February 28th, 2013 edition

AMERICANENDORSES LEWIS REEDFORMAYOR

Also endorsed for Alderman:Charles Quincy Troupe,Michelle Hutchings-Medina,Damon A.Jones,Antonio D.French and Chris Carter. Page A4

Reed needs turnout

Last week large numbers of public sector employees rallied around mayoral candidate Lewis Reed as he revealed a change the Slay administration quietly made to a personnel form that union leaders claim forced new hires to wave guaranteed benefits and collective bargaining rights.The mayoral primary in Tuesday,March 5.

Blacks, public employees, activists form diverse coalition

By Chris King Of The St.Louis American

Evans said in a statement. “He is the kind of leader who shares my vision for moving this city forward.”

“Part of what will determine this race is turnout, and all those downticket races that favor us will be critical.” – Lewis Reed

Evans was longtime District director for now retired Congressman Bill Clay. She made her announcement as her longtime boss’son, U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay, was

stumping for Reed’s opponent, incumbent Mayor Francis G. Slay.

Montford Point Marines strike Gold

WWII veterans from St. Louis receive Congressional Medal

By Bridjes O’Neil

American

Of The St.Louis

The most fitting tribute for three of St. Louis’original Montford Point Marines was receiving the Congressional Gold Medal, our nation’s highest civilian honor, during Black History Month. World War II veterans James Wilkes, Godfrey Wilson and Yolande Latham played a vital role in the integration of the U.S. Armed Forces. Their valiant service was formally recognized at the 16th annual “Chosen Few” Banquet and Awards Ceremony recently held at the St. Louis Airport-Marriott. The event was co-hosted by the St. Louis

U.S.Rep.Wm. Lacy Clay honors Montford Point Marine Congressional Gold Medal honorees Youlande Lathan, Godfrey Wilson and James Wilkes.

ANALYSIS

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

For The St.Louis American

I work with diverse groups of passionate people of all races, ages and income levels who are challenging the status quo and trying to create a more just, progressive and inclusive region. We have a rare opportunity to right a great, regressive wrong and nudge this region toward a 21st Century

MSD disparity study stirs concern

NSBE says inclusion program for professional services is working

By Rebecca S.Rivas Of The St.Louis American

Minority participation goals do the same for the St. Louis business community as medication for a high-blood pressure patient, said Abe Adewale, cofounder and CEO of the ABNAEngineering, at the Feb. 25 public forum to discuss the Metropolitan Sewer District’s recent disparity study.

If the district takes away minority hiring goals for professional services, the dollars that black engineers earn from MSD contracts will fall, Adewale said to the 200-plus MSD forum attendees at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley.

“All of the sudden, the doctor recommends to the patient, ‘You’re feeling good. You don’t have to use your medication anymore,’” said Adewale, who

Photo by Wiley Price

Sylvester Brown,Jr.

Schnucks

Schnucks

Top Ladies of Distinction turn 25

Front row: Ladies Ashley Moore, Nicole Simmons, Mattie Stanton, Dorothy Fisher, Yolanda Austin, Eunice Atkinson SEcoND row: Ladies Ethel Foster, roxanna Bailey, LaTanya robinson, Patricia Foster, wanda Taylor, cornelia Sanders, Maxine collins, roseMary Johnson, Demetrius Hicks, Flora Hailey,

richardson, ozella robinson, Evelyn Smith, Nellie williams

Cardinal Chapter celebrates 25 years of service

American staff

The Cardinal Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction and Top Teens of America celebrated 25 years of service to the St. Louis metropolitan area on January 18-19 at the Four Seas Banquet Hall This celebration occurred the same weekend of the 2nd inauguration of an African American President and the birthday of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “What great company for Cardinal Chapter!” said master of ceremonies Mrs. Linda Shaw. In 1988 when Ms. Ina Boon organized the Cardinal Chapter, she could not have envisioned a more perfect celebration.

The Cardinal Chapter started their celebration with the addition of four new members: Nanette Albert, Ashley Moore, Anita Phillips and Rosemary Johnson. Ms. Mattie Stanton, Cardinal Chapter President, presented these ladies at this 25th anniversary celebration. All chapters of Top Ladies of Distinction sponsor a youth group known as Top Teens of America. The Top Teens of Cardinal Chapter also celebrated 25 years of community service that culminated with their “TTA Blue and Silver Ball.” This Ball included the coronation of a royal court. The highest ranking royals were the King, Teen Reginald Bailey II, and Queen, Teen

Johanna Osby, followed by the Prince, Teen Brandon Normal, and Princess, Teen Paige Roland. Rounding out the court was Duke, Teen Datren Jones, and Duchesses, Teen Brandi Jackson. Other members of the royal court were Teens: Emani Bailey, Marissa Dalton, Dana Holden, Jayla Johnson, Johnee Parker, Samuel Watt and Nelson Watt III. The “Top Teen Alumnus Award” was given to Mr. Ronnie Wilson as a former Top Teen who has continued to provide outstanding community service. Cardinal Chapter Ladies and Teens summed up this exciting weekend with A National Day of Service at Powell Symphony Hall

SLU Law team advances to nationals

American staff

where they served as escorts and ushers for the program participants, marchers and visitors attending the Dr. King Holiday celebration.

Ms. Wanda Taylor serves as Top Teens Advisor. Mrs. Roxanna Bailey, Assistant Top Teens Advisor, served as chairman of the TTA Blue and Silver Ball and Mrs. Dorothy Fisher, National TLOD Area III Director, served as chairman of the 25th Anniversary Program.

These festivities are leading up to the Area III Leadership Conference that Ladies and Teens will attend March 7-10 in Oak Brook, IL. National Area III Director Mrs. Dorothy Fisher will conduct this conference.

The Saint Louis University School of Law’s Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition team, hosted by the National Black Law Students Association, placed second in the Midwest region, which qualifies them for the national competition March 6-10 in Atlanta.

Between 100-125 teams compete during six regional competitions with the top three schools in each region advancing to the national competition held during National Black Law Students Association’s Annual Convention.

This year, the SLU Law team includes Jamille Fields, a third-year law student, and Aujsha Weeden, a second-year law student. Sheena Hamilton, a 2010 alumna of SLU Law and an employment and labor attorney at Armstrong Teasdale, LLP, is the SLU Law adjunct professor of moot court who coached the students.

SLu Law students Jamille Fields and Aujsha weeden and their coach Sheena Hamilton

“Moot court is not just an advocacy performance or a writing exercise, it’s both,” said Hamilton. “It gives students an opportunity to simulate a real case and client and gives employers a sense of the student’s ability to not only advocate for their clients but also to write a real legal document.”

Since 1975, the Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition has provided National Black Law Students Association members with opportunities to learn skills in appellate advocacy through oral arguments and brief writing. This year’s problem is centered on the Defense of Marriage Act and the administrative procedures of the Environmental Protection Agency.

To learn more about the Black Law Students Association, visit http://slu.edu/ school-of-law-home/studentlife/student-organizations/ current-organizations/blacklaw-students-association.

Elderly & Disabled Notification Program

Elderly and disabled customers are eligible for a special program aimed at preventing interruption of natural gas service during the winter. If you or a member of your household are age 65 or older, or are disabled, you are encouraged to register for this program.

Once registered and before a winter interruption becomes necessary, Laclede will:

• send two notices to the customer by mail; attempt to reach the customer by telephone, if possible; and make personal contact on the premises with the customer or any member of the family who is over the age of 15; and

• notify a party selected by the customer; such as a family member, social service agency or charitable organization, so that outside help can be provided.

Customers who register, and designate a third-party contact, have the peace of mind that Laclede will notify someone who can work on their behalf to avoid natural gas service interruption.

For further information on this program, to request a registration form and to hear about special payment arrangements, please call (314) 621-6960, or write to:

Anita Phillips, Theonis Guyton, Myria Thomas NoT PicTurED: organizer Lady ina Boon, Ladies Nanette Albert, Ethel Baldwin, Shirley Bonnett, Alene Bratcher, Albertine chenault, Harriet crouch, Karen Evans, Debra Jones, olivia

Editorial /CommEntary

The St. Louis American Endorsements

Lewis Reed for Mayor of St. Louis

Lewis Reed – who is depending on heavy turnout for a real chance to defeat entrenched three-term incumbent Mayor Francis G. Slay in the Democratic primary on March 5 – was struck by something the Slay campaign said during this, his fourth campaign for the city’s highest office. “They said the Mayor has been to parts of the city in this campaign he has never been to before,” Reed said. “Think about that: after 12 years as mayor and 15 years at the Board of Aldermen, there are parts of the city he had never been to before. That’s a scary affair.”

African Americans who are rightly concerned with this race understand that there is much code-speak about our community, and no one doubts that a nervous Slay campaign is touting his current venturing into long-ignored areas of the city. His campaign is trying to establish Slay as a candidate working to win votes in North City. We agree with Reed that it’s a “scary affair” for a mayor first elected to lead a majority-black city in 2001 (and, 12 years later, leading a plurality-black city) to only recently visit some of its black neighborhoods. In a shoddy endorsement crafted by an all-white editorial board, without the participation of a single African American in the paper’s interviews of the candidates or assessment of them, the Post-Dispatch credits Slay as a tireless worker who stops by neighborhood meetings after his purported 12-hour days. We know that Slay has seen some of our neighborhood meetings for the very first time during this campaign, and he should not have been surprised to find his reception often cool, even unwelcome.

It would be pointless to deny that many areas in some majority-black neighborhoods in this still largely segregated city are dilapidated, dispiriting and dangerous. By no means is Francis Slay solely to blame for this. But we do fault him for failing to provide a more inclusive, concerned and forward-thinking leadership needed to turn around the lowest-performing sectors of our city and its people. We

What you’re supposed to do

I take serious exception to those black people who are taking the position that Lewis Reed should be supported by Congressman Clay simply because Reed’s racial classification is black. Did the fact that Reed is black induce Reed to endorse the black incumbent candidate for re-election to Congress, Lacy Clay? Not at all! If Reed did not want Clay to endorse Slay then Reed should also have endorsed Clay. Slay knew that his endorsement of Clay would either neutralize Clay if Reed also endorsed Clay, or would probably induce Clay to endorse Slay if Reed failed to endorse Clay. Slay made the smart political move, while Reed did not. Reed did not choose to endorse the black incumbent congressman, Clay, over his white challenger, Russ Carnahan, in a predominantly

need an empathetic mayor who provides inspired leadership and advocates policies that can help transition more of our people into contributing members of society.

Slay and his all-white senior staff have largely used divisive tactics (often based on race) to maintain their political power. All of the two-year-old children born when Slay moved into Room 200 are now 14 years old, and how has his tenure affected their lives?

As much as anyone, we have acknowledged that Slay and his campaign have made some shrewd tactical political moves over the past two election cycles that have brought deep into his camp two prominent and seasoned African-American elected officials, U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay and state Senator Jamilah Nasheed. We don’t know whether or not Clay and Nasheed actually believe all of the things they are saying about Slay as part of their political payback for his public (but largely hollow) support of their 2012 campaigns, but we do believe Reed is telling the truth when he reports from his canvasses of North St. Louis that their message is not resonating with voters. If Reed was relying simply on the many disgruntled black voters who consider Mayor Slay “a scary affair,” then the mayor would not be sending out a barrage of negative mailers and paying for almost non-stop negative ads targeting his opponent. Slay is working hard to discredit Reed because Slay is – somewhat amazingly, for a three-term incumbent who has raised $3.5 million for this campaign – running scared. Slay is running scared because his divisive, dismissive, often bullying leadership (typified by his chief of staff, Jeff Rainford) has made him many bitter enemies even in his natural base. Slay’s botched, deceitful, bullying handling of Fire Chief Sherman George and black firefighters’ concerns should have earned him supporters for life from Firefighters Local 73, the white-dominated union. But then his botched, deceitful, bullying handling of Local 73’s pension concerns has united black and white firefighters (a rarity in this city) and drove both groups to support Reed.

We find it important that the main bargaining groups for city employees have turned en masse against this mayor, again for his administration’s botched, deceitful, bullying handling of an issue of central concern to them. The Slay administration quietly added a clause to a new employee intake form that union leaders claim had new hires signing away their rights to guaranteed benefits and collective bargaining – before Reed’s campaign called attention to this deceitful move and forced a retraction. We don’t doubt that the city – thanks in large part to Slay’s past leadership as president of the Board of Aldermen – has made some commitments to its employees that it cannot prudently continue to make and keep. But deceitful bullying of a city’s employees is not the way to attract and retain the competent, dedicated staff this city needs. Slay also is strongly opposed by the people who make a living teaching our youth in the public schools. We ourselves at one time strained some of our credibility in our community by siding with a reform faction for the public schools that included Slay. Our motive was clear: we wanted the best possible opportunities for improved outcomes for all of our children, regardless of their parents’ ability to pay. We believe the St. Louis Public Schools, despite many reversals, has now made a great deal of progress in becoming a better institution today thanks to some of those reform efforts.

But Slay pivoted sharply to another path. Massively funded by Rex Sinquefield –who pushes for school choice, ending income taxes at the expense of lower-income people, and the privatization of many public services –Slay became an unequivocal, reckless champion of charter schools. It became obvious that Slay was looking to create appealing alternative choices for the middle-class families he wants to attract and retain in the city. Rather than take a more measured approach, this policy

was pursued without any effort to develop a broad consensus for a dramatic change that paid no attention to the impact on the city’s more disadvantaged students.

While there is a need for an immediate response, there can be no long-term solution to our city’s grave violent crime problem, which is rooted in poverty and joblessness, without educating all of our children properly from the earliest age. We must address the causes that prevent problems later.

We thank Lewis Reed for alerting this entire city to Slay’s many failures in leadership. Is Reed a better alternative? We are confident that he is.

As president of the Board of Aldermen, Reed has had far less opportunity and fewer resources to do good or ill than a three-term mayor who controls the city’s executive functions. But we have seen concrete signs of steadier, more inclusive, more promising leadership from him. Reed accomplished the city’s ward redistricting following the 2010 Census without creating a single enemy for himself among the fractious 28-member board. Ironically, Slay’s handling of a past ward redistricting effort earned him some of his fiercest enemies in the black political community.

We also look at the people Reed has around him. Slay lets Jeff Rainford, a smart but conniving and hard-knuckled former TV shock journalist, run this city; Rainford has made more enemies for our city than will ever be known. In contrast, Reed’s chief of staff is Tom Shepard, an African American who combines the competency skills of lawyer and accountant. Shepard is intelligent and has political savvy, but he also is a calm and respectful person. Simply sending Rainford to other pursuits where he can do less damage and letting a man like Shepard help Reed build a fresh team will enable reform for the decision-making process in our city.

This city has enormous unrealized potential if it can be

governed more efficiently. A political machine like Slay’s fueled by dubious fundraising is no substitute for governing. Slay has not governed with the concerned, inclusive, forwardthinking leadership we need if this city is to educate better all of its children, employ more if its youth and young adults, better police its streets, better deliver city services, better cope with challenges from our archaic system of governance, better attract and retain diverse talent, bring more residents into the city and foster entrepreneurial start ups and new businesses.

St. Louis is a special-needs city that needs a special kind of leader – not someone who has divided the electorate to win elections, but someone who is going to be committed to uniting this city for the regional collaborations that are essential in the global economy. We see signs that, given a chance, Lewis Reed, with his collaborative style and tech-savvy skills, can be such a leader. In any case, we are absolutely certain, after 12 chaotic and controversy-riddled years, that Francis Slay does not deserve a pat on the back and a free pass to another four years. We endorse LEWIS REED FOR MAYOR

1st Ward Alderman Charles Quincy Troupe is a veteran progressive battler. He faces two challengers on the March 5 ballot, the most formidable being Sharon Tyus, once a bright light in black politics who still lingers on, now dimmed. Though sometimes unpredictable, Troupe remains a statesman willing to speak unpopular truth to power on behalf of his constituents. We endorse CHARLES QUINCY TROUPE FOR 1ST WARD ALDERMAN

Although a relative newcomer to St. Louis (in 2003) who is new to local politics, Michelle HutchingsMedina has approached her campaign against incumbent Tammika Hubbard like a seasoned professional. We

do not think North City constituents are best served by the extent that the Hubbards have made politics a family business. Moreover, Tammika seems to be the least able and focused politician in the family. The challenger will bring needed transparency and accountability to a ward, long represented by April Ford Griffin, in the midst of major development. We endorse MICHELLE HUTCHINGSMEDINA FOR 5TH WARD ALDERMAN

The even-numbered 6th Ward aldermanic seat is being contested because Kacie Starr Triplett left office in midterm. We are impressed with the amount of work the young progressive Christine Ingrassia has done in this ward and expect her to contribute to our city for years to come, but we see this election as an opportunity to put another bright, young, high-potential African-American leader in elective office. We endorse DAMON A. JONES FOR 6TH WARD ALDERMAN

Antonio D. French has brought a level of public service and political courage to the Board of Aldermen that has made him the frequent target of the Slay administration, which is always ready to co-opt or undermine African-American political talent and ambition. His candor and often brash style sometimes make enemies for himself where it could be avoided, but the 21st Ward and St. Louis are better served by this young man than by his undistinguished opponent. We endorse ANTONIO D. FRENCH FOR 21ST WARD ALDERMAN

Chris Carter was selected through an internal Democratic Party process to succeed his uncle, longtime 27th Ward Alderman Gregory J. Carter, after Greg’s untimely death. There isn’t anyone nearly as well prepared as Chris Carter, despite his youth, to take up where his uncle left off. He will continue to provide excellent constituent services as well as statesmanship at the Board of Aldermen and is the clear choice. We endorse CHRIS CARTER FOR 27TH WARD ALDERMAN

black congressional district, but Slay did, so why is it improper for Clay to endorse Slay? Clay rightfully took offense with Reed’s “neutrality” and decided to help the candidate who helped him. That is what you are supposed to do in politics.

Elbert Walton, Via email

Another Missouri lunatic

Political wonders in Missouri never cease! A Missouri politician has once again lived up to the state’s “Show Me” motto by (figuratively) dropping his drawers and showing to the nation the bare derriere of Show Me politics. State Representative Mike Leara, a St. Louis Republican, thus joins the ranks of Missouri’s political lunatics like Republican Todd Akin. Rep. Leara most recently earned his place in the political sunshine by proposing a bill

that would make it a Class D felony for anyone to propose legislation that would restrict the rights inherent in the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution; that is to say, “an individual’s right to bear arms.” Rep. Leara’s bill is but one of an astounding 24 firearms bills currently being considered in Missouri’s House of Representatives.

Michael K. Broughton, Green Park

TIF questions clariied

I had never asked Mayor Slay about TIFs before the mayoral debate. In his answer, the mayor defended his policy of giving the entire benefit of the TIF or abatement to the developer. It was clear he had no intention of reserving 50 percent of the revenue that would accrue from the increased value of the developed property to the public schools. Currently that

deprives them of $28 million each year, and the amount is growing.

Lewis Reed, on the other hand, did answer the question directly and he said that in his administration he would hold the school district harmless. That means they would get the full benefit of the increased value of the property. He said that revenue due the public schools will not be included in abatements and TIFs developers get when he is mayor.

Susan Turk, Via email

Sequester and the Pentagon

With the sequester about to hit, Congress is preparing for across the board cuts to go into effect. The only glimmer of hope in allowing the sequester to happen is that it would ensure that something would finally be done about the overblown Pentagon budget.

Currently, 60 percent of the discretionary budget is funneled into the Pentagon. Their budget has grown 42 percent since 2000, not including spending for the wars. The cuts being proposed through sequester wouldn’t even cut their budget, just slow its growth.

If we really want to solve our deficit problem, let’s take a look at the salaries of defense contracting CEOs, the top five of which amounted to $21.5 million last year. And how the Pentagon helps fund these salaries, often through contracts for weapons the military doesn’t even want or need.

So as we’re looking for alternatives to the sequester, let’s ensure that the Pentagon gives up its fair share. We cannot allow our deficit solution to come at the expense of our most vulnerable neighbors.

Jasmin Maurer, St. Louis

Lewis Reed

Citizen Police Academy at Dellwood

The St. Louis County Police Department will host a Citizen Police Academy at Dellwood City Hall, located at 1415 Chambers Rd. The classes will be held on eight consecutive Wednesdays, with one field trip, beginning on March 6, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with graduation on April 24.

Participants learn about what steps they can take to avoid becoming the victim of a crime and get an inside look at how the County Police Department operates.

The Academy is open to all St. Louis County residents free of charge. Advance registration is required and seating is limited. To obtain a registration form or other details, contact Police Officer Christine Romo at cromo@stlouisco.com or 314-3088749.

Individuals with disabilities or special needs who wish to participate in this program should first contact the Department’s ADACoordinator at 314615-4273 (voice).

Funds support teen counseling

Crisis Nursery was recently awarded funding to support its child abuse prevention, education and wellness outreach program for young members of the Christian Activity Center (CAC).

The Deaconess Foundation and Incarnate Word Foundation each granted the Crisis Nursery $5,000 to facilitate small group counseling for adolescent girls that focuses on life skills, healthy relationships, self-awareness and pregnancy prevention.

Crisis Nursery also hosts small group counseling and trainings for pregnant and parenting teens.CAC teen parents receive crisis intervention, assistance with basic needs items, stress management tips, access to supportive services, and parenting education.

Crisis Nursery’s community outreach at CAC, located at 540 North 6th Street in East St. Louis, is free and available from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and 3 to 5 p.m. Thursdays.For more information, contact Dana Buemi at 314-533-6900 or dana@crisisnurserykids.org.

Good luck for New Year

Apply forfree new playground

The St. Louis Rams are now accepting applications from within the St. Louis bi-state region for the team’s 5th Annual Playground Build/Community Improvement Project. In the project’s initial year, 2009, the team built a playground in a park in East St. Louis.In 2010, the Rams funded a playground at Monroe eMints Academy.In 2011, the team constructed a playground for Giant Steps, a special education school.Last year, the Rams provided Fairmont City, Illinois with the community’s first playground. Applications are available at www.stlouisrams.com/community and must be received by March 11.

Serving the 6th Ward

By Christine Ingrassia For The St.Louis American

I am a proven problem solver who has cultivated positive relationships with citizens, as well as in government, academia and with non-profits in order to fully understand and tackle some of our city’s most pressing problems.

I’ve also been able to use my skills as a paralegal, grant writer, fundraiser, and community organizer to find sorely needed resources for the 6th Ward, such as home repairs for our senior citizens, veterans and disabled residents; back to school events; and funding for parks and financial empowerment for our neighbors. I have partnered with ward schools and small businesses to bring in needed programming.

As a progressive Democrat, I have always been a passionate advocate for the city. Since moving to the 6th Ward I have served the community as a volunteer for the Gate District East Neighborhood Association, then for the Sixth Ward Democratic Organizationand finally, for the past two and a half years, working alongside Alderman Kacie Starr Triplett, as the director of Community Outreach. I was responsible for managing community revitalization and stabilization efforts in our area, with a focus on serving and empowering low-income residents. I regularly sought out the community’s input to ensure I was proactively working on issues of importance to them. I have worked on real solutions to prevent our children from turning to crime and to ensure current criminals know we take their offenses seriously.

I wrote a grant that created the 6th Ward Youth Development Program, a comprehensive program which provides life skills/job skills training, mental health services and part-time employment to teens living in public housing. Since we are all responsible for the health of our communities, I am working to establish a Neighborhood Accountability Board. This board is panel of residents, sanctioned by the juvenile court, who will work with minor juvenile offenders towards restorative justice and healing for victims and offenders.

I worked with several 6th Ward neighborhoods to implement the Neighborhood Ownership Model. This model engages residents in mobile patrols, victim support, drafting neighborhood impact statements and attending court hearings. According to the Circuit Attorney’s Office, criminals target those places where they are least likely to get caught, and when citizens support the police, prosecutors and courts, the conviction rate is nearly 100 percent.

As a lifelong city resident now raising my own family in the Gate District, I have a great stake in ensuring the success of our city. I am energized and committed to our community and possess the skills necessary to work with the wide variety of people and organizations it will take to affect real change.

Christine Ingrassia is a candidate for 6th Ward alderman on the March 5 ballot.

Christine Ingrassia

Bad fortune was driven out ofOlivette when martial arts students of the Nine Dragon Academy performed the thrilling Lion Dance celebrating 2013 Year of the Snake on February 10 at Olivette Mobil Mart.Assuring much good luck in the NewYear were Sheryl Tice (Sales Associate) andFadeina Gibbs (Assistant Manager)

Photoby Chris Grau

REED

Continued from A1

Aformer colleague of Lacy Clay in the Missouri Legislature, Elbert Walton, points out in a letter in today’s American, the junior Clay’s support for Slay is simple payback. In Clay’s hotly contested August 2012 primary, Slay endorsed him early. Reed, who is close friends with Clay’s challenger Russ Carnahan, did not endorse.

According to Glenn Burleigh, Reed’s campaign manager, Evans’support for Reed is more indicative of the grass roots than Clay’s support for Slay.

“We are just finishing canvassing North City for the second time, and people are mad at Lacy and Jamilah,” Burleigh said.

Slay also endorsed and donated campaign funds to Jamilah Nasheed in her successful August 2012 primary race for state Senate. Reed did not endorse in that race either. Nasheed has been stumping for Slay even more aggressively than Clay.

Burleigh doesn’t see their support for Slay making an impact on the black voters who have strongly opposed Slay in his three successful campaigns for mayor. “Lacy and Jamilah are not as universally loved as the mayor hoped,” Burleigh said.

Contested races

The Reed camp sees numbers on its side in North City by virtue of all the contested aldermanic elections on the March 5 ballot.

ing hard against Slay.

Contested aldermanic races mean candidates compete to turn out more voters, nearly all of whom also vote for a mayoral candidate.

The PostDispatch endorsement of Mayor Francis G.Slay dismissed as attempts to garner “free media”press conferences called by mayoral challenger Lewis Reed. Last week Reed revealed a change the Slay administration quietly made to a personnel form that union leaders claim forced new hires to wave guaranteed benefits and collective bargaining rights.The mayoral primary is Tuesday, March 5.

employees live,” Burleigh said.

“There are signs that Slay is weakening in Southwest City, which he can’t afford to do.”

“Firefighters and rank and file police live in wards where Slay has to keep us under 30 percent,” Reed said. “That could be a very difficult task.”

Burleigh said the Reed campaign got a surprise late boost from the activist campaign against Veolia Environmental Services, a multinational company that Slay has pushed for a consulting contract with the city’s Water Department. Activists have attacked Veolia for its environmental record and its operations in the Middle East.

“These are mostly white, middle-income and upperincome voters,” Burleigh said of the activists. “They aren’t that focused on the mayor race, they are environmentalists and they are concerned about Israel and Palestine – but they are siding with us.”

“We have a broad base of support all through North City, but we’ll see an especially high voter turnout for us in the 21st and 27th wards, two of the highest-voting wards in North St. Louis and they both have contested races,” Reed said.

BROWN

Continued from A1

two of three seats on the influential board of Estimate and Apportionment (E&A). Emotions ratcheted up after another African-American alderwoman announced she was running for president of the Board of Aldermen, the third E&Aseat. Dominating downtown interests bankrolled the campaign of the other candidate, Francis

“There are contested races in the 1st Ward, 3rd Ward, 5th Ward, my home 6th Ward, and those are all wards where we expect to do very well,” Reed said. “Even the 15th Ward, a South Side ward where we won the endorsement and the ward organization is working for us, has a contested race. This is all a benefit for us.”

G. Slay, alderman of the 23rd Ward. Under pressure to honor “diversity” from the good-oleboy network and PostDispatch editorial writers, Bosley endorsed Slay. Six years later, Slay was elected Mayor and, without pause, covertly crafted a ward redistricting map that weakened the voting power of the 20th Ward. It was a not-so-subtle attempt to ensure that no un-anointed candidates of color would occupy Room 200. With the backing of Civic Progress businesses and other

Public sector union support

Reed is not from St. Louis and makes his home in the diverse 6th Ward on the near South Side. Unlike recent African-American candidates for mayor such as Irene J. Smith, the black community is nowhere near his only source of support.

JoAnn Williams, business representative for Carpenters District Council of Greater St. Louis and Vicinity, said Reed has the strongest union support where it counts: among unions whose members live in the city and can vote on March 5. This includes the many unionized city employees represented by the Carpenters who are work-

individuals with conservative loyalties, Slay set out to “reform” public education by hiring a New York turnaround firm with no experience in public education. Perfectly good schools were sold, and students were crammed into already overcrowded classrooms. The dropout rate more than tripled from 7.6 percent in 2003 to 27.5 percent in 2009, and the schools lost state accreditation.

No doubt, some of those six- and seven-year-olds in school when Slay took office

“From our extensive experience of this administration, it has taken a systematic approach to destroy public sector unions by mandating unnecessary furloughs, attacking wages and benefits, and refusing to collective-bargain in good faith,” Williams said of Slay.

She thinks public sector employees will have an impact turning out the vote for Reed.

“Public sector employees are in a better position to know why Slay’s programs have failed than the average citizen does, and we are speaking to our families and neighbors, telling them what we know first-hand about this mayor,” she said.

are among the 16- and 17year-old high school dropouts now wreaking havoc on our streets. Under Slay’s watch as the only elected police commissioner, the police department refused to report serious crimes such as rape in order to keep crime figures lower than they really were. Apolitically-connected towing operation, involving then- Police Chief Joe Mokwa (a staunch Slay ally), drove and sold confiscated cars while short-changing the city of nearly $700,000 over two

The teachers’union –staunch Slay enemies because of his alignment with school choice advocate Rex Sinquefield (Slay’s largest single campaign contributor) and Slay’s push for charter schools – strongly backs Reed.

Reed also has the endorsement of both white and black firefighters, a rare collaboration, as they were united over Slay’s handling of their pensions. The police department’s civilian employees also support Reed. Many of these public sector employees live in areas of the city where Slay usually counts on his strongest support.

“Southwest city – Slay’s base – is where a lot of firefighters and civilian police

years. Slay and the police board arranged for Mokwa to retire with benefits and made sure taxpayers paid for his legal fees.

Additionally, under the watchful eye of his appointees, there have been numerous escapes from the city’s two jails and the shocking discovery that guards have been waging gladiator-style fights among inmates. St. Louis has been chronicled as the most violent city in America throughout Slay’s tenure as mayor.

Colleen Kelly of the Dump Veolia Coalition said it’s a coalition of non-profit groups that can’t endorse in an election. “We want what’s best for the water,” she said. “But in general, we are very pleased with Reed. Reed’s office has listened to us.”

Reed is optimistic because he thinks he has been able to put together an unlikely coalition of voters that can beat an incumbent who feels threatened and has raised more than $3.5 million to defend his seat.

“We have identified our voters. Now the next order of business is to get them to the polls, and we have detailed plan,” Reed said. “Part of what will determine the outcome of this race is turnout, and all those down-ticket races that favor us will be critical.”

The American will continue to cover the March 5 primary online at stlamerican.com.

Local media has yet to scrutinize Slay’s apparent privatization agenda in school reform or in his recent efforts to have the French utility service company, Veolia, edge into a de facto takeover over the city’s Water Department.

Slay’s idea of “development” is seeded in the antiquated notion that one big developer backed by loads of tax incentives will somehow revitalize the city. But, as a 2010 Post-Dispatch series reported, the $1.7 billion in tax-increment financing doled out to developers in the last decade added little net wealth to our region.

Slay’s style of old-school, racially divisive, clandestine and exclusive politics will keep the city in backward motion. His administration is so focused on conservative agendas that it’s oblivious to a host of federal programs the Obama administration has crafted to rebuild struggling metropolitan cities. Mayors of Newark, Cleveland, Detroit, Memphis and New Orleans have all used these initiatives to spark innovative community-based development. Slay, on the other hand, is still stuck on big ticket proposals with fickle, trickle-down tax benefits and low-wage jobs. His main opponent, Lewis Reed has yet to be compromised by millionaires with privatization agendas. His work as an alderman in Lafayette Square speaks to his leanings toward people-first development. His stance against turning the Water Department over to a private firm signifies that he’s not in favor of swapping city jobs for corporate donations. Reed has announced a plan for inclusive development of North St. Louis, which Slay has never done in his three terms. Across the city, grassroots agencies and individuals, activated young people and city residents are involved, engaged and determined to revitalize disadvantaged neighborhoods and salvage the lives of “at-risk” populations. This is our moment! We have a cadre of extraordinary, ordinary people ready to build a truly, hip, diverse and more inclusive St. Louis. All that’s needed is a city leader with the insight, influence, resources and willingness to capitalize on this magic moment. The old school politician seeking a fourth term in office is not that kind of visionary.

Photo by Wiley Price

Continued from A1

was representing the National Society of Black Engineers. “The program has been working thus far. This is not the time to basically throw it out.”

The disparity study released on Feb. 15 found that MSD had not been employing as many African-American subcontractors as they could have on construction contracts in past years. However, among professional service subcontracts, the study found no evidence of disparity.

Hence, Mason Tillman Associates, the consultant agency that conducted the study, recommended that MSD eliminate the district’s current goal of a combined 30 percent for minority- and womenowned businesses on professional services. Without statistical data to support this goal, MSD could be challenged in court, the agency stated.

In the last two years, MSD awarded 51 engineering professional services subcontracts. About 37 percent of the $2.5 million in subcontracts went to African-American-owned companies. Yet for prime engineering contracts more than

MARINES

Continued from A1 Chapter of the Montford Point Marine Association, Inc. and the Ladies Auxiliary.

Keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay said it was a privilege to bestow the longoverdue honor.

$500,000, African-Americanowned businesses earned 8.5 percent of the $90.7 million in contracts.

Adewale’s concern is valid, said Eleanor Mason Ramsey, president of Mason Tillman. Ramsey has studied several agencies with aggressive inclusion programs and found no disparities in their practices. The catch 22 is that without proof of disparity, the agency cannot legally justify the very minority participation goals that helped them to eliminate disparity. So they have to remove the goals or become vulnerable to a lawsuit.

“In most of those communities, probably without exception, the use plummeted once the goals were removed,” she said. “That’s one thing this community might anticipate.”

St. Louis could be immune to plummeting minority participation if prime contractors consistently hire minority businesses on all projects – even when not required, she said. That would be a good way to tell if the elimination of goals would affect minority subcontractors, she said, but that wasn’t reviewed in the study.

Vicki Taylor Edwards, director of human resources for MSD, said that all stakeholders, including the black

“It’s more than I expected, and I’m very gratified to have earned it,” Wilkes said. “The Marine Corps taught me more than I would’ve learned anywhere else. It taught me how to be a man among men and women.”

Over 60 years after their service, President Barack Obama signed into law a bill honoring Montford Point Marines on Nov. 23, 2011. Last summer, thousands of surviving Montford Point Marines from across the country convened on the U.S. Capitol to receive their Congressional Gold Medals.

“While they were defending freedom and saving the world from fascism, these three brave Americans and their comrades were also fighting a battle for equality and full citizenship for African Americans,” Clay said.

engineers, agreed that the district would implement the study’s recommendations.

“For me, it’s very difficult,” she said. “It does not make me sleep well at night. We had a roundtable of different advocates, and we all said we would live with whatever comes out of the study.”

The urgency to review MSD’s inclusion program came from the $4.7 billion in mandated improvements the district will be making over the next 23 years.

Mason Tillman also recommended several policy changes that would provide support for small businesses in landing MSD contracts through payment tracking, loan and bonding support, and increasing MSD’s inclusion team, among other policies.

Workforce goals by trade

At the forum, several labor union leaders urged the district to look at workforce goals in terms of trades, rather than overall.

The study recommends a 30-percent workforce goal for minorities and seven percent goal for women in construction contracts more than $500,000. This is higher than the hotly

debated interim workforce goals of 25 percent minority and 6.9 percent women for construction contracts.

Gary Elliott, business manager for the Eastern Missouri Labor District Council, said that without enforcing this goal by trade, the inclusion program would only go so far to diversify the workforce. Most likely, prime contractors would look to laborers and carpenters to fill their workforce requirements, and that would not help to diversity electricians, pipefitters and other trades, he said.

Currently, the district does require its workforce goals to be met by trade, according to

“They set out to make a difference and ended up making history.”

– Michael McMillan,on the Montford Point Marines

The U.S. military in World War II, like the rest of pre-civil rights America, was segregated. When President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order No. 8802, African Americans gained access into the U.S. Marine Corps.

Between 1942 and 1949, approximately 20,000 African-

American recruits were sent to the all-black Montford Point basic training camp in North Carolina. In July 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order No. 9981 that banned segregation in the Armed Forces. Wilkes was the only honoree who left the banquet with

its interim policy passed in March 2012. Last year, Adolphus Pruitt, president of the NAACP, pushed the district to adopt the federal workforce guidelines, which are enforced by trade.

After the interim policy was passed, Pruitt said, “This policy is going to force those contractors and unions who are operating in those areas to now diversify some trade areas that have been ignored for a very long time.”

Mason Tillman did not make the recommendation to look at workforce goals by trade. However, Ramsey told Elliot his concerns were heard, and the district would take

a physical medal. Anthony Chestang, president of the St. Louis Chapter of the Montford Point Marine Association and Central Regional vice president, said that the other two Congressional Gold Medals hadn’t made it to St. Louis because the remnants of the East Coast winter storm dubbed “Nemo” had grounded over 1,000 flights nationwide. Michael McMillan, License Collector for the City of St. Louis, was expecting a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Montford Point

Harambees close OBS

Participants at Organization for Black Struggle’s 33rd Anniversary Celebration ended the event with the traditional closing Harambees,a communal rallying cry of Kenyan origin.

them into account. If MSD receives federal funds, the district would have to abide by federal guidelines and diversify by trade, Pruitt said. For professional services, the workforce goal recommended is 18 percent minorities and 32 percent women, and the interim goals were a combined 30 percent goal for both women and minorities.

“It’s obvious that you’ve been able to find some folks that a lot of folks say don’t exist in the numbers,” Pruitt said. “We appreciate the fact that MSD did move forward to quantify the discussion as it relates to MBE participation.”

Marine Association, but another honor caught him off guard. Clay presented McMillan with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for his commitment to the St. Louis community.

“It’s very hard to surprise people,” Chestang said. “But, I think we finally surprised Mr. McMillan.” McMillan began his acceptance speech by referencing a full-page ad on the back of JET magazine paying homage to the Montford Point Marines: “They set out to make a difference and ended up making history.”

Obituaries

Hillard Prince Martin Jr.

(1946 – 2013)

Jurisdiction, and Illinois

Southeast Jurisdiction. His musicianship took him beyond COGIC boundaries, where his skills and anointing were appreciated and utilized in other denominations.

caring friends.

Hillard Prince Martin Jr. was born to the union of Hillard Prince Martin Sr. and Dorothy Paulina Martin-Miles in Saint Louis on May 27, 1946. Both parents preceded him in death. Hillard was baptized at Mount Aries Missionary Baptist Church at an early age and later united with the Lively Stone Pentecostal Church under the leadership of the late Bishop Scott. Hillard attended St. Louis Public Schools graduating from Benton Elementary. While at Sumner High school, Hillard became an expert swimmer and worked as a life guard for the City of St. Louis. He also learned to play multiple wind instruments and his talent promoted him to become a member of the Tom Powell Post Senior Drum and Bugle Corp., as well as the American Woodsman Drum and Bugle Corp.

After graduating with honors, Hillard joined the United States Air Force where he served for five years and was honorably discharged on December 29, 1970.

Because, Hillard had a thirst to learn he attended the Missouri Baptist College and Florissant Valley Community College where he earned his BOCA certification.

On March 4, 1990, Hillard was united in holy matrimony to Barbara D.Bracken- Mosley. To this union, one child, India was born. Hillard and Barbara brought their families together – Hillard’s three children Hillanda, Chedrah and Hillary Martin; and Barbara’s two children; Sean and Rae. Together, they raised their children in a Christian home where they studied God’s Word together.

In 1973, Hillard became a member of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, where he was assigned as the Chief of Security at Lambert Airport; he eventually became the Chief of Security at City Hospital Number One and later transferred to Homer G. Phillips Hospital until its closure. He returned to work for the City of St. Louis where he retired as a Building Inspector. In 1987 Hillard became a member of Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church, under the pastoral leadership of Reverend James Brown Sr. Hillard was called to the ministry and was ordained by Pastor Brown on October 4, 1992. During his tenure at Mercy Seat Baptist Church, Hillard worked with the youth, taught Computer classes, sang with the Male Chorus, and was a dedicated member of the Bible Class and the Golden Agers committee.

Attention St. Louis American Readers

As a service to the community, we list obituaries in the St. Louis American Newspaper, on a space-available basis and online at stlamerican. com. AT NO CHARGE. Please send all obituary notices to kdaniel @ stlamerican.com.

Hillard joined the ‘Sons of Thunder’ all-male choir which was founded by Maestro Dello Thedford, as well as the Gospel Symphonic Choir. He was committed to his community. Hillard was a member of the Masonic Brotherhood, a Board member of the St. Louis Urban League, International Conference of Police Chaplin (ICPC), 100 Black Men, the Platinum Group, and the Federation of Block Units where he served as president.

Hillard will be cherished in memory by– his loving wife, Barbara; his five children – Sean Mosley, Hillanda ( Christopher)Martin- Wright, California, Rae Mosley, Chedrah Martin, Hillary Martin, and India Martin; his sisters – Sandra Patricia (Ulas), Warren; Dr. Betty (Mark) Scarborough, Kansas; Alice Martin Thomas, Washington D.C.; two brothers; Leo Finnie, New York, and Eugene Prince (Wendy) Martin; Florida, nine grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and

Elliott

Daniel Smith

Elliott Daniel Smith was born on September 23, 1959 in Saint Louis, Missouri to the late Arthur Dean Smith and Shirley Jean (York) Smith. Elliott attended Langston Elementary School and graduated from Gateway Christian High School. Elliott also attended St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley with his emphasis of study in Business Administration and Music.

Elliott grew up at Bostick Temple COGIC where he participated in Sunday School, YPWW, Bible Class, served on the Junior Usher Board, was a member of the Youth Departmentand sang with the Bostick Singers, Bostick Harmonettes and the Sanders Ensemble. Elliott was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost in his youth. With the guidance and encouragement of his parents, Elliott began playing the organ during church services, choir rehearsals, and revivals. Elliott received the foundational teaching and training that helped him become an upstanding Christian young man. He acknowledged God’s call to the ministry, and preached his first sermon in 1980. During this time frame Elliott served as choir president of the Bostick Temple Mass Choir.

Musically, significant influences in Elliott’s life were the late Dr. Mattie Moss Clark and Dr. Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark, who he heard for the first time in 1974 while attending the COGIC International Sunday School Convention in Miami, Florida. This influence continued as he participated as a choir member of the International Music Department in various COGIC conventions. Elliott was blessed to work with several Pastors and Bishops and he served as Organist/Minister of Music for various COGIC churches in Eastern Missouri First Jurisdiction, Eastern Missouri/ Western Illinois Second

He was a friend to many and an enemy to none. To know him was to love him. He never met a stranger. His keen sense of humor, wit, puns, wisdom and rhyming made him unique, often imitated but never duplicated.

Elliott slipped away from this earth into the presence of the Lord on January 31, 2013. He will be forever loved, missed much, and his memory will be cherished by his three sisters, Natalie Smith, Jolice Smith and Geneva Smith; one brother Ivan Smith; his niece Jessica Smith; two uncles Phil (Glenda) York and Howard (Leeanna) Smith, Sr.; three aunts, Myrtle Brown, Phyllis Payden, and Gwendolyn (Charles) Holmes; his special Godson (of whom he called “Son”) Charles “Chucky” Caldwell; five nieces, three nephews, several cousins, many extended familyand close friends.

Gregory “Greg”

Lovell Hunt

January 19, 1965— October 28, 2002

There’s an open gate at the end of the road, through which each must go alone. And there is a light we cannot see, our Father claims His own. Beyond the gate, our loved one Gregory finds happiness and rest, and there is comfort in the thought that a loving God knows best. We all love and miss you. Your loving mother, Annie Mae Hunt; your father, Otis Williams; special aunts, Yvonne Hunt and Claudia Spagner; special nephew, Ronnell Hankins; all of Gregory’s aunts and uncles; brothers and sisters; many, many relatives and friends.

Calvin Freeman

Calvin Freeman, (89), fifth of six children, was born in St.

Louis, Missouri on August 18, 1923 to Edward and Almeta Freeman. After graduating from Sumner High School in 1941, he attended Stowe Teacher’s College where he was one of the founding members of the Omicron Sigma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi in 1942. He was recruited from school to serve with the 370th Regimental Combat Team of the 92 infantry (nicknamed Buffalo Soldiers), part of the first wave of African-Americans to see combat in Europe. His son, Calvin, Jr., was born during his first marriage to Elaine Johnson. He later married LaVerne Pendleton in Alton, Illinois and the family moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Calvin never shied away from hard work. After 30 years with the Post Office, he retired as the supervisor of the Air Mail Facility. In retirement he drove a school bus for special needs children and prepared taxes. His numerous interests included amateur radio (WA8RGI) often building his own equipment, woodworking, model railroading, winemaking, and he ran 3-5 miles several times a week into his sixties. He took his family on annual camping trips as the sole driver logging thousands of miles throughout the United States and Canada. He was introduced to the Lord at St. Philip’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Louis and was an active member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Cleveland.

Calvin received eternal peace on Wednesday evening, February 6, 2013. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 58 years, LaVerne; and four older siblings, Juanita, Dorothy, Edward and Maxine. To cherish his memory he leaves a sister Jeanne Gore of St. Louis; his children, Calvin (SueAnn), Terrence, and Pamela; his sister-inlaw Lois Richardson; two grandchildren, Yusef and Ashton Freeman; four more that called him ‘grandpa’, Anthony, Tasia, Dionte and Francis; a special niece Carol Smith; and an extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who could testify to his kindness and love. Contributions may be made in Calvin’s memory to St. Philip’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (314) 531-6318.

Anthony Earl Bell

“Tony Bell” born on June 24, 1956 in St. Louis Missouri, the youngest boy of five siblings. He graduated from Northwest High School in 1973. Tony entered service for his country under the Army. Returning from service, Tony worked for the U.S. Postal Service. Tony married and provided for his wife and children. He passed from a long fight from battling three different cancers. Tony thrived by three children, four siblings and many family and friends. During his time at the post office, Tony received a bachelor’s degree in education and served his community as an educator in the St. Louis Public School system. Tony was working towards a master’s in education while fighting his cancer.

Stephanie “Muff”

Monique Spagner

August 2, 1972— February 25, 2009

She was ours, and we loved her so. She bid no one a last farewell, nor even said goodbye. She was gone before we knew it, and only God knows why. Time will pass and the pain will lessen, but memories will be forever present of Stephanie, who was very special.

All your family and friends miss you and love you. Your loving mother, Claudia J. Spagner; father, Lewis Spagner (deceased); sons, Ronnell, Tammond and Taron; brothers, Antione and Ervin; sisters Lynetta and Earline; special godmother, Annie Hunt (for Ronnell); special godmother, Evelyn Spagner (for Taron); five aunts, Virginia, Cynthia, Yvette, Ruby and Brenda; uncle, Evan L. Spagner; niece and nephews, Precious, Onterion, Caon; special “cuz”, Keith Bagsby; many, many more family and friends.

Hillard Martin Jr.

Elliott Smith

Calvin Freeman

Gregory Hunt

Anthony Earl Bell

Stephanie Spagner

Post endorsement of Slay fails Journalism 101

No one was on the edge of their seats awaiting the PostDispatch’s endorsement in the March 5 mayoral primary. There was no suspense. The only questions were how thick would they lay it on for three-term incumbent Mayor Francis G. Slay, and how condescending would they be to the only serious challenger, aldermanic President Lewis Reed? Their endorsement opens –not with a serious analysis of what’s at stake in the leadership of the city – but with a cheap, dismissive joke. “Life is full of disappointments,” writes Kevin Horrigan, his putative boss Tony Messenger, and some of their colleagues on the Post’s all-white editorial board. “The dead cell phone. The sold-out movie. Chris Carpenter’s bum arm. The mayoral campaign of Lewis Reed.” The campaign to determine who will lead this city is equated with entertainment and amusements. This smug, offpoint, trivializing sarcasm is reinforced in the next paragraph with a quote from popular culture, “He could have been a contender.” The EYE suspects we are supposed to hear Horrigan doing his imitation of Marlon Brando

When it comes to substance, at first they take Slay’s word for it as he “ticks off” his alleged accomplishments: the new Busch Stadium (which any mayor would have gone along with), “neighborhood developments” (not specified which neighborhoods), lead

abatement (performed in a hurry after years of inaction in advance of an audit) and a string of things for which Slay gets at most only partial credit: Teach for America, “permanent housing for the chronically homeless, 3,000 extra slots in after-school programs.”

The Post criticizes Reed for “chaotic, grab-at-anything, me-too campaigning,” but this list of alleged Slay accomplishments is grabbing at anything and calling “me too” to many initiatives led by others.

Horrigan et. al. eventually depart from Slay’s dubious claims for himself to make claims for him. They, too, are unsupported and dubious.

“He attracted an able staff,” we are told of Slay. For example? The city’s largest and most important department is Public Safety. Slay made a mess of it with his friend of the family Sam Simon who set up Fire Chief Sherman George for the fall, and Simon’s successor, the laughably inept black hatchet man Charles Bryson. Bryson was replaced by Eddie Roth, who was not on the job long enough to be judged, but certainly is awkward to name by the Post since his previous job was writing for this same Editorial Board.

“He works 12-hour days and caps them by attending neighborhood meetings or evening receptions,” we are told of Slay. Now, that is ridiculous as a statement of fact. It is a present tense

statement, as if that is what Slay always does and is doing now – pulling a 12-hour shift before directly confronting the people at “neighborhood meetings” (we are not told which neighborhoods). This is pure public relations hype – shameful to see in a major metropolitan newspaper.

Which coalitions?

The unsupported hype from Team Slay continues as the mayor is credited “for doing the politics and building coalitions.” Which coalitions? We are not told. The EYE sees a coalition between the Slay administration and the Post-Dispatch, the Slay administration and Rex Sinquefield (and other deep-pocketed conservative Republicans), the Slay administration and businesses that benefit from downtown development.

But in a racially divided city like St. Louis, that had a majority-black population when Slay took office and has a plurality-black population as he stands for his fourth term, what coalition-building is meaningful that does not include the black community? And who – other than Slay, his campaign manager Richard Callow and this cheerleading duo on the Editorial Board – would claim Slay has built a meaningful

coalition that includes the black community?

Slay’s payback endorsements from the August 2012 primaries don’t count. As the EYE has pointed out, Slay made shrewd tactical moves in endorsing U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay and state Senate candidate Jamilah Nasheed in their primaries. Clay, the incumbent, won easily as many expected, and Nasheed pulled off a remarkable upset victory – both over white opponents. As the EYE showed after ward tallies were in, Clay and Nasheed got crushed in the wards where Slay does well. A highly motivated black base, and not Francis Slay, won their elections for them. Yet Slay is now reaping the dividends for his support in strong, even strident endorsements from Clay and Nasheed for the simple reason that Reed sat out both of their primaries, which was politically stupid.

But that’s electoral politics, not the coalitions that put into effect productive policy and actually move a city forward. In the community where the people operate, Slay has forged very few bonds. In fact, he has made many bitter enemies. From ward redistricting to his attacks on public schools to his handling of the black firefighter issue to his lopsided focus on crimes in majoritywhite neighborhoods, Slay has consistently offended and incensed the black community.

Aldermanic President Lewis Reed, a candidate for Mayor on the March 5 ballot, recently visited with female supporters of his mayoral campaign.

Photo by Erica M. Brooks

The Post blithely quotes Slay’s winning voter percentage in his most recent reelection (61 percent) without pointing out that he has never won a North City ward and only won one marginally majority-black ward (the 6th Ward) that is on the near South Side. Since Reed is a 6th Ward resident and former alderman for the ward, the EYE predicts Reed will win the 6th Ward, leaving Slay winless in every single majority-black ward on March 5.

Race for Reed only

The Post makes exactly one reference to race in its endorsement, and that is to characterize Reed as “AfricanAmerican.” Slay’s race is not identified. Identifying only one candidate by race is egregiously bad journalism that would occasion a forced rewrite at every other major metro daily, and in fact most high school student newspapers. But not at the Lee Enterprises Richard Callow Kevin Horrigan PostDispatch. Tony Messenger, who supposedly manages this page, and who did great work in Springfield before joining this sinking ship, knows better.

It’s Journalism 101 to identify race only when relevant. In a political campaign, if the race of one candidate is relevant, then the race of every candidate is

relevant. This endorsement, for this basic error alone, would earn an F or a forced rewrite in a Journalism 101 class. In St. Louis in 2013, it’s the daily paper’s endorsement of what will be a four-term mayor if he wins.

‘Free media’

When the Post finally turns to Reed, he gets short shrift – in sharp contrast to their position in 2007, when they endorsed Reed for aldermanic president. Remarking on his relative inability to raise funds against Slay, the Post says Reed “has relied on so-called ‘free media,’ calling press conferences to make fuzzy allegations against Mr. Slay.” That is an interesting phrase, “so-called ‘free media.’” Francis Slay has called a lot of press conferences in the past 11 years, and the EYE has never heard one dismissed by the Post as “free media.” But of course, Slay and his administration get all the “free media” (or public relations) they want from the Post without calling a press conference. This was made laughably evident, most recently, when American reporter Rebecca S. Rivas called Slay’s campaign manager Richard Callow for a reaction to a claim made by Reed at one of his free media conferences. Callow told Rivas to read the Post. Rivas said she would not read another news source to get the mayor’s response. So Callow read aloud to her from the Post. “Free media.”

There is one indisputably true statement made in this putrid endorsement: “Mr. Slay’s political operation never stops.” Yes, indeed. That political operation is not a coalition builder, and it shows none of the inclusive, forwardthinking leadership this city so desperately needs, but it never stops. It raises money, and it gets its stories told by the Post and many other mainstream media outlets. That never stops, not as long as Slay is mayor.

Dump Veolia before it dumps on us

None of the mayoral candidates are campaigning on it, but the issue of Veolia Corporation taking over the city’s Water Department keeps turning up in the debates like a bad penny. Most citizens are unaware of the issue, and it doesn’t clear up the debate when Mayor Francis G. Slay says he’s not trying to privatize the water department while his main opponent, Lewis Reed, warns us “Buyer, beware.”

Connecting the dots will help. This has been made easier due to the dogged efforts of a local groups of activists called St. Louis Dump Veolia which has not only done the research but has been successful at halting a vote by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment (E&A) to approve Veolia’s lucrative consulting contract. The group has even exposed human rights abuses by Veolia in Palestinian land as it carries out its Israeli contract.

Charlie Dooley and was also a lobbyist for the county. He managed to get that $70,000 job in spite of a hiring freeze. Temporiti is currently a paid lobbyist for Sinquefield’s political firm Pelopidas and for Veolia Water North America. He’s got quite a reputation for being a bulldog and getting what his clients want.

Rex is all for demolishing the city in favor of a citycounty merger. He was behind eliminating the city’s earning tax that makes up about one-third of the city budget. He’s rabid about privatization and seems to have utter disdain for anything public. We can thank Rex for his efforts to undermine the public good as it relates to government, and he has enough money to throw around and keep stakeholders happily silent.

Why should citizens oppose a Veolia contract?

Veolia claims to be No. 1 in the business of managing public water, energy waste and transportation systems all over the world, and it probably is with 8,500 cities under its thumb and $40 billion in annual revenue. Based in Paris, France, the multinational flies into a given city and acquires a contract to “manage” the services. More accurately described, the services are outsourced for maximum profits for the company while the city maintains ownership.

Mayor “Throw-a-Rockand-Hide-his-Hand” Slay claims that he is just looking for a company to give the city the best ideas about how to have a more efficient water system.

Billionaire Rex Sinquefield’s well-financed think tank, the Show-Me Institute, has produced a report extolling the virtues and values of privatizing the city’s water supply. Rex is the mayor’s top donor.

John Temporiti was the campaign manager for St. Louis County Executive

First, it’s a blurry line between outsourcing and privatization. Second, government belongs to the people and not to the highest bidder. When citizens lose control of a resource as valuable and necessary as water, we will be at the mercy of the moneymakers.

Lastly, like most privatization efforts where profits are the rule, Veolia’s track record is not exactly stellar around the world. In 2009, its home city of Paris has even dumped it. Contract breaches of poor performance abound.

The other two-thirds of the Board of E&A have expressed their views.

Comptroller Darlene Green has cautioned the speed of the Veolia contract process and has recommended public hearings. President of the Board of Aldermen Lewis Reed has reminded of us previous reports contracted by the city on this very topic need only to be dusted off and revisited.

Meanwhile, citizens need to stay on top of our water issue before we look up and are beholden to Veolia.

Royal Vagabonds award Excellence in Leadership

President Joseph DuBose, Jr.

Ruining my Black History Month

I, as well as many other African Americans, began 2013 basking in the afterglow of the re-election of President Barack Obama as this nation’s first black chief executive.

Leave it to a few Illinois political knuckleheads to ruin my Black History Month celebration with more examples of their inability to simply abide by the law.

It all began on February 11, with the revelation that Joann Reed, village clerk for Alorton (IL), was arraigned on four felony counts for allegedly smuggling a cell phone and food (contraband) into the Alorton village jail (on February 3) and giving it to her niece, Jennifer Harris, who has been charged in the felony assault of a pregnant woman.

Reed, who also worked as a records clerk for the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department and is a candidate for mayor, was released after posting a $3,000 cash bond and is suspended with pay and cannot set foot in the Sheriff’s Department while on bail as a condition of her release.

According to an Alorton police department report, Reed’s niece admitted that it was her “auntie” who provided her with the cell phone when questioned. Now that’s gratitude for you.

As for Joann Reed, I don’t know whether to chalk it up to stupidity, poor judgment, bad timing or all three, but it’s definitely embarrassing for the village of Alorton which currently has an ex-mayor (Randy McCallum) in federal prison for attempting to distribute cocaine, as well as their former police chief (Michael Baxton) who is incarcerated for theft after being busted in a sting operation.

Cardinals second baseman Ronnie Belliard. Edwards attempted to extort $150,000 in hush money from Belliard who he alleged impregnated his daughter following an encounter at a St. Louis nightclub.

In addition, Edwards was also on federal probation for a 1985 charge of distribution of a controlled substance.

Well, Edwards’ supervised release has been revoked after federal agents recently searched his residence in January and allegedly found drugs. At press

n I don’t know whether to chalk it up to stupidity, poor judgment, bad timing or all three.

time Edwards was “in transit,” i.e., headed back to prison according to the U.S. probation office.

Then there’s 54 year-old George “Little Jack” Edwards. Remember “Little Jack,” the former head of East St. Louis’ demolition department? He pleaded guilty (back in 2007) to wire fraud in an extortion case that targeted former

My grandfather used to say that there’s no fool like an old fool. “Little Jack” is the personification, if not the poster child, for that bit of wisdom.

In fact, I propose that “Little Jack” change his nickname to “Can’t Get Right” (from the movie character in the movie

“Life”) because he truly is a pathetic and unrepentant individual.

Then, finally, there’s Jesse Jackson Jr. the former Illinois Representative (and son of Rev. Jesse Jackson) who pleaded guilty, in federal court, to spending $750,000 in campaign funds on personal items.

Jackson faces 46 to 57 months in prison for an orgy of spending on everything including a $43,350 gold-plated Rolex men’s watch to $60,857 on nightclubs, restaurants and lounges and $5,814.43 on alcohol.

Jackson’s wife Sandra even got in on the act, spending $5,150 on fur capes and parkas. She faces a maximum of three years in prison and had been a Chicago alderman before resigning during the federal investigation.

It is Biblical that “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Then, again, I wonder what the Bible says about “fixing stupid”? If you like my column, then you will love my radio show on WGNU-920am every Sunday from 4-5 pm. Please tune-in and call-in. I love to hear from my St. Louis American readers. Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo. com Twitter@JamesTIngram.

Jamala Rogers

The Royal Vagabonds, Inc. and the Royal Vagabonds Foundation, Inc. recently presented the “Excellence in Leadership Awards” at the Royal Vagabonds Foundation Annual Awards Luncheon. Bottom row: Bishop Courtney Jones, senior pastor, Pleasant Grove Church; Rabbi Susan Talve, Central Reform Congregation; Reverend B.T. Rice, pastor, New Horizon Christian Church; Sister Mary Jean Ryan, Board Chair, SSM Health Care; Reverend Dr. James T. Morris, pastor, Lane Tabernacle CME Church; and Reverend E. G. Shields Sr., pastor, Mount Beulah Baptist Church.

Top row: Royal Vagabonds Grand Pharaoh Willis Young; Reverend Donald Hunter, pastor. New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Church; Dr. T.D. Stubblefield, pastor/teacher, First Baptist Church of Chesterfield; Dr. Elijah Hankerson III, senior pastor/founder, Life Center International COGIC; Reverend Shaun Jones standing in for his father Reverend Sammie Jones, senior pastor, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church; and, Royal Vagabonds Foundation

James Ingram

SCIENCE CORNER

isiah Warner was fascinated by color. how is color created? Primary colors cannot be made from other colors. red, yellow, and blue are primary colors. Secondary colors are made from mixing primary colors. You can mix primary colors to create the colors of the rainbow. For example, red + yellow = orange, yellow + blue = green, and red + blue = purple. Did you that know that all colors are caused by light and the way light affects the eyes?

Just What Is COLOR Anyway?

eye sees different wavelengths of light as different colors. The normal human eye usually recognizes six bands of colors in the spectrum—violet, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red—the colors of the rainbow.

Check Out This Video: The video explains how chemistry causes fireworks to change colors: http://thekidshouldseethis.com/ post/15089187975

ChEMiST, iNvENTor, AND EDuCATor Isiah M. Warner

isiah M. Warner was born on July 20, 1946 in DeQuincy, Louisiana. his interest in science was obvious at an early age. When Warner was only 2 years old, he drank kerosene to see why it created light in the lamp. After a trip to a hospital, his interest in science was temporarily put on hold.

While growing up, Warner had to work in the cotton fields to earn money for his family. in his spare time, he enjoyed playing with his chemistry set and conducting experiments in the backyard. in high school, an English teacher encouraged him to attend a summer chemistry program at Southern university in Baton rouge. in 1964, Warner graduated high school as valedictorian, the top in his class.

Light is a form of radiant energy because it consists of waves. Sunlight contains virtually all wavelengths of light and therefore contains virtually all colors. The human

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

Learning Standards: i can read nonfiction articles to gain background knowledge for a topic.

Does Color Affect temperature?

have you ever had someone tell you to wear a light colored shirt on a hot day? Do you think the color of your clothing can affect temperature? in this experiment, you will find out.

Materials Needed:

2 identical drinking glasses or jars

Water

Thermometer

2 Rubber Bands or Scotch Tape

White Paper

Black Paper

Process:

q Wrap the white paper around one of the glasses using a rubber band or scotch tape to secure it.

w Do the same with the black paper and the other glass.

MATH CONNECTION

Electric companies use “watt-hour” meters to find out how much electricity is used by a household each month. Electric companies measure how much electricity you use in kilowatt-hours. A kilowatt is 1000 watts. A kilowatt-hour is the amount of electricity used by a 1000-watt appliance in one hour. For a 130watt appliance, it would take about 7.7 hours to use a kilowatt of energy.

Question: how many kilowatt-hours would a 200-watt electric light bulb use in 10 hours? (A kilowatt-hour = watts x hours / 1000.)

e Fill the glasses with the exact same amount of water. r Leave the glasses out in the sun for a couple of hours before returning to measure the temperature of the water in each.

t Analyze your results. Which temperature is higher? Why?

Think About It: What’s happening? The dark surface of the black paper should be absorbing more heat, causing the water to be hotter than the glass with the white paper. Lighter surfaces reflect more light. That’s why people wear lighter colored clothes in the summer to stay cooler.

Learning Standards: i can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. i can analyze the results.

Extension: You can find out how many watts an appliance uses by looking at its product label which is generally located on the back, the bottom or inside the door of the appliance. Within the product label, there is usually a box that indicates how much energy the appliance uses. Look at the appliances in your house and classroom and see if you can find the amount of watts that are used.

Learning Standard: i can add, subtract, multiply and divide to solve a problem.

Warner earned his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Southern university, the same place he enjoyed the summer programs. From 1977-1982, he worked as assistant professor of Chemistry at Texas A&M university. he was the first African American to be part of the Chemistry faculty. While there, he researched fluorescent spectroscopy, which is the study of the chemistry of light. in 1986, he was promoted to full professor at Emory university. Warner took a short break from teaching to work for the National Science Foundation, and joined the Louisiana State university staff in 1992.

During his career, Warner published more than 230 articles and earned five patents. he participated in hundreds of presentations and mentored students in the STEM program. Warner believes students need to broaden their experiences, so he takes students to Durban, South Africa, to research tuberculosis and hiv. Warner has earned many awards in his career, including the CASE Louisiana Teacher of the Year in 2000, the LSu Distinguished Faculty Award in 2000, and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Math, and Engineering Mentoring.

Learning Standards: i can read nonfiction biographies.

Many things around the home need electricity to work. Search through the newspaper and find as many things as you can that need electricity. how many did you find? how many of them do you have in your home? Classify the items into categories: convenience, enjoyment, health/safety. if you could only have three appliances at home, which ones would you choose? Why? What are some ways to reduce the amount of electricity used by your household?

Learning Standards: i can locate information in the newspaper. i can classify information and defend statements.

Warner and a student conduct an experiment in the lab at Louisiana State University.

Ms. Hamilton’s 5th Grade Class Bryan Hill Elementary

Students Akayla Carter, Eric Campbell, Chylin Joiner, and TeAndre Wingo played a game to learn about the biographies of famous African Americans for Black History month.

Photo by Wiley Price

Pre-school for all

Obama joins Urban League in fight for early childhood education

By Marc Morial National Urban League

“So, tonight I propose working with states to make high-quality preschool available to every single child in America.”

President Barack Obama

–

In his State of the Union

Address, President Obama proposed one of the most important and proven strategies for expanding educational opportunity and closing the achievement gap in our nation’s public schools – universal quality pre-school that is affordable and accessible to all. We applaud the President

for making this a national priority. The National Urban League and many others have long understood that if America is to achieve the vision of a globally competitive nation, we can no longer accept that the quality of education is based primarily on your zip code or the size of your bank account.

The availability of early learning opportunities for children is a significant predictor of the level of achievement they will attain throughout their academic careers. Early interventions for the youngest learners also provide a critical ladder to responsible adulthood and the jobs of the future.

Many affluent parents spend tens of thousands of dollars each year to provide quality pre-school experiences for their children, an expense which most middle and working class families simply cannot afford. And because of funding inequities, many urban students spend their

entire educational lives playing catch-up in run-down schools with over-burdened teachers. This inequality is not only imperiling the futures of millions of public school children, it is jeopardizing America’s ability to develop a workforce capable of competing in the 21st century global marketplace.

As Jonathan Kozol wrote eight years ago in his landmark

Because of funding inequities, many urban students spend their entire educational lives playing catch-up in rundown schools.

book, The Shame of a Nation, “There is something deeply hypocritical in a society that holds an inner-city child, only eight years old, accountable for her performance on a highstakes standardized exam but does not hold the high officials of our government accountable for robbing her of what they gave their own kids six or seven years before.” President Obama proposes

to level the playing field. He envisions a continuum of highquality early learning for a child – beginning at birth and continuing to age five. In a cost-sharing partnership with states, government funded pre-school would be extended to all four-year-olds from lowand moderate-income families below 200 percent of poverty. The President’s proposal comes as the March 1

“sequestration” budget cut is fast approaching. If Congress and the White House fail to come to an agreement, our economy could face another recession and the education of many urban children will be further weakened. According to the White House, 70,000 young children would be shut out of Head Start and as many as 10,000 teachers could lose their jobs. We must not let that happen.

Last year, with the release of the National Urban League’s eight-point plan to Educate, Employ and Empower, we made the point that any serious discussion about the creation of jobs and economic opportunity must account for the basic shortcomings of our current national approach to education, from early childhood to adulthood and beyond. We said that robust early childhood education for every child must be an essential part of the solution.

President Obama agrees. We urge Congress to act quickly to make it a reality.

Marc Morial is President and CEO of the National Urban League.

BUSINESS

Groundbreaking on North Sarah

18th Ward Alderman Terry Kennedy discusses community revitalization during groundbreaking ceremonies on the second phase of the North Sarah development last week.North Sarah,developed by McCormack Baron Salazar,is a new mixed-use,mixed-income development located just north of Gaslight Square and east of the Central West End neighborhoods.U.S.Bank provided a financing package of more than $25 million to support phase one development and has now closed on nearly $22 million in additional funding.In addition,the U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Saint Louis Housing Authority provided $18.27 million through a $7.86 million HOPE VI grant and other programs.

NYC sets best practice for M/WBE

Bloomberg shows true inclusion starts at the top

By Adolphus Pruitt For The St.Louis

American

On January 7, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed into legislation what could emerge as a best practice for minority- and women-owned business (M/WBE) inclusion. The new legislation (911-A) revised Local Law 129 to improve the city’s Disadvantaged Business Program in several ways.

It eliminated the $1 million cap on the M/WBE program-eligible contracts, thereby multiplying the total value of program-eligible contracts from an estimated $433 million to approximately $2.2 billion.

It established an accountability program M/WBEStat, which features mandatory CompStat-like quarterly meetings, where a high-level administration official will hold department and agency officers accountable for their M/WBE statistics. On a semi-annual basis, commissioners will participate in these meetings to discuss their progress towards achieving M/WBE goals and their efforts to increase participation in the M/WBE program. It also enhanced reporting by requiring

New York City also allows more flexibility on so-called micropurchases, valued at less than $100,000.

quarterly status reports of agencies’progress towards goals, annual performance improvement plans from agencies that fail to achieve goals, and annual contracting plans highlighting anticipated M/WBE-eligible procurements for each agency. Prime con-

Early Childhood Center coming to North City

PEOPLEON THE MOVE

Cheryl WatkinsMoore

Cheryl Watkins-Moore has joined as Entrepreneur-in-Residence with the BioGenerator, the non-profit venture development organization of BioST, to create, lead and support new bioscience companies in St. Louis. Most recently, she served as vice president and general manager of the Integrated Biomarker Solutions business of EMD Millipore, the U.S. subsidiary of Merck KGaA. Prior to that she managed U.S. marketing for Swedish-based biotech start-up Biora Inc.

Travis Threats, professor and chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Saint Louis University, will serve as Co-Principal Investigator fora study of functional health problems of veterans who sustained traumatic brain injuries during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Department of Defense provided a $1.5 million grant for the study using the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

Marion D. Clark of Florissant has joined Eagle Bank as a community mortgage lender. In 2010, Clark was the recipient of the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing Opportunity Council Open Door Award for her commitment to fair housing. She has more than 30 years of mortgage lending experience in the St. Louis market and was most recently with Midwest Bank Centre. Eagle Bank and Trust, established in 1911, is locally owned and operated.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Kwame is project managerof new firehouse

Construction is underway on the new $3 million Firehouse #1 in University City, Missouri, to be completed in late summer 2013. Kwame Building Group is the construction project manager and Archimages is the architect.

The main floor of the 17,000-square-foot twostory firehouse at Vernon and Westgate Avenues will have five engine bays, a training room, administrative offices and a mezzanine with a workout room. Living quarters on the second floor will include 10 bedrooms with 30 beds, a kitchen and outdoor deck.

The project is funded in part by a $2.6 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Assistance to Firefighters Station Construction Grant, with the balance funded by University City.

Bank-On Save-Up St. Louis pledges to open 20,000 new accounts

Bank-On Save-Up St. Louis has pledged to open 20,000 checking and savings accounts for St. Louis residents in the St. Louis area by 2015. The initiative is led by the St. Louis Regional Unbanked Task Force, which includes 18 financial institutions representing 115 branch locations.

According to a report by the FDIC in 2011, 9.7 percent of households in St. Louis are unbanked and 20.1 percent are under-banked. African Americans comprise 33.9 percent of those unbanked in this region, making St. Louis the third highest city in the nation for unbanked African Americans.

For more information, call (314) 239-1897 or email media@stlunbanked.org.

will officially begin on Friday, March 1 with a ceremonial groundbreaking event at the construction site.

Slated to open in early 2014, the Flance Center will offer care and education for 154 children through a core curriculum focused on developing the emotional, social, cogni-

Urban Strategies, McCormack Baron break ground on center March 1 See CENTER, B6

St. Louis to host Successful Emerging Leaders Initiative

Small business leaders in 27 cities, including St. Louis, will have access to the U.S. Small Business Administration Emerging Leaders Initiative. The SBAselected Interise to deliver a management curriculum and recruit instructors for its successful Emerging Leaders Initiative, the only federal training initiative that focuses on CEOs of established small businesses poised for growth. More information, including the full Interise 2011 Impact Report, can be viewed at www.interise.org.

Central Library is a finalist for Architizer’s A+ Library Award

St. Louis’Central Library’s recent $70 million restoration and revitalization has been named one of five finalists for Architizer’s A+ Library Award. Cannon Design was the architect and BSI Constructors, Inc. was the general contractor on the restoration. Architizer, an architecture news website, has opened the voting to the public to determine the winner of the Popular Choice Award. Voting is open until March 8 at http://awards.architizer.com/public/voting/?cid=22.

See PRUITT, B2

Travis Threats

Marion D.Clark

Photo by Wiley Price

Adolphus Pruitt

In collaboration with community organizations and the development team, Alderman Tammika Hubbard hosted a Workforce Opportunity Fair on February 5 in advance of the groundbreaking for the I.Jerome and Rosemary Flance Early Childhood Education Center at Murphy Park.

By Jason Alderman

The U.S. tax code grows more complicated every year and currently spans thousands of pages – even government experts can’t agree exactly how long it is. So it’s not surprising that millions of Americans hire professional tax preparers to complete their returns. Relinquishing the onerous task of calculating your taxes to a professional may save you time and give peace of mind –they know more about tax law than you do, right? But remember: You’re still legally responsible for all information on the return. So if the preparer makes a mistake or intentionally defrauds the government, you’ll be on the hook for

PRUITT

Continued from B1

tractors also receive ratings on their M/WBE performance. And it also bolstered the certification process by requiring the establishment of guidelines to perform pre-certification site visits to minimize fraud, increasing information in the online directory of certified businesses (e.g., job history, project types, bonding

Should you hire a tax preparer?

mation.

By Michelle Singletary Washington Post

One of the quickest ways to destroy a relationship is by fighting over money. And the battles can get particularly ugly and hurtful when they are among family members.

Here’s a predicament one

any additional taxes, interest and penalties – even possible prosecution.

The IRS notes that although most tax return preparers are professional, honest and serve their clients well, taxpayers should use the same standards for choosing a preparer as they would for a doctor or lawyer, and be on the lookout for incompetence and criminal activity.

There are several basic types of tax preparers: certified public accountants, IRS-designated enrolled agents, tax attorneys, storefront agents (think H&R Block) and selfemployed preparers. The first three types must meet their own licensing agency’s continuing education and licensing requirements and

capacity) to improve outreach to and utilization of M/WBEs, and allowing the establishment of guidelines to recognize M/WBE certification from other governmental entities. It also revised the requirements established by the city. Abusiness needs to be operating for at least a year before it can apply for certification. It needs to operate in New York and derive more than 25 percent of its gross receipts from business conducted in the city. And it should be at least 51

PERSONAL FINANCE

are bound by ethical standards; they’re also the only professionals authorized to represent you before the IRS on all tax matters, including audits, collection and appeals. Others may only represent you for audits of returns they actually prepared. Always ask whether they belong to any professional organizations with continuingeducation requirements.

Here are tips for choosing the right tax return preparer: ï Request an initial free consultation at which you can share last year’s return and discuss how your situation has changed.

ï Ask how their fees are

percent owned, operated and controlled by a woman or a member of an ethnic minority.

To deter scams, city authorities are now required to perform random inspections, before and after certification. Breaking the law can have consequences that range from decertification and fines to federal prosecution.

New York City also allows more flexibility on so-called micro-purchases, valued at less than $100,000. In these cases, departments and agen-

determined – some charge by the number of forms (schedules) filed, others by the hour. You might pay anywhere from $100 to many thousands of dollars, depending on the complexity of your situation, where you live, the agent’s credentials, etc.

ï One good way to get a sense of fees is to ask what they would have charged to complete your last year’s return.

ï Be wary of tax preparers who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers. No one can estimate your refund without first reviewing your financial infor-

cies have more discretion to pick vendors based on good prior performance, instead of the lowest bid. During fiscal year 2012, M/WBE vendors obtained over 25 percent of the city’s micro-purchases, up from almost 20 percent in 2011.

From day one, Mayor Bloomberg made it clear that small businesses are the chief engine of growth in New York City. In July 2003, the mayor took a bold step toward better serving small businesses, as

ï Avoid preparers who base their fee on a percentage of the refund.

ï Consider whether the individual or firm will be around to answer questions about the return months or years after it’s been filed.

ï Check their credentials and find out if any complaints have been filed with the Better Business Bureau.

ï Reputable preparers will ask to see receipts and will ask multiple questions to determine whether expenses qualify for deduction.

ï Ask whether your return’s preparation will be outsourced, which means your personal information could be transmitted electronically to another firm, possibly outside the U.S.

well as the city’s workers, by merging the city’s workforce development programs with his department of Small Business Services (SBS). A year and a half later, he reoriented and re-energized the city’s workforce development services – designing recruitment, screening and training programs that respond directly to business needs. The SBS has evolved into a vibrant, client-centered agency whose focus is the opportunities and challenges facing New

Families fighting overmoney

reader wanted me to help her with.

The family background:

She’s one of three daughters of divorced parents. Two sisters are married and employed, but don’t have children. Athird sister, who works part-time, is divorced with a teenage son.

The financial background:

As it stands now, their 82-yearold mother’s assets will be divided equally among the three daughters. Since the one sister’s divorce, she has been living at her mother’s condo without significantly contributing financially to the household. For a time, the sister’s teenage

son also lived there. Neither parent of the teenager has saved for the young man’s college expenses. “Basically, both are banking on my parents to pay for their son’s education,” the reader wrote.

The conflict: Recently, the mother moved to an assisted living facility. “Meanwhile, my sister continues to live in my mother’s condo. She has begun, for the first time in nine years, to pay the utilities and other bills. Otherwise, she and my nephew lived there for all those years with my mother paying for everything.” Perhaps the sister isn’t factoring in the care her sibling gave to their mother in

exchange for living there.

The sister who corresponded with me is upset that her sibling is pressing their mother, who has cancer, to put something in her will to pay for her grandson’s college education. “My nephew is a nice kid, but he is not much of a student and I have doubts he’d make it through a four-year college. My mother’s assets are fine, and she can afford to give him money for college. But I personally feel it would be a waste of time and that he might want to try working a bit and do a little maturing.”

The dilemma: The correspondent sister wants to know if she’s wrong to feel that it is

ï Ask about their experience with IRS audits and what their fees would be to represent you in an audit.

ï Ask their policy for reimbursing you for fines, penalties and interest if it turns out your owe back taxes on a return they prepared – many have insurance for that purpose. And finally, don’t muddy the waters by linking your taxreturn fee to buying another product the preparer may be trying to sell, such as a refundanticipation loan or check, retirement savings account or insurance policy.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ PracticalMoney.

York City’s small businesses, job seekers, and commercial districts. SBS is responsive to its client’s needs, from assisting M/WBEs with securing financing and performance bonds utilizing their relationships with lenders and insurance brokers.

Disadvantaged business programs must start at the top to be successful, and are measured by the growth in the capacity of their customers –minority- and women-owned business enterprises.

the parents’responsibility to pay for their son’s schooling. Shouldn’t her sister use her own inheritance instead of seeking a separate award for the son, she asked.

The grandmother wants to do something for her grandson and has talked about establishing a trust for him.

“She doesn’t understand that someone other than my sister needs to be the trustee in charge of the funds. My mother is one who always helps the underdog, and in this situation I feel like she is rewarding my sister for being needy and irresponsible.”

The bottom line: This is a common problem in many families. Aging parents are taking care of one or more of their not-so-responsible grown children. One or more family members are concerned that the parent or parents are being bamboozled. In this case, I would assist the ailing mother in finding a good estate attorney. The attorney can help her determine the best way to will her money, including leaving some in a trust to her only grandchild to go to college.

That’s a kind thing for her to do. If there is a concern that either he or his mother will waste the money, the grandmother can set up the trust and designate a responsible person to oversee the distribution of money from her estate to the young man. Before seeing the attorney, do some research on the difference between a trust and a will. Nolo.com has a good explanation of the pros and cons of each. Search for “living trust v. will.”

I believe parents should, as best they can afford, pay for their child’s college education. Indeed, the sister could do it with her share of the mother’s estate. So yes, it’s quite audacious for the sister to push her ailing mother to pay.

It’s reasonable to be concerned that an irresponsible adult child is taking advantage of the generosity of an aging parent. And yes, it’s fair to voice your concerns and even take steps to protect her assets so she won’t go broke. But in the end, it’s the mother’s money to do with what she wants.

If you’re mired in a money dispute with family members, send your story to colorofmoney@washpost.com. In the subject line, put “Who is right in my family financial fight?” You can remain anonymous so you won’t have to fight about putting your business in the street.

Michelle Singletary

“The only difference between fighting and acting is that I don’t have to go to the hospital afterward.”

— Mike Tyson

INSIDE SPORTS

With Earl Austin,Jr.

Feel-good Billikens

SLU cracks top 20 in national polls

Earl Austin,Jr.

It has been a beautiful thing to watch because these young men truly play as a team and play for each other.

As many of you know, I have been broadcasting Saint Louis University basketball games for the past 22 years. I have enjoyed every moment of those 22 years at SLU, but there is something very special brewing with the 2012-13 Billikens. In a season full of adversity and sadness, the Billikens have emerged as a tremendous feel-good story while becoming one of the top teams in college basketball. Entering this week’s action, SLU is currently 21-5 and in first place in the Atlantic 10 conference. The Bills took a nine-game winning streak into last night’s home contest against St. Joseph’s. For the first time this season, SLU has entered the national rankings. The Billikens are ranked No. 18 in the APpoll, No. 19 in the Coaches Poll and No. 18 in the CBS Sports.com poll. It has been a beautiful thing to watch because these young men truly play as a team and play for each other. That team play has enabled them to knock off four ranked teams in one season for the first time in the program’s history. SLU has defeated Butler twice, Virginia Commonwealth and New Mexico. The Chaifetz Arena is beginning to rock with regularity and

Bradley Beal mans up

St.

Louis prep star maturing in NBArole

Much is expected when a “one and done” prospect leaves university life for fame and fortune in the NBA, especially when he’s drafted third overall. Those expectations are doubled when said star comes from a mid-market city with no NBAteam and little representation amongst its ranks. Well, to be fair, the St. Louis area is in the midst of a basketball resurgence in terms of players making it to the next level. Still, David Lee, the Golden State Warriors’newly-minted All-Star forward, had been the only impact player from the 314 in quite a while. Following a slow start and an accelerated maturation process, Beal looks ready to join Lee as an All-Star in the near future. The silky-smooth-shooting Beal

The Wizards are 7-3 in their last 10 and its prized rookie from the 314 is finally living up to the hype and expectations.

has never been short of confidence. He has the rare and uncanny ability to get buckets on the court and defend an opposing team’s best wing player, yet maintains a humbleness off the court. That confidence was sure to be tested, though, going to a dismal Washington Wizards team that won just 20 games in the 201112 season. With John Wall injured to start the season, the youngster was expected to lead the offense and produce immediate dividends. Initially, Beal looked so-so to critics as he adjusted to the next level.

Following a slow start and an accelerated maturation process, Bradley Beal looks ready to join David Lee of the Golden State Warriors as an All-Star in the near future.

Chaminade’s Jayson Tatum makes history

The Illinois State High School Association playoffs begin this week with regional tournaments at the Class 3Aand 4Alevels. All regional championship games will be held on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Belleville East is the top seed at the Class 4AO’Fallon Regional. The Lancers are followed by Belleville West, Collinsville and O’Fallon. Edwardsville is the top seed at the Granite City regional, followed by Quincy and Alton. The winners of these two regionals will meet in Sectional play next Tuesday at 7:30 at a site to be determined. In Class 3A, East St. Louis is the top seed at the Bethalto regional, followed by Alton Marquette. Cahokia is the top seed at the Waterloo regional,

and Moberly. The boys game at Jefferson will begin at 1 p.m., followed by the girls at 2:45 p.m. The boys at Moberly will play at

by an offensive lineman at the

was a three-time AllSWAC selection at ArkansasPine Bluff.

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

The new SLU all starts with the backcourt trio of Kwamain Mitchell,Mike McCall Jr.and Jordair Jett (pictured).All three are quick,relentless and tough to stop in the open court.

Senior guard Deshawn Munson of the East St.Louis Flyers

Former Cahokia High football standout Terron Armstead was one of the individual stars at last week’s National Football League Combine.The 6’6”305pound Armstead turned in an official time of 4.71 seconds in the 40-yard dash,which was the fastest ever

Combine. Armstead

Terron Armstead stars at NFL Combine

CLAIB’S CALL

With Mike Claiborne

Welcome to the Big Boy Club

Say hello to Gonzaga, Miami and, yes, St. Louis University

If you are a real college basketball fan, that means you know more about Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky and Kansas. None of whom find themselves in the top spot when it comes to rankings at this time of the year. The real story here is the play of teams where you would be hard-pressed to know their nicknames or even confuse them with another sport. Say hello to Gonzaga, Miami and, yes, St. Louis University as they are now firmly entrenched in the “Big Boy” club of college basketball.

Mike Claiborne

For Gonzaga, most could not find this school on the map, and while they may be noted for producing Hall of Famer John Stockton, The Dragons have been that nice little Catholic School nestled away in Spokane, Washington that has found more than firstround success in the tournament but has never been a true

contender for the Final Four. Miami’s path is one where they had once discontinued basketball at the school once Hall of Famer Rick Barry departed for the pros in the sixties. Known for its football, to see the Hurricanes ranked as high as second this year is stunning to say the least. Yet the folks in south Florida still do not know what to do when it comes to supporting the program as they were waiting for spring football.

Then you have St. Louis University. Yes, the Billikens, perhaps the story of the year in college basketball. It was announced this summer that then-coach Rick Majerus would not be back to coach this season due to health reasons, reasons that eventually cost him his life. Veteran college coach Jim Crewes was asked to fill in. Those who follow the program and those who knew Crewes knew this might be what the doctor

of Miami

ordered. Crewes is a seasoned veteran who may be old-school in some regards but has an ability to teach as well as communicate with kids of today. He made a few adjustments from the Majerus template and just started to coach up players. From that point on it has

been a fascinating combination of players who were maturing to team execution. The wins started to mount up, and for the first time in recent memory the Billikens were not only holding their own in the conference, they were beating nationally ranked teams as well even taking their act on the road and winning. For those who have followed any of the these programs, the smile on the inside has become bigger and bigger. Only Gonzaga has any idea of what it is like to even win a league championship. If you are a real Billiken fan, you know that in all the conferences they have been in (The Missouri Valley, The Metro, The Midwest Collegiate, The Midwest Cities, The Great Midwest, Conference USA) they have not won one outright since 1957. Yes, 1957. They have a chance to change that this season.

Back to the “Big Boys” for a bit. As the aforementioned

have struggled this year to be consistent, they have the NBA to thank for it. When the NBA decided to change the rules allowing the league to recruit straight out of high school after one year of college, the game changed. The wellknown programs went after the “one and done” players hoping that they would be so successful that the following senior class would also choose old “State U.”

For a while it worked, but when entire classes elected to head for the hills of the NBA, things got a little sticky. Now these programs have the McDonald’s All Americans but not enough french fries to go with it in order to compete against the programs that took players who would need seasoning and coaching up.

Enter St. Louis University, Miami and Gonzaga. These programs had no choice but to coach and stay committed to players. The players had no choice but to stay at least three

if not four years in order to excel. These players will be better suited for life at the next level, be it basketball or something, else as they have a better chance of achieving a college degree, which might come in handy down the road. Even if they want to coach some day themselves, a college degree is now required in most cases. So with that in mind, while the quick fix of “one and done” has its advantages, it comes with great risk. You may have to get out of line when it comes to your status in the “Big Boy” Club. I will take natural growth any day if I can get the right player who understands why they are on campus in the first place. For that skilled athlete who is good enough early to move on, who are we to say, “No, don’t go”? If they have the chance to get a start on a wellpaying career, you can wish them nothing but the best – as I do with the new members of the Big Boys Club.

Elias Harris (batting the ball) of Gonzaga.

Shane Larkin,the point guard for University

Soldan seniors sign

Seven members of the Soldan High football team signed national letters of intent during National Signing Day at the school.The players who signed were (left to right) Kendall Stewart (Missouri Valley),Tevin Graham (Missouri Valley), Emmanuel Vaughn(Global Institute of Technology),Gregory Curry (Global Institute of Technology),Steven Irving (Lindenwood-Belleville),Christopher Ford (New Mexico Military Institute),Davione Johnson (Quincy U.).

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Continued from B3

The shooting guard averaged just over 11 points per game during his first month as a pro and his team lost 13 out of its first 14 games. With Wall out, teams focused on stopping the rookie and made him work for every basket. As often happens in the social media world of instant overreaction, some fans questioned Beal’s credibility as a high draft pick.

Afunny thing happened the following month. Beal got better, averaging 13.4 ppg during the month of December. Each successive month, Beal has

PREP

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6 p.m., followed by the girls at 7:45 p.m. The winners of this week’s Class 4 and 5 district tournaments will advance to sectional play next Wednesday night. Class 5 winners from the area will advance to Northwest, Maryville U., Lindenwood and UMSL. The Class 4 winners will head to Jefferson College, Parkway West, Troy and Rolla for sectional play.

raised his scoring average on a team that desperately needs someone to put the ball in the hole. In February, he’s average nearly 18 ppg and has established himself as a leader on the ballclub despite being the team’s youngest player by three years.

Beal told the media the game is finally “slowing down” for him and as a result he’s more comfortable on the court. He’s also becoming more comfortable with the idea of being a vocal leader on the team. After sensing his team was conceding defeating during a relatively close game versus the Toronto Raptors, Beal uncharacteristically laid into his teammates during a

ï Chaminade freshman Jayson Tatum made some history this week in the Metro Catholic Conference. The 6’6” Tatum was voted the MCC’s Player of the Year, thus becoming the first freshman ever to win the award. He also became the first freshman to be voted First Team All-MCC. For good measure, Tatum earned MCC Newcomer of the Year honors after leading the Red Devils to the conference title.

ï The Carnahan girls made history last week by winning their first ever district champi-

to stir your drink for you.”

Continued from B3

the national pundits are starting to take notice.

There were several bumps in the road early in the season; none bigger than the passing of Hall of Fame coach Rick Majerus, who recruited all of these players to SLU. Several key injuries also tested the team’s resolve along the way, but they stayed the course and responded with two nine-game winning streaks.

So much credit has to go to interim coach Jim Crews, who stepped in and navigated the Billikens through all of their early-season storms. Now, the Billikens are in position to win their first conference championship in more than 40 years. The formula for the Billikens’success has been simple. Play lots and lots of defense and play together at all times. On offense, they Bills move the ball and always find the open man. They care little about who gets the points or the credit. It is all about team. I’m an old-school guy, so I love that kind of basketball. It is still winning basketball to me and it’s a joy to call it on the radio every night. On defense, they come at you like a fierce pack of wolves on every possession. They literally guard you for the full 40 minutes and that eventually wears on a team. As one Philadelphia columnist wrote about the Billikens defense last season. “The Billikens are the guy that always parks in your parking space at work. He is the guy that is sitting next to you at the bar and takes a straw and starts

Our guys are quite bothersome that way. This is not a group of McDonald’s AllAmericans and “one-anddones” just stopping through on their way to the NBA. This is a group of young men who believe in each other and believe that maximum effort and focus on defense and the small details will make it happen. So far, it has. It all starts with the backcourt trio of Kwamain Mitchell, Mike McCall, Jr. and Jordair Jett. All three are quick, relentless and tough to stop in the open court. Junior forward Dwayne Evans is a force in the paint despite standing only 6 feet 5 inches tall. Big men Cody Ellis and Rob Loe stretch opposing defenses with 3-point shooting

timeout, chastising them for a lack of urgency.

The 19-year-old later told the Washington Post, “I’m not saying my teammates quit, but we still had an opportunity to win...The game is never over. That’s what I was kind of upset about.”

Since Beal’s outburst, the Wizards have won three straight games. Even with John Wall back in the fold, it appears Beal is the team’s goto guy. That decision is paying dividends. The Wizards are 7-3 in their last 10 and its prized rookie is finally living up to the hype and expectations of such a high lottery pick. Though it’s highly unlikely the team will get a taste of the

onship. Carnahan entered the Class 5, District 5 tournament as the No. 5 seed, but emerged as the champions after defeating host Herculaneum 48-45 in the finals last Friday night.

Senior Chelci Primer led Carnahan with 18 points.

ï North Tech’s girls won its second district championship with a 54-51 victory over Cardinal Ritter in the Class 3, District 5 Tournament at Vashon. The Golden Eagles rallied from an 11-point deficit to take the championship. Senior forward Viviana Carter led the Golden Eagles

while Cory Remekun and Grandy Glaze provide physical play inside. Junior guard Jake Barnett has emerged as another offensive threat off the bench with his 3-point shooting. Last season, the Billikens broke through with a 26-8 season and a berth in the NCAA Tournament after a 12-year absence from the Big Dance. During the summer, Majerus said that this year’s team was going to be better. Some scoffed, but the big man is turning out to be prophetic on this one. He would be loving this team right about now. He wouldn’t tell you that, but he would love it.

As are we. Hopefully, the ride will continue into the month of March. It has been very special to watch.

Prep Athletes of the Week

Vivianna Carter

playoffs this season, Beal seems to be a key ingredient to Washington’s recipe for success. The team will almost certainly improve on its lowly win total from last season. If #3 continues to improve and mature at his current rate, Beal should be able to break Washington’s postseason gridlock in the coming years. With the help of the east coast media machine, when that happens, look for the STL’s own to blow up on the national scene and help continue the city’s transformation from a blip to a blimp on the national basketball scene. Follow In the Clutch on twitter @intheclutchstl and Ishmael Sistrunk on Google+.

with 18 points and nine rebounds while Anjanee Miller added 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Taylor Robinson

Suburban East Conference championship. Robinson will be attending Temple University on a basketball scholarship next season.

Diversity goals set on Page Avenue project

Joint venture commits to DBE contracts, minority workforce

American staff

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission selected the Page Constructors Joint Venture to be the Design-Build contractor for the final phase of Route 364 Page Avenue Phase 3.

The $118.2 million project will build eight miles of four-lane divided highway from Route 94 in St. Peters to I-64 in Lake Saint Louis.

The joint venture said it will pursue subcontracting to Disadvantaged Business Enterprise companies for 18 percent of the construction work and 20 percent of the professional services work.

They also set workforce goals for 14.7 percent minority and 6.9 percent female workers per trade.

Fred Weber Inc, Millstone Bangert Inc, and Kolb Grading have come together to operate as Page Constructors LLC in the joint venture. The lead designer is Parsons Transportation Group with design support from Horner & Shifrin.

This is a cost-share project with the Missouri Department of Transportation ($61.2 million), St. Charles County ($29.1 million) and federal local surface transportation funds from the local municipalities in St. Charles County ($25 million). The city of O’Fallon ($2.2 million) contributed additional funding as well as the City of Dardenne Prairie ($600,000).

The Page Constructors’schedule for building Route 364 has minimal traffic impacts on I-64 and Route 94 as well as the major cross streets of Bryan Road and Route K.

The project website, www.modot.org/route364, allows citizens to sign up for regular e-updates regarding the construction schedule.

CENTER

Continued from B1

tive and physical health of children from birth through age five. The income-integrated facility will also serve as a training and education hub for current and future providers of childcare from the surrounding community.

“The development of a cen-

ter of this kind injects a variety of opportunities for families in this community,” said Tammika Hubbard, 5th Ward alderwoman.

“In addition to increased access to high-quality early education for our children, the Flance Center will offer family-based programming and will bring focused skills training and employment for adults.”

Plans for the Flance

AT&T hosts Black Caucus dinner

Officials from Vinita Park recently attended AT&T’s Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Dinner in Jefferson City,where they discussed the company’s plans for future investment in Missouri,as well as AT&T’s dedication to education and diversity in the workplace.Pictured:Craig Felzien (AT&T Regional Director),Jeanette Carridine (Vinita Park Tax Collector),Mayor James W.McGee,Celeste McGee (President of the Board of Alderman) and John Sondag (President of AT&T Missouri).

“The Flance Center partners have shown full commitment to minority and Section 3 participation, and to ensuring a diverse workforce.”

– Alderwoman Tammika Hubbard

Center feature a 23,800 square foot LEED-certified facility with 13 classrooms for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, and

a health suite for onsite wellness checks and immunizations. Brinkmann Constructors

and MBE/Section 3 firm Simms Building Group serve as the general contractors on the project. Site work is already underway and construction is scheduled to take approximately 10 months.

In collaboration with community organizations and the development team, Hubbard hosted a Workforce Opportunity Fair on February 5 to engage residents and promote the range of jobs that will

be made available as a result of the development, from construction to administrators and child care workers.

“The Flance Center partners have shown full commitment to minority and Section 3 participation, and to ensuring a diverse workforce,” Hubbard said. “We will continue to monitor and encourage participation throughout construction and as Center staff is put in place.”

Welcoming new Girl Friends

The St. Louis chapter of Girl Friends, Inc. held their first meetings of the New Year where they happily installed new members: Alison Nash Dula, Lauren Nash Ming, Holly Cousins, Roselyn Kirkland, Janet Jackson Williams and Lynn Kennedy. Trattoria Branica Frontenac was the location selected by hostesses Georgia Rusan Shirley Kayira, Malaika Horne and Ingrid Trasada. New members were installed by chapter President Dianne Powell and Membership Chair Shirley Kayira. After a warm welcome and beautiful yellow rose and candle ceremony, everyone enjoyed an awesome Italian themed luncheon prepared by the chef.

Naturally Shi

Pioneering salon stays on the cutting edge of beauty

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St.

Louis American

In 2001, a decade before the natural hair movement even had a name – which converts to like three generations in style years – Marie Simone opened Shi Salon with the partial premise of offering an alternative to relaxers and chemical processes.

“A lot of African-American women wanted to wear color, but they couldn’t because they had a relaxer,” Marie Simone, owner and stylist at Shi said. “That would be two chemicals, and when we put a lot of chemicals in our hair it takes it out. I started thinking, ‘What if we started dealing with the hair in its natural state?’” Salon Shi and Simone now have wellearned status as a national authority on hair – natural and otherwise. They’ve been featured in Jet Magazine, Essence Magazine, InStyle Magazine and Modern Style Magazine and the salon was the setting for the popular Style Network reality show Split Ends. Most recently, her expert opinion on the topic of natural hair was highlighted in Nikki “Curly Nikki” Walton’s acclaimed book Better Than Good Hair

“It’s more than just about hair to me. It’s about women helping each other get to the next level,” Simone said.

“I think when you hone your craft, when you take care of your clients, you perfect your cuts and colors – and do it from a place that is positive – you yield positive results.”

On average, the downtown salon sees between 200-300 clients a month thanks to Simone and her team of stylists –Taka Jackson, Tawanda Willingham, Kiihandra Jones, Tiffany Johnson and Beatrice.

Girl Friends on hand to welcome new members included JoAnn Adams Mary Ellen Anderson Malaika Horne, Jeralyn James, Shirley Kayira, Marion Miller, Dianne Powell Billie Jean Randolph, Kay Royster, Georgia

Rusan Bettie Shanks and Linda Wilson Jennifer Jones (Boeing) has a lot to celebrate this month. She is Fabulous and 50 and celebrating 25 years with Boeing, Inc Jennifer and hubby Kenneth C. Jones

and friends

“For

one because it sets the tone for what comes in and how the ladies feel when they leave out,” Simone says. “If you set up a creative atmosphere where people can come and relax, then that’s what they will do.” Simone calls Shi “an urban oasis,” and guests are delighted by the exposed brick, hanging mirrors and relaxing tones that color the

walls and a soothing soundtrack of music that ranges from neo-soul to classic jazz.

“We really try to really give people an escape,” Simone said. “But first I want our clients to feel good from the inside out.”

Her daily goal is to arm women with the right information, tools and products to maintain their look, to keep their hair beautiful and healthy and to make them feel good about themselves.

“It’s an honor that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Doctors and stylists are the only professions that people let into their space like that,” Simone said.

“You don’t go to a doctor and say, ‘Oh, I have a cold. I want you to prescribe me X, Y, Z and A, B, C to me.’ They are putting their image in your hands, and it’s up to you not to take it lightly.”

See SHI, C5

American staff

A leading artist of the Afro-Cuban Diaspora is coming to Saint Louis University to discuss her photography and its spiritual themes. Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons will deliver the Kristen Peterson Distinguished Lecture in Art and Art History 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2 in Xavier Hall Theatre, 3733 West Pine Mall Blvd. on the SLU campus. The lecture is free and open to the public.

A reception with the artist will follow next door at the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art (MOCRA). A display of her photographic work will be on view at MOCRA the day of the lecture and continuing through April 28.

She will discuss her exploration of themes of separation, fragmentation, and memory through multiple artistic disciplines, including her compelling photographic work that combines autobiography with performative ceremony.

“I am always in awe of the extent of mystery that is there present in our surroundings,” Campos-Pons said.“I see myself not just as an artist but a healer, a messenger dispensing small amulets of good

By Kenya Vaughn Of The

Ron Conner plays Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in “The Mountaintop,” directed by Linda Kennedy, at The Black Rep through March

Afro-Cuban artist Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons will

Dana G. Randolph

Shi Salon’s style team includes Jessica Tiller, Tawanda Willingham, Kiihandra Jones, Stacy Telfair, Taka Jackson, Tiffany J., Beatrice Brewer, and stylist/owner Marie Simone. They are considered by many to be among the most talented cosmetologists in St. Louis and abroad thanks to national exposure from hair, beauty and lifestyle magazines – and television by way of the Style Network. Photo by Wiley Price

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.

black history activities

Thur., Feb. 28, 7 p.m., Maplewood Public Library presents Black Aviators in History. Mr. Harold Moss, President of the St. Louis Gateway Eagles, will speak about the history of black aviators, 7550 Lohmeyer Ave., 63143. For more information, call (314) 781-2174.

Thur., Feb. 28, 3 p.m., St. Louis County Library Rock Road Branch presents Travel to New Orleans. Join us for an afternoon of discussing the music, food and spirituality in New Orleansas it relates to Black History. Registration required. 10267 St. Charles Rock Rd., 63074. For more information, call (314) 9943300.

Through Feb. 28, Verizon Wireless is teaming up with 100 Black Men to honor the legacy of African-Americans by sponsoring the 100 Black Men of Metropolitan of St. Louis, “Black Men Black History Month Essay Contest.” The essay contest is open to High School Seniors in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area focusing on the topic of “How would Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglas orDred Scott use today’s technology (smartphones, tablets, social media, etc.) to furthertheir cause?” Essays are due to the 100 Black Men office by February 28. Voting will take place March 4-8. Winners will be announced on March 11 at www.100BlackMenSTL.com and at a winners’reception on March 16 at the 100 Black Men headquarters on Delmar Blvd. The top three winners will receive money towards a scholarship on behalf of 100 Black Men (1st place: $1,500; 2nd place: $1,000; 3rd place: $500) and be awarded a 4G LTE Tablet from Verizon Wireless. Additionally, the teacher who gets the most students to submit essays to the

contest will also receive a 4G LTE Tablet from Verizon Wireless.

For more information and official rules, please visit http://100blackmenstl.com/blac k-history-month-essay-contestsponsored-by-verizon-wirelessapplication/

Fri., Mar. 1, 1 p.m., Saint Louis University Bridge Lecture: Joint Black/Women’s History Months Lecture. The talk “Defining Blackness and Inferiority: An examination of Nineteenth-Century American Gynecology” will broaden the current understandings of the role enslaved and poor Irishimmigrant women as medical subjects played in groundbreaking medical surgeries. Dr. Dierdre Cooper Owens will present her research. Dubourg Hall, 221 N. Grand Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 977-3892.

concerts

Sat., Mar. 2, 8 p.m., Anthony David Live, Plush, 3224 Locust St. For more information, call (314) 913-4662

Tues., Mar. 5, 7:30 p.m., Marvin Gaye Jazz Tribute “I RememberMarvin” feat. The Larry Brown Group Opening Performance by East St. Louis Senior High School Jazz Band, The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, email larrybrownworldwide@yahoo.com

Fri., Mar. 8, 8 p.m., The Coliseum welcomes rap legend Rakim, The Coliseum, 2619 Washington.

Tue., Mar. 12, 7:30 p.m., The Sheldon Concert Hall presents An Evening Alone with JavierMendoza Solo Acoustic Performance: Totally Raw. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 533-9900.

CALENDAR

Mar. 8 – 9, Jazz St. Louis presents Andre Hayward, Reggie Thomas, Tim Warfield, & Rodney Whitaker. Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, call314289-4030 or visit www.jazzstl.org.

Wed., Mar. 13, 9 p.m., Blueberry Hill presents Chuck Berry. 6504 Delmar Blvd., 63101. For more information, call (314) 727-4444.

Mar. 13 – 16, Jazz St. Louis presents John & Gerald Clayton Duo. Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, call314-289-4030 or visit www.jazzstl.org.

special events

Fri., Mar. 1, 9:30 p.m., True Flavor“Queen Mocha Latte’s Birthday.” Soho Restaurant and Lounge, 4229 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information or to RSVP, call (314) 646-9917 or visit www.mochabday.eventbrite.co m.

Sat., Mar. 2, 8 p.m., L&N

Entertainment presents A 70’s Extravaganza with DJ Cool Breeze and Joseph Lee. Door prizes for first 50 admissions! Food, cash prizes for best Male/Female 1970’s costumes! Boppin, Hula Hoop and Twist Contest. Youth & Family Center, 818 Cass Ave., 63107. For more information, call (773) 571-1716 or (773) 5711315.

Mar. 1 – 3, Gateway Honda Dealers presents St. Louis Classic 2013. Nearly 1,100 female gymnasts from across the U.S.A. unite in St. Louis at one of the largest gymnastic meets in the history of St. Louis. America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza, 63101. For more information, call (314) 291-0101.

Sat., Mar. 2, 8 p.m., L&N

Entertainment presents A 70’s Extravaganza with DJ Cool Breeze and Joseph Lee. Door prizes for first 50 admis-

sions! Food, cash prizes for best Male/Female 1970’s costumes! Boppin, Hula Hoop and Twist Contest. Youth & Family Center, 818 Cass Ave., 63107. For more information, call (773) 571-1716 or (773) 5711315.

Mar. 2 – 3, Nine Network’s Dr. Seuss Birthday Bash. Free for children who bring new Dr. Seuss book to donate ($5 minimum). The Magic House, 516 S. Kirkwood Rd., 63122. For more information, call (314) 512-9021.

Sun., Mar. 3, 1 p.m., St. Louis Community College presents Allied Health Information Session. Come and learn about academic requirements and career options in these fields, hear student testimonials and learn how to enroll at STLCC. Forest Park Campus, 5600 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 539-5002.

Sun., Mar. 3, 3 p.m., The St. Louis Symphony presents An Afternoon at the Oscars. The STLSymphony will perform Academy Award winning music from Out of Africa, Doctor Zhivago, Casablanca, Star Trek and more Hollywood favorites! Plus, enjoy still images from the sets and behind-the-scenes moments from these classic films. 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, call (314) 534-1700.

Sun., Mar. 3, 3 p.m., The CenterforHearing & Speech presents Musical Mayhem –Hollywood Style. The swinging sounds of the Gateway City Big Band will entertain the masses at this annual fundraiser. Hollywood Casino, 777 Casino Dr., 63146. For more information, call (314) 968-4710.

Thur., Mar. 7, 6 p.m., Jazz Underthe Stars – Fly Me to the Moon. a night of incredible jazz music under a dome of stars in the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. Enjoy hometown brews & food from local restaurants while listening to performances by the Eric Slaughter Trio with special guests, Willie Akins &

Jesse Gannon. James S. McDonnell Planetarium, 5100 Clayton Rd., 63110. For more information, call (314) 2894424.

Thur., Mar. 7, 6 p.m., USO of Missouri hosts 9th Annual Armed Forces Salute Dinner. Join us as we honor local military for their amazing service and dedication. Honorees will be selected by their peers for their extraordinary bravery, loyalty, and heroism. Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch, 315 Chestnut St., 63102. For more information, call (314) 429-2938 or visit www. 9tharmedforcessalute.eventbrit e.com.

Fri., Mar. 8, 6 p.m., Café Ventana presents All That Jazz feat. Ben Tankard. This red carpet event will include dinner and drinks, several local artist and an overal special night of music and fun. Bridgeton Banquet Cente, 12259 Natural Bridge Rd., 63044. For more information, call (314) 209-0865.

Sat., Mar. 9, 6 p.m., The Lupus Foundation of America, Heartland Chapter presents The Purple Ball. Silent Auction, entertainment by Moore & Moore Jazz Ensemble, and special guests Sharon Reed, of KMOVNews 4, and Malcolm Ivey, of Ivey Selkirk Auctioneers. Renaissance St. Louis Grand & Suites, 800 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, call (800) 958-7876.

Sat., Mar. 9, 6:30 p.m., The St. Louis Peregrine Society hosts 5th Annual Trivia Night. Proceeds benefit service programs for area cancer patients. Electrical Workers Hall, 5850 Elizabeth, 63139. For more information, call (314) 781-6775 or visit www.peregrinesoc.org.

Sat., Mar. 9, 1 p.m. The Best Talent Showcase EverVL Production presents Who’s Who in Entertainment Talent Showcase, Tandy Community Center, 4206 W. Kennerly. Dancers, Singers, Cheerleaders & Rappers may inquire Contact Mrs. Veronica Logan (314) 537-0239. Registration Deadline Sat., Feb. 16.

Mar. 14 – 17, The Fashion Exchange Event. The only consignment-clothing event where you can buy and sell fashionable items for tweens, teens and adults at a fraction of the designer cost. Sunset Hills Community Center, 3915 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63127. For more information, visit www.thefashionx.com.

Fri., Mar. 15, 6:30 p.m., Missouri Botanical Garden presents Around the World Wine Dinner. Travel to wineproducing regions around the world through a four course dinner hosted by a wine expert. Chefs from Catering St. Louis will create the regional menu, pairing each course with a different wine from the same region. 4344 Shaw Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 577-0200.

Mar. 16 – Mar. 17, “Fantasy in Fabric,” Thimble & Thread Quilt Guild of GreaterSt. Louis’Quilt Expo 2013, Over 300 quilts by guild members will be on display, including quilts by internationally-known Ricky Tims, Greensfelder Recreation Center in Queeny Park at 550Weidman Road between Manchester and Clayton roads, in Ballwin, Mo. 63011. For more information: email hmttstl@gmail.com, visit thimbleandthreadstl.org or like us on Facebook at ThimbleThreadQuiltExpo.

comedy

Mar. 9, 9 p.m., Mike Epps Live with special guest Doug E. Fresh, Chaifetz Arena. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1111.

Sat., May 11, 8 p.m., Queen of Comedy Sommore, alongside veteran comedians Bruce Bruce, D.L. Hughley, Tony Rock and Arnez J. star in “The Royal Comedy Tour,” Chaifetz Arena. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1111.

literary

Fri., Mar. 1, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books Downtown hosts author Deb Perelman, author of The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook. The author will participate in a talk, Q&A, and book signing. 321 N. Tenth St., 63101. For more information, call (314) 436-3049.

Wed., Mar. 6, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library hosts author Nathan Englander, author of What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank. These eight new stories from explore the complexity of the Jewish experience and tackle the largest questions of morality and history. Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, call (314) 994-3300.

Wed., Mar. 6, 7 p.m., Maryville Talks Books presents author Daniel H. Pink, author of To Sell Is Human This book offers a fresh look at the art and science of selling. Maryville University Auditorium, 650 Maryville University Dr., 63141. For more information, call (314) 529-6854.

Anthony David Live at Plush.See CONCERTS for more information.

Thur., Mar. 7, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts authors Jim Lynch, author of Truth Like the Sun & Alex George author of AGood American 321 N. Tenth St., 63101. For more information, call (314) 436-3049.

Fri., Mar. 8, 7 p.m., Left

Bank Books and Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar hosts author Jenny Lawson, author of Let’s Pretend This Never Happened. Lawson takes readers on a hilarious journey as she recalls her bizarre upbringing in rural Texas, her awkward high school years, and her relationship with her longsuffering husband. 321 N. Tenth St., 63101. For more information, call (314) 4363049.

Fri., Mar. 15, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books CWE hosts author Courtney Elizabeth Mauk, author of Spark. 399 Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, call (314) 3676731.

Mar. 19 – Mar. 21, Books Are Fun, New books are discounted 40 to 70 percent for readers of all ages. Choose from hardcovers and paperbacks including many popular titles from the New York Times Best Seller Lists, cookbooks, children’s books, musical selections, photo albums, games and puzzles. All proceeds go toward improving patient care. Christian Hospital Lobby, 11133 Dunn Rd.

dance

Mar. 1 – 2, 8 p.m., Edison Theatre Ovations! presents Jane Comfort & Dancers: Beauty. Dance theater works that push the intersection of movement and language to a new form of theater, Edison Theatre, 6445 Forsyth Blvd., 63105. For more information, call (314) 935-6543.

Mar. 9 – 10, Alexandra Ballet presents AMidsummer Night’s Dream. Come enjoy Shakespeare’s most popular and endearing comedy where fairies mix with mortals, a feuding king and queen unleash magical pranks on one another, spells yield improbable love affairs and a band of wandering tradesmen are transformed in the most unlikely ways. Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, UMSL, 8001 Natural Bridge Rd., 63121. For more information, call (314) 569-4949.

Mar. 9 – 10, Fox Theatre presents New York City Ballet Moves: Mixed Programme. The ensemble

performs dynamic works from the company’s unparalleled active repertory of more than 150 works, including new dances as well as classics by Jerome Robbins and founder George Balanchine. There will be a free Speaking of Dance talk in the Marquee Room beginning 45 minutes before the performance. 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, call (314) 534-1678 or visit www.metrotix.com.

art

Sat., Mar. 2, 8 p.m., BTB Productions and VONA’s Angels presents Gina Gala: A Celebration of Women in the Arts. Everything that is beautiful, unique, powerful, funny, andhonest about womenis going to be on display. Join us for an allwomen performer’s night ofmusic, on site painters, bellydancers, and the VMonologues. Jefferson Warehouse, 2501 Jefferson Ave., 63118. For more information, call (314) 498-8479 or visit www.ginagala.vpweb.com

Mar. 2 – 3, 10 a.m., The Artists Boutique presents Spring Fine Art Show Featuring 60 national and local juried artists with works in ceramics, jewelry, watercolor, wood, sculpture, oil and acrylic, fiber, dolls, and much more. Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S. Geyer Rd., 63122. For more information, call (314) 576-7137.

theatre

Sat., Mar. 2, 7:30 p.m., The PulitzerFoundation forthe Arts presents APerformance by Artist Wura-Natasha Ogunji. Ogunji, will perform her work, “Atortoise walks majestically on window ledges.” The performance explores her parents’relationship, which began in St. Louis in the 1960s. Aconversation with the artist will follow. 3716 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call 9314) 754-1850.

Through Mar. 9, The St. Louis Black Repertory Company presents The Mountaintop. August 3, 1968, Memphis, The Lorraine Motel, Room 306. Where Martin Luther King Jr. spends his last day on earth. Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square, 63108. For more information, call (314) 534-3807.

Mar. 14 – 15, UMSLTheatre Department presents FourBy Tenn. In celebration of

Missouri’s own Tennessee Williams, the Theatre Department will select and showcase scenes from the playwright’s most compelling work. Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, 8001 Natural Bridge Rd., 63121. For more information, call (314) 516-4949.

Mar. 20 – April 13, The St. Louis Black Repertory Company presents The Whipping Man. Virginia, just after The Civil War. During Passover, a wounded Confederate Officer returns to a ruined plantation to find only two former slaves to care for him, in a test of humanity and their Jewish faith. Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square, 63108. For more information, call (314) 534-3807.

lectures

Thurs., Feb. 28, 6 p.m.,Life Skills Presents Discussion for African-American Parents and Educators, experts will offer Autism information and provide useful tools and resources, St. Louis Public Radio, Grand Center, 3651 Olive St. St. Louis, MO 63108. For more information, visit www.lifeskills-mo.org

Mar. 1 – Mar. 3, The Black Pages presents2013 Empowerment Conference, This dynamic three day event will host 20 Empowering Seminars that will provide a wealth of information regarding issues immediately affecting our community. These include “Examining Sexual Insanity”, “AVisit with Public Officials” “Saving for Education and Retirement”, “Understanding Obama Care Options”, “Choosing the Right School for Your Children”,

The Coliseum welcomes rap legend Rakim.See CONCERTS for details.

“Saving Our Sons”, and “Nurturing Mind, Body, and Spirit” to name a few. Simultaneously, 20 empowering non-profit organizations will be hosting booths to solicit volunteers who are committed to changing their communities through voluntary service. Cardinal Ritter College Prep, 701 N. Spring Ave. St. Louis, MO 63108. For more information please call Nikki Smith at 314-531-7300 ext. 201. Or visit the Transformational Agenda Magazine website at www.thetransformationalagenda.org or the St. Louis Black Pages at www.stlouisblackpagesblog.wordpress.com

Wed., Mar. 6, 7:45 a.m., Ameren Missouri presents Retirement: What Now? Come and hear practical advice on how to be active and make the retirement years meaningful, as well as discuss the personal and emotional challenges many people face as they transition into this new phase of their lives. Ameren Missoui Corporate Office, 1901 Chouteau Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 644-6111.

Thur., Mar. 7, 12 p.m., Lab 1500 presents 10 Reasons to

Change YourHiring Strategies. They say if it isn’t broke don’t fix it, but when it comes to the hiring process we believe not only is it broke, it’s way past time to fix it. Join us for new theories on how to hire and retain qualified employees. Outside of the box strategies to hire qualified people you might otherwise meet. 1500 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 329-8755.

Thur., Mar. 7, 7 p.m., The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community hosts Muhammad the Messenger of Peace Conference. This conference will respond to allegations against history’s most peace-loving person— Prophet Muhammad. Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 381-4850.

Wed., Mar. 13, 5:30 p.m., Making the Cut: Job Search Strategies that Will Get You the Job. Rung, 9739 Manchester Rd., 63119. For more information, call (314) 918-0575.

Tue., Mar. 19, 7:30 p.m., St. Louis Zoo presents Challenging Times for Conservation in Madagascar. In 1991 Saint Louis Zoo primate curator, Ingrid Porton, led a survey of ruffed lemurs in the Betampona Natural Reserve for the Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group (MFG); and in 2004, she became the Group’s Vice-Chair. One Government Dr., 63110. For more information, call (314) 533-8586.

health

Sat., Mar. 2, 8:15 a.m., Down Syndrome Association of GreaterSt. Louis presents The 2013 Annual Conference, Transitions: Ages & Stages. Workshops include “Steps to Independence,” “Peer Supports in Educational Settings,” and more. UMSL,

J.C. Penney Conference Center, 8001 Natural Bridge Rd., 63131.

Wed., Mar. 6, 6:30 p.m., SSM DePaul Health Center presents Infant Care Class. This class helps parents with the care of an infant. Topics include: bathing, feeding, nutrition, taking temperatures, immunizations, growth and development. 12303 De Paul Dr., 63044. For more information, call (314) 776-3627.

Wed., Mar. 13, 2:30 p.m., SSM DePaul Health Center presents Stroke Survivor’s Network. Apresentation and educational session at SSM Rehab Hospital for stroke survivors and their family members or caregivers. 12303 De Paul Dr., 63044. For more information, call 9314) 3446600.

Thur., Mar. 14, 8 a.m., SSM St. Mary’s Health Center presents Healthy Heart Screening. Join SSM Heart Institute for a full heart health screening that includes: total Cholesterol, HDL& LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, blood pressure, BMI and body fat percentage. Screenings are $20. 6420 Clayton Rd., 63117. For more information, call (866) 7763627.

Mar. 20, 9 a.m.,Importance of a Colon Screening, Colorectal cancer is preventable, even curable when detected early. Guests will have an opportunity to talk with Daniel Herleth, MD, and collect information on diet and lifestyle changes that could help you prevent colon cancer disease. Jamestown Mall Food Court. Call 314747-WELL(9355) to register.

Tues., Mar. 26, 7 a.m., Diabetes Alert Day Christian Hospital Diabetes Institute 11155 Dunn Rd. 63136, Physicians Office Bldg 1, #101 N. For more information, call 314-747-WELL (9355) or 1-877-747-WELL (9355) to register.

Continued from C1

kept the old school jams rolling all evening. Hilton chefs served an old-fashioned soul food buffet dinner including catfish, fried chicken and a great peach cobbler. Shawnese Ringo (Ball State) prepared a fun-filled tribute and video in her Aunt’s honor.

A lover of shoes, Jen chose a high-heeled ice sculpture and companion cake by Wedding Wonderland for guests to enjoy. Her favorite colors and theme for the party were fuchsia, electric blue and silver. Niece and party planner Sheron Chaney promoted her theme with heels and glitter throughout starting with the invitations, thank you notes and parting gifts of personalized bottles of pink wine with Jen’s picture on the front.

A few friends and family seen wobbling on the dance floor included Brandra Ringo (Universal – Los Angeles), Brenda Ringo Charles Norman (Alamogordo, NM), Dr. Jessie Burns Hattie Hardin, Rochelle Frye Dotson, Rosalind Henderson, Donald Buckner Kenny Buckner, Robert and Desire Ringo, Nancy Hardin, Charles and Cheryl Gant and Pam Spears

I am sure most Dallas fans would agree the rebirth of the hit television series popular in the eighties currently airing on TNT is a great success. Cousins John Ross and Christopher Ewing are adults now the apples didn’t fall far from the tree because the family rivalry is at an all-time high. The February 18 episode “Trial and Error” was directed by native St. Louisan Millicent Shelton (Los Angeles). Millicent

was recently nominated for an NAACP Image award for outstanding direction of the NBC comedy “Go On” –episode “Big League Crew”. The talented Princeton grad is the daughter of St. Louisans Mildred and Earl Shelton MD To site another St. Louis celeb we will keep our eyes on; Chandler Rollins (Chicago – Digital and Editorial Intern for Jet Magazine) has recently been credited with several Jet Magazine bylines. November 6, 2012 – Nine Black Politicos Behind President Obama’s Campaign and November 30, 2012 - Dr. Dre Tops World’s Highest- Paid Musicians List (who knew?). Most recently Chandler’s byline appeared in the January 28th edition of Jet on the Chris Brown and Frank Ocean Fight Over Parking Spot article Chandler is the daughter of Susan Rollins (St. Louis County) and Luther Rollins, Esq. Chandler, a Clayton High School grad is a senior at Columbia College in Chicago.

but it’s humbling and an honor to be in all of these shows this year – and it’s a little bit of pressure.”

Continued from C1

characters seemed beyond his imagination.

“I just wanted to be on the Black Rep stage,” Conner said. “It feels good to be working,

His consecutive run on the Black Rep’s mainstage began last season with Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and continued into Season 36/20 with The Piano Lesson. He’s currently starring as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in The Mountain Top and is in rehearsal for The Whipping Man

He’s been preparing for this moment. He went from Cardinal Ritter to Clark Atlanta University, where he studied theatre.

“When you get out of college, you think you’re going to always be working and portraying several roles, but it seldom works like that,” he said. “So to be doing it here is a huge honor.”

His credentials stretch across the country – most recently as a core member of Chicago’s esteemed Congo Square Theatre. He’s appeared in national commercials. Like most young people, his earliest dreams were of being the next leading blactor on the big screen.

“That’s not a goal, that’s a desire,” Conner said. “The goal is to stay working, and that will come. And when you get these jobs it reaffirms that you are doing what you are supposed to do.”

Conner plays King

Nothing could have prepared him for his role in the Black Rep’s current production of Katori Hall’s 2010 Broadway hit The Mountaintop

“Every insecurity a person could have – I had it,” Conner

LA Film Critics Awards 2013- Fantastic picture of Beast of The Southern Wild stars Dwight Henry and “Little Q” Quvenzhane’ Wallis with Alliance Sports CEO Rocky Arceneaux. Quvenzhane’ was a class act at the Oscars Sunday night. She is the youngest woman to be nominated for Best Actress. Well done Zhane! Don’t miss the Intercultural Music Festival and Symposium running in St. Louis Thursday February 28 through March 3. Pastor Allen Grothe (Pilgrim Congregational Church) is proud to announce the closing concert featuring Rebeca Omordia (piano), Silvia Belfiore (piano), Wendy Hymes (flute), Jeff Barudin (marimba), Kim Sopata (flute), Rose Marie Fischer (soprano) and Elike Fiase (organ) will be held at Pilgrim Congregational Church – 826 Union Blvd – St. Louis, MO 63108. Please call 314-652-6800 for additional information.

Blessings! Dana Grace: dgrandolph@live.com

said of playing MLK.

The two-person show (also starring Alicia Reve) directed by Linda Kennedy is an imagined exchange rooted in Dr. King’s final hours before he is assassinated outside of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis on April 4, 1968.

“It’s a ‘what if?’” Conner said. “What if we could go inside the Lorraine Motel and see what he was thinking and going through?”

He felt the pressure from the beginning.

“The biggest thing was sounding like him, and our voices are like night and day,” Conner said.

But his weathered, raspy tone actually worked to his benefit. “In the script, he is supposed to be hoarse,” Conner said.

Conner was especially impressed with the playwright’s interpretation of King in his most intimate, exposed moments.

“She said by humanizing him, she felt like maybe she could inspire someone else who may think, ‘I’m just a man’ or ‘I’m just a woman’ to do something great,” Conner said.

He is forever grateful – and changed – by the opportunity to portray the most iconic man of Black America.

“His spirit has inspired my spirit to speak out more and to become more goal-oriented – to always be working on my plan,” Conner said. “Even when he was dog-tired – even in his final moments – he felt he still had work to do.”

‘The Mountaintop’ will be at The Black Rep through March 9 at the Grandel Theatre For more info, call (314) 534-3810 or visit www.theblackrep.org

Continued from C1 energies to my viewers and centered by respect for all that is animated.”

She was born in 1959 in Matanzas, Cuba of Nigerian descent and trained in art in post-Revolutionary Cuba through the 1970s and ‘80s before traveling to Boston in the 1980s to participate in a student exchange program at the Massachusetts College of Art.

Campos-Pons has since exhibited globally at galleries, museums and venues such as the Johannesburg Biennial (1997), the Dak’Art Biennial in Dakar, Senegal (2004), the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial in Japan (2002), the Guangzhou Triennial in China (2008), and the Venice Biennale (2001 and 2013).

A 20-year retrospective of Campos-Pons’ work, Everything is Separated by Water: Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, opened at the Indianapolis Museum of Art in 2006 and traveled to the Bass Museum in Miami. Her work is found in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art (New York), The Whitney Museum of American Art (New York), the Polaroid Collection (Boston), The Fog Museum of Harvard University (Cambridge, MA), the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston),The Museum of Contemporary Art (Tokyo), the National Museum of Fine Arts (Havana), The Victoria and Albert Museum (London), and the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art here in St. Louis.

of

March

work will be on

through April 28.

Campos-Pons currently teaches at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, where she resettled after marrying a Bostonian.

at

The lecture and exhibition are a project of MOCRA Voices, a lecture and podcast series devoted to thinkers and practitioners at the intersection of contemporary art, religion, and spirituality. Call 314-977-7170 or visit mocra.slu.edu for more information.

“I started thinking, ‘What if we started dealing with the hair in its natural state?’”

SHI

Continued from C1 n

Simone also wants Shi to be a place where stylists can come to create, grow and learn that there are no limits within their field as long as they keep to their mission of using their talent to empower women.

“It is your job to tell them what they can do, not what they can’t, and show them how to do it,” she said.

When Shi started, Simone was working from the simple

thought of, “I know there’s a way I can make this natural hair move.”

Since then, an entire movement has happened around the practices she implemented well before they became standard practice. For her next big move, Simone wants her salon to literally be on the cutting edge.

“Great haircuts are my next focus,” Simone said. “With a great haircut, you don’t need a lot of product and you don’t need a lot of styling. If you have that foundation, everything else will fall into place. “ She also admits she wants to ease black women back into the idea of wearing their own hair.

“I love weave – weave is not a bad thing. But with a great haircut you can individualize it,” she said. “She can show off the bone structure, her eyes and her face. Your natural beauty.” Shi Salon is located at 1900 Olive St. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (314) 588-9948 or visit www. mariesimone.com. The salon is also on Facebook and Instagram as shisalonstl.

“Cia Cara” by Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons. A display

her photographic

view

MOCRA

2

Beasts of the Southern Wild stars Dwight Henry and Zhane Wallis with St. Louis attorney Rocky Arceneaux Photo by Brian Hannula

– Marie Simone, Shi Salon

Photo by Wiley Price

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town

St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission

‘We shall, We Shall Not Be Moved!’

March is Women’s History Month and St. Louis has a story to tell. Our history is replete with stories of fascinating women including:

• Maya Angelou, noted author, poet and actress, who was born in St. Louis but won critical acclaim with her best-selling account of her upbringing in segregated rural Arkansas. Her screenplay, Georgia, Georgia, was the first by a black woman to be filmed.

Josephine Baker who searched for food behind Soulard Market as a child, later performed in Paris with Revue Nègre, starred in the Folies-Bergère and became one of France’s beloved entertainers. She also was a civil rights activist in the United States.

• Fontella Bass, daughter of gospel singer Martha Bass, whose 1965 number one R & B hit “Rescue Me” crossed over to the pop hit parade.

• Kate Brewington Bennett, “the Belle of St. Louis,” who was admired for her pale complexion. At her death at age 37 in 1855, it was determined that she used small amounts of arsenic to achieve that pale look. Little did she know that taking the poison had cumulative effects.

• Susan Blow who opened the first successful public kindergarten at St. Louis’ Des Peres School in 1873. She was later instrumental in establishing kindergartens in schools throughout the country.

• Literary great Kate Chopin, whose book “The Awakening,” condemned for its frank treatment of a young woman’s sexuality when it was published in 1899, is now considered an early feminist work.

Gerti Cori who with her husband Carl discovered the mechanism for blood glucose regulation earning them the Nobel Prize in 1947. They were researchers at Washington University School of Medicine.

• Phoebe Couzins, the country’s first female law school graduate. She graduated from Washington University Law School, the first law school in the U. S. to admit students regardless of gender.

• Saint Rose Philippine Duchene who in 1818 founded the first house of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus outside of France and the first free school west of the Mississippi. The school was in St. Charles, Missouri across the Missouri River from St. Louis. Katherine Dunham, dancer, choreographer, author, educator, anthropologist and innovator in African-American modern dance. Dunham was also a social activist. In 1967 she established the Performing Arts Training Center in East St. Louis, Ill., to train new generations of dancers.

Julia Dent Grant, wife of President Ulysses S. Grant. Visitors to St. Louis can visit White Haven, Mrs. Grant’s childhood home and

Grant’s Farm to see “Hardscrabble,” the log cabin Grant built for Julia when they were married.

• Jackie Joyner-Kersee, hailed as the greatest female athlete of 20th Century. Joyner-Kersee is a six-time Olympic medalist with three gold medals. She is also a philanthropist and advocate for education, racial equality, social reform and women’s rights.

• Irma S. Rombauer, considered one of St. Louis’ most charming hostesses, she used her own funds during the Great Depression to publish The Joy of Cooking. The book quickly became the country’s most popular cookbook.

• Harriet Scott, a slave who, with her husband Dred, made history in 1846 by suing for their freedom. The case has been cited as one of the causes of the Civil War.

• Sarah Teasdale, a poet whose lyrics were known for their intensity. In 1918 Teasdale’s Love Songs won what was “essentially the first Pulitzer Prize for poetry.”

• Rock legend Tina Turner who began her career with Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm while still a student at Sumner High School in the 1960s. She would later launch a solo career that propelled her to the top of the pop, rock and R & B charts winning three Grammy Awards along the way.

• Madam C. J. Walker (Sarah Breedlove), America’s first female self-made millionaire. Walker, an African-American woman entrepreneur, developed and marketed a line of beauty and hair products for black women.

Insider’s tip: Learn more about outstanding St. Louis women, including opera star Grace Bumbry; comedian Phyllis Diller; actresses Betty Grable, Virginia Mayo and Shelley Winters and gospel singer Willie Mae Ford, at the St. Louis Walk of Fame in the Loop neighborhood

Artists Explore Community Identity Through Their Work

This week marks the end of Black History Month and the beginning of National Women’s History Month. The triumphs of African Americans and women in America are surely praiseworthy, though it will be a great day when achievements of all Americans will be celebrated as an integral part of American history.

Black History Month saw its beginnings in 1926 when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced the second week of February to be Negro History Week. Woodson and the Association chose this week because it marked the birthday of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In 1976, the Federal Government acknowledged the expansion of Black History Week to Black History Month.

Women’s History Month also grew out of a weeklong celebration. The school district of Sonoma, California organized a celebration of women in 1978. Two years later, the week of March 8 was declared National Women’s History Week, and in 1987 Congress expanded the event to the entire month of March.

The Saint Louis Art Museum seeks to provide programming that speaks to artistic, cultural, social, and historical accomplishments not only in February and March, but also throughout the year. Please join the Art Museum this Saturday to highlight the artistic and professional contributions of Marilyn Robinson, Regina Martinez and Anne Collins Smith. Presenters will discuss how they cultivate, explore, define, and challenge various community identities through their roles as arts professionals. Heralding from various backgrounds, artistic vantage points, and cultural institutions, panelists will engage audience members in a lively conversation.

Robinson is a self-taught artist and fine

art photographer. Her art illustrates her fascination with the incredible complexity and spiritual beauty of today’s cultures that have grown out of African ancestry, specifically New Orleans and Caribbean cultures. Martinez, also trained as a photographer, connects with the potential of neighborliness, storytelling, and skill sharing – ingredients for heightening agency at a grassroots level. Smith is the Curator of Collections at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art where she curates exhibitions highlighting cultural identities of race and gender.

“If It Wasn’t for the Women,” sponsored by the Saint Louis Art Museum, will be held on Saturday, March 2 at 10:00 am at the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis, 6128 Delmar Blvd. Refreshments will follow the presentations. This program is free and open to the public but space is limited. Please reserve your space by emailing bearden@slam.org or leave a voicemail at 314-655-5444.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR ANOTHER UPCOMING PROGRAM

Saturday, March 16, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Continue the Conversation of Slaves, Moors, and Kings: Images of Blackness in Art with Dr. Ruth Iyob.

Location: Sami’s Jahzart Private Gallery, 2nd floor of T.A.B. Company, Inc. located at 5561 Enright Ave Session 1: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Red Sea Crossings: Images of “Black Power” in Arabia and Beyond Session 2: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: From Royalty to Invisibility: The African Diaspora in India Pre-Registration required by Wednesday, March 13. Email bearden@slam.org or call 314 -655-5444

For more information and a complete listing of programs at the Saint Louis Art Museum, please visit www.slam.org.

Marilyn Robinson Regina Martinez

Anne Collins Smith

Maya Angelou

~ CELEBRATIONS ~

Birthdays King & Queen

Congratulations to TTAQueen

Johanna Osby & King Reginald Bailey, who were recently crowned during the Blue and Silver Ball Night of Elegance presented by Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. Cardinal Chapter.

is the daughter of Rev. and Sis. Cornelius Osby, and King Reginald is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Bailey.

Reunions

All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Calling ALLpast, current, and honorary GreaterSt. Mark Family Church singers! GSM

Reunion Concert will be Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. If you were a part of ANYGSM choir, group, praise

Malek Hobson

On February 24, Pastor Raymond D. Horry, “AMessenger from God” celebrated his 50th birthday.Pastor Horry is an amazing Pastor and leader who has helped change many lives through God’s word.His huge heart and tremendous love for people was recognized by theMayor of St. Charles, Sally Faith, as she presented Pastor Horry with the key to The City of St. Charles, and he was also honored with a Volunteer Service Award from PresidentBarack Obama.

Aspecial birthday wish to Elijah Malek Hobson, who turned “3” pm February 27. Happy Birthday, baby! Love, Your Mommy (Theresa Renee)

Helen Seiber celebrated her 83rd birthday on February 26. She is a mother of eight (one deceased), grandmother of 22, greatgrandmother of 37 and great-great-grandmother of 6. Happy 1st Birthday to Dreyson D. Jones on March 1!

team, music staff, etc...this is for you! Contact Linell Green at 314-249-7241 for additional information.

Attention all living members of St. Louis Dept. of Public Safety and St. Louis Fire Dept. Graduating Class of the St. Louis Fire Academy Class of 1978, all those interested please contact retired Kinloch Fire Protection District Chief Fire Marshall Theodis Brown Sr. at 314-619-1412.

Northwest High School Class of 1973, planning is underway for the 40th reunion of the Class of 1973! The reunion is planned for July 19-21, 2013.

Send your email address, phone and mailing address to northwesths1973@gmail.com . Information has also been posted on Classmates.com and Facebook Group: Northwest High School 1973.If you have questions feel free to call Cornelia Clark Stephens at 314 580-1114. Stay Tuned!

Northwest High School Class of 1978 will celebrate its 35th Class Reunion Weekend on June 21-23, 2013.For additional information please call 314-269-7868 or 314-5910532.

Tennessee State University, GreaterSt. Louis Chapter

Annual Greeks and Friends Scholarship Dance, Saturday, March 16 at The Machinist Hall, 12365 St. Charles Rick Rd., 8:30 pm—1 am, Donation: $10 (payable to Tennessee Stage Alumni, mail to: Martha J. West, 5112 Greer, St. Louis, MO 63115, 314367-8903/$15 at the door. Attire: Casual and collegiate. O’Fallon Class of 1983 is planning the 30-year reunion. We are looking for 1983 graduates.For more information contact Mrs. Zina Morgan at 314-304-5058 or Mrs. Kim Mims-Barnes via Facebook on her page or the O’Fallon Tech Class of ’83 page.

Riverview Gardens High School Class of 1993 20yearclass reunion, Saturday, July 27, 2013 at Joe Buck’s downtown. Please go to http://rghs93.classquest.com to add your contact info.

University City High School Class of 1993 announces its 20th Reunion August 2-4, 2013. $93 for the entire weekend! Contact the planning committee at UCHS1993@gmail.com or call Cheri (Lilly) Tellis at 314-570-3371. Events will be held at the Pin Up Bowl and Moonrise Hotel in the Loop.

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 FREE OF CHARGE

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

Queen Johanna

Elijah

Dreyson D.Jones

Helen Seiber

Raymond D.Horry

Religion

High school sweethearts turn prayer warriors

Minister Claude and Debbie Bennett start Heaven on Earth Ministries

By Marjorie Moore

For The St. Louis American High school sweethearts

Minister Claude and Debbie Bennett, who say they have been successfully and happily married for over 25 years, were both graduates from University City High School in the early eighties. Now having a family, including three children, Brittany, Claude III, and Solomon, God has called on their lives for a ministry of intercessory prayer and equipping entrepreneurs to serve the community in a Godly kingdom. They call their ministry, “Heaven on Earth Ministries.”

According to the Bennetts, Heaven on Earth Ministries is made up of many disciples of Jesus the King, who believe God has made His people to be kings and priests through Christ (Revelations 5:9-10). They proclaim that they have been called to specific regions and to stand in the gap as intercessors for the region (Roman 5:17 and Ezekiel 22:29-30).

They introduced their ministry to the public last fall during the Heaven on Earth Ministries conference. Their ministry is not geared to a particular denomination or race of people, but to those who are called to be intercessors in the bi-state areas of St. Louis and East St. Louis.

“Take a drug dealer for

more information, visit www. heavenonearthministries-stl. org.

InspIratIonal Message

For tough times, Paul

example, a person who may not know the full knowledge of Christ. The bible teaches us that we were all sinners until we have come into the knowledge of Christ and a person without Christ is dead,” Minister Bennett said.

“But when those who are dead can receive the life of God, which is the Word of God and this is where life comes from.”

The second phase of their ministry, which is currently underway, is equipping the community on how to pray.

Minister Bennett is a 2010 graduate of Living Word Christian Center’s School of Ministry and a Licensed Minister through Faith Ministries Alliance, whose Founder is Dr. Bill Winston, the pastor and founder of Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, Illinois.

Minister Bennett is also a licensed real estate broker, an accomplished entrepreneur, who gives back in a segment

of his ministry to build those in entrepreneurship.

. Co-Visionary Debbie Bennett, who holds a B.S. in Psychology from Washington University. She is a Registered Respiratory Therapist, Certified Asthma Educator, and a current graduate student in University of Missouri’s-St. Louis Clinical Mental Health Program.

“We train people and strengthen them in their prayer life,” she says, “to help people to pray effectively and to unify believers, whether you are Baptist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian or non denomination, we all are following Jesus Christ. We need to be fitly joined together to promote the Kingdom of God.”

The Intercessory Prayer Training Classes offer by the Heaven on Earth Ministries are free and open to the public To register, contact the ministry at heavenonearthstl@gmail. com or 314-581-2747. For

My Story

Joella Vordtriede will never forget the day she was told she has lung cancer. It was Election Day, Tuesday, November 4, 2008. After hearing the news, Joella had just one thing to ask her doctor: “What are we gonna do about it?” Her physician team at Siteman Cancer Center and Barnes Jewish Hospital leapt into action. By the end of that same week, Joella had surgery to remove the upper lobe of her left lung. Her journey with cancer was just beginning, and Joella leaned on her faith to stay positive. Her family and friends offered support that she credits as being one of the keys to her recovery. Joella soon began chemotherapy and radiation to complete her treatment. The treatment made her lose her appetite and her hair, but Joella decided she “didn’t look too bad bald!”

Throughout the treatment and today, Joella focuses on enjoying her life and staying healthy. She and her husband Bob,

who she calls her “rock,” make time to exercise together. She eats lots of vegetables and fruit. Joella used to smoke but quit in her late 30’s. Today, her message is simple, clear and important to preventing lung cancer: “Please, stop. Stop smoking.”

Research shows that after you quit smoking, your risk of lung cancer begins to drop. The decrease continues with time. Ask your doctor for resources and tools to help you quit.

Joella counts each day as a blessing. She celebrates her children’s lives by making scrapbooks filled with pictures and special memories.

To find out what you can do to lower your risk of lung cancer and other diseases, visit www.yourdiseaserisk.wustl.edu

The Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities (PECaD) at the Siteman Cancer Center is working to eliminate local and regional disparities in cancer education, prevention and treatment through community outreach, research and training.

Fish Fry at the Rock St. Alphonsus “Rock” at Grand and Cook, one block south of Page and Grand, is having a Lenten Fish Fry every Friday through March 22, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 22 is Soul Food Friday, (11 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day only), when the church will have greens and mac ‘n’ cheese for purchase as additional side orders. You can eat there or carry out. You can phone in your order (314-533-0304) or fax it in (314-533-4260) but it must be by Wednesday of each week for advance orders. Otherwise, just order when you get there and wait. There is no delivery service.

Empowerment Conference

Howard and Vickie Denson are hosting The Transformational Agenda Empowerment Conference March 1-3, at Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory High School, 701 N. Spring Ave. The Empowerment Conference’s principal day is Saturday, March 2 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. It is free.

Howard explains that the conference is an opportunity for the community to come together, to gain positive energy from each other, to gain information and inspiration, to grow in empowerment. For more information, call 314-531-7300, Extension 211 or visit www. TheTransformationalAgenda. org

Everybody has their favorites in the bible. Mine just happens to be Paul. You can’t look at his handiwork and not see Jesus’ hand in everything. Some of you might want to remind me of the 12 apostles, as well as a prophet or two. For me, just know Paul is the one.

A substantial part of the bible is devoted to Paul’s building of the early church in a time when whom you worshipped was literally a life and death decision. Paul says in his letters to the church in Corinth that there was indeed a point to his suffering and persecution. It was a byproduct of his faith in Jesus Christ.

know today. Paul is who he is because of a unique encounter with Christ. That encounter changed him and ultimately the world in which we live.

Paul writes, “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

This kind of thinking and belief led to the proliferation of the church worldwide.

It also shows how the lives of so few have impacted and influenced the ancient world and the world we

I am reminded that it is not unusual for new Christians to come under attack by old friends. It is also not unusual for new Christians to come under attack from a world where Satan has some sway. I think Paul’s good news is there is a place of refuge when this happens. He uses himself as an example for us to follow. If I submit my weaknesses to the power of Christ, then I become empowered to deal with whatever is thrown my way. When the going gets extremely tough, check out Paul. You know, he was a murderer of Christians; volunteered for the job, from my recollection. Yet because of his belief system after his Christ encounter, he experienced the best of God’s promises. We still recognize his work on that issue today. Paul’s life is like a refresher course for all of us who deep down cannot shake the memories of where we came from. I just wanted to let you know where I go at those times. You might want to venture there yourself to find the answers you seek.

The American is accepting Inspirational Messages from the community. Send your column (no more than 400 words) as a Word document and pasted text to cking@stlamerican. com and attach a photo of yourself as a jpeg file. Please be patient; we will run columns in the order received.

James A. Washington

Debbie and Minister Claude Bennett Jr. founders of Heaven on Earth Ministries

American staff

P.O.W. gives college scholarships in hero’s name

Four non-traditional college students will be able to continue their education thanks to a St. Louis woman’s organization dedicated to helping African-American women learn, lead and succeed.

The Professional Organization of Women (P.O.W.) recently gave away $20,000 during the 7th Annual Frankie Muse Freeman Scholarship Breakfast at the Renaissance Hotel in St. Louis. Each recipient was awarded, $5,000 and a laptop computer. This year’s lead scholarships and computers were donated by World Wide Technology of St. Louis.

The award winners, the college they are attending and their field of study are as follows: Kirby Amos, Brown Mackie College, Associate in healthcare management; Shonta Heard, Webster University, Bachelor of Science in legal studies; Penny Harris, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Bachelor of Science in nursing; and Wanda Slaughter, SIUE, Bachelor of Science in social work.

“There were a few times when I felt like giving up, but that little voice inside reminds me how far I’ve come,” said Amos. “This scholarship is about opening doors for women who want the opportunity to better their future, and I’m all for that.” Nearly 200 people attended

the scholarship breakfast in support of helping empower women and in honor of the first woman to serve on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights – Frankie Muse Freeman of St. Louis.

“I’m so proud of P.O.W.’s continual work in the community,” said Ralonda Jasper, a founding P.O.W. member and former P.O.W. board chair. “In particular, I’m proud of how we financially assist women in

their educational pursuits, women who delayed entry into college after high school due to personal or financial hardships. This effort truly aligns with our mission of empowering women to learn, lead and succeed.”

In the St. Louis metropolitan area, non-traditional students make up approximately 35 percent of those attending a two-year college and 16 percent of those at a four-year

college. Often, these students have not taken a traditional path to higher education because of personal challenges or economic conditions. Nontraditional students tend to pursue college at a much later stage in life.

“Making an impact in the community is one of our values,” said Lisa Muex-Sisson, P.O.W. president. “We take pride in providing opportunities specifically for non-tradi-

tional students who need the resources and support to further their education.”

The 91-year-old civil rights attorney spoke to the crowd, encouraging them to do more for those women needing assistance. Freeman also made a donation to her namesake scholarship fund.

“We all know the value of education, and we all know many women over the years who have said they wish they had gone further,” said Freeman.

In 1954, Freeman was the lead attorney for the landmark NAACPcase Davis et al. v. the St. Louis Housing Authority which ended legal racial discrimination in public housing with the city. In 2007, she was inducted in the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta, Ga., for her leadership role in the Civil Rights Movement.

Freeman is an excellent role model for women and all people, said Alyce Herndon, event co-chair with Chastity Perry.

With the success of this year’s fundraising efforts, P.O.W. looks forward to its scholarship event next year, said Malaika Horne, P.O.W.

board chair.

“The Frankie Muse Freeman Scholarship Breakfast was a rousing success,” said Horne. “I was impressed by the entire program, from the delicious food, to the impassioned remarks of Ms. Freeman urging attendees to contribute to these scholarships, to the recipients themselves who were very deserving and appreciative regarding P.O.W.’s generosity.” For more information, visit online at www.powincstl.org or call (314) 583-4226.

Scholarship Foundation deadline April 15

The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis’interest-free loan application deadline is Monday, April 15. The Scholarship Foundation offers qualified students the opportunity to apply for renewable, interest-free loans of up to $9,000 per academic year, based on financial need, academic potential, and character. High school students, college students, and nontraditional applicants pursuing their first bachelor’s degree are encouraged to apply at www.sfstl.org. Applicants must reside in: City of St. Louis or St. Louis County; the Missouri counties of Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, Warren, or Washington; or the Illinois counties of Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Madison, Macoupin, Monroe, or St. Clair. Interest-free loans and grants are awarded to students who have graduated high school or earned a GED and are planning to enroll in approved, accredited postsecondary programs. To be eligible, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. legal resident and be a permanent resident of the St. Louis metropolitan area for at least two years prior to the date of application. Students can apply for funding by completing an online “general application” which enables applicants to simultaneously apply for The Scholarship Foundation’s interest-free loan and a variety of external scholarships offered by several providers on the St. Louis Graduates

(www.stlouisgraduates.org).

The 2012 Frankie Muse Freeman Scholarship winners:Shonta Heard,Penny Harris,Kirby Amos and Wanda Slaughter.

Celebrity Swagger Snap of the

Week

ESL native and SoSo Def’s newest son Fresco Kane and So So Def alum Bow Wow were among the dozens of music’s biggest stars –including St. Louis own Nelly, JayZ, Da Brat and Mariah Carey to name a few –

through Atlanta to show love to Jermaine Dupri as SoSo Def celebrated twenty years in the music game.

Young Leaders: Take two. I know y’all had already visualized your most vicious corporate swag and configured a sickening power-bun to set it all off at the 3rd Annual St. Louis American Foundation Salute to Young Leaders Reception – well, hold that thought for Tuesday, March 26th. The weather had its way last week, but please understand that our make-up date is going to be so glorious that we will get the last laugh. I mean honestly… Mother Nature, girl, you are going to wish you never tried us! I’m forecasting that the top of the Chase to be AT CAPACITY for March 26 Be sure to come through, because every now and again you need to put your good clothes on and be about business – and this event celebrates the young folks who have mastered the art of doing so. Who knows, the connections you make might put you on the path to be one of the Young Leaders in years to come. And for those shallow folks – not necessarily unlike myself – there’s something in it for you too. If you kick it on the regular, why risk giving out your number to a guy that may ask “would you like fries or an apple pie” (not that there’s anything wrong with that), when you could be with us and possibly slip your digits to the next CEO of somebody’s major corporation…I’m just saying. The networking reception kicks off at 5:30 p.m. at the Chase Park Plaza. We have some scattered tickets, so call (314) 533-8000 or visit www.stlamerican. com to get yours!

Go BFree, it’s your birthday. Well I tell you, a baby blizzard can have little to no impact on these streets – and by these streets, I mean the clubs –with the right mix of folks and parties. Things kicked off for me as one of my favorite nightlife photographers of ALL TIME stepped on the other side of the camera Friday night for his b-day at Soho. I was so glad that the folks showed up and showed out for Teddy Blackett because he travels all up and through the Lou to make sure EVERYBODY’s party gets a sip of shine. And all of those folks and more paid it forward when they stopped through and made his shindig one of my favorite so far this year! I’m so glad that he wasn’t working – big ups to Nicholas for snapping up the evening and letting Teddy bask in his birthday moment. Some my favorite tastemakers were in the house – including Keenan Harris, Keith from Koncepts, D-Hib to name a few. And DJ Epic had the wheels of steel on lock! So much so that y’all were so busy grooving that you forgot to pose and perch – which was a good thing!

A good night for hip-hop at the Rock House. After Soho, I moseyed on over to the Old Rock House to get a taste of trap music rising boy Trinidad James. I know I’ve probably lost some of y’all, just ask your kids, nieces or nephews who he is the next time you see them. I was expecting to be bored out of my mind as a group of rappers I know nothing about talk about “the trap,” “whips,” “racks” and other unoriginal elements that come together to create the current ratchet formula for rap music. But I was pleasantly surprised that the show had me at hello. When I came through Tef Poe was on the mic and getting all types of love from the pit as the folks had their hands in the air like they just didn’t care. Between how well he was received by the crowd and how he keeps slaughtering the competition on 106 and Park’s Freestyle Fridays, I’m thinking that now might be his time. It wasn’t a “he’s cool, but where’s the headliner” type of hype. The Rock House was vibing out to him! Good look Poe! He really set things up for Trinidad James to hit the ball out of the park, and Trinny didn’t waste it either. I only knew two of his songs, but obviously I was the only one in that predicament because that crowd knew those songs better than their doggone social security number! I quietly caught life from James’ music serving me a blend of Big Boi and Soulja Boy. Café Soul. My first stop on Saturday was over to the newest venue playing host to Café Soul. The thing that struck me about the night was that over the past six years or so the monthly open mic and music series has really grown into a place where a mature group of folks come together in the name of good music. I can’t even tell you all the folks I saw boo’d up and singing along at Troy’s Jazz Gallery –and I wasn’t mad! Couples, keep them as an option for a date night.

Grown folks at the Goat. Mick Woods and his glorious chest muscles had every ___________(insert new slang for grown and sexy) in the building Saturday night for his annual birthday party. This year’s festivities were held at the Rustic Goat and it was the perfect blend of sophisticated ambience, sickening sew-ins, dress shoes and just downright adult swag. I haven’t smelled cologne on a man in the club in so long (unless you count Grey Goose) that I was fit to be tied due to the delightful mix of masculine fragrances! Justin Timberlake’s “Suit and Tie” could have been the theme song of the evening as the folks were laid back to the max with some of the who’s how of the U (as in U. City) like Orlando “Pretty Boy” Watson, KP The Barber and the lovely Mekhat Moore. And Charlie Chan on the tables was the perfect soundtrack.

Cali style Coliseum. It literally only took one step for me to go from night to day as I eased from Mick’s party on over to the Coliseum for their new weekly LA Nights festivities. It was packed and the crowd seemed to love it. But can y’all explain the Batman and Robin replicas that were running through the building, stage jumping and attempting crowd surfing. I guess they figured if the cartoon characters would turn it up that the crowd would follow. I can’t say that they were wrong about it.

Mick Woods was in good company at his grown and sexy All Black Affair birthday party with Melinda, Tiffany and Libby Saturday @ Rustic Goat

Plenty of the city’s tastemakers and close friends of Teddy “BFree” Blackett came through to help him celebrate his b-day Friday night @ Soho

R&B boy group Mindless Behavior stopped through the STL for a special screening of their Movie ALL AROUND THE WORLD and Hot 104.1

FM’s Diamond and Princess Stormm were in the building Friday @ AMC 12

John Carmen and Gene came through to the allnew LA Nights weekly set Saturday night @ The Coliseum

Cartier and Latoya were super geeked to see Trinidad James perform Friday night @ The Old Rock House

Dontilisha, Jazzebele Jewels and Angela Brown of Cafe Soul catered to a packed house Saturday night @ Troy’s Jazz Gallery

Eye Candy models Mariah and Rayce accompany Mo Spoon as the monthly party kept of their reputation of packing out the house Friday night @ The Loft

Hip-hop heads Chip, QB, Tef Poe Jake, Rep and Cory Black were in the building following Tef Poe’s opening performance for Trinidad James Friday @ The Old Rock House

Tracy and L’Erin came through to show love to Teddy Friday night @ Soho

Hot 104.1 FM’s Staci Static with Trinidad James after the two chatted it up before his concert Friday night @ The Old Rock House

who came

Photo by Fitz

Photos by Lawrence Bryant