. 6, 9 p.m., Delux Magazine presents TUNE Unplugged: A Tribute to Erykah Badu feat. Coco Soul with Mr Corey Black. The Rustic Goat, 2617 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 371- 4031.

special events

Fri., Dec. 6, 5 p.m., Sistas Entertaining U Toy Drive Happy Hour, mark your calendars to stop by and make a donation for a child in need. MVPSports Bar & Grill at West Florissant and Lucas & Hunt (formerly Northland Shopping Center).

Dec. 6 – 8, Washington University Theatre presents Shifting Limits. From tap to West African dance to contemporary ballet, Washington University’s Performing Arts Department in Arts & Sciences will highlight seven new works by guest and faculty choreographers. Edison Theatre, 6445 Forsyth Blvd., 63105. For more information, call (314) 935-6543.

Fri., Dec. 6, 6 p.m., St. Louis Minority Business Council Excellence Awards Gala. Four Seasons Hotel, 999 N. 2nd St., 63102. For information, call (314) 241-1143.

Sat., Dec. 7, 10 a.m., St. Louis Community College presents Holiday Party 2013. Open to the community and its children. Join us for a happy start to the holiday season! Food, games, crafts, and free photos with Santa Claus. Entry fee: One canned food item to be donated to local food pantries. Florissant Valley Campus, 3400 Pershall Rd., 63135.

Sat., Dec. 7, 6 p.m., FourSeasons Hotel hosts Arthritis Foundation SilverBall. The Silver Ball is one of the most elegant black-tie galas in St. Louis and the largest annual fundraising event for the local Arthritis Foundation. Guests enjoy fine dining, exciting silent and live auctions, energized music and generous dance time. 999 N. Second St., 63160. For more information, call (314) 9919333 or visit www.AFSilverballSTL.org.

Sat., Dec. 7, 5:30 p.m., Walnut Park Church presents ANight of Elegance. Dinner & Theater event feat. Angie G, “The Everything Skit,” WPPraise Dancers, and Singers & Drama Team. Four Seas Banquet Center, 1901 Serbian, 63103. For more information, call (314) 3828075.

Sat., Dec. 7, 7 p.m., Platinum Group presents Networking Christmas Party with special guest DJ Kut from Old School 95.5. 1413 N. 20th St., 63106. For more information or to RSVP, call (314) 660-9610.

Sun., Dec. 15, 3 p.m., Metropolitan Chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. present Calling All Missing Pearls – Retention, Reclamation, Recruitment. Brentwood Recreation Center, 2505 Brentwood Blvd., 63144. For more information, call (314) 283-8213.

Sat., Dec. 21, 9 p.m., Good Movement Entertainment presents Jazz & Comedy Show. Come laugh, dance, and listen to live Jazz music. The talented and funny Louis Conphliction will host this event. Comedy features the hilarious Mike Franchize and Jazz features the always amazing D’Fynitive

Soul Band. The cream of the crop of St. Louis comedians will also be performing. Aportion of the proceeds will go to Urban Alliance for Child Development (UAACD). Legacy Books and Café, 5249 Delmar Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit http://gmovementjazzandcomedy.eventbrite.com/

Tues., Dec. 31, 8 p.m.,

The Deco Fortress presents New Year’s Eve Speakeasy Ball This year’s theme: “The Great Gatsby.” Live music starts at 9 p.m. from one of the Hottest Jazz BANDS in town! Open Bars, hors d’oeuvres, Dance contest, Costume contest, CASH Prizes. 3624 S. Broadway, 63118. For more information, call (314) 539-1142.

Tues., Dec. 31, 8 p.m., Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch hosts The Ultimate New Year’s Eve Party. Featuring an incredible line-up of live music including Dr Zhivegas, Smash Band and The Dave Glover Band. An open bar, food stations, party favors, Champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight will help you ring in 2014. 315 Chestnut St., 63102. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Wed., Jan. 1, 10 a.m., Kiener Plaza hosts Commitment Day St. Louis. Make a commitment to join us for a New Year’s Day fun run in downtown St Louis. Begin 2014 with a commitment to a healthy way of life as you enjoy scenic views of the city with family and friends. 600 Market St., 63101. For more information, call (636) 527-9700 or visit www.commitmentday.com.

Drake: Would You Like a Tour with special guest Miguel. See CONCERTS for more information.

Fri., Jan. 3, 7 p.m.,

Scottrade Center hosts The Harlem Globetrotters. The “Ambassadors of Goodwill”® have dunked their way into the hearts of basketball fans both young and old. The Harlem Globetrotters is an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism and comedy. 1401 Clark Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.harlemglobetrotters.com.

Sat., Jan. 4, 11 a.m., The America’s Center hosts The Wedding Show. The largest wedding planning event in St. Louis showcasing over 225 wedding booths, with experts to assist brides in every area of planning their wedding. 701 Convention Plaza, 63101. For more information, visit www.stlbrideandgroom.com..

comedy

Tues., Dec. 31, 9:30 p.m., Just Us Social Club presents New Year’s Eve Comedy Show hosted by Willie Lynch Jr., featuring comedians Jovan Bibbs, KDubb and Ms. Tiffani. Free hors d’oeuvres, free party favors and free toast at midnight to ring in the New Year The show will be held at Blackmon’s Plaza 127 Collinsville Ave., East St. Louis, IL. 62234. For more information, contact Del Hawkins at (314) 922-2104.

Sat., Jan. 4, 8 p.m., The Stratford Bar & Grill/Ballroom presents Jimmy “JJ” Walker. 800 South Highway Dr. Fenton, 63026. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

theatre

Sat., Dec. 7, 1 p.m., Union Ave. Opera presents Free Family Opera: “The Mini Ring.” Load up the family and join Union Avenue Opera for a Free Children’s Opera. 733 Union Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 361-2881 or visit http://unionavenueopera.org/.

Tues., Dec. 21, 10 a.m., Brown-Kortkamp hosts Girlfriends & God “The Retreat” Play Audition. God created an unexplainable bond within the sisterhood of women. In this group there is acceptance and understanding. The production, Girlfriends and God “The Retreat”, is a peek into a weeklong retreat that is open to women from all walks of life. This play is written to show the strength of God’s love through touching monologues, original music, and humor. Seeking male and female singers / actors ages 18 and up to audition. Please prepare 32 bars of a song and a short monologue (2 min.). 4709 Delmar, 63108. For more information, visit http://girlfriendsandgod.weebly.com.

arts

December6 – 17, Framations Art Gallery invites artists to enteran exhibit called “Simple Treasures”, a celebration of giftable art forthe holidays...and the simple ways of giving back to the community. This is an exhibit with no judge, theme, or commission. It is simply an exhibit of work priced $100 and under. It does also coincide with a food drive for the St. Louis Area Foodbank. Artists who bring in items for the food drive will save $2 off their entry fee, making it only $6 for each piece. There will be a drawing for the Gift Certificates at the Opening Reception on Dec 13 from 68pm. Framations is located at 218 North Main Street in St. Charles. The full entry details can be found on www.framations.com.

Through January 5, Missouri History Museum presents The 1968 Exhibit. An ambitious, stateof-the-art, multimedia exhibit that looks at how the experiences of the year fueled a persistent, if often contradictory sense of identity for the people who were there. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 746-4599 or visit www.mohistory.org.

Thur., Dec. 5, 7:30 a.m., St. Louis University High School presents Institute for Private Business SpeakerSeries Event - Curt Jones (Dippin’Dots). In 1988, Dippin’Dots founder, Curt Jones changed the way the world enjoys ice cream. Curt Jones, a microbiologist that went to school at Southern Illinois, Carbondale, pioneered the process of cryogenic encapsulation, a scientific way of saying he used super-cold freezing methods to make little beads of ice cream. Event will be held at John Cook School of Business Atrium, 4970 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 977-3850.

Dec. 6 – 7, The Sheldon Ballroom presents A CONVERSATION WITH EDITH HEAD. Susan Claassen stars as Edith Head in this behind-the-scenes feast of great movie lore and delicious stories. In her six decades as a costume designer, Edith Head worked on more than 500 films and dressed most of the great stars - including Mae West, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor. Over her long career, Head received 35 Academy Award nominations and won an unprecedented eight Oscars! 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com

Wed., Dec. 11 6:30 p.m., The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis host FAFSAWorkshop. Learn about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), including the part it plays in the college application process. Why it is important to complete the form accurately and submit it as early as possible when seeking financial aid. For more information, call 314-725-7990 or visit www.sfstl.org

Dec. 11, 6 p.m., St. Louis Public Library hosts Enrollment Help for the Health Insurance Marketplace. American Certification Agency Certified Application Counselors from the Bett Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers will be available to help enrolless navigate the system. Central Library Branch, 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 241-2288 or visit www.slpl.org.

By Melanie Adams

Theatre at Missouri History Museum

Museum has a busy stage –and is accepting scripts to consider

At the Missouri History Museum we have several upcoming theatre productions that we are excited to be able to offer in connection with our exhibits. Opening December 5 and running through the 15th, is the West End Player’s Guild’s production of Medal of Honor Rag.

Thirty-seven years after its premiere performance, Tom Cole’s Vietnam War drama Medal of Honor Rag still seems like a story out of the morning’s newspaper.Cole based his script on the true story of Dwight Johnson, an African American sergeant who won the Medal of Honor for his heroism in Vietnam but returned home to a life of trouble and tragedy

The story plays out in one day at the Valley Forge Army Hospital where Sergeant Dale “D.J.” Jackson, the character inspired by Dwight Johnson, is being treated by his new psychiatrist. The doctor, like DJ, struggles with survivor’s guilt resulting from his own war experiences.Their immediately tense and intense relationship creates an evening of gripping drama that races to a stunning conclusion.

Medal of Honor Rag is being presented in connection with our current traveling exhibit, 1968, which runs through January 5.

From January 30-February 9, 2014 we are thrilled to be hosting the Black Rep and their production of the Ntozake Shange classic, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf This Tony Award-winning drama depicts the struggles, obstacles and inspiring strength of the African-American woman. Starring the indomitable Linda Kennedy as the Lady in Red, For Colored Girls… is a celebrated and powerful 20-poem cycle. This is a great opportunity for book clubs to revisit the book and then come to the play.

The final show of the season is connected to our 250/250 exhibit celebrating 250 years of St. Louis history. From March 13-23, 2014 the museum welcomes the St. Louis Actors’Studio with a Henry L. Schvey’s adaptation of Kate Chopin’s novel, The Awakening. Chopin was a St. Louis born author and the plot of her revolutionary novel centers on Edna Pontellier and her struggle to reconcile her increasingly unorthodox views on femininity and motherhood with the prevailing social attitudes of the turn-of-the-century South. It is one of the earliest American novels that address women’s issues without condescension.

People often ask us how they can present a production at the Missouri History Museum. We have recently revamped the way that we will be handling theatre and performance requests from outside companies. Instead of the formal RFPprocess we have used over the last six theatre seasons, we

will instead be moving toward a more flexible, web-based submission process. Moving forward, all of our theatre programs – internal and external – will be united under the umbrella of “Theatre at the Missouri History Museum.”

We will be accepting submissions yearround rather than once a year only. Decisions will be made at least six months out from the performance dates. We have reserved five, one-week time slots for performances. Those dates are available on the website and will be made available on a rolling basis as the year progresses. During that one weekend run, we can accommodate week day student matinees (if desired) and daytime as well as evening performances.

We still will only present finished work, so a complete script must accompany a submission before it can be considered. Successful proposals will have strong ties to our exhibition and mission to deepen the understanding of past choices, present circumstances and future possibilities; strengthen the bonds of community; and facilitate solutions to common problems.

The new online form is available here: http://mohistory.org/node/9267along with the exhibitions and open dates for performances going into 2015.

We have been fortunate to work with a wide range of theatre companies and artists over the last six seasons of the Missouri History Museum Presents Theatre series and look forward to continuing our partnerships.

For more information about the productions in this year’s series, please check out the museum’s website at www.mohistory.org.

Astronomy needs you

By Tim Mulhall Senior Educator, SLSC YES Program

I remember as a child always looking to the stars. Whenever I went camping, whenever I played in the backyard past sunset, I always looked up and gazed with a sense of wonder at the stars around me. As I grew and learned more about space, the power and significance of everything encompassing our Solar System, our Galaxy, and our Universe floored me. There is a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip from long ago where Calvin yells “I AM SIGNIFICANT!” at the night sky only to then remark, “…says the speck of dust.” Space is so vast and seemingly infinite and we are so tiny in comparison here on earth-which is why we are so special.

I still recall the first time I saw the rings of Saturn through a telescope during college. To think that someone created a system of mirrors and lenses and this allowed us to figure out that there were things beyond our planet. What must that have been like thousands of years before, to make this discovery? Think of the impact this had on our understanding of civilization-to make the realization that the Universe is comprised of more than just us. Many of these discoveries have been made by individuals who took it upon themselves to look to the sky and gain an understanding of what was taking place. These were not always “scientists” in the traditional labcoat sense of the word. You too can be a scientist if you are passionate about a topic or occurrence and pursue further study. Astronomy is one of the few

science fields where normal, everyday citizens with a telescope in their backyard can make discoveries that change our understanding of the Universe. Amateur astronomers have found comets, supernovas, created new types of telescopes, developed many techniques for astrophotography, and have even helped confirm the discovery of new planets outside of our solar system. You too can contribute to major scientific research being done. One method is through participation in citizen science projects. My favorite is GlobeatNight, an organization that seeks to raise public awareness of the impact of light pollution by having citizens from all over the world contribute to their research. Light Pollution refers to the reduced visibility of stars and astrophenomena due to human lighting practices and can negatively impact energy consumption and wildlife development.

Nearly 100,000 measurements have been contributed from people in 115 countries during the campaigns each winter/spring over the last 8 years and you can be a part of this important research. Participation is simple. During the winter months, find the constellation Orion. Then, go to www.globeatnight.org and click the REPORT tab at the top of the website. This can be done from any desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Simply follow the instructions and fill out the form indicating how many stars of the constellation are visible in your location and click submit! The first dates are January 20-29, 2014. Log on now to learn more and get readyAstronomy needs you!

A psychiatrist (played by Tom Kopp, left) has come to a shabby interview room in an Army hospital to interview Sgt. Dale “DJ” Johnson (Reginald Pierre, right). “Medal of Honor Rag” opens December 5 at the Missouri History Museum.

Golden Anniversaries

Murry and Eunice Tanksley will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on December 7. They are the proud parents of two children, Cecelia and Mario, as well as six grandchildren. “We have come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord.”

Reunions

All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Beaumont Class of 1964 has started planning for its 50 year class reunion. We are currently looking for participants to help with the planning.

~ CELEBRATIONS ~

Donna and Tyrone McNichols Sr celebrated 50 years of marriage on November 26. They are the proud parents of Dr. Ty McNichols Jr, and Monica McNichols. “We would like to thank God, our heavenly Father, for so many blessings!”

Please provide your contact information to: beaumont64alumni@ gmail.com.Send your ideas as well as the best time for meetings.

Beaumont High School class of 1969 is preparing for its 45th reunion in 2014. Contact beaumontclassof1969@yahoo.com for more information.

Beaumont High School Class of 1984 is looking for participants to begin planning its 30 year class reunion. Please provide your contact information to: beau-

mont_1984@yahoo.com.

Soldan Alumni Association Class of 1974 will host a Holiday Celebration on December 13 from 5-8 pm at After Nites, 8909 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, 63121.

Sumner Class Of 1974 has started planning its 40th class reunion. Meetings are held each third Saturday of the month from 2-4 pm at New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church, 4055 Edmundson Rd. 63134. Please contact Marsha D. Roberts-Moore at sumner-

Happy 10th Birthday, Keziah Smith on December 1! From your parents: Dr. Dwyane and Antona Smith and your brothers and sister We love you!

Grads

Ciera L. Simril will graduate from the University of Missouri St. Louis on December 14 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She looks forward to attending graduate school to pursue Public Relations in 2014.

The proud parents Ericka & Ronald Strong of University City, MO announce the graduation of their eldest daughter, Deja Strong, from Alabama A&M University. Deja graduates Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning.

classof1974@yahoo.com, 314367-3159 or Joyce BushCruesoe at cruesoe2195@att. net, 314-484-1552.

Sumner Class of 1964 Reunion Committee is looking for classmates we have lost contact with. Please call or email any changes to your name, address, telephone number, and/or email to Patricia Wells Sheltonat (314) 8392214 or patricia.shelton@att.net or Carol Strawbridge at (314) 524-8504 or strawu@AOL.com.

SumnerClass of 1979 is looking for classmates to participate in activities leading up to its 35th Class Reunion, June 20-22, 2014 in Lake

Ozarks, MO. Please forward contact information to sumner1979@ymail.com or call Sara at 314-482-1558. Various activities are planned and we want as many classmates as possible to participate.

University City Class of 1981 cordially invites you to its “Pre-Holiday Dinner Dance”, Saturday, December 14, 2013 at the Airport Hilton Hotel. Tickets are $35 per person and this event is open to All U-City Alumni and Staff. For tickets and more info contact Denise Weatherford-Bell at 314-4846318 or msdenise38@yahoo.com. Tickets will be sold from November 4-December 2.

OF CHARGE

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, graduation, 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 4242 Lindell Ave St. Louis, MO 63108

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, 4242 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108. 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

Rev. Vivian honored by Obama

Civil rights leader receives 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom

American staff

The Rev. Cordy Tindell “C.T.” Vivian of Atlanta is one of 16 individuals who received the 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.

C.T. Vivian is a distinguished minister, author and organizer. Aleader in the Civil Rights Movement and friend to the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he participated in Freedom Rides and sit-ins across our country.

Dr. Vivian also helped found numerous civil rights organizations, including Vision, the National Anti-Klan Network, and the Center for Democratic Renewal. In 2012, he returned to serve as interim President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom, established 50 years ago by President John F. Kennedy, is our nation’s highest civilian honor. The medal has been presented to more than 500 individuals who have made especially “meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

“These are the men and women who in their extraordinary lives remind us all of the beauty of the human spirit, the values that define us as Americans, the potential that lives inside of all of us,” President Obama said.

The other 2013 honorees were Ernie Banks, Ben Bradlee, Bill Clinton, Daniel Inouye, Daniel Kahneman, Richard Lugar, Loretta Lynn, Mario Molina, Sally Ride, Bayard Rustin, Arturo Sandoval, Gloria Steinem, Patricia Wald and Oprah Winfrey Watch video of the ceremony at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ3P7ki8ges.

Kwanzaa Celebration Dec. 17 in ESL

Employing a multi-arts “Souljourn” – from Umoja! (unity) to Imani! (faith) – the Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club will present its 27th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 6 p.m., on the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, 601 J.R. Thompson Drive.

The free family event will take place in Room 2083 of Building B. It is co-sponsored by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Black River Writers Press, Drumvoices Revue and the ESLCultural Revival Campaign Committee.

The “Kwansaba Candle-lighting Ritual” will be performed by the Soular Systems Ensemble – including Susan “Spit-Fire” Lively-Eames, Darlene Roy, Roscoe Crenshaw, and others – under the leadership of Eugene

B. Redmond, SIUE professor emeritus of English Language and Literature, poet laureate of East St. Louis, and co-founder (with Sherman L. Fowler and Roy) of the Writers Club.

An “invocation” by Sylvester “Sunshine” Lee’s drum troupe and dances by members of his Community Performance Ensemble will thrill audience members.

In addition to “A Suite of Kwansabas for 2013,” an open mic session and a bazaar with books, gifts and fabrics are also slated for the program. The kwansaba, invented by the Club in 1995, is a poetic form consisting of seven lines of seven words each with no word containing more than seven letters. Exceptions to the seven-letter rule are proper nouns and foreign words.

Club trustees include noted authors, artists, poets and educators Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, Avery Brooks, Haki R. Madhubuti, Walter Mosley, Quincy Troupe, Jerry Ward and Lena Weathers. Past trustees have included celebrated authors/institution builders Margaret Walker Alexander (1915-1998), Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000), Raymond Patterson (1929-2001), and Barbara A. Teer (1937-2008).

For more information, call the SIUE Department of English Language and Literature, (618) 650-3991, or write EBR Writers Club, P.O. Box 6165, East St.

INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE

Rein in yourtongue

For most of my life, I have to admit to you that bible study was nowhere near my thing. I was blessed however, to grow up around relatives who lived the life rather than preach about it or pontificate a reality their lives never represented.

Today, I am constantly moved by the Holy Spirit to see the simplicity of truth in the scripture I now study. I find myself gravitating to ministers, pastors, bishops and saints as they dissect in sermon and prayer, the incredible power of the tongue, that small but dangerously lethal missile contained in your mouth and mine.

I have had recent experience with the positive and negative power of what I say, some intentional but most unintentional. Even without biblical perspective, history confirms the ability of deceit-filled oratory to entice weak men to murder married women to stray, prideful men to war and peace-loving men to slaughter On a daily basis, a reckless, misguided tongue can singe forever the innocent spirit of a child, a wanting spouse, a caring friend or a concerned co-worker. How powerful is it when all you need is a sincere “I’m sorry” or an unexpected “thank you” or a genuine “I believe in you,” and you actually get it from someone you need to hear it from?

hold dear, I know firsthand that James was and is so right. I am trying to correct this character flaw by being consciously uplifting as often as I can be.

James 3:10 lets us know that the tongue, your tongue, wields both the power of life and death. Having been the target of ill intended criticism and some unintended slights and having killed a few souls of some people I

It helps to think of myself as a vessel of the Living God, before I speak. It is not always easy to remember that we are made in God’s own image and cursing man, any man is tantamount to cursing God. Could it be that James 1:26 is a key to understanding the true nature of which I speak? “…If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless…” If you compare the words of Christ to those of any demagogue, you will find the Lord’s words will easily repulse those words that are rooted in hatred, gossip, rumor and innuendo. It is impossible to love God without loving Jesus as the Living Word of God. Saying so, merely confirms this truth. In this case, the spoken word can and will set you free. “Reckless words pierce like a sword but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:14. Unfortunately, there is no cure for hurt feelings. All we can do is think before we speak and offer honest and sincere apologies when we damage another person with what we say. But this weapon we have in our mouths needs to be understood for the power it holds and the power it conveys. But please do not take my word for it. “He who guards his lips guards his life; but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.” Proverbs 12:3.

The American is accepting Inspirational Messages

James A. Washington

The Rev. Cordy Tindell “C.T.” Vivian of Atlanta is one of 16 individuals who received the 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.

American staff

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

Pattonville honors College Academy graduates

Plus, early deadline for Project 21 Scholarship program

More than a dozen seniors from Pattonville High School

spent a week in August getting ready for college during Pattonville High School’s sixth annual Pattonville College Academy. Students recently celebrated their participation in the academy with a reception with business partners who helped support the program and provide sponsorships and scholarships.

Each student who graduated from the College Academy received a $100 sponsorship from Pattonville’s business partners. The Pattonville school-business partnership department also supplied a $500 scholarship for a College Academy participant. Senior Juana Gordillo won this scholarship.

The Pattonville College Academy gives first-generation, college-bound students support and knowledge about the college planning and search process. The academy covered goal setting, college resume writing, how to compare colleges, how to start the college search, college admissions, scholarships, financial aid, letters of recommendation, essay writing tips and ACT test-taking tips. On the final day of the academy, students visited area college campuses.

Sponsors of the program were Jostens, James Hutchison Forth and Snyder, PC, Montgomery Bank, Ameren, Fred Weber Inc., Bommarito, Ranken Jordan Pediatric Hospital, U.S. Foods, DePaul Health Center, Coca Cola, Dobbs Tire and Auto Centers and Firestone Complete Auto Care. For more information about the College Academy, call Julie Kampschroeder, college counselor, at 314-213-8051.

‘Project 21 Scholarship’ submissions

The Missouri Gaming

Association, the statewide professional association of the Missouri casino industry, invites high school students to compete for $7,000 in scholarships through the 18th annual Project 21 Scholarship program. Students enter by educating their peers on the issues of underage gambling through written essays, posters or videos.

Deadline dates for the scholarship application process are earlier this year. Entries must be published or displayed at the student’s high school for at least one full week between December 1, 2013 and February 15, 2014. Scholarship entries must be submitted to the Missouri Gaming Association by March 1, 2013.

The Project 21 scholarship program encourages students to educate their peers on the ille-

gality and dangers of underage gambling. Scholarship applicants must write and publish an original essay or article in the school newspaper, or create a poster or video and display it at their high school for at least one full week.

“In Missouri, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to gamble in a Missouri casino,” said Mike Winter, executive director of the Missouri Gaming Association. “The goal of Project 21 is to educate our youth about the illegality, risks and legal consequences of underage gambling.”

The Project 21 Scholarship competition is open to all Missouri high school seniors planning to attend an institution of higher education in the United States within four years of graduation. The Missouri Gaming Association will award two $1,500 scholarships and

four $1,000 scholarships. A copy of the contest application and guidelines is available at www.missouricasinos.org.

Seniors attending Missouri high schools whose parents are casino employees are eligible for the Project 21 scholarships, provided the parent is not a Missouri Gaming Association officer or a Project 21 Executive Committee member High school seniors employed part-time (less than 32 hours per week) by a Missouri casino also are eligible.

The Project 21 scholarship application is available at www.missouricasinos.org or by calling (573) 634-4001. Written requests for applications can be sent to PO Box 305, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Winners will be announced by March 30, 2014 and scholarships will be awarded by April 15, 2014.

Coping with student loan repayment

By Charlene Crowell

Arecent report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) found that many of the same types of loan servicing problems that affected consumers in the mortgage market are now affecting student loan borrowers. Just as troubled homeowners were often unable to pay their mortgages, refinance their loans, or receive timely assistance from loan servicers, many student loan borrowers are now experiencing many of the same difficulties. Although the report focuses on private student loans, some of the servicing problems identified also affect federal student loan borrows.

“Unfortunately, with few refinancing options, many student loan borrowers tell us they feel stuck in loans with high rates, well after they’ve graduated and landed a job,” said Rohit Chopra, CFPB’s Student Loan Ombudsman.

After analyzing approximately 3,800 student loan complaints submitted from October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013, CFPB focused on problems with crediting payments to private student loan accounts. In this manner, CFPB found that nearly half of these complaints came from consumers seeking a loan modification. Further, 87 percent of complaints received were directed at one of eight companies. Sallie Mae, a financial services firm specializing in educational loans for more than 40 years, topped the complaint list with 49 percent.

Since July, CFPB has accepted complaints on debt collection activities, hearing from consumers whose accounts defaulted and were sent to collections because they were unable to afford their loans.Other complaints told of questions regarding how loan payments were applied, lost payments, late fees and changes in servicers without borrower notification.

In a weak economic recovery, many borrowers are financially challenged to pay their loans on time. Still others, facing financial hardships through unemployment and under-employment are finding few and no available options to refinance private student loans. Even so, CFPB advises that there is yet hope for challenged borrowers determined to make good on their debts and get on with their lives.

Providing clear and timely instructions to your servicer can direct how your payments

are applied and likely reduce the interest paid over the life of the loans.

For example, consumers with multiple credit cards and balances on each are usually advised to retire the highestpriced card debt first. Asimilar approach can apply to retiring private student loans. Most borrowers take out multiple loans to pay for college, and private loan interest rates can change from year to year. Following graduation these loans are often bundled into a single account or billing group. The borrower, however, receives one bill for all loans incurred. As payments are remitted, the loans will have different balances and still have different interest rates.

By paying the minimum amount due on each loan first, additional available monies can applied to the loan with the highest interest rate. Over the life of the loans, giving priority payment to the most expensive one will likely save thousands of dollars.

Conversely, if a borrower can only afford a partial payment, speaking with the servicer before the payment due date can help avoid unnecessary late fees and penalties. Knowing the exact minimum amount and the interest owed on each loan can guide which loans can be paid and their corresponding amounts. Armed with this knowledge, it may also be possible to minimize delinquent fees or penalties.

If borrowers do not direct how their payments are to be applied, loan servicers typically act in the interest of the lenders: applying payments to earn the most money for the lender. Loan servicers should not apply payments in a way that benefits them rather than the borrower

The Center for Responsible Lending urges the CFPB to act promptly to address all complaints alleging unfair, deceptive or abusive practices.In addition, the CFPB and the Department of Education can and should work together to establish requirements for both federal and private student loan servicers. In the interim, troubled borrowers should seek assistance early. If communications with loan servicers do not resolve borrower concerns, the CFPB’s online complaint system can take information and assign a complaint number that can be used to check complaint status at rspnsb.li/Hdlc0O. If you prefer to speak with CFPB directly, call their toll-free line at (855) 411-2372.

Students in Pattonville High School’s sixth annual Pattonville College Academy recently celebrated their participation in the academy.

Safe sex always in season

By Denise Hooks Anderson, M.D. Medical Accuracy Editor

Research has shown for years that people tend to make poorer decisions when rushed, scared, pressured or emotionally labile. Choices made during those times may result in financial failures, career disasters, relationship woes, or for example a lifetime of health ailments as a result of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection (STI). In 1973, The Emotions asked a simple question: “What do the Lonely do at Christmas?” From my experience, the answer to that soulful ballad is that unfortunately the lonely forgo safety precautions and have unprotected intercourse.

“The naked penis should never be in the vagina!” is my mantra for which my patients are well familiar. Unless you are with that partner twenty four hours per day, you are not certain about their sexual habits nor do you possess their complete past sexual health history in most cases. Not using barrier protection during sexual encounters can potentially expose you to chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV(the human papilloma virus), HIV, herpes, hepatitis, and tri-

chomonas.

Numerous times in my career thus far I have had the unfortunate experience of diagnosing someone with one of the aforementioned infections and then witnessing various expressions of anger, sadness and shock. “He said I was the only one. She did not look like someone who had an infection. Is sex the only way I could have been infected? Could I have gotten this from sitting on a dirty toilet?” These are only a few of the many responses I have heard over the years by a diverse demographic of patients.

Denise Hooks Anderson, M.D.

In the US, chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection with over a million cases reported to the CDC, Centers for Disease Control, in 2011. About 1 in 15 adolescents between the ages of 14-19 has chlamydia; it can spread via oral, anal or vaginal routes and can be present without the host having any symptoms. Most men however will have some burning with urination and a thick yellowish dis-

charge. In addition, chlamydia can be transmitted even in the absence of ejaculation. Therefore, removing the penis from the vagina, anus, or mouth prior to orgasm does not reduce the risk of transmitting the infection.

STIs are not exclusively monogamous and can travel in pairs.Chlamydia and gonorrhea are often diagnosed together and both can cause similar symptoms. Sexually active teens, young adults, and African Americans have the highest reported rates of gonorrhea in the US. As with chlamydia, gonorrhea can also be spread from an untreated mother during childbirth and can cause pre-term delivery. Although chlamydia, gonorrhea and the other bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics, there are some potential long term sequelae of these diseases such as PID, pelvic inflammatory disease and sterility. In women, sometimes these infections can travel up the genitourinary system, scar the fallopian tubes and eventually result in an inability to become pregnant.

Relationships are more than just the physical act of intercourse.Webster defines intimacy as “belonging to or characterizing one’s deepest nature.” In practice, I see far too many people involved in toxic bonds because of a deep-seeded fear of being alone. I have seen patients who have been given an STI not once but multiple times yet con-

tinue to be with their partners because of this unspoken fear. I have had young sexually active teenage girls admit that they do not even enjoy sex yet they continue to allow their bodies to be used like an item at a swap meet.

Deciding to have intercourse and with whom should involve quite a bit of introspection, investigation, and preparation. First, ask yourself am I ready to be involved with this person? Is it too soon after my last relationship? Have I fully grieved the recent death of my spouse? Are both parties seeking the same goal of a committed partnership or is this simply a pleasure mission?

Second, I always recommend that both partners get tested beforehand for STI’s. Go together to the doctor or health department and allow one another to read over the results. Trust no one. Check for yourself. Also, make sure that you are screened for all STIs. Be specific! Lastly, be prepared. Carry condoms with you at all times. There should be no “It was the heat of the moment and I forgot.”Read the labels on the condoms for expiration dates and verify that the package is in good condition. Next to abstinence, condoms are the next best protection against STI’s including HIV. This holiday season don’t let your emotions cause you to make a mistake that could last a lifetime.

Yours in Service, Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D. Assistant Professor SLUCare Family Medicine yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com

YourHealth Matters

Abi-monthly special supplement of the St. Louis American

December 5, 2013

YourHealth Matters provides up-to-date information, from an African-American perspective, about one of the most important subjects in evryone’s life – their personal health.

Donald M. Suggs, President and Publisher

Kevin Jones, Senior Vice President, COO

Dina M. Suggs, Senior Vice President

Chris King, Editorial Director

Denise Hooks Anderson, M.D., Medical Accuracy Editor

Sandra Jordan, Health Reporter

Debbie Chase, Director of Health Strategy & Outreach

Onye Ijei, Barb Sills, Pamela Simmons, Sales

Michael Terhaar, Art/Production Manager

Angelita Jackson, Cover Design

Wiley Price, Photojournalist

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

Public health STI treatment moves to The SPOT, urgent & private care

By Sandra Jordan

Of The St. Louis American

The St. Louis Department of Health has about 6,100 reports per year for sexually transmitted infections; gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and syphilis. About 1,100, or 20 percent of those patients, were seen at the now closed St. Louis ConnectCare. On short notice, the City found other providers to test and treat St. Louisans for STDs.

Health department Interim Director Pam Rice Walker awarded an emergency contract to Sonny Saggar, M.D. and his Downtown Urgent Care and the recently opened North City Urgent Care on Ridge. The facilities are two of four new locations for treating STIs.

“To be and treated for these infections, our fee is $30, but we don’t refuse care to anyone who needs these services.”

– Javda Wilson

“We already have a pretty strong system of care; the City puts 5 million into Gateway for Better Health and that covers this as well. We tried to focus on who is not covered and who goes to ConnectCare and where is going to be accessible and who is going to have the expertise we are looking for,” said Rice Walker

The contract is not a lot of money, Walker said, about $420,000 for the year. She said half of that amount has already been expended by the previous provider.

“It was designed to cover only those people who do not have any other payer source or that are 24 and younger and maybe don’t know what their insurance is or their parent’s insurance is. We don’t want them to fall through the cracks while they figure that out,” Rice Walker said. “I really appreciate these guys stepping up. We are not really going to cover their cost completely; we’re only going to subsidize their cost.”

“In our urgent cares, we are able to test for gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomonas, HIV, herpes and syphilis,” said Javda Wilson, a nurse practitioner at the Urgent Care centers. “To be tested and treated for these infections, our fee is $30, but we don’t refuse care to anyone who needs these services. These services are available at all four [of] our locations.”

The charge is more of a standard fee

Javda Wilson and Dr. Sonny Saggar talk in a examining room at the North city facility.

for other types of health care services that were previously provided at the now closed ConnectCare’s Smiley Urgent Care.

“At the North City location, the urgent care fee is an all-inclusive $80 for

the uninsured patient. Unfortunately we do not have a sliding fee,” Wilson said. “We can, however, accept what the patient is able to pay at the time of service and bill the remaining balance. Our goal is to serve the community, so we do

by

not like to refuse care because of their ability to pay.”

For younger patients, The SPOT

(Supporting Positive Opportunities with

See HEALTH, page 6

Photo

Wiley Price

Handling the holiday family drama

By Jameca W. Falconer, PhD Licensed Psychologist

The family has been the foundation of African American culture since slavery. One of the most devastating aspects of slavery was its ability to weaken this highly revered institution. Today, large family gatherings are essential for the continued existence of both the African American family and the African American community. Despite the value of family gatherings, spending the holidays with family can be a stressful time. While it is supposed to be a time for relaxation and good laughs, the reality is often much different.

Family issues are particularly hard because of the emotional component associated with them. We have history with our family, we have shared experiences and sometimes we also have drama! So, what’s a person to do in an effort to enjoy the holidays this year? The first thing to do is to attempt to understand the root issue of difficult people. Adiffi-

cult person’s behavior can sometimes be caused by loneliness. People who live alone and get little to no social interaction on a daily basis tend to over engage when presented with the opportunity for communication.

Poor interpersonal skills are also the cause of difficult times with family. You will always have individuals that attempt to engage in a dialogue even though they aren’t very good at participating in a dialogue. For instance, they dominate the conversation and are not skilled at listening. It could also take the form of individuals that ask inappropriate questions, in other words, stuff that is none of their business.

Many of the issues at family gatherings stem from generations of dysfunctional family dynamics. Years of

disrespectful comments, sibling rivalry, or undisciplined children can be the match that ignites a huge fire in many individuals. We all have relatives or friends that need to be the center of attention. They speak and act in ways that ensure that all eyes will be on them. Those personality types can be a drain on an otherwise relaxing holiday gathering. Lastly, don’t ignore behavior that may be related to an undiagnosed mental illness. Symptoms like anxiety/worry, awkwardness in social situations, and/or excessive drinking can all be clues of a much larger mental health issue.

What are ways that you can cope with the difficult people?

The most valuable tip is to avoid and/or minimize the time spent with

them. Limit the length of time you stay with family or have family stay with you

If you are in a situation that cannot be avoided, attempt to use humor when confronted with offensive comments.

When the conversation gets too heated, redirect the conversation to a lighter and easily tolerated subject.

If you’re surrounded by other people for a number of days and things begin to feel really intense, make sure you take some time away EVERYDAYeven plan your “alone time” for each day of the visit before the actual event and schedule around it. Take an hour to emotionally “decompress” and go for a walk, window-shop, take the dog out, have a bubble bath, or whatever else centers you. Just make sure that you take time for YOU.

Find Dr. Falconer on Facebook as Dr. J – Psych Doc, or visit https://sites.google.com/site/drjamecafalconer.

Jameca W. Falconer

March of Dimes honors 20 as Nurses of the Year

Row L-R: Jeanne Zack, Sister Mary Jeremy Buckman, Helen Sandkuhl, Gregory Alexander, Catherine Patterson, Marcy Keltner, Dana Houle, Susan Flake, Laurie Sparks.Second Row L-R: Amber Tarasyuk, Susan Kendig, Cathy Hogan, Laurie Weaver, Luciane Tarter, Jan DeMasters, Margaret Bultus, Verna Ferguson, Debra Parron, Jennifer Hanford, Michelle Nadler.

Twenty Missouri nurses representing 13 health care institutions were named Nurse of the Year at the second annual March of Dimes Missouri Chapter Nurse of the Year event on November 9 at the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis, Missouri. The gala raised more than $125,000 for March of Dimes.

The nurses were recognized for their extraordinary level of patient care, compassion, professionalism, integrity and leadership in the nursing profession.

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

Deadlines to keep in mind while shopping forhealth insurance

Americans are closing in on important deadlines for the open enrollment period to purchase private health insurance from the federal health insurance marketplace.

Think December 23 and March 31.

Open enrollment, which began in October, continues until March 31, 2014. If you sign up for insurance by December 23, 2013, coverage can begin as soon as January 1, 2014.

Most people will need to have health insurance coverage by March 31, 2014 or pay a penalty of $95 per adult, $47.50 per child or 1% of your income, whichever is higher and the fee increases each year.

Persons covered under Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, COBRA, TRICARE, VAhealth coverage, job-based coverage, retiree coverage or other health plans purchased are considered covered.

You can review health plans and prices online, in person with certified application counselors, via telephone and through the mail (after downloading an application).

Call with questions 24/7 at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) or for more information, visit healthcare.gov.

At the gala, Sister Mary Jeremy Buckman received a special 2013 Legend in Nursing Award for her decades of service to the profession. Freeman Hospital System in Joplin, Missouri was also honored with the Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait award for its reduction of Early Elective Deliveries (EED). EEDs are scheduled C-sections and inductions when there is no medical reason. The hospital successfully reduced its rate of EEDs to 0 percent.

Researchers create molecule that causes HIVvirus to destroy itself

A team of Drexel University researchers is trying to get one step ahead of the HIVvirus with a microbicide that reportedly can trick HIV into destroying itself.

Its name is DAVEI - which stands for “Dual Action Virolytic Entry Inhibitor. It was invented and tested by scientists from Drexel’s College of Engineering; School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems; and College of Medicine, and is the latest in a new generation of HIVtreatments that function by specifically destroying the virus without harming healthy cells.

“DAVEI is unique among them by virtue of its design, specificity and high potency,” said Dr. Cameron Abrams, a professor in Drexel’s College of Engineering and a primary investigator of the project.

Ateam, which included doctoral students, developed the chimeric recombinantly engi-

neered protein – that is, a molecule assembled from pieces of other molecules and engineered for a specific purpose, in this case to fight HIV

“For lack of a better term, DAVEI ‘tricks’ the virus into ‘thinking’ it is about to infect a healthy cell, when, in fact, there is nothing there for it to infect,” Abrams said. “Instead, it releases its genetic payload harmlessly and dies.”

The researchers produced DAVEI by recombinant protein engineering and used HIV-1 pseudoviruses to demonstrate that it can physically rupture and irreversibly inactivate the virus particles.

Their research was published in the October edition of the American Society for Microbiology’s Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

Front

LOVEAND STDS

Paying the price for reckless sex

By LaTosha Renee

For The St. Louis American

Though names have been changed to protect and respect the privacy of myself and my partner, my story is 100 percent authentic.

Perhaps one day we can move beyond the shame associated with sexually transmitted diseases – which in my opinion has contributed to the epidemic proportions of infections we experience, especially in our city – but until then I’ll tell my story under the shield of anonymity.

Ignorance and passion was the dangerous mix that infected our relationship.

Unlike casual sex where the expectation of danger is obvious, committed relationships can be a harbinger of false security, resulting in both partners plunging into passionate yet reckless sex.

Indeed, that’s what happened to me – a young, educated and fierce black woman.

I met Nathan last summer and immediately fell for his chocolate eyes and naturally funny and brainy personality.

Two weeks after we exchanged numbers, we both got tested for sexually transmitted diseases and our results came back negative.

Then, after a month of engaging in heated intimate relations with a condom, one day, we frolicked in the raw. Then the next day and the next.

Six months and many talks about marriage and babies later, I tested positive for chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease that can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility.

chlamydia, a bacterial infection, is on the rise in St. Louis which sadly ranks second in the nation for the infection, the

HEALTH

Continued from page 3

Teens), operated by Washington University was the natural choice, Rice Walker said, because about 70 percent of the reported STI population is in the age range of 12 to 24. The SPOTsees clients under age 24.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

“Have you had sex with anyone else during our relationship!?” I badgered Nathan.

“No,” he whispered.

“Come on! At this point, let’s keep it real. Did you sleep with someone else!?” I insisted.

“Yes,” Nathan said. “But it was during the three weeks we broke up. I did not cheat on you.”

It’s true. We called it quits over Valentine’s Day then got back together in the most heart-wrenching make-up I’ve ever had.

“Well, did you use a condom with

her?” I asked.

“Yes,” Nathan said, then questioned: “Did you sleep with someone else?” Atalkative person, I fell unusually silent.

“Did you?” Nathan pushed.

“Well,” I confessed. “I did.”

Nathan lit up with shock. “I thought you were so innocent, so pure!” he yelped. “I didn’t expect you to do that!”

“No, no, no, it’s not like that,” I pleaded. But, it was like that.

During the six months Nathan and I dated, we both hooked up with other people.

Many couples have a few hiccups before going 100 percent monogamous.

The problem was our carelessness that engendered a deceptive love too delusional to do follow-up testing and use condoms.

In the end, ignorance and passion was the dangerous mix that first infected our relationship.

Then another shocker: When Nathan got tested at the start of our romance, he only screened for HIVand Syphilis, not the bacterial infections gonorrhea and chlamydia, he explained.

Aperennial long-term relationship dater, Nathan said he had no experience requesting the full battery of tests. So that day, he got his blood drawn but did not ask for a swab to check for chlamydia, which I learned can be transmitted even when using condoms.

As a result, there was a big chance Nathan entered our relationship with chlamydia. At the same time, there was equal chance that I transmitted the STD to him after cheating.

What snapped me out of this ignorance was a visit to the JuiceBox Diaries, monologues about women, survival and sexuality, hosted in March at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. Outside the theater was free HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea testing. I took a rapid HIV test and gave a sample of urine for the bacterial test.

Fifteen minutes later, my HIVresults came back negative. After two weeks, my chlamydia results came back positive.

I immediately went to St. Louis ConnectCare, where clinicians provided me with a free single dose of antibiotics which cleared up the infection in less than 14 days. Had it not been for JuiceBox, I would have avoided testing until who knows when.

And now I realize I have to face the No. 1 responsible party: myself.

It took an STD to change my behavior and, for once, understand love. For love is more than passion. Love is also knowledge, safe sex and constant testing.

Reprinted from Black & Single, St. Louis American, April 25, 2013

“We are going to subsidize what they are already seeing and strengthen that, hopefully,” Rice Walker said.

The City also selected Ziad A. Dalu, M.D., who Walker describes as very knowledgeable in the field of communicable diseases.

“He’s on contract to be our TB doc; he already sees a lot of STD patients in his private practice,” Rice Walker said. “It’s near SSM [St. Mary’s], which sees a lot

of STD clients too.”

She said with the new locations, the City has actually increased access, with more operating hours while giving youth an appropriate setting.

“We’ve made it a little bit more convenient and we’ve got people covered,” she said.

The tuberculosis clinic remains at the ConnectCare location on Delmar until the end of the year, then, Walker said, the

City will partner with Downtown Urgent Care for a separate location for a TB clinic at 1714 Olive.

For more information on the urgent care centers, call 314-932-1213, 314-4369300 or visit www.stlurgentcare.com. For more information on The SPOT, call 314-535-0413 or visit http://www.thespot.wustl.edu.

Grant to fight HIV-AIDS, substance abuse

Harris-Stowe State University’s Office of Counseling Services received a $802,414 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse and Prevention for HIV/AIDS and substance abuse prevention. The grant was only open to minority-serving institutions and those partnering with community-based organizations.

The three-year grant project is designed to prevent and reduce substance abuse and transmission of HIV/AIDS among young minority adults between the ages of 18-24 on college campuses. Harris-Stowe will partner with Williams and Associates to provide integrated substance abuse and HIV-prevention programs on campus and to the surrounding communities.

“While we have made progress, I am saddened by the fact that young African Americans are infected at such high rates,” said Vicki Bernard, director of Counseling Services at HSSU.

The grant will go toward educating HSSU students on making responsible decisions regarding substance abuse, relationships and sexual health.

Genital herpes virus vaccine trial underway

An early-stage clinical trial of an experimental genital herpes vaccine developed by researchers at Harvard Medical School is being tested by a branch of the National Institutes of Health.

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) or 2 (HSV-2). Persons with the virus suffer from intermittent outbreaks of painful sores and blisters, currently which have treatments but no cure. HSV-1 commonly infects the mouth and lips, but can also cause genital herpes.

“Although genital herpes is treatable, it is a lifelong infection that exacts a tremendous psychological and physical toll on the infected individual,” said NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci. “Aprotective vaccine would help to significantly reduce the spread of this all-too-common sexually transmitted infection.”

About three-quarters of a million people are newly infected with genital herpes each year in the United States. It threatens the lives of infants born to infected women. HSV1 can also cause blindness if recurrent infections spread to the cornea. If either HSV-1 or HSV-2 enters the central nervous system, it can lead to encephalitis.

In sub-Saharan Africa, where risk for HIVinfection is high, as many as 80 percent of the population is infected with HSV-2.

The current clinical trial, led by Lesia Dropulic of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is testing an HSV-2 vaccine candidate manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur.

NIAID researchers hope to enroll 60 adults, age 18 to 40, who will be randomly chosen to receive three doses of the experimental vaccine or a placebo. Their safety will be monitored and their blood will be drawn to evaluate the vaccine’s ability to stimulate an immune system response to HSV-2. The study is expected to conclude in October 2016.

HEALTH BRIEFS

HPV, smoking suspected in worldwide increase in oral cancers

In economically developed countries, scientists from the National Cancer Institute report the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer significantly increased during the period 1983-2002.

Oropharyngeal cancer occurs primarily in the middle part of the throat behind the mouth, including the base of the tongue, the side and back walls of the throat, and the tonsils. The results of this study appeared online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology on Nov. 18.

While studies from several countries have reported rising incidence of oropharyngeal cancers and subsequent studies have shown the human papilloma virus (HPV) as the potential cause, it has been unclear whether this represents a global phenomenon. Collaborators at Ohio State University and the International Agency for Research on Cancer evaluated incidence trends for oropharyngeal and oral cavity cancers from cancer registry data from more than 180,000 patients in 23 countries. They found that oropharyngeal cancer incidence increased overall among both women and men during the time period, almost exclusively in economically developed countries. Among women, in all countries with significant increases in oropharyngeal cancer incidence, there was also an increase in incidence of both oral cancer and lung cancer, two cancers strongly associated with smoking. In contrast, among men, rising oropharyngeal cancer incidence was generally accompanied by decreases for oral cancer and lung cancer. These observations among men suggest some factor other than smoking, perhaps infection with HPV, as a potential explanation for rising oropharyngeal cancer incidence. Researchers note that prophylactic HPVvaccine has been shown to protect against oral HPVinfection, suggesting an additional benefit of vaccination programs for both women and men.

How women can lower their gynecologic cancerrisk

From losing weight to knowing their family history, there are several actions women can take to lower their risk of developing certain types of cancer, and improving their chances for survival if they do develop one of them, according to the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO).

Women’s cancers include cervical, endometrial (uterine), ovarian, vaginal and vulvar – which combined affect over 84,000 women and claim nearly 28,000 lives each year, Society stated.

SGO recommendations include:

Knowing theirfamily history. Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect early and is the most deadly of the five women’s cancers. Family histories of colon and endometrial cancer may increase the risk of gynecologic cancers. Genetic counseling can help you determine your risk so that you can then consider steps for lowering it if it’s high. Those steps might include more intensive monitoring or surgical prevention.

Watch YourWeight. Endometrial (uterine) cancer is the most common of the women’s cancers, and being overweight is a major risk factor for developing the disease. Losing weight may significantly reduce your risk, and may help you survive if you do develop the cancer.

Vaccinate. Cervical cancer was once the most common cancer-related cause of death among women worldwide, and the Pap test has significantly lowered the death rate. But cervical cancer can be nearly eliminated if all girls and boys are vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus responsible for most cervical cancer. Adults can lower their risk by being tested for HPVand working with their doctors if they have the virus.

Seek a Specialist. Studies show that patients with a gynecologic cancer have a better chance of survival if they are treated by specialists in gynecologic oncology. Gynecologic cancer doctors are trained and experienced in the most up-to-date treatments for these specific cancers, have access to clinical trials and work as part of a team with other medical professionals to provide comprehensive care.

Sat., Dec 7, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. & Sun., Dec. 8, Noon – 7 p.m., Health Screenings at BetterFamily Life 29th Annual Kwanzaa Holiday Expo, 5415 Page Blvd. St. Louis, 63112. Tickets $5, $7 at the door. For more information, call 314-367-3440 or visit www.kwanzaaholidayexpo.com

Sat. Dec. 7, 6 p.m. – 12:30 a.m., Arthritis Foundation –Missouri Office of the Heartland Region SilverBall black tie gala, FourSeasons Hotel downtown St. Louis For more information, call 314-9919333 or visit www.afsilverballstl.org

Tues., Dec. 10, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., Share – Grieving the Loss of an Infant, SSM DePaul Health CenterMay CenterRoom B, 12303 DePaul Drive, Bridgeton, Mo. 63044. This group is for parents who lost a child during pregnancy or shortly thereafter. To register call 314-SSMDOCS (776-3627) or visit

CALENDAR

www.ssmhealth.com/classservicesearch/

Mon., Dec. 16, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Sharing Losses through Bereavement, SSM Home Care & Hospice, 1187 Corporate Lake Drive, Suite 200, St. Louis, 63132. Group provides a supportive setting to discuss grief process, identify and cope with emotions, such as emptiness, loneliness, anger and guilt. The group is open to anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. To register, call 314-SSM-DOCS (7763627) or visit www.ssmhealth.com/classservicesearch/.

Wed., Dec. 11, 6 p.m., Enrollment Help forthe Health Insurance Marketplace, St. Louis Central Public Library, 1301 Olive St. 63103. Certified Application Counselors from Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers will help enrollees navigate the system. For more information, call 314-214-2288 or visit www.slpl.org.

Thurs. Dec. 12, Noon – 1 p.m., Mighty Hearts and Lungs Support Group, SSM DePaul Health

Center, for patients/family members coping with cardiac and pulmonary health issues; learn how to better manage the condition for a healthier life. Register by calling 314-344-6023.

Wed., Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Breastfeeding Class, SSM DePaul Health Center, 12303 DePaul Drive, Bridgeton, Mo. 63044. Designed for mothers/significant family members to learn how the breast makes milk, establishing a good milk supply avoiding sore nipples and nurturing the breastfeeding family. The cost is $25 per couple or individual registrant. For more information, call 314-SSM-DOCS (7763627) or visit www.ssmhealth.com/classservicesearch/.

Sundays, 10 a.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous Group 109 meets in the 11th floor conference room at Christian Hospital, 11133 Dunn Road at I270/Hwy. 367. This is an open meeting for alcoholics, drug addicts and their family and friends.

Mondays, 7 p.m. – “Tobacco Free for Life” support group – free weekly meetings at St. Peters Mo.

City Hall. Supported by SSM Cancer Care; RSVPinitial participation to 636-947-5304.

Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. –Alcohol and Drug Informational meeting, Christian Hospital, Professional Office Building 2, Suite 401. For information, call 314-8393171.

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – STEPS Schizophrenia Support Group

This nationally recognized program provides education and support for those with schizophrenia. Group is facilitated by an experienced STEPS nurse. For more information, call 314-839-3171.

First Thursdays, 10 a.m. –Family Support Group by NAMI St. Louis, The Alliance on Mental Illness at Transfiguration Lutheran Church, 1807 Biddle Street. No registration needed; no cost. For more information, call 314-962-4670.

Free psychiatric and chemical dependency evaluations are confi-

Student aims for Bachelorof Science in Nursing

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

In addition to job shadowing, Cedar Hill, Missouri native Riley Wood took statistics and biomedical sciences during high school to prepare for college and nursing school. Wood is one of several nursing school students who received scholarships through a collaborative effort by Deaconess Foundation, The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis and the St. Louis American Foundation. The foundations have committed more than $100,000 annually in resources and support over at five-year-period to assist future nurses in their education and training.

The Missouri State University freshman said becoming a Deaconess Scholar really made him “buckle down” and focus on grades.

“I really want to use it to do the best I can, so I can make sure I can get where I need to get through nursing,” he said.

Wood said he has a lot of family members and some good friends who made careers in nursing, including a future in-law.

“My fiancé’s dad is director of nursing at a retirement home,” Wood said. He hasn’t narrowed down a specialty in nursing or a location where he would like to work, however he has definite educational goals.

“I want to get my BSN,” he added.

Deaconess Foundation Nursing Scholarships are awarded to 10-15 students annually (avg. award $6,000). Students must be permanent residents of the St. Louis metropolitan area and pursuing nursing (RN, BSN) at an accredited, nonprofit school. The awards are based on financial need, strength of character, and academic potential.

Applicants are required to have a valid email address when beginning the application as all correspondence will arrive by email.

To apply, students are required to complete the two applications by April 15: the Deaconess Foundation Nursing Scholarship and The Scholarship

Foundation Interest-Free Loan in Scholarship Central at www.sfstl.org.

If selected, Deaconess Scholarship recipients may also be given an opportunity to accept or decline an interest-free loan or other grants through SFSTL. For more information, call The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis at

Rev. Starsky D. Wilson, President and CEO, Deaconess Foundation and Riley Wood, Deaconess nursing scholarship recipient

314-725-7990 or via email at info@sfstl.org.

For applications, select the link “Deaconess Foundation Nursing Scholarship” at https://stlouisgraduates.academic works.com.

Drug eradicates HIV permanently from infected cells

The topical anti-fungal drug Ciclopirox causes HIV-infected cells to commit suicide by jamming up the cells’ powerhouse, the mitochondria – according to a study by researchers at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. And unlike current anti-HIVdrugs, Ciclopirox completely eradicates infectious HIVfrom cell cultures, with no rebound of virus when the drug is stopped. The study was published recently in the journal PLOS

ONE.

While treatment of patients with HIV has been revolutionized by the advent of combination anti-retroviral drugs, they must be taken for the life of the patient and never eliminate the infection completely. This is illustrated by the often rapid resurgence of virus in patients who stop taking these medications. The persistence of HIVis partially due to the ability of the virus to disable the cell’s

altruistic suicide pathway, which is normally activated when a cell becomes infected or damaged.

Ateam of researchers at New Jersey Medical School, led by Michael Mathews and Hartmut Hanauske-Abel, previously showed that Ciclopirox, commonly used by dermatologists and gynecologists to treat fungal infections, inhibits the expression of HIVgenes in culture. The group now shows that the drug works

against HIVin two ways: It inhibits the expression of HIV genes and also blocks the essential function of the mitochondria, thereby reactivating the cell’s suicide pathway. Healthy, uninfected cells examined during this study were spared. And remarkably, the virus did not bounce back when Ciclopirox was removed.

Out of Office: What’s the right amount of maternity leave?

Answer by: Rosanna Gray-Swain, MD, board-certified OB/GYN on staff at BJC Medical Group and Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

Motherhood brings many challenges to a woman’s life. One of the first challenges for working moms to figure out is how long to take off from work after giving birth. I get this question almost daily and it is a question that comes with much angst for many women. This is a very complex and personal question with no perfect answer.

When will my body heal?

To begin the discussion about the ‘best’amount of time a woman should take off, we have to consider the physical time needed to recover from the birth. Your doctor can easily tell you when your blood pressure is stable, when your

HEALTHY Q&A

stitches heal, your anemia has improved and when your muscles are strong enough to return to work. Medically, most women are cleared to return to work at six weeks. This will be longer if there was a medical complication or cesarean birth.

When will I be emotionally ready?

What your doctor can’t tell you is when it is the right time to leave your child with someone other than mom for many hours of the day. My view is that the social and emotional needs almost always take longer.The factors that go into this decision are often a combination of financial needs, personal desires and cultural expectations.

Can I afford it?

In an era where two-thirds of women work, it is more and more common that the woman’s financial contribution to the household is substantial, placing greater importance on her quick return to work. Whether or not this is a good thing can generate a healthy debate, but it is the current environment in which we live, and there is nothing to suggest a change in this trend in the future.

I like to start off the harder part of the conversation by asking a mom ‘If money were not the issue, how long would you like to take off? Once I get a sense of a mom’s personal desires about staying home, we then start to talk about the financial realities. Sometimes mothers

can take advantage of any paid FMLAor other forms of insurance that would allow her to stay home and be paid for a period of time. We also talk about who is going to watch the baby when she returns to work and the cost of that.

The Decision is Yours Just as there is no ONE right answer for these situations and how long a mom should take off work, it is unlikely that we are going to see a major change in the percentage of women that are juggling both motherhood and career. I hope that all of our families with working women in them will join voices and start to foster constructive conversations about the value of parenting. We can demand better maternity and paternity leave policies as well as better support for work place breastfeeding.

8 ways to stay healthy and prevent cancer

Dr. Graham Colditz, Associate Director of Prevention and Control at the Siteman Cancer Center, discusses the 8 Ways to Stay Healthy and Prevent Cancer.

Cancer isn’t all family history or bad luck. Research shows that nearly half of all cancer today could be prevented. That’s why over the past ten months we’ve shared our 8 Ways to Stay Healthy and Prevent cancer with the readers of The St. Louis American. These are the top eight

research-proven ways to lower your cancer risk. See our ad in this week’s newspaper for a recap of these important points.

This is especially important for many ethnic and racial minority groups, including African Americans. More African Americans get and/or die from certain cancers than other racial groups, including breast and colon cancer This is called a health disparity. The Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities (PECaD) at the Siteman Cancer Center is working to end health disparities through community outreach, innovative

research, and training the next generation of cancer prevention experts. Cancer prevention isn’t just for adults either. Research also shows that certain cancers, like pancreatic, colon and cervical, can take more than 20 years to develop. You can help stop cancer in children and young adults by incorporating many of these eight ways into everyday family life.

For more information on PECaD and the 8 Ways to Stay Healthy and Prevent Cancer, visit: http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/pecad. aspx

8 Ways: http://www.8ways.wustl.edu

The Program forthe Elimination of Cancer Disparities (PECaD) at the Siteman CancerCenteris working to eliminate disparities in cancer education, prevention and treatment through community outreach, research and training. To learn more about cancerorto get involved with PECaD, call 314-747-4611, email PECaD@wudosis.wustl.edu

Behavioral Christian Hospital offers free and confidential psychiatric and chemical dependency evaluations at the Christian Hospital Center for Mental Health. For more information, call 314-839-3171.

Christian Hospital Key Program offers support and education to patients with chronic mental illness to prevent increased severity of symptoms and to reduce the need for inpatient re-hospitalization. Call confidentially to 314-8393171 or 1-800-447-4301.

Crime Victim Advocacy Center provides no cost support for persons affected by criminal acts. Email peggy@supportvictims.org, visit or call the 24-hour hotline 314-OK-BE-MAD (652-3673) or visit www.supportvictims.org.

Bike helmet safety

The St. Louis County Health Department provides free bicycle helmets to St. Louis County residents between ages 1 and 17 by appointment only. Proof of residency is required. For the location nearest you, visit www.tinyurl.freebikehelmets.

HEALTH RESOURCES

Breast Cancer

Gateway to Hope offers no-charge medical and reconstructive treatment for uninsured breast cancer patients in Missouri. Contact 314-569-1113.

Dental

Free Dental Hygiene Clinic - No charge dental exams, x-rays, cleanings and other dental services for children and adults provided by dental students at Missouri College. Patients needing more extensive dental work (fillings, crowns, etc.) will be referred to local dentists. For information, call 314-768-7899.

Diabetes

SSM St. Mary’s Health Center provides free, Diabetes Support Group sessions the second Tuesday of every month from 6 – 7 p.m. to address health management issues. It’s located at Meeting Room 1 on the second floor, 6420 Clayton Rd. in St. Louis. To register, call toll free 866-SSM-DOCS (866776-3627).

Health Partnerships

The Center for Community Health and Partnerships: Building Bridges for Healthy Communities works to

develop and support beneficial community-academic partnerships to address the health needs of the St. Louis. For more information, email publichealth@wustl.edu; phone 314-7479212 or visit publichealth.wustl.edu.

Information

Missouri 2-1-1 offers referral and information on a wide range of social service and helpful resources. Call 2-1-1.

Medical

Boys & Girls Clubs Dental & Vision Clinic at Herbert Hoover Club, 2901 N. Grand, St. Louis. Open year-round for members at no additional fee by appointment only. Teeth cleaning, braces, x-rays, root canals, some extractions; vision mobile unit, comprehensive exam and glasses, if required. Make an appointment by calling 314-355-8122.

Salam Free Saturday Clinic, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Isom Community Center at Lane Tabernacle CME Church, 916 N. Newstead, St. Louis, Mo. for those who are uninsured. For more information, call 314-533-0534.

Nutrition

Food Outreach provides food, meals

and nutritional education/ counseling to eligible persons living with HIV/AIDS or cancer in St. Louis. For more information, call 314-652-3663 or visit www.foodoutreach.org.

St. Louis Milk Depot - SSM

Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is a breast milk depot for the Indiana Mother’s Milk Bank. Milk Depot staff will store and ship your milk to IMMB. For more information, call (314) 242-5912.

Prostate Cancer

The CancerCenterof The Empowerment Network at 6000 W. Florissant in St. Louis provides information on prostate and other types of cancer, and services and support. For more information, call 314-385-0998.

Prescription Cost Help

Schnucks Pharmacies – now offers certain prescription prenatal vitamins for free and offers no-cost generic prescription antibiotics at select locations.

Wal-Mart Pharmacies – offer select prescriptions for $4 or less for a 30-day supply or $10 for a 90-day supply. View the complete list at